Elmhurst CRC: Recent Episodes
Elmhurst CRC
Welcome to Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church! Here you will find the audio version of the messages from the weekend services taught by Pastor Gregg DeMey and Pastor Jeff Klein with occasional guest pastors. We hope you enjoy the services and are encouraged by the messages from God’s Word.
Kyle Olson - The Voice translation
With a little help from Brian McLaren (prayer inspiration) and Jerry Douglas (music)
Kyle Olson, Technical Director
Music from "Renee" by Jerry Douglas, written by Mike Seal
Kyle Olson 0:08
Welcome to Elmhurst, CRC'S daily dose of the Word of God. This week we will contrast the visible with the invisible worlds, are we reading from the voice translation of Ephesians, six, verses 10 through 12. Probably a good idea to start at ten, not earlier.
Kyle Olson 0:27
"Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God, put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil in his evil schemes. We're not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places."
Kyle Olson 0:57
Let's pray. Lord, thank You for Your word. Thank you for your spirit. Thank you for your gift of armor. Lord, we know you only want the best for us. You want to protect us, you are our father. Sometimes it seems, Lord that maybe you've left us here all alone, with no help at all. But as we dig deeper into your Word, and we spend time with you, we realize you are with us and your spirit. You are with us in the flesh, when you sent your Son Jesus, and that you go ahead of us protecting us from things that may come. Your word it also tells us that we will face challenges in following you, and that we will have battles, intense battles, not only in the world that we see, but in the invisible spiritual world. Help us to see those things for what they are. Shine a light in the dark places, scattering those enemies so that they may have no power against us. But also Lord, You tell us to love our enemies, to pray for them, to treat them with grace and mercy. And so, Lord, we pray all of this. We know that you can give us the strength to do all these things. In Your name. Amen.
Rebekah Wilson 0:11
Welcome to Elmhurst, CRCS daily dose of the Word of God. Today's Tuesday August 1, and this is Rebecca Wilson. This week we will contrast the visible with the invisible worlds by reading Colossians two verses six through 10. I'll be reading from the New Living Translation.
Rebekah Wilson 0:30
"And now just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to Him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so that you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy are high sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ. For in Christ, the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe."
Rebekah Wilson 1:15
As Paul continues in his letter to the Colossians, he's admonishing them in their faith. Over and over, he explains and teaches about the superiority of Christ, for whom Paul is in chains. As believers in Jesus we are to grow in our obedience to Him. Paul tells the Colossians and us to let our roots go down deep and to drop some stubbornness from Christ. Our faith grows stronger and more vigorous as we obey and put our faith to action. This naturally leads to an overflow of gratitude for Jesus as we recall his good deeds on our behalf and his faithfulness to us. Being filled with gratitude then prepares us and protects us against the enemy schemes to deceive and distract us. As Paul says, when we are full of the wisdom of Christ. The philosophy and nonsense of this world will be obvious, behind every lie or falsehood against God. There is an invisible enemy stoking the fire, the enemy had targeted the thinking of the Colossians and targets our thinking today, to distract us or confuse us or to deceive us about the truth of who God is. And we don't have to be afraid, though, because as Paul points out, the truth about Jesus already dwells within us as followers of him.
Rebekah Wilson 2:39
Let's pray. Father God, when I think about the fact that Jesus dwells within me and has taken up residence in my soul, I am filled to overflowing with thanksgiving. We thank you for providing a way for us to be temples of your spirit. Help us to be rooted and built up in our faith in you. Help us to be strengthened in our face so that no one is able to fool us or deceive us through hollow philosophy. Lord, we take up our shields of faith to protect us from all the enemy's flaming arrows, and we pray this all in Jesus name, Amen.
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to, "The Holly & The Ivy":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmOshQR0ohI&themeRefresh=1
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link To Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiJYgC_6AFc&t=1s
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Sydney Poitier Version of, "Amen":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6w255CGkk
Link to Johnny Cash Version of, "Amen":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GBVFeHvxro
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to song, "Rattle":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAdbH28gIg&t=2s
Gregg DeMay, Lead Pastor
Link to song, "In Christ Alone":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpe110ZiUik
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Louis Armstrong's "When The Saints"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eUzdTF3P2M
Link to 'lively' version of "When The Saints"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP9USUBG21U
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Louis Armstrong's "When The Saints"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eUzdTF3P2M
Link to 'lively' version of "When The Saints"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP9USUBG21U
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Song, "Cantad al Señor":
https://youtu.be/Q21bYHWnyX8?t=90
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to ECRC performance of "Reckless Love":
https://vimeo.com/731791310
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Song, "Come Thou Fount Every Blessing"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_aACQ9LjoM
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to song, "Live What I Believe"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14FPUZ28RMg
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to, "God Really Loves Us":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Gv5c86xmI
Gregg DeMay, Lead Pastor
Link to song, "I Speak Jesus"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiaVb8j_nbw&t=2s
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Song, "Softly & Tenderly"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY7fMGtVyzQ
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Song, "This Is My Father's World"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5rZx-iogyg&t=1s
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Song, "Your Great Name"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuuLBPOYcI8
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to King Forevermore:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNeGi2egsk
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Song: O God, Our Help In Ages Past
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4WCLlC-LLs
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Link to Song, I Will Follow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0l8fd1nEkE
Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Be Still and Know Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8dbgE34pg8&t=18s
- with Caryn Rivadeneira, Director of Care
Note: Sunday’s Comin’ is a daily devotional designed to take a daily dive into scripture for the weekend message. Join our pastors, staff, and occasional special guests as we reflect together.
Transcript: Complete transcript available here.
Questions/Comments: We'd love to hear from you! Email ask@elmhurstcrc.org.
Sunday’s Comin’ devotional is a production of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located in Elmhurst, IL. Sunday’s Comin’is produced and audio-engineered by Kyle Olson, Technical Director. For more information about Elmhurst CRC or to find out about other tools and resources to grow you and your family in faith, visit elmhurstcrc.org.
- with Jeff Klein, Director of Outreach
Note: Sunday’s Comin’ is a daily devotional designed to take a daily dive into scripture for the weekend message. Join our pastors, staff, and occasional special guests as we reflect together.
Questions/Comments: We'd love to hear from you! Email ask@elmhurstcrc.org.
Sunday’s Comin’ devotional is a production of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located in Elmhurst, IL. Sunday’s Comin’is produced and audio-engineered by Kyle Olson, Technical Director. For more information about Elmhurst CRC or to find out about other tools and resources to grow you and your family in faith, visit elmhurstcrc.org.
- with Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor
Note: Sunday’s Comin’ is a daily devotional designed to take a daily dive into scripture for the weekend message. Join our pastors, staff, and occasional special guests as we reflect together.
Questions/Comments: We'd love to hear from you! Email ask@elmhurstcrc.org.
Sunday’s Comin’ devotional is a production of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located in Elmhurst, IL. Sunday’s Comin’is produced and audio-engineered by Kyle Olson, Technical Director. For more information about Elmhurst CRC or to find out about other tools and resources to grow you and your family in faith, visit elmhurstcrc.org.
- with Kara Hackert, Director of Children & Family Ministries
Note: Sunday’s Comin’ is a daily devotional designed to take a daily dive into scripture for the weekend message. Join our pastors, staff, and occasional special guests as we reflect together.
Questions/Comments: We'd love to hear from you! Email ask@elmhurstcrc.org.
Sunday’s Comin’ devotional is a production of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located in Elmhurst, IL. Sunday’s Comin’is produced and audio-engineered by Kyle Olson, Technical Director. For more information about Elmhurst CRC or to find out about other tools and resources to grow you and your family in faith, visit elmhurstcrc.org.
- with Kyle Olson, Technical Director
Note: Sunday’s Comin’ is a daily devotional designed to take a daily dive into scripture for the weekend message. Join our pastors, staff, and occasional special guests as we reflect together.
Questions/Comments: We'd love to hear from you! Email ask@elmhurstcrc.org.
Sunday’s Comin’ devotional is a production of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located in Elmhurst, IL. Sunday’s Comin’is produced and audio-engineered by Kyle Olson, Technical Director. For more information about Elmhurst CRC or to find out about other tools and resources to grow you and your family in faith, visit elmhurstcrc.org.
- with Caryn Rivadeneira, Director of Care
Note: Sunday’s Comin’ is a daily devotional designed to take a daily dive into scripture for the weekend message. Join our pastors, staff, and occasional special guests as we reflect together.
Questions/Comments: We'd love to hear from you! Email ask@elmhurstcrc.org.
Sunday’s Comin’ devotional is a production of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located in Elmhurst, IL. Sunday’s Comin’is produced and audio-engineered by Kyle Olson, Technical Director. For more information about Elmhurst CRC or to find out about other tools and resources to grow you and your family in faith, visit elmhurstcrc.org.
Today's Host
Jeff Klein, Pastor of Outreach
Questions/Comments: We'd love to hear from you! Email ask@elmhurstcrc.org.
Note: Sunday’s Comin’ is a weekday devotional designed to take a daily dive into scripture for the weekend message. Join our pastors, staff, and occasional special guests as we reflect together.
Sunday’s Comin’ devotional is a production of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, located in Elmhurst, IL. Sunday’s Comin’is produced and audio-engineered by Kyle Olson, Technical Director. For more information about Elmhurst CRC or to find out about other tools and resources to grow you and your family in faith, visit elmhurstcrc.org.
Doug Bardolph
Gregg DeMey
Kyle Olson
We're sorry that Andrew Peterson couldn't be at our church performing on March 27th so we made a video of a few selections.
He is risen. He is risen indeed! Christians all the over the globe (and realms unknown to us!) will greet each other with these words today. From the womb of a rocky tomb, God has brought the miracle of new life, a resurrection! The large stone that had been placed in front of Jesus’ tomb was rolled away by the power of God. The seal of the Roman government, the authority of the Roman guards, the watchfulness of the Pharisees could not stand in the way of God’s good work. Who would have guessed that new life could emerge from that cold, stone tomb? If God’s power was able to bring the ultimate life from the grave, what might he do with the stuff of your life - even the parts that may seem stony and lifeless? He is risen indeed! Activity: God raised his beloved Son, Jesus, from the tomb and rolled away the large stone that kept the tomb closed. Arrange your rocks in the shape of a circle to symbolize the opening in the empty tomb. Remember the moment where the resurrected Jesus stepped out into the bright light of that first Easter morning. Wonder about what new thing God is desiring to bring to your own life and family. He is risen indeed!
Have you ever had to wait for something? Waited for spring break to start? Waited to hear if you got the job? Waited for a baby to be born? These are all exciting things to wait for. But have you ever waited with a sense of dread? Like waiting in a hospital room or waiting for test results? Jesus said that “the sign of Jonah” would be offered to his contemporaries as a miraculous sign from God. Just like Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days, so God’s Messiah would die and be consigned to the belly of the earth for three days. But here’s the thing, the Jewish people kept time like car rental companies! That is to say, any portion of a day counts for an entire day. Jesus died on Friday, was in the tomb all day on Saturday, and remained there until his resurrection on Sunday morning. Three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday... they all count! So today, on Saturday, we wait. Saturday of Holy Week is the special day of silence and grave solemnity for Christians. The Son of God is in the ground. Humanity has seemingly snuffed out the divine among us. But we need not wait in dread. We wait in hope and it is fitting to wait in the quiet, silent as a stone. Activity: Take your rocks and turn them over. Hide whatever writing you have previously added to them. Cover the rocks with a piece of cloth or a coat or put them away in a closet or a drawer. Spend some time (as a family) in silence out of respect for Jesus who died. Set an appropriate time (maybe only a few minutes for young children!) to break the silence, perhaps with the Bible reading for today.
There’s not much good that happened on this particular Friday. Upon leaving the rented upper room after their Passover meal, Jesus and his disciples went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus prayed and became so distressed at what lay in front of him that he literally sweat blood from his pores. The disciples did not understand... and fell asleep. Judas had chosen this moment to betray his master into the hands of Jesus’ accusers. Panic and desertion ensued. Jesus was tried, mocked, beaten and ultimately crucified. Where is the “good” in any of this on Good Friday? We can perhaps whisper only, on this dark day, that what others intended for evil, God intended for good. That is why we call this Friday, “good.” The Roman symbol of the cross - an emblem of criminals and capital punishment - has been transformed through time into the ultimate symbol of God’s grace and selfless sacrifice. Activity: Gather a rock for each family member and write a sin or a burden you want to give to Jesus. Then take the rocks and create the shape of a cross or if you have a cross make a path out of the rocks leading to the cross. As you do this activity take a moment to know the truth about the cross and what the sacrifice of Christ means for you. The weight of that sin, that burden, it is taken away and you no longer have to bear it! Spend a moment in prayer for what make this Friday “good” to you.
The room had been cleaned, the food had been bought, the table had been laid. Jesus had his disciples gathered in a rented “upper room” to celebrate the Jewish Feast of the Passover. This is a meal that they would have celebrated religiously every year of their lives. This particular year, however, Jesus introduced some major differences into the Passover proceedings. First, Jesus himself took the role that would have belonged to one of the lowest servants in the rented house and proceeded to wash the feet of his disciples. It’s as if the CEO of Starbuck’s would be sighted cleaning the bathrooms in a local chain. Jesus forever demonstrated the true nature of Christian leadership. Even more significantly, Jesus transformed the unleavened bread of the Passover for his disciples and presented it to them as his own body, broken for them. And Jesus took the cup of gratitude and presented it to his followers as the cup of the New Covenant, a cup given in his very blood for the complete forgiveness of all of their sins. 2,000 years later - today! - Jesus’ followers will still “take, eat and drink, remember and believe” that God’s perfect Passover Lamb was given to take away the sins of the world. Activity: Find a medium sized serving bowl or vase, clear glass or transparent if possible. Fill it up with water. Place some of your chosen rocks in the water, perhaps even give them a little bath. Notice how they brighten in color when they are wet. This is what happens in the waters of baptism when God washes us. This is what happens when we give and receive acts of service like Jesus offered his disciples by washing their feet before the Passover meal.
Would you have liked to be one of Jesus’ 12 disciples? On the one hand, it would be beautiful to know him face to face, to hear his voice, to witness his life. On the other hand, the original 12 disciples had a pretty rough go of it. Often they misunderstood Jesus’ teachings and intentions. They were frustrated and often clueless. They also would have traveled from place to place and endured a very nomadic and Spartan existence. Judas Iscariot was the overseer of the money that supported Jesus and his disciples. This must have been a challenging job to keep his friends and Master operating on a shoe-string budget. When an expensive bottle of perfume was poured over Jesus’ head, Judas registered his disapproval. That money could have been shared with the poor or been used to support Jesus’ ministry for weeks! This unnecessary waste seems to be the straw that broke the camel’s back for Judas. Following the excessive dumping of so much perfume on Jesus, Judas indicates his willingness to betray his Master into the hands of the Pharisees. What he gets in return is a little economic kickback - just 30 pieces of silver. Activity: Gather your rocks together and place them in a bag. As you feel the weight of the rocks try to sense the weight of your sin. In what area of your life do you sell Jesus short? Take some time for self-introspection and to pray the words of Psalm 139:24, “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” As Good Friday draws near know that forgiveness comes in our confession. We do not have to bear the burden any longer.
At our house, whenever we have company overnight or even over for dinner, we are sure to make preparations and do a little extra housecleaning. For Jesus, at the end of his life, it was no different. His last days were characterized by these two domestic impulses: cleaning and preparing. Jesus - in one of the few recorded moments in the Bible where he was angry and aggressive - took it upon himself to drive out the commercial enterprises from the temple grounds. Jesus desired his Father’s house to be clean - to be free from the abuses of normal human commerce so that the temple could be set apart for prayer. Similarly, Jesus and his disciples took it upon themselves to make the necessary preparations to follow the longstanding Jewish tradition of re-enacting the Passover meal. A room had to be arranged for. Food had to be bought. The table had to be set. Clean water and towels had to be procured for the pre-meal washing of feet. All of this was done in advance so that the holy moment of remembering God’s salvation for his people could be remembered. Today is the day that we get ready to remember what Jesus did on Maundy Thursday when he washed the feet of his disciples, even Judas, and fed them with what we now call, “The Last Supper.” Activity: Today you are going to prepare your house as well. Turn on some music and clean together. Parent - ahead of time hide a number of rocks around the house for the children to find as they clean. This has two purposes. One, to make cleaning a bit more fun. And, two, you can add these rocks to your Holy Week display for use on Wednesday. As a family you can read about the Lord’s supper in Matthew 26:17-30. If you would like to dig deeper into the connection of Passover and the Lamb of God at Easter there is an example Passover meal in your activity packet. Purchasing and preparing the foods can connect to your day of cleaning and preparation.
Our senses have the power to transport us to another time and place when a connection is made to some part of our past. Hearing an old song can bring us back to a high school dance. Seeing an old familiar face can take us to the town where we grew up. Of all the senses, no other perception has this transportational potential than our sense of smell. When Jesus had an entire bottle of perfume wash over his head, he received not only a final anointing to signify that he was the chosen Son of God; Jesus also received a reminder that would last with him through the final days of his life through the power of smell. Imagine how long the scent would stay if an entire bottle of perfume were poured over your head! When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, when he prayed in the garden, when he was denied and beaten, even when he hung on the cross - the reality that he was the Messiah, the Christ, the chosen one, would still ring true through Jesus’ sense of smell. Activity: Take your rock that has your praise on it and “anoint” it with either some scented oil or paint the rock with a clear coat of nail polish. As you do this take time to think of what “scents” you carry with you. Are the things that you carry with you a reminder that you are God’s? Are you, like Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 2:14&15, “to God the pleasing aroma of Christ”?
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday at the beginning of Passover week, it must have been a little bit like our modern parades. People gathered at the roadside. Dads and Moms brought their kids to see the sights. There was music, noise, excitement - a huge hub bub! Surely some people came along just because everyone else was there. While modern parades are amplified by marching bands, revving engines and the sirens of fire trucks - the people themselves had to create all the noise in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago when Jesus came to town. The volume was turned up so loud for Jesus that the Pharisees (those well-behaved religious leaders who surely preferred lower volume settings) asked Jesus to tell everyone to dial the noise back. Jesus would have no such thing. The Palm Sunday parade was a day for praise and thanksgiving. Parades are for celebrating and remembering the people and events for which we are grateful. Jesus not only refused to quiet the people, he went of out of his way to let the Pharisees know that there would be no stopping his parade. Jesus said, “if the people keep quiet, then the very rocks would cry out!” On Palm Sunday, the people did their job and offered their songs, prayers and praise to the one who deserves them. The rest of the week, however, is another story.... Activity: Gather a small collection of rocks. Perhaps you can go “hunting” for them in your yard, neighborhood, or at a nearby park or beach. Use a sharpie to write a cause for praise or thankfulness to God on some of the rocks. You can make a small “pile of praise” on the table where you eat, or on your kitchen counter to represent your thankful heart and the praises of the people on Palm Sunday.
Marching Orders - Welcome to the Elmhurst CRC Devotional Experience. It’s Sunday, the eighth day of Easter week
Our scripture reading today comes from Matthew 28:16-20.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The Great commission. Some of Jesus’s most famous words to his disciples. Yet, he is not speaking just to his disciples - he is speaking to all believers. He is speaking to me. He is speaking to you. He has commissioned us all to be witnesses wherever we are. We have the awesome responsibility of sharing his love and his light with everyone we meet. How do we do that? We do that by choosing to be love. By choosing to love God above all else and to be so filled with his love that we can’t help but love others as we love ourselves. This is not always easy. There will be times when we struggle and feel overwhelmed. Times when we ourselves feel surrounded by darkness and not sure which way to go. Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble. But, he did not stop there. He goes on to say be encouraged, I have won the battle over this world. He is alive! He is risen! And, he promises to help us, to be our strength when we are not sure we can go on. He has sent the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and support us. He will not leave us alone. So go out there. Share his love, his light, and his story. Live as an example to those around you.
He is with us always. To the very end of the age.
Find a dark or dim place nearby. Bring along eight sources of light for the eighth day of our experience. Watch as the light grows brighter and brighter with each soure of light.
As the light begins to push out the darkness, speak these words: “Out of the darkness of the tomb, the light is shining. Jesus is the light of the world. I will let that light shine through me and share that light with others.
Welcome to the Elmhurst CRC Devotional Experience. It’s Friday, the sixth day of Easter week
Our scripture reading today comes from John 21:15-19
We all know Peter, he’s Jesus’ guy. His right hand man during Jesus’s ministry on earth. I love Peter because he gives me so much hope. I see a lot of me in Peter. So in love with Jesus yet so very wild. Think about it he jumped out of boats, cut off a guys ear, and even asked to build tents for the transfiguration. He is a guy that is in love and wants to get stuff done.
I think Peter gives me such hope because he is so human! His love and devotion abound for Jesus, but even Peter gets scared. When Jesus was taken captive and was going on trial Peter is presented with a very simple question. “You were one of His disciples you know Him you were one of the ones with Jesus of Galilee?” And Peter, in a very human moment, denies that he knew Jesus. In fact three times he stands by a fire, in the dark, just outside where Jesus was on trial and denies that he ever knew who Jesus was. Jesus told Peter that he would deny ever knowing Him and Peter responded to Jesus that he never could do such a thing. But then as the rooster crowed that night the true realization struck.
Could you imagine what it must have felt like? The sound of that rooster’s crow must have been like an air horn. You know that noise in your life, when you realize just how far you have drifted from God and it seems like there is no use. Like its not even worth trying any longer, like you are just no good. For Peter this realization must have made the world seem so dark, so cold, even the fire that burned next to him must have seemed like it gave off very little light. But that’s not where the story ends for Peter and its not the way that Jesus leaves things! In fact, it's just where our scripture reading starts.
Jesus had died, and Peter and some of the other disciples go fishing. Jesus was gone and so they go back to what is familiar. But, here is the the beautiful part!!! Jesus found the disciples right where He found them at the beginning of His ministry on earth. He gave them all they could imagine in a catch. And then had a meal with them. And during the meal He asks Peter if Peter loves Him more than those fish. The fish represent the old stink, but also the comfortable safety net, the familiar life; not the crazy life. The life that we thought would make us happy. And so Jesus asked Peter three times, Do you love me? Peter says yes and Jesus responds, Feed my lambs, Do you love me… Take care of my sheep, Do you love me… Feed my sheep. Each time Peter answered yes. The last time he even cried out in frustration “yes Lord you know I love you!” He was at a place where He desired so badly to forget what he had said and done and be forgiven. Thats beautiful thing!
Jesus is bringing back light into the darkness. He is undoing the very thing that Peter thought could never be forgotten, what Peter thought could never be forgiven. Jesus does this all around a fire. Just like the fire Peter stood by and denied Christ. One of the most amazing senses we have is our sense of smell. It is one of the most powerful ways to recall memories. Could you imagine that every time you smelled a fire you would remember your denial of Christ? But Jesus love for us goes so deep, that when He redeems Peter, when Jesus redeems us, He does it fully, His light comes bursting into the darkest places of our lives, the parts we wish to never relive, to never remember. the power of the resurrection shines the light of God’s power into our lives to remind us that He forgives all, redeems all, and redirects all! Even down to the very scent of our sin.
Find a dark or dim place nearby. As you do so, remember that God has forgiven you and redeemed you. He will go to the farthest stretches to restore you and bring you back into right relationship with Himself! Bring along seven sources of light for the seventh day of our experi
Welcome to the Elmhurst CRC Devotional Experience. It’s Friday, the sixth day of Easter week
Our scripture reading today comes from John 21:1-14
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When Jesus first met his disciples, many of them were fishermen. But they left their boats and nets to follow him and go fishing for people instead. After Jesus had died and risen, the disciples were so confused that they were tempted to return to their old life. “I’m going fishing” Peter said, and the rest went along with him.
They spent a night fishing on the Sea of Galilee and caught absolutely nothing. As the sun came up, Jesus appeared on the shore and called out to them to try casting their nets out on the right side of the boat. They did and pulled in a huge load of fish, 153 to be exact. Perhaps because this was an almost exact repeat of the scene when they first met Jesus, they recognized that it was their Lord calling to them from the shore. As the sun was rising over the eastern shore of of the lake, the light of truth was beginning to rise in their hearts.
When they got to shore, Peter was so excited that he hauled the entire net of 153 wriggling fish onto shore by himself. Jesus invited the disciples to share in the breakfast he had prepared: there were coals burning with fish and with fresh bread.
Earlier the disciples had wondered if Jesus could eat fish in his new body (see Wednesday). Now Jesus proves that he can not only eat, but he can also cook. More importantly, Jesus demonstrates that he has risen to provide for the needs, body and soul, not only of the 11 remaining disciples, but the needs of his church. That’s us!
Perhaps you know that the fish is an ancient Christian symbol. It’s amazing how often fish figure into the resurrection stories of Jesus! The Greek word for fish is "I-X-TH-U-S” (“TH” is one letter, theta, in Greek). Taken as an acronym in Greek, the five letters stand for the first letter of the words, “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
Find a dark or dim place nearby. Bring along six sources of light for the sixth day of our experience.
As the light begins to push out the darkness, speak these words: “Out of the darkness of the tomb, the light is shining. Jesus is the light of the world.” If you can, sing a verse
Welcome to the Elmhurst CRC Devotional Experience. It’s Thursday, the fifth day of Easter week
Our scripture reading today comes from John 20:24-31
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Do you ever have doubts about what people are telling you? Perhaps the story that they are sharing is just too hard to believe. Perhaps he did catch a fish but it wasn’t that big! So what do we do with that doubt? If you are like me, you ask further questions to try and establish the truth or you ask for evidence, you want proof. And as you receive answers to your questions and proof of the story you start to see that something that was initially unbelievable becomes believable.
I don’t think it was any different for Thomas. To think that Jesus had risen from the dead is understandably difficult to believe. I think so often he is given a bad rap for his doubt, in fact he is known to many as “Doubting Thomas”. And with that name often comes a negative connotation. If you were Thomas in this story, how would you have reacted to the disciples telling you they had seen the Risen Lord?
Could it be possible that Thomas wanted to see for himself so that his faith could be his experience and not the experience of the other disciples? As the disciples had seen the light, he wanted to see it also. In doing so I believe he is shining a light for us to use as an example as a way for our faith to grow, to not be afraid to doubt but then pursue them and go find the answers.
I know as a parent I want that for my children, I don’t want them to believe in Jesus because I do, I want them to know Him for themselves. I want them to experience His wonderful gift of life that He offers.
When Thomas encounters Jesus for himself, Jesus does not bring condemnation but answers his doubts precisely. In touching the wounds of Jesus, Thomas is able to confess who is standing before him, “My Lord and My God.”
May that be our experience as we encounter the living, risen Lord. May His light shine.
May you be encouraged that any doubts about our faith, if we are willing to bring them into the light, can be met in Jesus.
Find a dark or dim place nearby. Bring along five sources of light for the fifth day of our experience.
As you turn on each light share a doubt that you have or a concern that is on your mind. If you are doing this as a family have everyone share a doubt and then turn on a light after each one.
When all the lights are on, speak these words: “Out of the darkness of the tomb, the light is shining. Jesus is the light of the world.”
Welcome to the Elmhurst CRC Devotional Experience. It’s Wednesday, the fourth day of Easter week
Our scripture reading today comes from Luke 24:36-43
While his disciples were talking together, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
When Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples (Judas, now being gone), he greeted them with the words, “Peace be with you.” He knew they would be scared - and anxious - and fearful. God’s peace is the opposite of fear.
The disciples mistook Jesus for a ghost at first. What might a resurrected human body actually be like? The disciples were scared of Jesus despite his soothing words and despite the fact that they recognized him. Somehow Jesus must have been both familiar and otherly in his newly resurrected body. He was the same, and very different.
To help comfort them, Jesus showed them his hands and feet which still were marked with the wounds of his crucifixion. When they could see truth that it really was Jesus, the light bulb began to go on. They have their “Aha!” or “Eureka!” moment. When the light of truth dawns on them, the Gospel of Luke say that “joy and amazement” began to follow. Fear and anxiety are transformed into joy and amazement in the presence of the resurrected Jesus.
The disciples, perhaps wanting a little more proof of Jesus’ identity, gave him a taste test. They share a piece of broiled fish with him... and he eats it. Perhaps they wondered if Jesus’ body was solid enough to eat. The answer: Yes! Even in his resurrected body, Jesus is still one of us. Human. Flesh and blood. Eating. Drinking. Breathing. Sharing his peace.
Perhaps you know that the fish is an ancient Christian symbol. The symbol traces back to this moment when that little piece of fish eaten by Jesus demonstrates that he is truly risen and that he is still, truly one of us.
Find a dark or dim place nearby. Bring along four sources of light for the fourth day of our experience.
As the light begins to push out the darkness, speak these words: “Out of the darkness of the tomb, the light is shining. Jesus is the light of the world.” Share any other Bible stories or references you can think of about fishes … or maybe even about a whale.
It is Tuesday, the third day of Easter week and today’s devotional is from Luke 24:13-35.
Have you ever tried to find something in a dark room and can’t see where you are going? As you feel around in the dark, maybe you bump into furniture or stub a toe? Then someone flips a switch and the room is flooded with light. Instantaneously, everything is illuminated. You not only see where you are going but also the people alongside of you.
In today’s passage, two disciples experienced a spiritual “turning on of the lights.” These two followers of Jesus were traveling the road to Emmaus. They had probably witnessed Jesus’ death, seen the nails driven into his hands and the spear into his side. As the Bible tells us, these followers were downcast and confused. In Jesus’ death, their dreams and hopes were nailed to the cross and died as well.
And then there were these unbelievable accounts of Jesus being alive. I wonder why they didn’t stay to find out if these reports were true. Instead, these two disciples decided to walk seven miles to Emmaus. As they were discussing these things, Jesus came alongside of them and entered into their conversation. As they walked together, the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus. They obviously weren’t expecting him. They believed he had died and was gone.
Jesus listened to their confusion and reminded them what the Scriptures had said of the Messiah. Hearing these historical promises, the disciples urged their companion to stay with them. When you are reminded of God’s goodness, don’t you want to take a moment to savor it as well? I wonder if they didn’t want the conversation to quite end yet.
And Jesus was not finished reminding them of God’s promises. When they ate together, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it. I wonder if these two disciples were reminded of similar time when Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it. The Bible tells us that in that moment, their eyes were opened to the risen Lord. And then, poof! Jesus disappeared from their sight. It was then they realized that, all along, their hearts had been burning inside of them as Jesus shared the Scriptures.
The Bible then tells us: “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
In many ways, we are like these disciples walking a road in life. Just like he illuminated truth and light into this situation, are there questions you are wrestling with that needs understanding and the light of the Resurrected Jesus? As you walk the road of your life, open your eyes to Jesus’ presence and welcome him in.
In closing, gather in a dark or dim place nearby. Bring along 3 sources of light for the third day of our experience. As the light begins to push out the darkness, speak these words: “Out of the darkness of the tomb, the light is shining. Jesus is the light of the world.” If you can, sing a verse of the song, “This Little Light of Mine.”
Welcome to the Elmhurst CRC Devotional Experience. It’s Monday, the second day of Easter week
Our scripture reading today comes from John 20:10-18
Then the disciples went back to their homes,but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out teacher! Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Mary had walked with Jesus for some time. She had seen him perform miracles, heard him proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, wept as he was crucified, and watched as his body was sealed in the tomb. She felt the tremendous loss of him and was devastated that he was gone.
Imagine then the emotions that pass through her that morning when she goes to the tomb. Grief over his death. Shock that his body was not in the tomb. Fear at the sight of the angels. Confusion when first seeing Jesus. Unspeakable joy when she realizes it is him.
In this joy she reaches out for him. She hangs on to keep him with her, to not lose him again, and perhaps to try and keep things how they were before. But, that is not his plan.
He tells her not to hold on to him, that he still needs to go to the Father, that there is more to come.
Last week my daughter asked me why Jesus tells Mary not to hold on to him and yet later tells Thomas to touch his hands and side. Why the difference?
The difference is that Mary needed to loosen her grip and Thomas needed to strengthen his. Mary was clinging to Him, taking comfort in his strength and that he was back and physically before her. She did not want to let go and she did not want things to change.
But, it was time for Mary to realize that things would not stay the same. They could not. It was time for her to walk by faith, time for her to take the time to go and tell the others. To share his story. His love. His light. She did not need to touch him as others did to have faith in who he was. But, she did need faith enough to continue on. She had seen her risen Lord and now needed to release her grip so that she might open her hands and share the good news that Jesus is alive! Jesus, the Light of the World, still shines.
Find a dark or dim place nearby. Bring along two sources of light for the 2nd day of our experience.
As the light begins to push out the darkness, speak these words: “Out of the darkness of the tomb, the light is shining. Jesus is the light of the world.” If you can, sing a verse of the song, “This Little Light of Mine.”
Welcome to the Elmhurst CRC Devotional Experience. It’s Sunday, the first day of Easter week
Our scripture reading today comes from Luke 24:1-8
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.
He is risen. He is risen indeed! Christians all the over the globe (and realms unknown to us!) will greet each other with these words today. From the womb of a rocky tomb, God has brought the miracle of new light, new life, a resurrection! The large stone that had been placed in front of Jesus’ tomb was rolled away by the power of God. The seal of the Roman government, the authority of the Roman guards, the watchfulness of the Pharisees could not stand in the way of God’s good work. Who would have guessed that new life could emerge from that dark, stone grave?
If God’s power was able to bring the ultimate life from the tomb, what might he do with the stuff of your life - even the parts that may seem dark and lifeless? He is risen indeed!
Today’s Activity: Find a dark or dimly near place nearby. Take one light source: a candle, a flashlight, or even a cell phone… Perhaps read Luke 24:1-8. As the light begins begins to push out the darkness, speak these words together: “Out of the darkness of the tomb, the light is shining. Jesus is the light of the world.” If you can, sing a verse of the song, “This Little Light of Mine.”
The final installment of Elmhurst CRC's 2015 Advent Devotional Experience. Thanks for joining with us.
Luke 2:6 & 7 While they there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and place him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Sing along with these two verses of "The Friendly Beasts"
“I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave him my manger for his bed, I gave him hay to pillow his head I,” said the cow, all white and red.
Thus all the beasts, by some good spell, in the stable dark were glad to tell of the gifts they gave Emmanuel, the gifts they gave Emmanuel.
“I,” said the sheep with curly horn “I gave him my wool for his blanket warm he wore my coat on Christmas morn I,” said the sheep with curly horn
Scripture Texts: Luke 2:1-15 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The Friendly Beasts - Camel Edition
Jesus, our brother, kind and good, was humbly born in a stable rude, and the friendly beasts around him stood, Jesus, our brother, strong and good.
“I," said the camel with golden neck I bore him treasure on my back Gold and myrrh and frankincense “I," said the camel with golden neck
-Paul Daly - Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”