We gather to begin the Lenten season at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Join us for the Imposition of Ashes and the celebration of Holy Communion.

We look forward to having Kjell Bakken, Program Director at Sugar Creek Bible Camp with us this Sunday to bring a message about Transfiguration, and about the ministry we share through Sugar Creek!

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

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: Transfiguration – February 23, 2020

 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 27:1-4, Psalm

Tuesday, Mark 9:38-41, Another Exorcist

Ash Wednesday, Mark 9:30-37, Passion Prediction

Thursday, Mark 9:42-50, Temptations to Sin

Friday, Mark 10:1-12, Teaching about Divorce

Saturday, Mark 10:13-16, Jesus Blesses Little Children

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.”  (Mark 9:2-3)

Who was Jesus?  The question was being tossed around quite a bit.  John the Baptist? Elijah? The Messiah?  The Transfiguration would reveal his divinity, even as it remains mysterious.

• When have you wondered about the identity of a leader?  What resolved your questions?
• How is your identity defined?  How do you juggle the many pieces?  Are you spouse/parent, sibling/child, friend/co-worker?  Which identity takes priority?

PRAY:  Lord, you show yourself both distinct from, but connected with the prophets when you appeared with them on the mountain.  Show yourself to us as God’s beloved Son.    In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the divine and human Jesus fill you with promise!

Jesus could see how far from God’s Word people had gone. He could prioritize words and actions according to God’s intent better than anyone had before.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

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: What defiles?  — February 16, 2020

 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, Mark 8:1-10, Feeding the Four Thousand

Tuesday, Mark 8:11-13, The Demand for a Sign

Wednesday, Mark 8:14-21, The Yeast of the Pharisees

Thursday, Mark 8:22-26, Jesus Cures a Blind Man

Friday, Mark 9:9-13, The Coming of Elijah

Saturday, Mark 9:14-29, The Healing of a Boy with a Spirit

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:    

^“Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: ¹⁵ there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”  (Mark 7:14-15)

Jesus could see that the rites and rituals being performed had fallen far from God’s intent for God’s people.  He demanded that they stop over-attending to external things, and begin attending to the internal things that defile.

• Words can hurt.  Thank of a story that was reported unfairly.  Did it cause division?  What would it take for people to unlearn the lie and relearn the truth?
• Do you notice how you feel when you in indulge in gossip?  How does it affect your relationships?

PRAY:  O God, you know what we carry in our hearts.  Fills us with the things that promote life, and purge us of all that distorts and defiles from within. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless your words and actions that they may bless!

Jesus gives his disciples a mission and sends them out with his authority.  We share in that mission today.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

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 the week: Sent out to Share – Feb. 9, 2020

 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 122, Psalm

Tuesday, Mark 6:30-44, Feeding of the 5000

 Wednesday, Mark 6:45-52, Jesus walks on water

Thursday, Mark 6:53-56, Healing the sick in Gennesaret

Friday, Mark 7:24-30, The Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

Saturday, Mark 7:31-37, Jesus Cures a Deaf Man

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“⁷ He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. “(Mark 6:7)

Despite the questions raised in his hometown, Jesus continues his teaching, and empowers his disciples to spread his mission throughout the countryside.

• The disciples were sent out without material gifts, but the powerful gift of Jesus’ authority.  Do you feel equipped to share in that ministry?
• John the Baptist risked everything for his faith.  We know that risking our lives is not wise, but do you risk anything for your faith?  Why or why not?  How could you be bolder?

PRAY:  Lord God, Jesus persisted in his mission in the face of opposition, disbelief, and danger.  Encourage us by his example when we encounter roadblocks, and give us the same Spirit which strengthened him.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May God protect you as live and grow in faith!