How costly is your devotion?
Mary and her sister Martha were dear friends of Jesus. But after Jesus raised their brother, Lazarus, from the dead, Mary’s devotion to her Lord reached a new spiritual depth.
Mary has spent 300 silver coins for expensive perfume in today’s Gospel story. She rubs it onto Jesus’ hot, tired feet, then wipes it away with her hair. The whole house is filled with the fragrance. Some in the room are aghast that she should spend so much on a luxury – that money would have been better spent on helping the poor! But somehow, Mary understands that her brother’s return to life is linked to Jesus’ impending death, and her dramatic act shows her deepened love for Jesus and devotion to the new life she finds in his Way.
But it costs her, just as Jesus’ love and devotion to his Father’s children would soon cost him his life. We have to ponder for ourselves: What are we willing to pay to show our devotion to the Jesus Path?
At PEACE Lutheran Church, we welcome all those who want to know more about this new life that could inspire such devotion.
“Mary anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.” – John 12:3
It’s Lent, the season when we reflect on the oh-so-many ways we fall short of God’s great plans for us, and renew – every single day – our commitment to turn away from our own path and, with God’s help, turn onto His path of lavish love for us.
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
Today’s Sermon: Pastor Eileen Smith LeVan preaches today.
Rwanda Sunday
Karl Smith, president of the Rwanda School Project, will present a short talk during both worship services about his personal walk with God as he was led down the unexpected path when he first traveled to Rwanda. A pot-luck lunch will follow the second service; it will include a slide show of the most recent building project at Rwamagana Lutheran School and a question-and-answer period.
Adult Bible Study
Karl Smith, of the Rwanda School Project, will present a slide-show and talk about progress at Rwamagana Lutheran School in Rwanda. The Adult Forum starts at 10 a.m. in the Old Fellowship Hall. Get your coffee & baked goods first, around the corner in the Fellowship Center!
Sunday School
All ages are welcome as we continue to learn about Jesus’ early ministry. Today’s lesson: The Last Supper – and a whole new meaning of the Passover for God’s people! We also are learning the Lord’s Prayer. Meet at 9:50 a.m. downstairs in the Youth Room. Get juice & baked goods first in the Fellowship Center!
Youth @ Peace is our all-ages Bible study, teaching key Bible stories – the cornerstone for a lifetime of faith. Younger readers, tweens and teens open each session together, have break-out groups for age-appropriate reading and discussion, then regroup for a joint closing. We also have large-group activities. Contact Trina Kleist for more information: trinakleist@gmail.com or call/txt (530) 575-6132.
Coming Up at PEACE
- Easter Egg Hunt! — Children, grandchildren, neighbors & friends will be welcomed to our Easter Egg Hunt starting at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 27, in the Youth Room downstairs. We’ll have two rounds of hunting: one for little tykes and another for older children.
- Donations of hard-boils eggs are needed — please sign up in Atrium. Donations of Easter CANDY also are welcome! Please leave them in the basket in the Atrium. Volunteers who can help hide eggs Sunday morning also are needed. Contact Trina Kleist for more information, (530) 575-6132. This is a great opportunity to invite others to Peace!