Tired, alone, and away from the divided family he had left behind, Jacob encounters the promise of God’s continuing presence, even though he was a deeply flawed human being.  Where is God coming to reach you today?  Will you be aware of God’s presence?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

Jacob’s Dream, Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17
September 24, 2017

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, Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17, Jacob’s Dream

Monday, Genesis 27:30-40, Esau’s Lost Blessing

Tuesday, Genesis 27:41-28:5, Jacob Escapes

Wednesday, Genesis 28:6-9, Esau Marries Ishmael’s Daughter

Thursday, Genesis 29:1-14, Jacob Meets Rachel

Friday, Genesis 29:15-35, Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Saturday, Genesis 30:1-24, Rachel’s Jealousy

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. (Genesis 28:13)

With a little help from Mom (and some hairy goats), Jacob cheats his older brother out of his blessing. But is he prepared for the overwhelming responsibility that comes with the gifts of God

• Tell of a time you have tried to force God’s hand.
• What could you do to give control over some aspect of your life to God?
• Wonder: Why were angels climbing up and down the ladder? What were angels doing on the earth?

PRAY: Great God, you have offered us the richness of your blessings. Make us worthy to be the bearers of your life-giving word to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God give you God’s best blessing. Amen

When directed by the Spirit to  ‘get up and go’, Phillip discovered that God prepares unexpected opportunities to share faith and hope.  Let’s be ready to move into God’s world with purpose, and may our eyes be open to those God places in our path this day.  There are still unexpected opportunities, and sometimes unlikely people, to encounter with the compassion of Christ.  In those encounters we may bless, and discover blessing.

Worship this week with Holy Communion –

Saturday 5:00 p.m.  Modified traditional worship in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

An Ethiopian comes to believe                                                   May 7, 2017

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: Ethiopian Comes to Believe, Acts 8:26-39

Monday: The Death of Herod, Acts 12:20-25
Tuesday: Barnabas and Paul Commissioned, Acts 13:1-3
Wednesday: The Apostles Preach in Cyprus, Acts 13:4-12
Thursday: Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, Acts 14:1-7
Friday: Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe, Acts 14:8-20
Saturday: Return to Antioch in Syria, Acts 14:21-28

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

The disciples’ mission is now springing up everywhere, this time in the middle of the desert, with a high-ranking foreign official. What will this Ethiopian say when Philip reveals to him the astounding truth of the scriptures?

• How is the apostles’ preaching beginning to spread throughout the world?
• How does your community of faith engage in the exchange of ideas concerning the things of faith? How are you personally engaged in a community to help you grow in faith? What might your community of faith do to engage more of the community inside and outside your church?
• If you have had a conversion experience, who have you told? If you have been a person of faith your whole life, who have you told? Who might be hungry for the Word and the story of how you experience God?

PRAY: God of encounters, Your good news stops us in our tracks with amazement, O God. Renew our wonder at the word and all the promises contained within it, gifts especially for us, your children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  God delights in the joy you experience hearing God’s word. Amen.

 

Hannah prayed in faith that despite her situation God would hear.  While prayer is not always answered in the way we expect, our God is faithful.  God hears our prayers and can continue to do great things in our lives.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Adult class

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

God Answers Hannah                                                      October 16, 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 Answers Hannah, 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20; 2:1-10

Monday: God Calls Samuel, 1 Samuel 3:1-18

Tuesday: The Ark of God Captured, 1 Samuel 4:2-11, 6:2, 11-13

Wednesday: Samuel Anoints Saul as King, 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8, 10:17-27

Thursday: Saul Rejected and David Anointed, 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Friday: David Defeats Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:1-54

Saturday: David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 6:1-23

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah…In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:19-20

• What are the benefits and drawbacks for Israel to shift from a tribal nation to a kingdom? How might our political system serve God?
• How do you think prayer works? How did Hannah’s prayer affect her life? How did affect the future of Israel?
• What have you asked God for that still awaits an answer? What did you bargain in return for a favorable answer? Does God require something in exchange for answered prayer? Where do you see God working while you wait for the answer?

 PRAY:  You are a Lord of mercy who heeds the prayers of your people. Grant us those requests which will glorify you and bring us into more perfect devotion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 BLESS:  May God hear your prayers and answer favorably. Amen.

It must have seemed impossible, but after years of bondage, God gives the people instructions for the time of their departure, when God will act powerfully to liberate them. They only had to act in trust that the God who loved them could make a new future.  We, too, are called to come together as a community of faith, to tell again the power of God’s liberating love!

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

      9:30  a.m. Sunday School

     10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Passover and Deliverance                                                           October 2, 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 of Sunday’s text.

Sunday: Passover and Deliverance, Exodus 12:1-13; 13:1-8

Monday: Pillars of Cloud and Fire, Exodus 13:17-22

Tuesday: Crossing the Red Sea, Exodus 14:1-31

Wednesday: Songs of Moses and Miriam, Exodus 15:1-21

Thursday: Manna and Quail, Exodus 16:1-36

Friday: Jethro Advises Moses Concerning Leadership, Exodus 18:1-27

Saturday: The Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-21

Talk:  Consider some of these ideas –

”You shall tell your child on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”  — Exodus 13:8

• A secret command, a strange ritual, and an epic journey begins. Could Israel have even imagined the adventure which lay ahead, their tour guide none other than the Almighty God?
• Some of God’s grandest moments happen when the community comes together.
• What did God do for the people of Israel? Where was God faithful? Where were the people faithful?
• How can you, like Moses, help set people free today from bondage, addiction, poverty, abuse, and more?
• In what ways has God set you free? In what ways do you still feel bound?

Pray:  You have led your chosen people for generations, O God. Keep us mindful of your faithfulness and trusting in the next step you have in store for us. For the sake of Christ our Lord, Amen.

Bless: May God deliver you from bondage to sin and death. Amen.