For a week in June four adults and sixteen youth weren’t in the church building, but we were the church. We gathered for meals, shared devotions, worship and prayer, but we also painted walls, organized donations, shared our time with children, adults, and the elderly of Indianapolis, and much more. This week in worship we’ll have a chance to hear from the mission trip participants at all three worship services. Come join us!

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall – Modified traditional worship

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in Sanctuary (will move to air-conditioned fellowship hall if conditions dictate)

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship in Fellowship Hall.

Devotions for this week:

Jesus the Great High Priest – July 21, 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, Hebrews 9:15-22, Mediator of a New Covenant

Tuesday, Hebrews 9:23-28, Christ’s Sacrifice

Wednesday, Hebrews 10:1-18, Christ’s Sacrifice

Thursday, Hebrews 10:19-25, Call to Perseverance

Friday, Hebrews 10:26-31, Call to Perseverance

Saturday, Hebrews 10:32-39, Call to Perseverance

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.”                                           (Hebrews 4:14)

The High Priest was revered, but a good one was a humble servant of the people.  Jesus served people to the point that he gave everything he had and everything he was for humanity’s redemption.

• Think of a leader you admire.  Do they show humility?  What is it like for someone in power to show vulnerability?
• Have you been called to be a leader in a situation?  What did you learn about the temptation to use power over others?  Were you able to be gracious?
• How does Jesus’ example show us what true leadership is?

PRAY:  Compassionate Lord, you didn’t exalt yourself for you won sake, but sacrificed yourself on our behalf. Make us grateful for your gift and eager to serve the people whom you love.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May you find power in the humble every day.  Amen.

God has spoken to the people in many ways throughout history, but in Jesus we have the the “exact imprint of God’s very being” (Hebrews 1:3). We look to Jesus to most directly see and understand what God has in mind for all of us.

Join us as we worship this weekend:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. – Modified traditional worship in Fellowship Hall

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – Traditional worship in sanctuary

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship in Fellowship hall.

Devotions for this week:

God Has Spoken – July 14, 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, Hebrews 1:5-14, The Son Superior to Angels

Tuesday, Hebrews 2:1-4, Warning to Pay Attention

Wednesday, Hebrews 2:5-9, Jesus a Little Lower than Angels

Thursday, Hebrews 3:1-6, Moses and Christ

Friday, Hebrews 3:7-19, Warning against Unbelief

Saturday, Hebrews 4:1-13, God’s Promised Rest

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.”                                                     (Hebrews 1:1-2)

We are blessed that we can hear God’s voice throughout the Bible, but especially in the words of Jesus.

• Think of an important message that was shared – a famous speech, sermon, or headline.  How did it impact or change society?
• Would the world be different if that message was not known?
• What has someone said to you that you’ll never forget?
• How did their message to you change your life?
• How can we share an important message?

PRAY:  God of wisdom, you are speaking even when we are not listening.  Incline our ears to hear what you are telling us, in this day, in this world for the life of your people.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the words you speak be a light to the world.  Amen.

This week we finish our four-week series in the book of Psalms. We have touched the surface of some of the diversity in the book with praising God as well as low points of the writers, just as we experience in our own lives.   In this week’s text, our Psalmist has experienced deep lows and found solid ground once again, knowing God has been instrumental in his situation, helping him through his challenges. As a result, he is signing a new song, one of hope. His life is different.  He has a story to tell and he is not shy about telling it!

Worship this week with Holy Communion –

No Saturday worship this week –

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship in fellowship hall

Devotions for this week:  A New Song – July 7, 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 30, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Tuesday, Psalm 32, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Wednesday, Psalm 34, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Thursday, Psalm 57, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Friday, Psalm 66, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Saturday, Psalm 116, Psalm of Thanksgiving

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God”

 (Psalm 40:3a)

The psalmist sees and acknowledges what God has done, and recognizes God’s faithfulness.  God’s abundant love helps the psalmist grow in faith.

• Who do you know that seems filled with joy?  Why do you think they seem so happy?
• Think of a time something good happened for you.  How did you react?  Who did you tell?  Did you say a prayer of thanks?
• How does it feel when someone thanks you for something you’ve done?   How does it feel if someone seems ungrateful?
• How does thanksgiving reflect our faith in God?

PRAY:  Abundant God, you have been forever faithful to your children.  Draw forth our praise and gratitude for all that we have received in your name, and through the grace of Jesus Christ your Son.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the God of abundance bless you in all that you do.  Amen.

We begin a series on the Psalms this week, and read this Psalm of praise for our God who is high above all, but never fails to notice the needs of the least. Join us as we worship our God who is great, and merciful.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall

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: God Stoops Down – June 16, 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 8, Psalm of Praise

Tuesday, Psalm 68, Psalm of Praise

Wednesday, Psalm 100, Psalm of Praise

Thursday, Psalm 111, Psalm of Praise

Friday, Psalm 122, Psalm of Praise

Saturday, Psalm 150, Psalm of Praise

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,

who looks far down on the heavens and earth?”  (Psalm 113:5)

• Did you learn the prayer that begins “God is Great, God is Good?”
• How do you see the contrast between goodness and greatness?
• Which of these words do think of first when you think of God?
• What was the last celebration you attended?  What were you celebrating?  What in that day brought you the most joy?
• Do you feel God’s joy when you celebrate?

PRAY:  Dearest Lord, you are the reason for our joy and celebration.  Help us to share our blessings and stay mindful of them in times when we don’t feel like being joyful.  For you have given us an everlasting fulfillment in the gift of your son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

BLESS: May you know the joy of the Lord who is seated on high.

Jesus may no longer walk the earth alongside his followers, but by no means is he absent. The disciples are about to get blown away by a new and powerful presence, and that same Spirit remains with us.

Worship this week: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified Traditional Worship

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall

Devotions for this week: Pentecost – June 9, 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, Romans 8:18-39, Pentecost

Tuesday, Romans 14:1-12, Do Not Judge Another

Wednesday, Romans 14:13-23, Do Not Make Another Stumble

Thursday, Romans 15:1-13, Gospel for All

Friday, Romans 15:14-21, Paul’s Reason for Writing So Boldly

Saturday, Romans 15:22-33, Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:4)

• In light of God’s promises, how do you make sense of the times in life when God’s presence seems terribly far away? How do you make sense of evil?
• How do others know you are a child of God?
• For the littles: Have you ever seen a glowing campfire, a roaring fireplace, or a lit candle? What did it look like? Was it hot? God’s Holy Spirit is like the fire you saw—hot and alive!

PRAY:  God of holy fire, when the time was right, you sent your Holy Spirit to empower your disciples. Inspire us yet today with your fire, that with burning hearts we might eagerly continue the work which they started, for the sake of our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

BLESS:  May God’s Holy Spirit burn within you. Amen.