Posts by Mark Lautenschlager (Page 11)
For the week of July 26
View Previous Weeks Welcome to Week 6 of the Life of Peter series and to John chapter 21, where Jesus graciously and publicly restores Peter after he had denied knowing him three times on the night Jesus was arrested. We don’t begin with that story, however, as the disciples will first have another encounter with Jesus on a beach, with some boats, and fishing is involved.…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of July 23)
Hey Church! During last Sunday’s sermon, we thought about the nature of the “look” that Jesus gave Peter in the moment of his denials. We wondered, when Jesus sees you in your hour of failure and need, what His countenance communicates about His heart toward you. Despite what the Accuser might tempt you to believe, God is not some sort of cosmic taxman,…
For the week of July 19
View Previous Weeks Welcome to Week 5 of the life of Peter. This time we’re looking at the events on the day after the resurrection as described in John chapter 20. We know that the disciples and other followers of Jesus didn’t fully understand his mission. They never expected him to die the way he did, nor did they understand what he meant by saying he would come back…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of July 16)
Hey Church! In our study of Peter’s infamous denials this week, I could not decide how to characterize this most fervent disciple whose boldness often got him in trouble and yet was loved by Jesus and always restored to Him after every fall. Peter is one of the inner-circle three (with James and John) who were beloved by Jesus and fiercely loyal to His mission. On…
For the week of July 12
View Previous Weeks Your study notes this week were authored by Will Buschmann, Director of Student Ministries. Welcome to Week 4 of the Life of Peter and most likely the best known story about Peter. This week we will walk with Peter in the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and see the intimate moments he has with his friend and Lord. The complexities of what makes…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of July 9)
Hey Church! We have a new song to sing this weekend! It’s called “Amen (Simple Gospel)” by Kari Jobe and I think you’re going to love it! In order to get the most out of it, I thought a short study of the word “amen” would be helpful. The meaning of the Hebrew word, אָמֵן֙ (Pronounced ah-mayn), carries a sense of truth, certainty, and…
For the week of July 5
View Previous Weeks Your study notes this week were authored by Will Buschmann, Director of Student Ministries. Welcome to Week 3 of the Life of Peter and to a defining moment in Peter’s life. We will see Peter answer a question Jesus asks confidently and correctly. We will also see Peter be rebuked by Jesus. Jesus will also begin to show the disciples what his true…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of July 2)
Hey Church! When you enter the worship center this weekend, things will look quite different than they did just last Sunday. Through the generosity of one of the families in our church, we have been able to install new projection and lighting systems, which we hope will further enhance our ability to communicate the gospel with beauty and clarity. Please watch this short…
For the week of June 28
View Previous Weeks Welcome to Week 2 of the Life of Peter and to the iconic story of Jesus walking on water. That’s such a common reference and so much a part of our lexicon that we can forget that two people walked on water that day, Jesus…and Peter! As with last week (and likely every week in this series), the passage of scripture is quite brief, so each day’s…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of June 25)
This week’s Friday Prepare for Worship thoughts are written by Mark Lautenschlager, Director of Communications and one of Rio’s elders. If you’re anything like me…then you’re old and well, I’m sorry. We understand how each other’s joints feel, am I right? But in addition to that, we are used to church music that was written for another time and a different audience.…