|
Bible Study for the Second Sunday of Easter -
|
Read John 20:19-31
Hands … We use them quite a bit. It is said that you can tell a great deal about a person by their hands. The way someone shakes your hand; the rough, calloused hands of a manual laborer; the smooth, soft hands of a baby; the gnarled, arthritic hands of an elder worker – all tell us something about that person’s work and life experiences.
Take a few moments to look at your hands.
As I look at my hands, I see a callous on my right middle finger where I hold my pen, a reminder that I spend time writing. I see two visible, constant reminders of two relationships in my life – my wedding band, and a ring given to me at my ordination as a pastor. I also see a visible reminder of prior work experiences and how fragile life is. There is a deep scar in the palm of my right hand – a scar from working on a piece of machinery on the farm. My whole hand – my whole arm – could have been caught in it; instead, just a deep scar as a constant reminder that life is a fragile gift.
On that first Easter evening, the grieving, fearful disciples were locked in a room. Suddenly, Jesus came and said, “Peace be with you.” And then he showed them his hands. Just as our hands tell a great deal about ourselves, so too does Jesus’ hands tell us a great deal about him. We see hands of healing giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and strength to the weak. We see hands that bless little children, that raise the dead, and that calm the troubled soul.
Most of all, we see wounded hands. The imprint of the nails of the cross on Jesus’ hands is more than a mark of identification for the disciples. It tells of his love for them, and for us. His wounded hands reveal the price God paid to save us.
Jesus came and stood among them and showed them his hands. To Mary Magdalene; to the fearful disciples; to those who doubted; to Thomas, who needed to see in order to believe; to the apostle Paul; to faithful followers – the risen Christ came; and he showed them his wounded hands. And he comes now and shows his wounded hands for our eyes of faith to see – in the breaking of bread, in hands folded in prayer, in healing hands of surgeons, nurses, and caregivers, in hands that reach out in concern for others, providing food for the hungry, offering care, comfort, and support, and guiding our work and our witness.
Prayer
O risen Christ, grant us eyes to see your hands at work in our lives. Use us as your hands of love and care to those in need. Amen
Hands … We use them quite a bit. It is said that you can tell a great deal about a person by their hands. The way someone shakes your hand; the rough, calloused hands of a manual laborer; the smooth, soft hands of a baby; the gnarled, arthritic hands of an elder worker – all tell us something about that person’s work and life experiences.
- What are some other examples of how hands are used?
Take a few moments to look at your hands.
- What do you see?
- What do they say about you and your life experiences?
As I look at my hands, I see a callous on my right middle finger where I hold my pen, a reminder that I spend time writing. I see two visible, constant reminders of two relationships in my life – my wedding band, and a ring given to me at my ordination as a pastor. I also see a visible reminder of prior work experiences and how fragile life is. There is a deep scar in the palm of my right hand – a scar from working on a piece of machinery on the farm. My whole hand – my whole arm – could have been caught in it; instead, just a deep scar as a constant reminder that life is a fragile gift.
On that first Easter evening, the grieving, fearful disciples were locked in a room. Suddenly, Jesus came and said, “Peace be with you.” And then he showed them his hands. Just as our hands tell a great deal about ourselves, so too does Jesus’ hands tell us a great deal about him. We see hands of healing giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and strength to the weak. We see hands that bless little children, that raise the dead, and that calm the troubled soul.
Most of all, we see wounded hands. The imprint of the nails of the cross on Jesus’ hands is more than a mark of identification for the disciples. It tells of his love for them, and for us. His wounded hands reveal the price God paid to save us.
- What would it mean for you to look at the wounded hands of Jesus?
Jesus came and stood among them and showed them his hands. To Mary Magdalene; to the fearful disciples; to those who doubted; to Thomas, who needed to see in order to believe; to the apostle Paul; to faithful followers – the risen Christ came; and he showed them his wounded hands. And he comes now and shows his wounded hands for our eyes of faith to see – in the breaking of bread, in hands folded in prayer, in healing hands of surgeons, nurses, and caregivers, in hands that reach out in concern for others, providing food for the hungry, offering care, comfort, and support, and guiding our work and our witness.
- Where do you see Christ’s hands at work and present in your life?
- How might you be used as the hands of Christ to extend care to those in need?
Prayer
O risen Christ, grant us eyes to see your hands at work in our lives. Use us as your hands of love and care to those in need. Amen
Lent 2019 -
|
Jesus often taught the crowds through powerful stories that feel just as contemporary today as they did 2000 years ago. These wonderful stories allow us to see the world of the first century through the eyes of first century followers of Jesus. Join us on this journey through 5 parables from the Gospel of Luke as we peel back the layers to discover how these parables simultaneously comfort and challenge us. Dig into the culture of the original hearers of these stories that challenge our assumptions about God, the world, our neighbors, and ourselves.
Once Upon a Time: The Beauty and Challenge of Story Week 1 - Are All Samaritans Good? Week 2 - Lost Things Week 3 - A Lost Son Week 4 - A Lost Brother Week 5 - A Feast for the Ones the World Forgot Reflections on Holy Week |
Prayer Petitions for this week
These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Lori, Barb, Martha, Ruth, Dorraine, Jan, Scott, Tony, Pat, Paul, and Bill.
-Pray that faith in Jesus Christ, the risen son of God, will give us the courage and enthusiasm to share the good news with the world, trusting that all who believe will be transformed by God’s gift of love and forgiveness.
-God has given us this and every day to live with purpose, freedom and boldness in the world as redeemed children of God. Search for new, prayerful words and expressions to celebrate and be glad today!
-Give thanks for choirs, musicians, rock bands, organists, cantors and handbell choirs that share their creative gifts in praise and glory to God and invite us to express our faith and joy through diverse styles of music.
-Pray for the work and advocacy of our church, partner organizations and communities that address the root causes of violence and respond to the people and communities it affects. Pray that we remain committed to our convictions expressed in the ELCA social message on “Community Violence” no matter where our pursuit of justice and peace might lead us, or how long it might take to bring about meaningful change.
-Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathered for the assemblies of the Alaska and Northern Texas‒Northern Louisiana synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in doing God’s work in the world, proclaiming the gospel and growing the church.
-Pray for the service and witness of the Revs. Kirsten Fryer and Michael Parker, ELCA missionaries accompanying our companions in Egypt, as they work with the seminary community, refugee advocacy and support, and an international congregation in Cairo.
-We can all relate to the apostle Thomas, who questioned Jesus and asked for proof that God was alive and well in the world. Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill us with faith in God’s loving presence and activity in the world, even when we are doubtful, curious, weak or confused.
-Pray for comfort and healing for all members and friends of Immanuel especially Lori, Barb, Martha, Ruth, Dorraine, Jan, Scott, Tony, Pat, Paul, and Bill.
-Pray that faith in Jesus Christ, the risen son of God, will give us the courage and enthusiasm to share the good news with the world, trusting that all who believe will be transformed by God’s gift of love and forgiveness.
-God has given us this and every day to live with purpose, freedom and boldness in the world as redeemed children of God. Search for new, prayerful words and expressions to celebrate and be glad today!
-Give thanks for choirs, musicians, rock bands, organists, cantors and handbell choirs that share their creative gifts in praise and glory to God and invite us to express our faith and joy through diverse styles of music.
-Pray for the work and advocacy of our church, partner organizations and communities that address the root causes of violence and respond to the people and communities it affects. Pray that we remain committed to our convictions expressed in the ELCA social message on “Community Violence” no matter where our pursuit of justice and peace might lead us, or how long it might take to bring about meaningful change.
-Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathered for the assemblies of the Alaska and Northern Texas‒Northern Louisiana synods, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in doing God’s work in the world, proclaiming the gospel and growing the church.
-Pray for the service and witness of the Revs. Kirsten Fryer and Michael Parker, ELCA missionaries accompanying our companions in Egypt, as they work with the seminary community, refugee advocacy and support, and an international congregation in Cairo.
-We can all relate to the apostle Thomas, who questioned Jesus and asked for proof that God was alive and well in the world. Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill us with faith in God’s loving presence and activity in the world, even when we are doubtful, curious, weak or confused.
Lent 2018 |
The gospel of John tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a poignant, dramatic, and unique voice. In this Lenten Bible study, you are invited to enter into John’s world and encounter those who were a part of Jesus’ final days.
Introduction to the Gospel of John Week 1 – Nicodemus: Journey from Darkness to Light Week 2 – Judas: Journey to the Dark Side Week 3 – Peter: Journey to Understanding Week 4 – Mary Magdalene: Journey to Life Week 5 – The Beloved Disciple: Our Journey to Faithfulness |
Advent 2017 |
Pastor Joanne made a series of videos with a message for each week of the Advent season. Please follow this link to see those messages
Advent videos 2017 |
