News and Announcements

Lent is a 6-week season that leads Christians into a celebration of God's Easter Gift of Resurrection and New Life. Lent calls us to ponder Jesus' invitation to "Come and follow," while we reflect on the meaning of the Cross... for Jesus and his first followers "back then," and for Christians striving to live faithfully today.

This year's series is based on Rob Bell's book, "Love Wins." The book invites us to explore our own images and understandings of God, Heaven, Hell, and Salvation. It holds in tension the biblical and the cultural concepts surrounding these words. It calls us to see and experience the "wideness in God's mercy" and grace.

Those who are interested are encouraged to purchase a book and read along. We won't have time to cover all the material, so we'll focus on specific topics. But the entire book is helpful, thought-provoking, inspiring and grace-oriented. In typical Rob Bell style, it is full of good questions and Bible references, while being an easy read with lots of good stories and anecdotes. The great majority of what Bell writes is highly compatible with our Lutheran theology and teachings, which are always grace-centered. 

• Tuesday Midweek Worship will be held in the traditional sanctuary from 11-11:45 am. The   service will include singing favorite hymns (selected by attendees), Responsive Prayer (ELW pp.328-331), reflection and dialogue based on Bell's book, and Holy Communion.  Lunch follows in the Community Center.
• Wednesday Midweek Worship will also be held in the traditional sanctuary from 7-7:30 pm. The liturgy will be a portion of Marty Haugen's Evening Song. Candles and subdued lighting will help create a more meditative and contemplative space. The reflection will spring from Bell's book. The service ends with Holy Communion.
• On Sunday Mornings there will be a Forum Class in room A10, 10-11 am, for those who would like to discuss Bell's book.

Our Sunday Morning Worship Themes are:

Feb. 26: -- "Here is the New There" (Chapter 2) Jesus    didn't teach his followers about going someplace else to experience God. Jesus taught followers to help him bring heaven, God's Reign, to earth, where God will ultimately, finally, and fully live with all God's people. (Matthew 6:10, Revelation 21:1-6)

Mar. 4 -- "Now Is THE Time" (Chapter 2, cont.) Jesus didn't separate heaven from earth, or "this age" from "the age to come." Instead, he helped people understand how God's realm and existence are always connected to our world, our actions, and our lives. Jesus wants us to experience heaven now, in what some call the "Eternal Now" of every moment. (Matthew 19:16-26)

Mar. 11 -- "What Did Jesus Mean by Hell?" (Chapter 3) Jesus taught that our choices and our actions can create a literal "hell" for ourselves and for others, in this life. The word we often translate as "hell" in the gospels meant something very different for Jesus and his listeners.        (Mark 9:42-48)

Mar. 18 -- "Is God's Judgment 'Eternal,' or is it 'Forever' ?" (Chapter 3, cont.) In Bible times, the word "eternal" often meant "for a period of time" more than what we mean by "forever and ever." What are some    implications of this in our understanding of God, Salvation and Judgment? (Matthew 25:31-46)

Mar. 25 -- "Does God Get What God Wants?" (Chapter 4) Jesus told us that God's loving embrace is so wide and so persistent that God will stop at nothing, and God will spare no cost, in making sure that every single human being is included in God's amazing love. So, does God get God's way with us? (Luke 15:1-10)

April 1 -- Palm/Passion Sunday -- "Living By Dying" (Chapter 5, pp. 121-129) Christians after Jesus' death, and even Jesus himself, talked about the Cross as a metaphor for God's Way: dying to our selfish agendas in order to be more fully alive, more fully human, by living as God desires. There are multiple meanings and interpretations of Jesus' death on the cross. All of them are part of our heritage. (Mark 15:1-41)

April 8 -- Easter Sunday -- "Dying To Live" (Chapter 5, pp. 129-137) The Resurrection metaphor is the way God's world works. Death is not separate from life, but an      important part of life. Each death brings the promise of new life and rebirth. This was especially true for Jesus' agrarian upbringing in Galilee. (Mark 16:1-8)