LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICE – WEEK 1

 

WARM-UP

Our theme is “Better Together.” Think back to when our corner of the world was shut down, school and many jobs were virtual, and we tried to stay isolated. Then think about when we started getting back together in-person. How did it feel to be together again? What about joining with others in-person brought you joy?

 

READ 1 Corinthians 1:1-13

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

God calls us to be one community in Christ, but sometimes we experience division and disagreement. The pandemic has made getting together and getting along even more challenging. Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth because he has heard they are having some disagreements.

 

RESPOND

  1. What are some disagreements you have experienced with friends?

  2. How have you worked through a disagreement with family before? 

  3. What are some disagreements you have experienced at Easter Lutheran Church?

  4. How do you believe God asks us to respond to these disagreements?

  5. What steps do you take to live into this response?

Respond to question 5 in one of several ways: 

• Draw a picture 

• Make an infographic (step 1 > step 2 > step 3, etc.)

• Tell a story

• Write a poem

• Write an answer

• Write a message to a loved one (using a card, Messenger, email, etc.)

 

WEEKLY QUESTION

Easter’s leadership wants to hear from you about what God is up to among us. The Weekly Question will help us get a wider picture of life at Easter. Here’s this week’s question: