Coming home after years in exile brought mixed responses, for the young, it was a grand celebration. For the elders, a bittersweet reminder of the past. We may face the same range of response this season as we remember the past and prepare for a new day.
Worship this week with Holy Communion:
SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP
5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent choir.
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship
10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.
Devotions for this week: Rebuilding the Temple – December 15, 2019
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Monday, Ezra 3:5-13, Foundation Laid for the Temple
Tuesday, Ezra 4:1-5, Resistance to Rebuilding the Temple
Wednesday, Ezra 4:6-24, Rebuilding of Jerusalem Opposed
Thursday, Ezra 5:1-17, Restoration of the Temple Resumed
Friday, Ezra 6:13-18, Completion & Dedication of the Temple
Saturday, Ezra 6:10-22, The Passover Celebrated
Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.
TALK: Consider some of these ideas
“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel.” (Ezra 3:10)
When Persia defeated Babylon (who had defeated Judah) King Cyrus let the exiled Jews return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple. For the young, it was a grand celebration. For the elders, a bittersweet reminder of the past.
- Where does your congregation worship? Does the history of the building cause conflicts or is it a celebrated space?
- What place is your safe space? What makes it special to you?
PRAY: O Lord, you restore what has been destroyed. Rebuild our lives in the strength of your Spirit, and restore our joy in being your servants. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
BLESS: May you feel the celebration and love of God in all spaces.
