God calls you to see for yourself!
Come and see for yourself what God can do for you and for the world! A new heart, a new vision, a new life all are possible when you have God on your side. But it’s hard for people to accept that. “Why should I believe in something that I can’t see?”
Nathanael said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” — John 1:46
It’s not just modern people who want to see for themselves. In Jesus’ day, people were the same then as we are now: Many didn’t believe until they had seen for themselves, and even then, even after Jesus had cured the sick, raised the dead and fed the hungry, they often still refused to believe. In today’s Gospel story, a guy named Nathanael had heard those stories, too, and he felt about Jesus the same way lots of people feel today: “Yeah, right. Show me.” ( For good measure, Nathanael adds an insult regarding Jesus’ home town of Nazareth.)
But when Nathanael meets Jesus himself, he suddenly sees with new eyes and a new heart. He exclaims, “You are the Son of God!” And he spends the rest of his life telling others about Jesus’ love for them.
Dear God, please – I want to meet Jesus! Please give me the eyes to see and, then, to act with a heart made new in you! ( At PEACE, we are seeking too, and we invite you to find new life with us! Check us out at the 8:30 & 11 a.m. worship services this morning.)
In church today
Today’s Bible readings: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20); Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-41. Read them here.
Guest preacher the Rev. Gabriela Schroeder presides at worship today. The Rev. Eileen Smith Le Van is on vacation, returning Sunday, Feb. 21.
Fair Trade Goods – Find coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, nuts and other products for sale in the Lobby after each worship service. Sales at fair prices benefit farmers and their families in the developing world. Proceeds benefit community development projects in Rwanda, Africa.
Adult Bible Study
“The Jewish View of Grace” by guest speaker Rabbi Alan Greenbaum.
The Adult Forum meets in the Old Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m. Stop first in the Fellowship Center around the corner to pick up coffee & baked goods!
Your spiritual growth
Like natural seasons, our church seasons have a special meaning for our spiritual growth. We are in Epiphany, when we focus on the ways Jesus, his identity as God’s Son and his mission on Earth became known. Read more about Epiphany here.
Happening at PEACE
- Monday Bible Study – No Bible study this week. We will resume on Monday, Jan. 22. We’re reading Genesis and will start Chapter 12, about the Call of Abram.
- Taizé-style Evening Worship – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, in the Sanctuary. An intimate service of short, simple, sung prayers, with chanting, candles and Bible readings.
- Check out PEACE’s online events calendar.
Office Hours – 9am-12pm & 12:30-3:30pm Tuesday through Friday this week.
Sunday School
Youth @ PEACE is our all-ages Bible study, where young disciples learn the core stories of our faith and what it means to walk the Jesus Path. We welcome all who yearn to learn more about our loving, gracious Creator.
Toddler Time
Kids in church: PLEASE bring your young children to church! Their fussing and squealing may pain you, but they make us glad! Pick up an activity bag as you go into the Sanctuary (on the left in a basket, ask an usher). During the sermon, you can take your kids to our Nursery; a speaker is turned on so you can hear the sermon and follow the service.
God invites ALL children to be His disciples. We offer a fun and special program especially for your squirmy tots and even your babies during our Sunday School time. We start all together for music and prayer, then parents & our youngest disciples head to the Nursery for age-appropriate activities. We would love to receive you, just please call ahead – (530) 575-6132.