Luke 2: 49  “Why were you searching for me?” 12-year-old Jesus asked.  “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day He rested (Genesis 1:1-2:2). That day became the Sabbath, meaning “to rest from labor.” When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, one of them was “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

As a child, I really didn’t grasp the meaning of Sabbath day, but I knew that on Sunday morning my parents and I went to church.  Mother would prepare foods in advance to fix for Sunday dinner after church, and I also remember Dad stretched out in his reclining chair pretty much the remainder of the day.  Sometimes friends or family members would come for dinner, but activities were few on that day of the week.  The return of the workweek was a much different setting, with both Mother and Dad working hard to accomplish their tasks for us as a family.

In the Bible, God calls us to regular, weekly worship so that together, we can share in thankfulness to Him through our songs, prayers, studying His word, and acts of kindness to one another.  Fortunately, my parents, and I hope many of yours, instilled that regular weekly worship to God into your routine for the week.

Back in the early days of this great country, our early relatives also set aside that day of rest. Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family spent all day Saturday getting ready for Sunday.  In her book, Little House in the Big Woods (1871, early Wisconsin), the family bathed, pressed their Sunday-best clothes, and prepared all of their meals for the next day.  On Sunday morning, they fixed their hair, donned their fresh, clean clothes and had church in their own home.  They then were quiet the rest of the day! They kept the Sabbath day holy!

Things have changed so much these days!  It happened slowly, perhaps.  American Christians seem to have all sorts of activity on Sunday. Some people work, either by choice or necessity. Some go out to eat and some worship on a different day of the week. And the list can go on and on.

To me, Sundays are a gift and a blessing.  Sunday is my favorite day of the week because I am blessed to meet with my pastor and other believers.  I’m blessed to share my musical talent most weeks in some fashion.  Now I’m even blessed by friends who gather in my Sunday school class as we study the word together.  What a wonderful time we have, sharing and discussing!

Where do people expect you to be on Sunday morning?  You have to answer that one yourself.  But for me, I expect myself to be in church, and that is where I choose to be.

Written by Becky Perkins

Peter had denied Jesus three times before Jesus’ arrest.  Now after this breakfast, Jesus offered Peter three questions.  “Do you love me more than these?” “Do you love me?” and again, “Do you love me?”  Peter answered with a definite “yes” each time.  Jesus then told Peter to “feed my lambs,” “tend my sheep,” and “feed my sheep.”  It is possible that Jesus was offering Peter restoration for his denial and for his pride of thinking he loved Jesus more than the other disciples.  Peter boasted in John 13:37 that he would lay down his life for Jesus.  In Matthew 26:33, Peter boasted that all other men would stumble because of Jesus, but Peter would never be made to stumble.  Peter was humbled after he denied Jesus three times. His heart had changed.   

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In John 21, Jesus fed the disciples and tended to their physical needs.  Then Jesus went to work on their spiritual needs.  Jesus offered Peter restoration.  Peter sought forgiveness and repented for denying Jesus.  Jesus told Peter that he would not only be fishing for men in his future, but Peter would also be a shepherd of his people.  After Jesus restored Peter, He called him into a place of leadership, a position to shepherd people.  I guess you could say that Peter progressed on the Discipleship Pathway; he no longer was a believer following Jesus, but was now in position to lead.

Leading a group of people is hard work, it is a submissive work, and it is a humbling work.  Jesus must humble us to prepare us to lead.  I have personally experienced a humbling of my spirit through ministry.  When I become weary, tired, and have wrong thoughts toward others, it’s because I am trying to do the work within myself.  When I get angry with people, when things do not go the way I expect them to go, when God is not on my time frame, I know I am trying to do the work within myself.  Sometimes, God has to humble me and let me know that I am not the one in charge.  During those times, I have to stop and listen to His voice.  Sometimes, I have to let Him restore my soul before He can do the work through me.

The times of discipline that God puts me through are not fun, not easy, and can be heartbreaking.  When God convicts my spirit, I am weary and drained.  But there is always a restoration time after the hard times.  God does not convict us to punish to us, but to love us. Those times when God works on our hearts, whether dealing with jealousy, greed, unforgiveness, lust, covetousness, or other things down deep in our hearts, He is doing it out of His love for us.  God wants the best for us in His timing and in His way.  God shows us a beautiful restoration time.  Restoration may be just the awareness of His presence, the beauty of His world, or the beauty we find in scripture.  It is a cleansing of the soul and a peace that passes all understanding.  How does He do it?  I don’t know, but we can know, with confidence, that He was the One who performed the restoration.  It is after the restoration that we, as Peter, know the joy of God’s salvation.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (Psalm 51:10-12).  

Written by Jill Dayvault

One of my favorite songs is “Fear Not Tomorrow” by the Collingsworth Family. I hope you will listen to the words (lyrics are provided with the music) and be blessed. We know Who holds tomorrow – that should give us great hope!

“DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME”

As a young girl growing up in the Catholic church, I observed the rite of Holy Communion often:  weekly at Sunday Mass and then once in grade school, daily before classes started.

It was a big deal. The Catholic Mass is a prayer culminating in the Eucharistic celebration.  Prior to the age of seven, or second grade, I observed everyone processing to the altar receiving Communion.  I wanted to do that!  Whether intentional or the right intention, there was a desire created in me to be able to receive Communion.

In second grade, my class began to learn about the Sacrament of Communion and receiving the body of Jesus.  We were taught that a Sacrament was “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.”  After Easter Sunday, we would begin to prepare for our First Holy Communion.  This process was exciting as First Communicants wore frilly and pretty white dresses with veils and shiny white shoes.  The boys would wear suits (not as exciting!).  Aside from the all-important task of picking out “the dress”, we practiced our procession in and out of church and how to properly receive the unconsecrated and unleavened bread.  In those pre-Vatican II days, the wafer was placed on the tongue, and we were not allowed to touch it.  Also, in those days, there was no partaking of the wine.  After the actual First Holy Communion Mass, most went home with their families and had a big party that involved presents and cards with money.  Heady days for a seven-year old!

It may seem to some to be too big of a fuss, and how these rituals evolved is a history lesson for another day.  But what did I, as a young girl, learn?  Holy Communion was a big deal, I had a desire for it, and the celebration was a rite of passage into a different level of spiritual maturity.  Most importantly, it was my first memory of having a reverence for Jesus and experiencing the thrill and specialness of being able to experience His holy presence.

The celebration of Communion has its roots in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) describing The Last Supper.

Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV)

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Mark 14:22-24 (NIV)

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.

Luke 22:17-20 (NIV)

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.  For I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

These are the repeated words of Jesus found in each gospel:

The Bible records Jesus giving thanks seven times.  Not all are mentioned here, but He gave thanks before he miraculously fed the 4,000 and the 5,000.  He gave thanks at the raising of Lazarus, and He gave thanks at His final meal.  (1^st Thessalonians reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances!)  Jesus talks about His body and His blood.  How strange His words must have sounded to His disciples!   What could it mean?

However, only on the other side of His crucifixion and resurrection does it become clear that Jesus’ body was broken and His blood poured out to establish His new covenant.

Throughout the Old Testament, covenants are mentioned between God and His people, and between other parties and/or individuals. The covenant was a serious commitment and promise made, which included several rituals, one that most often involved a sacrificial animal and the pouring of its blood.  Jesus’ New Covenant was the final covenant and the final sacrifice to establish the atonement (forgiveness) of all sins.

Luke’s gospel 22:19 repeats Jesus’ words:  “Do this in remembrance of me.”

We are indeed privileged to participate in the Last Supper’s ritual and share with Jesus and each other in the liturgy of Holy Communion.  It is a big deal!

We remember, we give thanks, we receive, and most importantly, we are forgiven!

I am also reminded of the prayer that my First Holy Communion class was taught, and it is still said to this day in the Catholic celebration of Holy Communion.  Before receiving the Eucharist, this prayer is lifted in unison: 

            “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.”

In remembrance, Christians across the world approach the table with reverence, give thanks, ask for forgiveness, and participate in the Holy Meal of consecrated bread and wine or grape juice representing Jesus’ Body and Blood.

Our sins are forgiven EVERY TIME.

It is a BIG DEAL.

HALLELUJAH!

Written by Nancy Purvis

A recording of our practice will be played at our 8:30 a.m. service because it’s just a little too early for the children to rise and shine. In my mind there is nothing more beautiful than a bunch of kids praising Jesus. If you see one of our Wesley Chapel Kids after the service, please let them know how very proud you are of their faith and willingness to serve!

May God Bless and keep you always,

Nancy