Asbury United Methodist Church
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Living and Sharing the Love of Christ!
WELCOME!
 
 
This year's theme is the Adam Hamilton Book, "24 Hours that Changed the World".
(book purchase not necessary to participate).
 
The Lenten Study coincides with sermon topics by Pastor Langhofer.
After Sunday Worship each week there will be some questions posted for online discussion. 
Your approved postings will be viewable within 24 hours of your posting. (weekdays only).
 
Enjoy the Discussion and Welcome to Asbury's Online Discussion Group!
 
If you missed a week, The sermons are found by clicking here
 
Week One:          The Last Supper
 
Opening Prayer (please pray as you begin your lenten journey)
            To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
            O my God, in you I trust;
               do not let me be put to shame;
               do not let my enemies exult over me…
            Turn to me and be gracious to me,
                for I am lonely and afflicted.
            Relieve the troubles of my heart,
               and bring me out of my distress.
            Consider my affliction and my trouble,
               and forgive all my sins.
                                                            Psalm 25: 1-2, 16-18
 
Discussion Questions
 
1. In the hours before Jesus would be arrested, tried, and held for crucifixion, he was with 12 men who were his companions and his deepest friends, men with whom he had prayed, worshiped, and shared life. They weren’t perfect. They let him down. But they were the best friends that he had.
 
Your First Name:   Your Last Name:
Your E-mail:   (e-mail will be validated prior to posting responses).
WEEK 1
 
1. If you were sitting down to what you knew to be your last meal, who would you want sitting around the table with you? Who are the friends that give you strength for difficult days?
responses...
AM says: Wife, good friends...I've got a couple i'd have to fly in...but well worth the effort if I was dying:)
DM says: The same folks who share my table at Christmas. 
NN says: My family.  Both Blood Related, and World Created.
Your Comments on week 1, question 1:
 
 
2.  What do you say (or should you say) to your children when they ask what the Lord’s Supper means?
responses...
AM says: I grew up catholic, so the idea behind the Lord's Supper is integral to me, even as a small child. It means it was the last time Jesus got to see his friends before he was taken away from us to die on the cross. (Sounds kinda gruesome if you didn't grow up in that particular faith...but compared to most of American T.V. that kids watch nowadays...it's probably pretty tame).
 DM says: He got in trouble when it was our fault.
NN says: It is a ritual that Christians practice as a way of honoring thier committment to Jesus.  
Your Comments on week 1, question 2:
 
 
3. In what way does your participation in the regular ritual of Holy Communion help you to recall your own experiences of deliverance?
 
responses... 
AM says: I like to think of "becoming one with Christ" and being forgiven of my shortcomings during the communion time at Asbury.
DM says: We've all been in bad places in our lives. Days that are dark and dusty. Communion reminds me that there will always be light.
Your Comments on week 1, question 3:
 
 
  1. Talk about a time when you truly felt that sharing the Lord’s Supper was both profoundly sacred and deeply joyful.
 
 
responses... 
AM says: Holy Thursday, every year, is very meaningful to me.
DM says: At my father-in-law's funeral which was a full Catholic service. As a Methodist I was not traditionally invited to receive communion. But I went up to receive a "blessing" mostly so the rest of the family wouldn't have to trip over me as they moved through the pew. The amazing priest knowing that I was not Catholic looked at me and stated that "Jesus is for all people" and proceeded to grant me communion. Very sacred.
Your Comments on week 1, question 4:
 
 
  1. How do you see yourself when you approach the altar to take Communion? What do you remember of the story of Jesus when you eat the bread and take the cup?
 
responses... 
AM says: I remember as a child, asking my father what I should think about when we walked up for communion. He said, "Think of all the things this past week that have bothered you, and then think of Jesus taking care of those things for you". I know it's simple and childlike...but it works for me. As an adult, I also find myself asking to be better this upcoming week than I was last week.
DM says: Just finished our first morning lenten group. One of the gals said she approached the alter asking herself "if this will change me?" Very profound.
Your Comments on week 1, question 5:
 
 
 
 
 
Closing Prayer
 
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!