This Sunday we welcome Pastor Emily Tveite of Lutheran Campus Ministry in Madison to share a message this week about Esther — who used her position and courage to save her people.
We’ll worship this week in the air-conditioned fellowship hall
Saturday at 5:00 p.m. (Pastor Nicole Espe preaching)
Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship
Devotions for this week: July 15 – Esther
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, Esther 2:15-18 Esther becomes queen
Monday, Esther 3:1-6 Haman plots to destroy the Jews
Tuesday, Esther 4:1-8 Esther is told of Haman’s plans
Wednesday, Esther 4: 9-17 Esther agrees to help
Thursday, Esther 7:1-10 Haman’s evil exposed
Friday, Esther 8:1-8 Esther intervenes with the King
Saturday, Esther 9:18-32 The festival of Purim established
TALK: Consider some of these ideas
12 When Mordecai was told what Esther had said, 13 he sent back this reply, “Don’t think that you will escape being killed with the rest of the Jews, just because you live in the king’s palace. 14 If you don’t speak up now, we will somehow get help, but you and your family will be killed. It could be that you were made queen for a time like this!” Esther 4:12-14
Esther sees that her place of authority is not just a privilege, but provides the opportunity to use that position to intervene on behalf of justice for her people.
- Do we seek to use our influence to help others?
- Where has God placed you in this life, and what purpose might you serve for God’s kingdom in the place you are?
- What the particular challenges in our world, our society, that we might be here to face?
PRAY: Mighty God, You call us to courage as we witness to our faith in you. Set us apart, as you did Esther, to be people brave enough to engage in your life-saving work for this world your son gave himself up for. In his name we pray. Amen
BLESS: May God give you a sense of purpose for this day.
