Week of 04/25/21 - 05/01/21
God's Work, Our Work

"In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." -1 John 4:10

Our passage from 1 John (4:7-21) this weekend is filled to the brim with good stuff. It's like all the hits of our faith on a 50 song, 2-disc CD set. There is also a tension in this passage between things we are called to do and the work that God does among us. It's easy to get caught up in the things we are *supposed* to do like love others, not hate others, and not fear (you know because love has cast that out). That's the stuff that we feel like we have control over. However, we might focus so hard on those things that we might miss out on what God does. That stuff is truly powerful. We are able to love because God first loved us. Or consider the verse I pulled out above... it's not that we loved God because we can't do that on our own, but that God loved us. I usually know what I am *supposed* to do so what I need a reminder of is that God is here to help me to do it. What about you? What reminder do you need to hear from this passage? Have a good weekend!
Children

Resources for Sunday, May 2nd

Start by viewing the Sunday School video together on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0ZnbEVRacboPgksA1RpKr8BFRQuFFu-4

Here are additional activities to continue your learning:

Abiding Together- Abide is a word that shows up a lot in the Bible especially when we talk about being connected to Jesus. It means to be connected, to bear with patience, to accept, and to remain stable. How can we abide with one another this week? One suggestion is to take some time to be together intentionally watching a show, reading a book, or having a meal together. I would suggest something that looks like doing "nothing" but I also know that isn't always realistic.

Looking for Love- As a family, on a heart-shaped cutout, write or draw places where you see love being lived out around you this week. It'll be an ongoing and growing list. Take a moment at the end of the week to review all of the places you saw love this week. Say a prayer thanking God for the love that God gives us.

Question to continue the conversation: How can you show love to someone else this week?

Next Sunday: Check next week's Family Connect e-mail or the Facebook group for resources!
Family

-Family Sunday School Video is now available on the Youtube Channel

-Join us for the Drive-in Service at 10:00 am on Sunday for a Family Moment! Be sure and bring your crayons or favorite coloring utensils for the Children's Bulletin and activity

-You can also join us at the 11:00 am blended service for a Children's Message and a Children's Church time during the sermon

-Mark your calendar for August 2nd-6th for Day Camp at Shepherd of Life! More information including how to register will be coming out soon.
Junior High

-Share your Blessings, Bummers, and where you have seen Jesus for the week
-Read 1 John 4:7-21
-What is one word or phrase that stood out to you? What image came to mind?
-Read the story again
-What is a story or experience that you have had recently that connects with this story? What is a question you have of this story? What is God trying to tell us in this story?
-Read the passage one more time
-Write and pray a prayer that speaks to what you have shared

One line that stuck out to me was "So we have known and believe the love that God has for us."

There is a lot going on in this passage and a lot that catches our attention. The reason this one caught my attention is that it talks about knowing and believing. Often parts of our faith are focused on belief by itself. The writer of 1 John reminds us that seeing signs of God's love around us helps it to be known to us which helps to bolster our belief. Talking about God's love among us also helps to reinforce our belief. Belief doesn't just happen in a vacuum. It grows and is strengthened and reinforced by what we experience.

Loving God,
Thank you for surrounding us with your love. Thank you for giving us what we need to trust in you. Continue to reveal your love to us through the words and actions around us. Help us to show that same love to others by our words and actions. Open our hearts and our minds to perceive you. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Question to continue the conversation: How can you show love to someone else this week?

Next Sunday: Check next week's Family Connect e-mail or the Facebook group for resources!
High School

-Share your Blessings, Bummers, and where you have seen Jesus for the week
-Read 1 John 4:7-21
-What is one word or phrase that stood out to you? What image came to mind?
-Read the story again
-What is a story or experience that you have had recently that connects with this story? What is a question you have of this story? What is God trying to tell us in this story?
-Read the passage one more time
-Write and pray a prayer that speaks to what you have shared

One line that stuck out to me was "So we have known and believe the love that God has for us."

There is a lot going on in this passage and a lot that catches our attention. The reason this one caught my attention is that it talks about knowing and believing. Often parts of our faith are focused on belief by itself. The writer of 1 John reminds us that seeing signs of God's love around us helps it to be known to us which helps to bolster our belief. Talking about God's love among us also helps to reinforce our belief. Belief doesn't just happen in a vacuum. It grows and is strengthened and reinforced by what we experience.

Loving God,
Thank you for surrounding us with your love. Thank you for giving us what we need to trust in you. Continue to reveal your love to us through the words and actions around us. Help us to show that same love to others by our words and actions. Open our hearts and our minds to perceive you. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Question to continue the conversation: How can you show love to someone else this week?

Next Sunday: Check next week's Family Connect e-mail or the Facebook group for resources!
Upcoming Events

May 2nd- Indoor worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am. Drive-in worship at 9:45 am. Worship Video comes out. Family Sunday School video comes out (Everyone)

May 9th- Indoor worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am. Drive-in worship at 9:45 am. Worship Video comes out. Family Sunday School video comes out (Everyone)

May 16th - Indoor worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am. Drive-in worship at 9:45 am. Worship Video comes out. Family Sunday School video comes out (Everyone)