I've had an Epiphany!

Artwork: Christ’s Charge to Peter  Artist: Raphael Date: 1515-1516 Worship Theme: The risen Christ appears to his apostles in the power of his majesty. First Lesson: Acts 9:1–19a    Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he might bring them to Jerusalem as prisoners. 3 As he went on his way and was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you need to do.” 7 The men traveling with him stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone. 8 They raised Saul up from th...

1 Corinthians 15:54-56 “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55  “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.   57  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of our 3 rd grade boys know that I’m as geeky as they are. They’ve seen the various Marvel superhero movies. They asked me to talk about Avengers: Endgame which opens April 26. It is the most anticipated film of the year. Fans – our 3 rd grade boys included – have been waiting a year since the events of Avengers: Infinity War . If you haven’t seen Infinity War yet, here is my spoiler warning – at the end of the movie, half of the superheroes disappear into dust. In Infinity War , Thanos, the mad tyrant, is wearing the Infinity Gauntlet. He snaps his fingers and half the people in the entire universe disintegrate into dust. Superheroes like Black Panther, Spide...

Matthew 26:26-28 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.” 27  Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,  “Drink from it, all of you.   28  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Here we are again, at the most significant, most sacred weekend in our worship life as Christians. Here we are again in spirit in the upper room, at the foot of the cross, and — wonder of wonders — staring into the empty tomb where Jesus of Nazareth is not . This weekend, again, is truly the high point of our worship life. There are probably a few of us are a little sad at this time of the year. Why? Because this means the end of our weekly Lenten suppers. No more fried chicken, sub sandwiches, tacos or a table full of deserts. That may seem to be a trite ob...

Matthew 21:1-11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,  2  saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.  3  If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 4  This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5  “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6  The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  7  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  8  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shoute...