Redeemer Lutheran and St. Theodore

On Sunday, May 10, the congregations of Redeemer Lutheran Church and St. Theodore of Canterbury Episcopal Church will celebrate the sixth Sunday of Easter and Mother’s Day. The Holy Communion service meets every Sunday at 13564 St. Andrews Drive 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Murray Finck presiding. All are welcome to join.

People can stay after service for fellowship in the Fellowship Hall with coffee, tea, cookies and snacks. The congregations collect donations of canned food for those in need.

The congregations thanks all who attended and participated in the Spring Bazaar on April 30-May 2. It was a wonderful time for sharing the talents of so many in the community.

The Bible study will meet on Wednesday, May 13, from noon-1:15 p.m. The group will continue its study in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. People are encouraged to bring their Bibles, a friend or neighbor, and lunch. This is a great opportunity for believers to expand their knowledge of the early church and make a new friend.

The Gospel lesson for this week is John 14:15-21. Jesus is telling his followers that he will be going away. He is continuing the thoughts from last week about the relationship between himself and the father.

Jesus also states what it means to love Jesus: to keep his commandments. Jesus’ commandment is to love one another as he loves them. Jesus speaks of the fullness of love; the possibility of laying down one’s life for another just as he is doing.

Jesus adds all believers into the mix of that relationship. Jesus loves the father, who loves Jesus. Jesus loves believers, who love Jesus. Jesus then brings believers to the Father.

It’s important to remember that everything involving Jesus is in relationship of love. So, when Jesus says he will not leave believers alone and will send the advocate, there is now have another level of love for believers to share.

Ultimately, Jesus commands people to love. This is what the Ten Commandments are about (love of God; love of others); the eight Beatitudes are about how people should live love in community and how his followers should act; it is what the Greatest Commandment is about: love.

Even Jesus’ prayer in the garden before his arrest is about love: his willingness to do the father’s will out of love in spite of his fear. Jesus’ final acts on the cross were about love and forgiveness: “Father forgive them;” “you will be with me in paradise;” “woman, behold your son,” “son behold your mother” are all statements of love. Believers are called share their love with God, Jesus, their community and all people.