When resources are scarce, we are tempted to cling to what little we have. If the widow of Zarephath had done the same, she would never have known the unpredictable joys of welcoming Elijah the prophet. When have we closed doors on opportunities for God to touch our life?
This week we celebrate God’s promises to us, as well as the affirmation of baptism for our 9th grade class at Confirmation worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. We also remember the faithfulness and courage of Martin Luther and those who have sought to call the church again and again to be faithful to God’s Word.
SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP 5:00PM — A modified traditional worship service, generally less that 45 minutes. We gather the smaller chapel on the Front Street side of the building
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
8:30 AM Traditional Worship — We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship, accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent choir.
9:30 AM Sunday School Classes —Classes for age 3 and up are held throughout the building, while there is time for coffee and conversation in the fellowship hall.
10:30 AM — Contemporary Worship — Led by our Praise Team we share contemporary Christian music, God’s Word and prayer in the sanctuary.
Devotions for this week:
God’s Care for the Least October 30, 2016
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding:
Sunday: God’s Care for the Widow, 1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24]
Monday: Elijah Meets God, 1 Kings 19:11-18, 2 Kings 9:30-37
Tuesday: Elijah Ascends to Heaven and Elisha Succeeds Elijah, 2 Kings 2:1-18
Wednesday: Elisha Heals Naaman, 2 Kings 5:1-19
Thursday: Amos Prophesies Against Israel, Amos 5:18-24
Friday: Hosea Prophesies Against Israel, Hosea 2:1-13
Saturday: Micah Prophesies to Both Kingdoms, Micah 6:1-8
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” 1 Kings 17:13-14
- What is going on in the world at the time of Elijah? How is Elijah’s world like ours? How is it different?
- When have you accepted or offered help to someone whose skin is a different color, or who speaks a different language? What can you do to provide food or water to someone who is in need?
- What have you been refraining from doing because it’s hard to trust God? What can you do to demonstrate trust in God this week?
- By acting on what we learn we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week. Plant some bulbs that will grow in the spring. Over the winter, pray for the healing of our planet. In the spring, as your bulbs sprout and blossom, celebrate the planet’s resilience.
PRAY: Lord, our vision is often too small to see the vastness of your abundance. Open our clenched hands, that in so doing we might find them already full of your blessings. In Jesus’ name Amen.
BLESS: May God bless all who care for the planet and its people. Amen.
