Today we mark the presence of God’s Spirit in our lives and our family of faith.  This Spirit can change the way we see ourselves, and our neighbors.  We celebrate the gifts of the Spirit in many ways as we gather this weekend.  In addition to our regular worship we celebrate the gift of music at Worship through Music, we mark the stepping stone of graduation for our high school seniors, and we give thanks for the gifts our many volunteers with an appreciation reception.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  Worship with Holy Communion in chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m.  Worship through music – led by ELC Senior Choir

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Volunteer Appreciation reception

10:30 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion, Senior Recognition 

Volunteer Appreciation continues

Pentecost – Rejoice in the Lord, Acts 2:1-21; Philippians 4:4-7
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, Acts 2:1-21; Philippians 4:4-7, Pentecost; Rejoice in the Lord

Monday, Acts 3:11-16, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

Tuesday, Acts 3:17-26, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

Wednesday, Acts 4:1-12, Peter and John before the Council

Thursday, Acts 4:13-22, Peter and John before the Council

Friday, Acts 4:23-31, The Believers Pray for Boldness

Saturday, Acts 4:32-37, The Believers Share Their Possessions TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:2-4)

The Spirit’s descent upon the newly formed church is so powerful that spectators can only assume these multi-lingual proclamations are the effect of too much wine. But as it’s only nine in the morning, it might be worth seeking another explanation.

• Tell of a time something happened to you that changed you from the inside out. Was the change positive or negative? How has the change shaped who you are today?
• Wonder: Where is God’s spirit leading me today?

PRAY: Holy Spirit, you move within and among your people. Make us eager to go where you are sending us, open to being transformed by your Gospel’s power, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God fill you with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

If we are to be followers of Jesus, we need to consider our motives each day.   Jesus showed God’s depth of love for in putting you and I before even himself, and Paul challenges us to conform our daily lives to that same purpose.

Worship this week:  Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. – Special Meeting of the congregation/ Sunday School

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

The Christ Hymn, Philippians 2:1-13 – May 13, 2018

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, Philippians 2:1-13, The Christ Hymn

Monday, Acts 1:1-5, The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Tuesday, Acts 1:6-11, The Ascension of Jesus

Wednesday, Acts 1:12-26, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Thursday, Acts 2:37-42, The First Converts

Friday, Acts 2:43-47, Life Among the Believers

Saturday, Acts 3:1-10, Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. (Philippians 2:5-7)

With a memorable and well-crafted hymn, Paul exhorts the Philippians to live a life of humility. If even God doesn’t lord it over others, then neither should we.

• What does humility look like to you? How are you humble? In what ways are you not humble?
• Wonder: Why would the God who created everything, become human, humble, and empty?

PRAY: Loving God, you are both humble and highly exalted. Hold before us your ultimate example of servitude and sacrifice, setting the standard for love that knows no boundaries, for the sake of Jesus, Amen.

BLESS:  May God accept your humility with grace. Amen.

This week we hear Bishop Froiland’s message reflecting on the ministry we share, but a ministry that belongs to Christ, and is constantly empowered by God’s Spirit!  

Worship this week:  Saturday at  5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:   Partnership in the Gospel, Philippians 1:1-18a
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, Philippians 1:1-18a, Partnership in the Gospel

Monday, Philippians 1:18b-30, Partnership in the Gospel

Tuesday, Philippians 2:14-30, Timothy and Epaphroditus

Wednesday, Philippians 3:1-11, Breaking with the Past

Thursday, Philippians 3:12-4:1, Pressing toward the Goal

Friday, Philippians 4:2-9, Exhortations

Saturday, Philippians 4:10-23, Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.                      (Philippians 1:7)

Imprisonment isn’t excuse enough for Paul to cease in his efforts to spread the Gospel. Leave it to Paul to make use of an unfortunate situation for the glory of God

• Who do you trust most in this world? Why?
• Wonder: What would you do with all your time if you were locked in prison?

PRAY: God of all insight, you grant us wisdom in ways that the world cannot. Open our ears to listen for your call that your love might overflow through us into a world desperately in need of your grace. Create in us the pure trust of a little child to follow you, even when it seems you are far away. In your name we pray, Amen

BLESS:  May God grant you partners you can trust. Amen.

Join us this week as our confirmation youth present the message through a short play about Martin Luther and the Reformation.  Special worship time this Sunday – one worship at 10:00 a.m. 

Join us for a pancake breakfast benefit from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m.  All proceeds to the Olivia Benson Bright Medical Fund.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:  Saturday at 5:00 p.m., Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Devotions for this week:  Bringing the Word to a New Day

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, Acts 17:16-31, Paul’s Sermon at Athens

Monday, Acts 18:1-17, Paul in Corinth

Tuesday, Acts 19:1-10, Paul in Ephesus

Wednesday, Acts 21:27-36, Paul Arrested in the Temple

Thursday, Acts 21:37-22:5, Paul Defends Himself

Friday, Acts 23:12-22, The Plot to Kill Paul

Saturday, Acts 28:23-30, Paul Preaches in Rome

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. (Acts 17:23)

When Paul encountered a new culture, he had to find new ways to share the story so that people could understand.  In much the same way Martin Luther and the reformers were bringing the story to a world that had largely grown unfamiliar with what the gospel really said:

• Tell of a time you stepped way outside your comfort zone. What did you learn?
• How has the world changed in your lifetime? What does that mean for how we share the faith?
• Wonder: Where would you like to travel? What would you like to see there?

PRAY: God of all nations, your word reaches every corner of the earth. Open our ears to your word, and our hearts to those around us who do not speak as we do, all for the sake of your Son Jesus, who loved and embraced us all, Amen.

BLESS:  May God stretch you to learn and grow. Amen.

 

 

It must have seemed hopeless, Paul and Silas arrested, flogged, and in prison.  But instead of despair, the found the voice of song and prayer, and the power of God’s love transformed not just their personal circumstances, but brought hope to all around!

Worship with us this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:  Paul and Silas, Acts 16:16-34
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, Acts 16:16-34, Paul and Silas

Monday, Acts 16:35-40, Paul and Silas

Tuesday, Acts 15:1-11, The Council at Jerusalem

Wednesday, Acts 15:12-21, The Council at Jerusalem

Thursday, Acts 16:1-5, Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

Friday, Acts 16:6-10, Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

Saturday, Acts 16:11-15, The Conversion of Lydia

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.  (Acts 16:25-26)

When you are fully immersed in the revolutionary work of Gospel proclamation, you should be prepared to make some enemies. But Paul and Silas have God on their side—and an entire prison is about to get rocked.

• Tell of a time something you did had unexpected consequences.
• Wonder: What would you do if you were locked up for doing something good and right?

PRAY: Faithful Lord, you have seen your servants through every trial. Stir up even today the power of your Gospel to transform, renew and lead new believers to your community. By the power of Jesus, Amen.

BLESS:  May God work through you in unexpected ways. Amen.