Worship bulletin for August 2, 2020: http://elcmthoreb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Streaming-worship-for-August-2.pdf

We’ll gather in the ch

New This Week – Worship in Parking Lot – 10 a.m. Sunday!

•  Please enter on from 4th Street 
• Communion elements and bulletins available as you enter
• You can also print out your own bulletin attached to this email.
• Offering receptacles will be available as you drive in as well as when you exit.
• Park facing the door of the new addition – you’ll see a podium and keyboard set up outside.
• Please stay in your car and tune in to 88.5 FM to hear the worship
• You’ll be given instructions on taking communion in your car during the worship  (we will commune with the bread only this week)
• Attendants in color vests will help with parking.
• This is our first attempt at this, so we may learn a few things along the way.
• We will also be live streaming this worship on our Facebook page

“Reorientation: Light & Salvation”

We continue with the 3rd in our series on the Psalms this week, and read this Psalm that is both joyful and lamenting reminding us that trust in God is developed one small successful experience at a time, built over a lifetime.

Worship this weekend:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall including the baptism of Weston Hanson
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in the sanctuary
10:00 a.m. – A contemporary worship and discussion gathering in fellowship hall.

Devotions for this week: Light & Salvation – June 30, 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, Psalm 11, Psalm of Trust
Tuesday, Psalm 23, Psalm of Trust
Wednesday, Psalm 46, Psalm of Trust
Thursday, Psalm 63, Psalm of Trust
Friday, Psalm 121, Psalm of Trust
Saturday, Psalm 131, Psalm of Trust    

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:Consider some of these ideas

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1)    

• When have you felt trapped by bad news or circumstances?
• Can you trust God in times of struggle?
• Are you ever your own worst enemy?  How often could following God’s guidance help you from doing this?
• Do you find yourself able to stand strong in faith?
• Do you have the patience to wait for God’s action?

PRAY: Gracious Lord, you bid us to put all our trust in you.  Give us faith in your unfailing strength and light, even when we feel surrounded by darkness.  For the sake of Jesus we pray.  Amen

BLESS: May the Lord of light shine brightly up your heart and life no matter what you face.  Amen.

We continue our series on the Psalms this week, and read this Psalm of prayer and lament knowing that learning to be patient for God’s answer to our prayer can be difficult. But the writer knows that their persistence, and ours, can pay off, even when despair threatens to derail them.

Worship this weekend:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in the sanctuary with a blessing for our Youth Mission Trip participants who will be departing Sunday morning for Indianapolis.
10:00 a.m. – A contemporary worship and discussion gathering in fellowship hall.

Devotions for this week: When the Floods Rise – June 23, 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, Psalm 22, Psalm of Lament
Tuesday,  Psalm 51, Psalm of Lament  
Wednesday,  Psalm 70, Psalm of Lament  
Thursday,  Psalm 108, Psalm of Lament  
Friday,  Psalm 123, Psalm of Lament  
Saturday, Psalm 139, Psalm of Lament

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:Consider some of these ideas

“I sink deep in mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.”  (Psalm 69:2)

• When do you feel God’s presence close to you? 
• When is it hard to sense God’s presence?
• Share a time when you felt despair. Was it one event, or a series of things? What has been your source of help when things go bad?
• What things going on in the world might lead to despair?
• How do we pray when things seek bleak?

PRAY:  Steadfast God, when despair overwhelms us, you are always there. Keep our heads above water and our feet from sinking in the mire, so that we might learn to sing your praises once again. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

BLESS: Remember you are a beloved child of God, even when you struggle. Amen.