The Risen King

Mark 16:1-8

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to anoint Jesus after his death. Upon arriving at the tomb, they encounter a number of overwhelming surprises. 

• First, the stone is rolled away. 
• Second, instead of Jesus’ body, they find a stranger in a white robe sitting in the tomb. 
• Third, the stranger tells them that Jesus is risen. 
• Fourth, they are to go and tell the disciples that 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' 

In fact, just two chapters earlier, Jesus did say, “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Mark 14:28). In the midst of predicting Peter’s denial, Jesus tells them the future. Now the future is pressing in on the present. Now the words of Jesus are about to come true. What exactly does this mean?

There is a pile of evidence growing before their very eyes. Who will they say Jesus is? Later on they will have the opportunity to see Christ with their own eyes. In fact, Christ appears to his disciples on multiple occasions but their time with him in Galilee is a historic moment. For it is there that Christ will issue to them their greatest mission – to go and make disciples of all nations. The evidence and mission now lie before us. Who will we say Jesus is?

                                                                                                                   Pastor David White

Silent Night, Holy Night

December 24                                         Fourth Sunday of Advent         
          

Scripture Reading
Read Luke 2:1-20 and reflect on the passage.

"You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Jesus comes in both surprising and meek circumstances, born to unwelcome travelers in the midst of squalor, and celebrated by shepherds who were not a great ceremonial court. An angel brings to the shepherds "good news of great joy for all the people." This hope that Christ brings is for all people, and even this tender Infant is already transforming the lives of others. The shepherds see the baby King and leave worshiping and rejoicing.

For those outside the church, this message of good news can feel burdensome or heavy. It flies in the face of what is strategic or logical. What images come to mind when you hear the word "king"? All the Medieval tales and real-life monarchies are very different from what we find in King Jesus. Unlike earthly rulers who want to use power for their own glory, our King came to give up everything He had for our good (Phil. 2). Our hope is tied to this baby – God's faithful delivery on a long-ago promise. Glory to the newborn King!

Question

The glory of Jesus’ birth is announced to shepherds. Can you imagine the thrill of hearing that the Savior of the world has been born? 

What emotions and thoughts might flood your mind? How is God leading you or your family to enjoy Christmas this year? How does this message of hope impact your worship, gift-giving, and gatherings?

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for this chance to celebrate Jesus' birthday. May the hope You have given us overflow to others. All glory to You!

                                                                                                Aaron Thompson and David White

Rejoice! Rejoice!

December 10                                                Second Sunday of Advent                                      

Scripture Reading
Read Jeremiah 33:10-16 and reflect on the passage.

"The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah." In the middle of a terrible time, God reveals a future hope and new covenant to His people. Jeremiah encounters the good news of Christ 600 years before it becomes reality. They are under attack and yet there is hope? 

Yes, hope is like that – it comes in the midst of pain, or uncertainty. Hope in this passage is rooted in the action of God. Jesus will be perfectly faithful, where Israel had failed. Here we see the essence of the Gospel – God doing for us what we can't do for ourselves.

The birth of Christ is an incredible picture of God's faithfulness to us. Because God has been faithful to his promises over and over again, we can have real hope. Not a birthday wish or "Good luck with that!" empty feeling, but a solid, historically rooted hope. The prophet Jeremiah shows us that we can be real about the problems in life when we are rooted in the promises of God. We have hope because God keeps His promises!

What is your definition of hope? Is it a deeply rooted thing that assures you or a flimsy wish? When have you experienced God's faithfulness? How does that encourage you to follow God today and into the future? Give yourself some space this week to be reminded of God’s faithfulness. 

Prayer

Dear God, we echo the words of Jeremiah 33:11. We give thanks to You, Lord. You are good and Your love endures forever!

Aaron Thompson and David White

God Moves Us To Empty Ourselves

ApriL 2

Station 11: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief (Luke 23:39-43)

There were two criminals crucified alongside Jesus on the day He died. One of them made fun of Jesus. But the other one knew that Jesus had done nothing wrong. Because the man was a criminal, he thought that God didn’t love him. But Jesus loved the man very much, and promised him that he would be able to live in paradise with Him forever.

Station 12: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciples (John 19:25-27)

Jesus taught us that we are all part of God’s family. When He was dying on the cross, He asked His friend, John, to take care of his mother. And He asked His mother, Mary, to treat John like she would treat her own son. Even when Jesus was dying, He wanted to show us how to love and care for each other.

Read and reflect on the passages.

1. There are two thieves crucified next to Jesus. They talk to him with very different words. How would you describe their two points of view? Why didn’t Jesus save Himself?

2. What promise does Jesus give to one of the thieves? How does this promise change or not change that thief’s situation?

3. Jesus said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son,” and to His disciple, John, He said, “Here is your mother.” Why did He do that?


—David White

Ash Wednesday

God On the Move Lenten Devotional                                                                   Ash Wednesday
                                                                            1 March
Stations of the Cross

Ever since Jesus died and rose again, believers have been finding ways to reflect on Jesus’ journey from the Last Supper, to the Cross, to the Empty Tomb. Some of the earliest Christians were able to visit these sites and reflect on Christ’s amazing sacrifice. Even today, people travel to Jerusalem to “walk in the footsteps of Christ.” Although an incredible experience, it’s not practical to make that kind of annual pilgrimage to honor Jesus. Instead, we may enter into each stop or station of Christ’s journey by bringing those images to our homes and churches.

This year, UALC is utilizing an illustrated version of the Stations of the Cross based on specific verses from the Gospels. They are designed to be interactive and spark conversation amongst us, so together we may appreciate and celebrate that He is risen. He is risen indeed!

Station 1: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-41)

Jesus spent the night before He died with His friends at the Last Supper. He was very sad because He knew that one of His friends, Judas Iscariot, would tell lies about Him, and then turn Him over to be arrested. After dinner, Jesus took His three closest friends—Peter, James, and John—with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. But Peter, James, and John couldn’t even stay awake with Jesus while He prayed.

Station 2: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested (Mark 14:43-46)

When you betray a friend you hurt them by telling a lie about them. Judas was one of the twelve apostles, and one of Jesus’ friends. But he also betrayed Jesus by lying to the priests and police about who Jesus was. The priests gave Judas thirty pieces of silver in return for betraying Jesus. While Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas showed the soldiers where He was. Because Judas told lies about Jesus, Jesus was arrested.

Read and reflect on the passages.

1. What do you notice about Jesus’ experience in the Garden of Gethsemane? Why does it drive Him to tears?

2. Jesus commanded His disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” What can we learn from this?

3. If Jesus is innocent of all sin, why was He arrested?

—david white

Empowered

January 8

Our transformation and heart change can only come from the Holy Spirit within.

It’s hard to imagine that God could do even more for us than what we’ve seen so far in Emmanuel. And yet, things get even sweeter. Our amazing, enormous God not only is with us, and became one of us, but now we learn that this same God sent His Spirit to indwell us. God can be in us—leading us, sustaining us, and giving us the ability to live a life that is powerfully devoted to Him!

Scripture for today, John 14:15-23, which invites us to look at heart change through the Holy Spirit.

Take time to reflect together on the passage. Read the passage a second time if needed. If you’d like some help in drawing out reflections, share answers to these questions: How do you show love (to your family, friends, those you don’t like)? How does your love differ from your family and friends to those you don’t like?

Jesus tells us that we are not alone, but that the Holy Spirit lives within us; how does knowing that we do not have to rely on ourselves for heart change, affect how you can love others?

With the start of a new year, what are things you can do this year to show that God dwells in you? Who are people in your life that need to hear the Gospel?

After giving time to reflection, offer up a simple prayer to God. If you aren’t sure what to pray, consider something like this: “Thank you God for sending the Holy Spirit to transform my heart. Thank you God for the strength, peace, comfort, and leading that the Holy Spirit provides in my life. Amen.”

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into practice with this week’s focus - “Empowered.”

For Adults

It is not easy to love everyone. As you go through your week look for the things that you struggle with about others, and ask God to change your heart. In that moment pray that the Holy Spirit would start to transform your heart to see those things as God does.

For Teens

It is not easy to love everyone. As you go through your week look for the things that are hard to love in others. Stop in the moments when you find things that you don’t like, or make you mad. Pray that the Holy Spirit would start to change your heart to see those people as God does.

For Kids

We know we love God when we love others. Ask your kids who out of the people they know, is God asking them to show love to?

—Brittany Timm & David White

Given

January 1 

This next year, we have the ability to make changes in our lives with resolutions that we can fulfill on our own.  But with Jesus, we have the ability to experience relationship with the only One who can make all things new.

As we begin the New Year, many people have their sights set on newness. We are simply programmed with the assumption that life can and should be different. The Bible gives us a clear account for why this is—we live in a fallen world that cries out for newness, for restoration. So as we enter the New Year, it is great to pursue the hope that comes with our resolutions, but our ultimate hope will come in trusting in our God who came into the world in order to make all things new.

Scriptures for today, Isaiah 9:6-7 and Revelation 21:1-5a, which invites us to look at the ability we have to experience a relationship with the only One who can make things new.

Take time to reflect together on the passage. Read the passage a second time if needed. If you’d like some help in drawing out reflections, share answers to these questions: With the start of a brand-new year, where does the Kingdom of God need to break into your life in new ways? What are things in your life that need forgiveness? Newness? Hope?

Knowing that God is with you, what are ways that you need to grow your relationship with Him?

God’s promise of making everything new is not just a future promise but an everyday promise. How can you live into that promise every day, what little steps can you honestly make that will let you be made new in Christ?

After giving time to reflection, offer up a simple prayer to God. If you aren’t sure what to pray, consider something like this: “Jesus, thank you for coming to dwell

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into practice with this week’s focus of “Given.”

For Adults

As you go through your week, what things need to be made new in your life? Pray that you can give that to God to be made new through Him.

With the promise of everything that is yet to come from God, who in your everyday life could use a new view of Jesus? Start to pray how God can use you to share who He is. Pray every time you think of that person that God would work on their heart.

For Teens

What in your life seems old, tired, or needs to be made new? As you come across those things in your week, stop and pray in that moment to give those things to God and that He would make them new.

For Kids

Take advantage of the time you’ll spend this week doing chores around the house. Weave a faith conversation into the simple act of cleaning up the kitchen or your child’s bedroom. Have your child take mental note of the mess before you begin. When you’re done cleaning, reflect on how the room is new again. How can it be used because of that newness? What are the things that Jesus makes new for people?

—Brittany Timm & David White

Ordinary

Week 4 Advent Devotions

December 18

1 Kings 19:9-12

Write out the 1 Kings passage.

What images came to mind when you heard these words? 

How does this passage stretch your understanding of God?

Have someone close in a simple prayer.

Conclude together by saying “We go now in peace, ending this time in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” Blow out the candle.

36 37

The light of the candles pierces through the darkness and reminds us of the “Light of Christ” that we anticipate during this season.

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into practice with this week’s focus of “Ordinary.”

For Adults

Keep a small notebook by your bed. Before going to sleep each night, take a moment to look back on your day. Begin by writing the small and simple things that you are thankful for, then press a little deeper by looking for where God might have been in those moments. See if you notice God at work in the ordinary during your week.

For Teens

Create a photo-journal this week of things, people or special moments that help you see God at work. Take a picture from nature of something God created, take a picture of some of the people you see God through and take a picture to record any moment where it seemed like God was especially present. #ualcgodwithus

For Kids

Each day, take a little time with your child to write or draw about a time in their life that God was there for them. As you do this, have them remember that God is there with them, even as you remember past times that they’ve seen Him. See if during this week they notice God in the ordinary parts of life—like at school, at home, or when they are playing with friends. He is everywhere!

—Aaron Thompson & David White

Everywhere

Everywhere

WEEK 3 - ADVENT DEVOTIONS

December 11

Psalm 139

1. Write out the Psalm passage.
2. What images came to mind when you heard these words?
3. How does this passage stretch your understanding of God?

Have someone close in a simple prayer.

Conclude together by saying “We go now in peace, ending this time in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” Blow out the candle.

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into 

practice with this week’s focus of  “Everywhere.”

For Adults

Lean into a more conversational tone of prayer this week. Tell God what you ate that day, tell Him how work went, tell him about what your kids did, tell Him what annoyed you, tell Him what excited you, tell Him what you are doing this weekend. Pray to God just as if you are talking to a friend, sharing about everything. Where do you notice God’s presence?

For Teens

Grab a small journal or piece of paper, one that could fit in your pocket or purse. Make tally marks on the page every time you see something that reminds you that God is with you. Start over with new marks each day and see if your tally number goes up throughout the week as you notice more and more moments that remind you He is there.

For Kids

Have your child draw different pictures of them and God throughout the week. Have them pick a normal activity and draw God and them going through life together. Example: Draw a picture at school, doing chores, or playing. Explain to them that whatever they are doing and wherever they are, God is with them.

—Catherine Scurria & David White

Enough

WEEK TWO - ADVENT DEVOTIONS

DECEMBER 4
Acts 17:22-27a

• Write out the Acts passage
• What images came to mind when you heard these words? 
• How does this passage stretch your understanding of God?

Have someone close in a simple prayer.

Conclude together by saying “We go now in peace, ending this time in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” Blow out the candle.

The Advent wreath helps us get ready for Jesus. Christians throughout history have tried to ensure the busyness of this season does not overtake their focus. Advent can be an incredible time of spiritual refreshment and renewal!

This week is all about seeing God as enough. Emmanuel. God with us. Jesus did not need us nor did He need our love. God is fully, wholly, and completely love. God, out of goodness and generosity, created this beautiful world. And from that same heart, He came down to us to be with us and live with us, to love us, and heal us.

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into practice with this week’s focus of “Enough.”

For Adults

Get outside this week and find beauty. Breathe in the cold air and give time for your eyes to really take in God’s amazing creation. Thank Him for his goodness. Invite someone to join you on a walk, hike or jog to search for what speaks God’s creativity to you.

For Teens

Get outside this week and find beauty. Breathe in the cold air and give time for your eyes to really take in God’s amazing creation. Slow down and thank Him for his goodness. If you like to take pictures, invite a family member or friend to join you on a search for what speaks God’s creativity to you from nature. Post and share it with others if you like. #ualcgodwithus

For Kids

Take a walk with your kids this week. Make a game out of finding things that look beautiful all around you, such as “I spy…” Once you are done, give thanks together to God for how amazing He is for creating the world. God is good and he loves us!

—Andrea Taphorn & David White