Epworth UMC Toledo: Recent Episodes
Epworth UMC
Welcome to Epworth UMC in Toledo, OH. Join us Saturdays at 4:30 and Sunday mornings at 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 for worship. Visit us at www.epworth.com
The Meaning of Faith11Now faith is the assuranceof things hoped for, the convictionof things not seen.2Indeed, by faithour ancestors received approval.3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.7When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9Pray, then, in this way:Our Father in heaven,may your name be revered as holy.10May your kingdom come.May your will be doneon earth as it is in heaven.11Give us today our daily bread.12And forgive us our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors.13And do not bring us to the time of trial,but rescue us from the evil one.14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15but if you do not forgive others,neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Elisha Raises the Shunammites Son8One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal.9She said to her husband, Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God.10Let us make a small roof chamber with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us.11One day when he came there, he went up to the chamber and lay down there.12He said to his servant Gehazi, Call the Shunammite woman. When he had called her, she stood before him.13He said to him, Say to her: Since you have taken all this trouble for us, what may be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army? She answered, I live among my own people.14He said, What then may be done for her? Gehazi answered, Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.10Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
10Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.11But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, I thought that for me he would surely come out and stand and call on the name of theLordhis God and would wave his hand over the spot and cure the skin disease!12Are not Abanaand Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean? He turned and went away in a rage.13But his servants approached and said to him, Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, Wash, and be clean?14So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.15Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant.18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
8Then Boaz said to Ruth, Now listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.9Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped and follow behind them. I have ordered the young men not to bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.10Then she fell prostrate, with her face to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?11But Boaz answered her, All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me, how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.12May theLordreward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from theLord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!13Then she said, May I continue to find favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, even though I am not one of your servants.14At mealtime Boaz said to her, Come here and eat some of this bread and dip your morsel in the sour wine. So she sat beside the reapers, and he heaped up for her some parched grain. She ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over.15When she got up to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, Let her glean even among the standing sheaves, and do not reproach her.16You must also pull out some handfuls for her from the bundles and leave them for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.7Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The Widow of Zarephath8Then the word of theLordcame to him, saying,9Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there, for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.10So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.11As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.12But she said, As theLordyour God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.13Elijah said to her, Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said, but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.14For thus says theLordthe God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that theLordsends rain on the earth.15She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days.16The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of theLordthat he spoke by Elijah.10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us,
Birth and Youth of Moses2Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman.2The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months.3When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river.4His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.5The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it.6When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. This must be one of the Hebrews children, she said.7Then his sister said to Pharaohs daughter, Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?8Pharaohs daughter said to her, Yes. So the girl went and called the childs mother.9Pharaohs daughter said to her, Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages. So the woman took the child and nursed it.10When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaohs daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses,because, she said, I drew him out of the water.6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith workingthrough love.
Jonathans Covenant with David18When Davidhad finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.2Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his fathers house.3Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul.4Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David and his armor and even his sword and his bow and his belt.5David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.
Jobs Three Friends11Now when Jobs three friends heard of all these troubles that had come upon him, each of them set out from his homeEliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to go and console and comfort him.12When they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him, and they raised their voices and wept aloud; they tore their robes and threw dust in the air upon their heads.13They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
4Thus says theLordof hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:5Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.6Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to theLordon its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.8For thus says theLordof hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to your dreams that you dream,9for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says theLord.10For thus says theLord: Only when Babylons seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.11For surely I know the plans I have for you, says theLord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.12Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.13When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart,14I will let you find me, says theLord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says theLord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you.20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.21Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
Naomi and Her Moabite Daughters-in-Law6Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that theLordhad considered his people and given them food.7So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah.8But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go back each of you to your mothers house. May theLorddeal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.9TheLordgrant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband. Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud.10They said to her, No, we will return with you to your people.11But Naomi said, Turn back, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?12Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons,13would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of theLordhas turned against me.14Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.15So she said, Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.16But Ruth said,Do not press me to leave you,to turn back from following you!Where you go, I will go;where you lodge, I will lodge;your people shall be my peopleand your God my God.17Where you die, I will die,and there will I be buried.May theLorddo thus to me,and more as well,if even death parts me from you!18When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
Pressing toward the Goal12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christhas laid hold of me.13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid holdof it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,14I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenlycall of God in Christ Jesus.15Let those of us, then, who are maturethink this way, and if you think differently about anything, this, too, God will reveal to you.16Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
The Walk to Emmaus13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven milesfrom Jerusalem,14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17And he said to them, What are you discussing with each other while you walk along? They stood still, looking sad.18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?19He asked them, What things? They replied, The things about Jesus of Nazareth,who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,23and when they did not find his body there they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.25Then he said to them, Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!26Was it not necessary that the Messiahshould suffer these things and then enter into his glory?27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on.29But they urged him strongly, saying, Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over. So he went in to stay with them.30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.32They said to each other, Were not our hearts burning within uswhile he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together.34They were saying, The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!35Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
The Potter and the Clay1 The word that came to Jeremiah from theLord:2Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words. 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.5 Then the word of theLordcame to me: 6Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says theLord. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.14I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,15just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.
Do Not Worry25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?27And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?28And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe youyou of little faith? 31Therefore do not worry, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear? 32For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But strive first for the kingdom of Godand hisrighteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
10Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. He answered, Here I am, Lord.11The Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying,12and he has seen in a visiona man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.13But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem,14and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.15But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel;16I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.17So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Sauland said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized,19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Feeding the Five Thousand5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.7Philip answered him, Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peters brother, said to him,9There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?10Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so theysat down, about five thousand in all.11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.
Gods Reply to the Prophets Complaint2I will stand at my watchpostand station myself on the rampart;I will keep watch to see what he will say to meand what hewill answer concerning my complaint.2Then theLordanswered me and said:Write the vision;make it plain on tablets,so that a runner may read it.3For there is still a vision for the appointed time;it speaks of the end and does not lie.If it seems to tarry, wait for it;it will surely come; it will not delay.4Look at the proud!Their spirit is not right in them,but the righteous live by their faith.Gods Love in Christ Jesus38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Vine and the Branches15I amthe true vine,and my Father is the gardener.2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,while every branch that does bear fruithe prunesso that it will be even more fruitful.3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.4Remain in me, as I also remain in you.No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;apart from me you can do nothing.6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
Future Glory18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God,20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope21that the creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.22We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor,23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.24For inhope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees?25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
10He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)11And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
7Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.8If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh, but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.9So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.10So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.
1On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him 4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city When they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women 14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
One Body with Many Members12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one bodyJews or Greeks, slaves or freeand we were all made to drink of one Spirit.14Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.15If the foot would say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body.16And if the ear would say, Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body.17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.19If all were a single member, where would the body be?20As it is, there are many members yet one body.
36He also told them a parable: No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise, not only will one tear the new garment, but the piece from the new will not match the old garment.37Similarly, no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins and will spill out, and the skins will be ruined.38But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.39And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine but says, The old is good.
9At that place he came to a cave and spent the night there.Then the word of theLordcame to him, saying, What are you doing here, Elijah?10He answered, I have been very zealous for theLord, the God of hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away. 11He said, Go out and stand on the mountain before theLord, for theLordis about to pass by. Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before theLord, but theLordwas not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake, but theLordwas not in the earthquake,12and after the earthquake a fire, but theLordwas not in the fire, and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, What are you doing here, Elijah?
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,2To Timothy, my beloved child:Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.3I am grateful to Godwhom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors didwhen I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.6For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands,
1 Corinthians 9: 24-2724Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air,27but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.1 Peter 4: 1010Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.Matthew 5: 14-1614You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.15People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
24Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air,27but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
The Resurrection of Jesus28After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.2And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.3His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow.4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.5But the angel said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.6He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where helay.7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, He has been raised from the dead,and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him. This is my message for you.8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples.9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, Greetings! And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.10Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.
Jesuss Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem28After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.29When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples,30saying, Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.31If anyone asks you, Why are you untying it? just say this, The Lord needs it. 32So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them.33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, Why are you untying the colt?34They said, The Lord needs it.35Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.36As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.37Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen,38saying,Blessed is the kingwho comes in the name of the Lord!Peace in heaven,and glory in the highest heaven!39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, Teacher, order your disciples to stop.40He answered, I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.
The Fall of Babylon Proclaimed6For thus has the Lord said to me:Go, set a watchman,Let him declare what he sees.7And he saw a chariotwitha pair of horsemen,A chariot of donkeys,anda chariot of camels,And he listened earnestly with great care.8Then he cried, A lion, my Lord!I stand continually on thewatchtower in the daytime;I have sat at my post every night.9And look, here comes a chariot of menwitha pair of horsemen!Then he answered and said,Babylon is fallen, is fallen!Andall the carved images of her godsHe has broken to the ground.10Oh, my threshing and the grain of my floor!That which I have heard from theLordof hosts,The God of Israel,I have declared to you.Proclamation Against Edom11Theburden against Dumah.He calls to me out ofSeir,Watchman, what of the night?Watchman, what of the night?12The watchman said,The morning comes, and also the night.If you will inquire, inquire;Return! Come back!
A Man Born Blind Receives Sight9As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.2His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?3Jesus answered, Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that Gods works might be revealed in him.4Wemust work the works of him who sent mewhile it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.6When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the mans eyes,7saying to him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.8The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?9Some were saying, It is he. Others were saying, No, but it is someone like him. He kept saying, I am he.10But they kept asking him, Then how were your eyes opened?
Pauls Visions and Revelations12It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.2I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heavenwhether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.3And I know that such a personwhether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows4was caught up into paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.6But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me,7even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keepme from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.8Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,9but he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for poweris made perfect in weakness. So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
The Testing of Jesus4Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,2where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished.3The devil said to him, If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.4Jesus answered him, It is written, One does not live by bread alone. 5Then the devilled him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.6And the devilsaid to him, To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.7If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.8Jesus answered him, It is written,Worship the Lord your God,and serve only him. 9Then the devilled him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,10for it is written,He will command his angels concerning you,to protect you,11andOn their hands they will bear you up,so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. 12Jesus answered him, It is said, Do not put the Lord your God to the test. 13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother11Then Jesussaid, There was a man who had two sons.12The younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me. So he divided his assets between them.13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living.14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need.15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.16He would gladly have filled his stomachwith the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything.17But when he came to his senses he said, How many of my fathers hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands. 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.
From the Prophet JoelBlow the trumpet in Zion;sound the alarm on my holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,for the day of theLordis coming, it is near2a day of darkness and gloom,a day of clouds and thick darkness!Like blackness spread upon the mountains,a great and powerful army comes;their like has never been from of old,nor will be again after themin ages to come.Yet even now, says theLord,return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;13rend your hearts and not your clothing.Return to theLordyour God,for he is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,and relenting from punishment.14Who knows whether he will not turn and relentand leave a blessing behind him,a grain offering and a drink offeringfor theLordyour God?15Blow the trumpet in Zion;consecrate a fast;call a solemn assembly;16gather the people.Consecrate the congregation;assemble the aged;gather the children,even infants at the breast.Let the bridegroom leave his roomand the bride her canopy17 Between the vestibule and the altar,let the priests, the ministers of theLord, weep.Let them say, Spare your people, OLord,and do not make your heritage a mockery,a byword among the nations.Why should it be said among the peoples,Where is their God? From the Book of Acts17And now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiahwould suffer.19Repent, therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,20so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send the Messiahappointed for you, that is, Jesus,
The Transfiguration28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.31They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not realizing what he was saying.34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, This is my Son, my Chosen;listen to him!36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
The Parable of the Talents14For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;15to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. At once16the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made five more talents.17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his masters money.19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
Peter Delivered from Prison7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, Get up quickly. And the chains fell off his wrists.8The angel said to him, Fasten your belt and put on your sandals. He did so. Then he said to him, Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.9Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angels help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.10After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him.
8for once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light,9for the fruit of the lightis found in all that is good and right and true.10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them.12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly,13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,Sleeper, awake!Rise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan30Jesus replied, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead.31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.33But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion.34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?37He said, The one who showed him mercy. Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.
Paul's Letter to the Thessalonians1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:Grace to you and peace.2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.4For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you,5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit,7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.9For they report about us what kind of welcome we had among you and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the deadJesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet22Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying:2The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.4Again he sent other slaves, saying, Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business,6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them.7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.8Then he said to his slaves, The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.
The Baptism of Jesus13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.14John would have prevented him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?15But Jesus answered him, Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness. Then he consented.16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw Gods Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him.17And a voice from the heavens said, This is my Son, the Beloved,with whom I am well pleased.
The Escape to Egypt13Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.14Then Josephgot up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, Out of Egypt I have called my son.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lords Messiah.27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law,28Simeontook him in his arms and praised God, saying,29Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,according to your word,30for my eyes have seen your salvation,31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32a light for revelation to the gentilesand for glory to your people Israel.
The Shepherds and the Angels8Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,the Lord.12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,praising God and saying,14Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace among those whom he favors!15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.
The Birth of Jesus2In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.3All went to their own towns to be registered.4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.
The Birth of Jesus Foretold26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgins name was Mary.28And he came to her and said, Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.30The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.
11Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.Messengers from John the Baptist2When John heard in prison what the Messiahwas doing, he sent word by hisdisciples3and said to him, Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?4Jesus answered them, Go and tell John what you hear and see:5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.
The Testimony of John the Baptist19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?20He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, I am not the Messiah.21And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? He answered, No.22Then they said to him, Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?23He said,I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said.
Jesus and the Woman of Samaria7A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, Give me a drink.8(His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.)9The Samaritan woman said to him, How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria? (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.11The woman said to him, Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?12Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?13Jesus said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,14but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.
Peter and Cornelius27And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled,28and he said to them, You yourselves know that it is improper for a Jew to associate with or to visit an outsider, but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?30Cornelius replied, Four days ago at this very hour, at three oclock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me.31He said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms have been remembered before God.32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.33Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.
Love and Joy Perfected11These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, andthatyour joy may be full.12This is Mycommandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down ones life for his friends.14You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
Agrippa Parries Pauls Challenge24Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul,you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.26For the king, before whom I also speak freely,knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.28Then Agrippa said to Paul, You almost persuade me to become a Christian.29And Paul said,I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.
The Conversion of Lydia13On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposedthere was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.14A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.15When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home. And she prevailed upon us.
Paul and Silas in Prison25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.26Suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened and everyones chains were unfastened.27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped.28But Paul shouted in a loud voice, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.29The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.30Then he brought them outside and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?31They answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.32They spoke the word of the Lordto him and to all who were in his house.
Check out UMCOR and all the great work that they do!Global Ministries - Connecting the church in mission (umcmission.org)Jesus Walks on the Water28 Peter answered him, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.29He said, Come. So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.30But when he noticed the strong wind,[a]he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me!31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, You of little faith, why did you doubt?
Check out UMCOR and all the great work that they do!Global Ministries - Connecting the church in mission (umcmission.org)Hearers and Doers24Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock.26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it felland great was its fall!
The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge18Then Jesustold them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.2He said, In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people.3In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, Grant me justice against my accuser.4For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone,5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming. 6And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says.7And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?8I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?
Law or Faith3You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified!2The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?3Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?4Did you experience so much for nothing?if it really was for nothing.5Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?6Just as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,-The Works of the Flesh16Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.17For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.
David Anointed as King10Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, TheLordhas not chosen any of these.11Samuel said to Jesse, Are all your sons here? And he said, There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.12He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. TheLordsaid, Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the spirit of theLordcame mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
Paul's Charge to Timothy1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.3For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.5As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Feeding the Five Thousand15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.16Jesus said to them, They need not go away; you give them something to eat.17They replied, We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.18And he said, Bring them here to me.19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.20And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Peter Addresses the Crowd36Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah,this Jesus whom you crucified.The First Converts37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, Brothers,what should we do?38Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.42They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Pauls Vision of the Man of Macedonia6They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.7When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them;8so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.9During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us.10When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
The Healing of a Boy with a Spirit17Someone from the crowd answered him, Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak,18and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid, and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.19He answered them, You faithless generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.20And they brought the boyto him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy,and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.21Jesusasked the father, How long has this been happening to him? And he said, From childhood.22It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, help us! Have compassion on us!23Jesus said to him, If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes.24Immediately the father of the child cried out,I believe; help my unbelief!
Results of Justification5Therefore, since we are justified by faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and weboast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.3And not only that, but wealso boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,5and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
The Apostles Are Persecuted36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him, but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared.37After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.38So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail;39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow themin that case you may even be found fighting against God!
The Gift of Love8Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.9For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part,10but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.12For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.13And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.25I have said these things to you while I am still with you.26But the Advocate,the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.28You heard me say to you, I am going away, and I am coming to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.
The Institution of the Lords Supper23For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread,24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body that is foryou. Do this in remembrance of me.25In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes.
The Man with an Unclean Spirit21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit,24and he cried out, What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet and come out of him!26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, What is this? A new teachingwith authority! Hecommands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Psalm 84The Joy of Worship in the TempleTo the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.1How lovely is your dwelling place,OLordof hosts!2My soul longs, indeed it faints,for the courts of theLord;my heart and my flesh sing for joyto the living God.3Even the sparrow finds a homeand the swallow a nest for herself,where she may lay her young,at your altars, OLordof hosts,my King and my God.4Happy are those who live in your house,ever singing your praise.Selah5Happy are those whose strength is in you,in whose heart are the highways to Zion.6As they go through the valley of Baca,they make it a place of springs;the early rain also covers it with pools.7They go from strength to strength;the God of gods will be seen in Zion.8OLordGod of hosts, hear my prayer;give ear, O God of Jacob!Selah9Behold our shield, O God;look on the face of your anointed.10For a day in your courts is betterthan a thousand elsewhere.I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Godthan live in the tents of wickedness.11For theLordGod is a sun and shield;he bestows favor and honor.No good thing does theLordwithholdfrom those who walk uprightly.12OLordof hosts,happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Prayer for the Readers20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,21to him be glory in the church andin Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Encouragement to Be Generous2for during a severe ordeal of affliction their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.3For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means and even beyond their means,4begging us earnestly for the favorof partnering in this ministry to the saints,...
11He came to what was his own,and his own people did not accept him.12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a fathers only son,full of grace and truth.
From Paul's Letter to the Congregation in Philippi4Rejoicein the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think aboutthese things.9As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.
The Coming of the Holy Spirit2When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.5Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem.6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.7Amazed and astonished, they asked, Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,11Cretans and Arabsin our own languages we hear them speaking about Gods deeds of power.
The New Life in Christ12I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of Gods mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship.2Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of Godwhat is good and acceptable and perfect.
The Example of Jesus12Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,2looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Prayer of Thanksgiving8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world.9For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospelof his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers,10asking that by Gods will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you.11For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened12or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each others faith, both yours and mine.13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you, as I have among the rest of the gentiles.14I am obligated both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish,15hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.The Power of the Gospel16For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is Gods saving power for everyone who believes,for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar3One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three oclock in the afternoon.2And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple.3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms.4Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, Look at us.5And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.6Peter said, I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,stand up and walk.7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.8Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.9All the people saw him walking and praising God,10and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and astonishment at what had happened to him.
Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples21After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way.2Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.3Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing. They said to him, We will go with you. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.4Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.5Jesus said to them, Children, you have no fish, have you? They answered him, No.6He said to them, Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some. So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.7That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord! When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea.
The Resurrection of Jesus24But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,3but when they went in they did not find the body.4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.5The womenwere terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the mensaid to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,7that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.8Then they remembered his words,9and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.
Jesuss Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem21When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,2saying to them, Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, The Lord needs them. And he will send them immediately.4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:5Tell the daughter of Zion,Look, your king is coming to you,humble and mounted on a donkey,and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;7they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.8A very large crowdspread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,Hosanna to the Son of David!Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!Hosanna in the highest heaven!
The Request of the Mother of James and John20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him.21And he said to her, What do you want? She said to him, Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.22But Jesus answered, You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?They said to him, We are able.23He said to them, You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.24When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers.25But Jesus called them to him and said, You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.26It will not be so among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,27and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave,28just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.
That is not the way you learned Christ!21For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus,22to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts,23and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,24and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.25So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another.
hrist the Power and Wisdom of God18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.19For it is written,I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of the proclamation, to save those who believe.22For Jews ask for signs and Greeks desire wisdom,23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles,24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25For Gods foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and Gods weakness is stronger than human strength.
The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus46They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside.47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!48Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, Son of David, have mercy on me!49Jesus stood still and said, Call him here. And they called the blind man, saying to him, Take heart; get up, he is calling you.50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.51Then Jesus said to him, What do you want me to do for you? The blind man said to him, My teacher, let me see again.52Jesus said to him, Go; your faith has made you well. Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples20I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word,21that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one,23I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
JOEL 2Blow the trumpet in Zion;sound the alarm on my holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,for the day of theLordis coming, it is near2a day of darkness and gloom,a day of clouds and thick darkness!Like blackness spread upon the mountains,a great and powerful army comes;their like has never been from of old,nor will be again after themin ages to come.12 Yet even now, says theLord,return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;13rend your hearts and not your clothing.Return to theLordyour God,for he is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,and relenting from punishment.14Who knows whether he will not turn and relentand leave a blessing behind him,a grain offering and a drink offeringfor theLordyour God?15Blow the trumpet in Zion;consecrate a fast;call a solemn assembly;16gather the people.Consecrate the congregation;assemble the aged;gather the children,even infants at the breast.Let the bridegroom leave his roomand the bride her canopy.17Between the vestibule and the altar,let the priests, the ministers of theLord, weep.Let them say, Spare your people, OLord,and do not make your heritage a mockery,a byword among the nations.Why should it be said among the peoples,Where is their God?MATTHEW 6Concerning Almsgiving6Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.2So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.Concerning Prayer5And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.Concerning Fasting16And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.Concerning Treasures19Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal,20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rustconsumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.
The Transfiguration28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesustook with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.31They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not realizing what he was saying.34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, This is my Son, my Chosen;listen to him!36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
March 9, 1938- March 10, 2021 M. Keith Weikel, retired chief operating officer of Toledo-based HCR ManorCare, then the nation's largest operator of long-term care and nursing centers, who was hailed as an industry leader, died at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Jacksonville on March 10, the day after his 83rd birthday.He had myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of blood cancer. Even when ill, he kept in touch with friends and associates, a longstanding practice that included recent conversations with colleagues from the 1970s, when he worked in the Nixon, Ford, and Carter administrations, his wife, Barbara, said."There was no pretense about him at all," his wife said. "He wasn't reserved. He was who he was. He was approachable and comfortable with himself and other people. He made people comfortable to be around him. He had a very strong work ethic."He whistled down the halls of HCR headquarters, was given to spontaneous song, and once opened a leadership conference by reading from the children's book, Love You Forever."He cared," said David Parker, president of what is now ProMedica Senior Care. "And he found humor and he made bad situations better because we were all doing what we thought was the right thing, which was quality of care and caring for each other."That's how he wanted to be remembered, his wife said - "he really cared about people. He often said people don't care what you know until they know you care. It's important that people, particularly in the medical field, know that you care."Mr. Weikel was a senior executive vice president of HCR ManorCare, as well as chief operating officer, at his 2006 retirement. Afterward, he and his wife divided their years between homes in Sylvania Township and Georgia.In 1986, he joined Health Care and Retirement Corp., then a subsidiary of Owens-Illinois Inc., as executive vice president and general manager of its Midwest division. He became director of operations in 1991 and was elected a company director in 1992. He had been chief operating officer the previous two years of Manor Healthcare Corp., the long-term care unit of Manor Care Inc.The year Mr. Weikel retired, HCR had placed 565th on the Fortune 1,000 list. He oversaw the operations, including clinical and rehabilitation services, of more than 500 senior care locations with about 60,000 employees in 32 states, including 114 hospice and home care agencies and 91 outpatient rehabilitation clinics.Mr. Parker, in a message to employees announcing Mr. Weikel's death, said that the organization "evolved into the provider of choice in our markets across the country" under his leadership."He was the architect of our organization's culture as we know it today," Mr. Parker wrote.A March 12 article in McKnight's Long-Term Care News, an industry publication, detailed Mr. Weikel's diverse career and quoted Clif Porter II, senior vice president of government affairs for the American Health Care Association - whom Mr. Weikel had once hired as an administrator of a care facility. "Our sector has lost a titan," Mr. Porter told McKnight's.Mr. Parker, in a Blade interview later, concurred: "There's no doubt."He became not only my mentor but a surrogate father figure. He took a keen interest in me, as he did many others," said Mr. Parker, who as he sought a position with the firm interviewed with Mr. Weikel.Mr. Weikel advised the new hire that any conversation with a politician or government agency begins and ends by speaking about the quality of care.Malcolm Keith Weikel was born March 9, 1938, in Danville, Pa. to Marian and Malcolm Jay Weikel, the first of what would be the couple's two sons. He helped raise chickens and picked strawberries to supplement the family's meager income. He was a 1956 graduate of Shamokin High School."His mother very much wanted her boys to have a college education. That was in the plan," his wife said. "She sacrificed, and they all worked very hard."He continued to work multiple jobs as he attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, from which he received a bachelor's degree in 1960. A plan for a graduate degree in pharmacy evolved into a master's degree and a doctorate in economics and marketing in 1966 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, school of business. He later served on the business school's board, and donations to the school helped create a distinguished chair and a speaker series, both in leadership and named for him.He started his career at the pharmaceutical firm Hoffman-La Roche. He had an abiding interest in politics, from his role in 1967 as co-chair of New Jersey Republicans supporting the presidential bid of Richard Nixon, who the next year would win the GOP nomination and then the presidency. In 2004, he received notice as a fund-raiser for the successful re-election of President George W. Bush, dubbed a "Ranger" by the campaign and credited with raising more than $200,000 in individual contributions.From 1970-77, he served in the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and became commissioner of the medical services administration, with Medicaid oversight, a duty that often involved testimony before congressional committees.Afterward, he worked for a subsidiary of the hospital company American Medical International and became president of the Federation of American Hospitals.He'd been active at Epworth United Methodist Church in Ottawa Hills and had been co-chairman of capital fund drives, his wife said.Surviving are his wife, the former Barbara Joan Davis, whom he married Dec. 17, 1960; son, Richard Keith Weikel; daughter, Kristin Holly Weikel; brother, Allen Jay Weikel, and two grandchildren.The family plans a celebration of his life in Toledo later this year. Arrangements are by Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, Brunswick, Ga.The family suggests tributes to Hand in Hand of Glynn in Brunswick, Ga., or a charity of the donor's choice.
Study by Max Lucado. Do you ever feel like Jesus couldnt possibly know what you are going through? Does he really know your daily struggles? The good news is: he does. For 33 years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. He was tempted and his strength was tested. And you know why? Because in becoming human, Jesus made it possible for us to see God. His tears, Gods tears. His voice, Gods voice. Want to know what matters to God? Find out what matters to Jesus. Want to know what in the world God is doing? Ponder the words and life of Jesus.
Study by Max Lucado. Do you ever feel like Jesus couldnt possibly know what you are going through? Does he really know your daily struggles? The good news is: he does. For 33 years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. He was tempted and his strength was tested. And you know why? Because in becoming human, Jesus made it possible for us to see God. His tears, Gods tears. His voice, Gods voice. Want to know what matters to God? Find out what matters to Jesus. Want to know what in the world God is doing? Ponder the words and life of Jesus.
Study by Max Lucado. Do you ever feel like Jesus couldnt possibly know what you are going through? Does he really know your daily struggles? The good news is: he does. For 33 years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. He was tempted and his strength was tested. And you know why? Because in becoming human, Jesus made it possible for us to see God. His tears, Gods tears. His voice, Gods voice. Want to know what matters to God? Find out what matters to Jesus. Want to know what in the world God is doing? Ponder the words and life of Jesus.
Study by Max Lucado. Do you ever feel like Jesus couldnt possibly know what you are going through? Does he really know your daily struggles? The good news is: he does. For 33 years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. He was tempted and his strength was tested. And you know why? Because in becoming human, Jesus made it possible for us to see God. His tears, Gods tears. His voice, Gods voice. Want to know what matters to God? Find out what matters to Jesus. Want to know what in the world God is doing? Ponder the words and life of Jesus.
Study by Max Lucado. Do you ever feel like Jesus couldnt possibly know what you are going through? Does he really know your daily struggles? The good news is: he does. For 33 years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. He was tempted and his strength was tested. And you know why? Because in becoming human, Jesus made it possible for us to see God. His tears, Gods tears. His voice, Gods voice. Want to know what matters to God? Find out what matters to Jesus. Want to know what in the world God is doing? Ponder the words and life of Jesus.
Study by Max Lucado. Do you ever feel like Jesus couldnt possibly know what you are going through? Does he really know your daily struggles? The good news is: he does. For 33 years Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. He was tempted and his strength was tested. And you know why? Because in becoming human, Jesus made it possible for us to see God. His tears, Gods tears. His voice, Gods voice. Want to know what matters to God? Find out what matters to Jesus. Want to know what in the world God is doing? Ponder the words and life of Jesus.
Bishop James Edward Swanson Sr. - Resident Bishop of the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church Give Online
At this challenging time in Race Relations this opportunity will offer a moment of blessing, healing and understanding. Sen. Kenny Yuko (D-Cleveland) the Minority Leader of the Ohio State Senate, and Dr. Swishers personal friend, will be the Keynote Speaker for the Regional Race and Reconciliation Event sponsored by and held in the main Sanctuary of Epworth UMC on May 15 at 4:30pm. Others involved in the panel Discussion will be Dr. Swisher, Dr. Kalaba Chali, Rev. Donetta Peaks and Dr. Andrew Sung Park. Sen. Kenny Yukorepresents Ohios 25thSenate District that includes parts of both Cuyahoga and Lake Counties, State Senator Kenny Yuko has devoted his career to strengthening Northeast Ohio and improving the lives of those who call it home. Senator Yuko grew up in Euclid and graduated from Brush High School in the South Euclid/Lyndhurst School District in 1968. He then attended both Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University before entering the workforce. Yuko resides in Richmond Heights with his wife Pam. He has two grown children, Rocky and Angela, and three grandchildren. Rev. Dr. Kalaba Chaliis Zambian-American by nationality, Congolese by culture and Zimbabwean by education. His calling led him to Africa University in Zimbabwe for his first theological degree and then to Perkins School of Theology on the Campus of SMU where he graduated with a Master of Theology and lastly to Evangel University where he completed a Doctorate in Intercultural Studies. Dr. Chali is an ordained elder in the UMC, and currently serves as the Mercy and Justice Coordinator for the Kansas and Nebraska Annual Conferences of the UMC. Dr. Chali has served churches in Dallas, TX and in the St. Louis Metroplex, MO. Dr. Chali is married to Rev. Jill Sander-Chali, who serves as Senior Pastor at College Hill UMC, Wichita, KS. They have a daughter named Mapalo (meaning blessings in Zambian). Rev. Donnetta Peaksis a United Methodist Pastor and the Director of the Office of Ministry at the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her role is to supervise the office that handles ordination and clergy credentialing for more than 1,200 pastors throughout the State of Ohio. She has served in a number of roles within the Church and has been the Pastor of Churches in the Dayton and Columbus areas including a innovative new Church start at the outdoor mall known as Easton Town Center. Dr. Andrew Sung Parkis a professor of Theology and Ethics at United Theologial Seminary.Andrews teaching and research interests include Christian Mystics, the dialogue between Theology and Science, Liberation Theology, Ecological Theology, Healing Theology, Global Theology, Transformation of Christianity and Christian Ethics.He is married to Jane, who works as a Chemist at Sinclair. Together, they have enjoyed studying alternative medicine and learning how to relate theology to science. Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisheris the Senior Pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church. He has been involved in helping to bridge the racial divide in our nation for a number of years. His service has been recognized by the NAACP with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to Race Relations. He also was a keynote speaker at the National NAACP Convention in Dayton, Ohio. His book, Gods Way to Good Health was published by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Press based in New York City. Dr. Swishers parents Dr. Lowell and Barbara Swisher wereintegrallyinvolved with the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Swisher continues that heritage. As someone who has a national media platform and who is half Native American, Dr. Swisher and his Church are in a unique position to help advance a healthy and meaningful dialogue on Race and Reconciliation.
At this challenging time in Race Relations this opportunity will offer a moment of blessing, healing and understanding. Sen. Kenny Yuko (D-Cleveland) the Minority Leader of the Ohio State Senate, and Dr. Swishers personal friend, will be the Keynote Speaker for the Regional Race and Reconciliation Event sponsored by and held in the main Sanctuary of Epworth UMC on May 15 at 4:30pm. Others involved in the panel Discussion will be Dr. Swisher, Dr. Kalaba Chali, Rev. Donetta Peaks and Dr. Andrew Sung Park. Sen. Kenny Yukorepresents Ohios 25thSenate District that includes parts of both Cuyahoga and Lake Counties, State Senator Kenny Yuko has devoted his career to strengthening Northeast Ohio and improving the lives of those who call it home. Senator Yuko grew up in Euclid and graduated from Brush High School in the South Euclid/Lyndhurst School District in 1968. He then attended both Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University before entering the workforce. Yuko resides in Richmond Heights with his wife Pam. He has two grown children, Rocky and Angela, and three grandchildren. Rev. Dr. Kalaba Chaliis Zambian-American by nationality, Congolese by culture and Zimbabwean by education. His calling led him to Africa University in Zimbabwe for his first theological degree and then to Perkins School of Theology on the Campus of SMU where he graduated with a Master of Theology and lastly to Evangel University where he completed a Doctorate in Intercultural Studies. Dr. Chali is an ordained elder in the UMC, and currently serves as the Mercy and Justice Coordinator for the Kansas and Nebraska Annual Conferences of the UMC. Dr. Chali has served churches in Dallas, TX and in the St. Louis Metroplex, MO. Dr. Chali is married to Rev. Jill Sander-Chali, who serves as Senior Pastor at College Hill UMC, Wichita, KS. They have a daughter named Mapalo (meaning blessings in Zambian). Rev. Donnetta Peaksis a United Methodist Pastor and the Director of the Office of Ministry at the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her role is to supervise the office that handles ordination and clergy credentialing for more than 1,200 pastors throughout the State of Ohio. She has served in a number of roles within the Church and has been the Pastor of Churches in the Dayton and Columbus areas including a innovative new Church start at the outdoor mall known as Easton Town Center. Dr. Andrew Sung Parkis a professor of Theology and Ethics at United Theologial Seminary.Andrews teaching and research interests include Christian Mystics, the dialogue between Theology and Science, Liberation Theology, Ecological Theology, Healing Theology, Global Theology, Transformation of Christianity and Christian Ethics.He is married to Jane, who works as a Chemist at Sinclair. Together, they have enjoyed studying alternative medicine and learning how to relate theology to science. Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisheris the Senior Pastor of Epworth United Methodist Church. He has been involved in helping to bridge the racial divide in our nation for a number of years. His service has been recognized by the NAACP with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to Race Relations. He also was a keynote speaker at the National NAACP Convention in Dayton, Ohio. His book, Gods Way to Good Health was published by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Press based in New York City. Dr. Swishers parents Dr. Lowell and Barbara Swisher wereintegrallyinvolved with the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Swisher continues that heritage. As someone who has a national media platform and who is half Native American, Dr. Swisher and his Church are in a unique position to help advance a healthy and meaningful dialogue on Race and Reconciliation.
There is an old legend that says, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, his mother Mary would often walk the way her son had walked on his journey to the cross, pausing here and there to recall something that had happened at that spot. From these walks grew the early Christian practice of walking the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, in Jerusalem, a tradition that continues to this day. When they returned home, those early pilgrims to Jerusalem talked about their experiences, and soon many people began erecting stations of the cross on the walls and grounds of their own churches so worshipers could make the journey whenever they wished. The number of stations ranged from as few as seven to as many as thirty. Over time however, the number became fixed at fourteen. Catholic and Orthodox Christians were the first ones to use the stations in their devotional life. In recent years however, Christians of many traditions have been re-discovering this ancient devotional practice. Thank You To Kyle Folger and Jeff Boze for creating the Virtual Stations of the Cross, to Craig and Sarah Snead for the creation of the display platforms for the stations, and to artists from previous years whose work has been included for 2021.
Led by Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher February 24- March 31 (6 weeks) Join Dr. Swisher in this study which explores Jesus commitment to go to Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke records, When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Join our Senior Pastor as we look at Jesus journey to Jerusalem and then reflect on how we set our faces in life. Go deeper in your relationship with God this Lenten Season through this exciting and enriching Discipleship opportunity.
Led by Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher February 24- March 31 (6 weeks) Join Dr. Swisher in this study which explores Jesus commitment to go to Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke records, When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Join our Senior Pastor as we look at Jesus journey to Jerusalem and then reflect on how we set our faces in life. Go deeper in your relationship with God this Lenten Season through this exciting and enriching Discipleship opportunity.
Led by Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher February 24- March 31 (6 weeks) Join Dr. Swisher in this study which explores Jesus commitment to go to Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke records, When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Join our Senior Pastor as we look at Jesus journey to Jerusalem and then reflect on how we set our faces in life. Go deeper in your relationship with God this Lenten Season through this exciting and enriching Discipleship opportunity.
Led by Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher February 24- March 31 (6 weeks) Join Dr. Swisher in this study which explores Jesus commitment to go to Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke records, When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Join our Senior Pastor as we look at Jesus journey to Jerusalem and then reflect on how we set our faces in life. Go deeper in your relationship with God this Lenten Season through this exciting and enriching Discipleship opportunity.
Led by Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher February 24- March 31 (6 weeks) Join Dr. Swisher in this study which explores Jesus commitment to go to Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke records, When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Join our Senior Pastor as we look at Jesus journey to Jerusalem and then reflect on how we set our faces in life. Go deeper in your relationship with God this Lenten Season through this exciting and enriching Discipleship opportunity.
As we begin a New Year our thoughts turn to how to make the most of our health, our time and our connection to God. If this describes you, Gods Way To Good Health will be the perfect Discipleship Class to attend. In this study we will learn about Diets from the Bible, Gods promises on maximizing health and patterns we can establish to make the most of 2021. Dr. Swishers book was published by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Press in NY and features a forward by Dr. Robert Schuller and an afterword by New York Times Best-Selling author Dr. Larry Dossey, MD. Sign up today for this Life affirming, Faith enriching class.