opposed and worshiped

Good morning all,
Tomorrow we welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with palms waving, and we begin the intense conclusion of Lent we call Holy Week. The week is full of great opportunities to worship and to live into the story of Christ's last days. We'll be joining neighboring churches in an ecumenical tenebrae service at St. Ambrose at 7 pm on Monday for a beautiful and thoughtful worship service to begin Holy Week. Thursday brings us a potluck supper at Laurelton at 6 pm leading into communion as we remember Christ's last supper with the disciples and his tortured prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. On Good Friday we join other churches in a walk of the neighborhood beginning at Covenant United Methodist at 9 am to remember Christ's walk with the cross and to bear witness to the violence that threatens our community and the hope we have that God's peace will conquer hatred. At noon we'll gather in the sanctuary to hear the story of Christ's passion. Finally on Easter we'll gather at 10 am to celebrate the good news that Christ is risen in triumph. Join in for as many of these opportunities as you can and let the depth of Christ's love sink into your soul during this week; everyone is welcome for all of these events.

Today's reading continues the theme of challenges in evangelism. Paul and Barnabas continue their travels and proclaim the good news with power. God's presence is obvious to others and so many come to faith. At the same time many of the Jewish religious leaders and pagans oppose them. It shouldn't surprise us that the gospel faces opposition either then or now. God's amazing love in Christ defies the rigid structure organized religion sometimes becomes, and the inclusive community of the church challenges the divisions society often holds onto.

On the other hand, the powerful miracles God did through Paul and Barnabas sometimes attract people in the wrong way, as they did in Lystra. In that case the power everyone could see led people to worship Paul and Barnabas instead of the God they serve. The church always wants to be convincing, powerful and attractive when we proclaim God's good news and reach out to others with love. But we are the messengers, not the message; the point is God, not us.

Blessings,
Sam

Acts 14:1-13

The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. 4But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; 7and there they continued proclaiming the good news.

8In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. 9He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began to walk. 11When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice.