Bob Dylan sang it years ago:  “You gotta serve somebody”.  This week we read a recap of all that the Lord had done for God’s people, then in light of all God has done, Joshua asks the people to “Choose this day who you will serve … but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:15)  Daily we are still posed the same question.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  Worship in chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m.  Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. –  Sunday School

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for the week ahead:

October 11-12, 2014 Promises Kept — Joshua Renews the Covenant

The first generation of Israelites to be freed from slavery in Egypt proved unfaithful to God, creating and worshiping idols for themselves, despite the overwhelming evidence that God had just delivered them from bondage. As a punishment for their wickedness, God did not allow them to enter the Promised Land, but instead they wandered the wilderness for 40 years; essentially a generation.

The second generation of Israelites were given the gift that their ancestors were denied. God led them into the Promised Land. The land God promised to Abraham and his descendants had finally been given to them. God remained faithful to God’s promise to Abraham, even when God’s people remained unfaithful to God.

Read: Follow the story of how Samuel became the judge who anointed David as king.

Sunday, Joshua 24:1-15, Joshua Renews the Covenant

Monday, 1 Samuel 1:1-28, Samuel’s Birth and Dedication

Tuesday, 1 Samuel 3:1-18, Samuel’s Calling and Prophecies

Wednesday, 1 Samuel 7:3-15, Samuel as Judge

Thursday, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Israel Demands a King

Friday, 1 Samuel 9:27 – 10:8, Saul Anointing as King

Saturday, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, David Anointed as King

• Why did the people want a king? What did God want for the people? How did Samuel choose the kings?
• How are leaders in your community chosen? What might it look like to trust in God rather than trusting in people?
• What covenants or agreements have you made with God? Are these healthy (commitment to follow) or unhealthy (bargaining) agreements? What commitment can you make to God this week?

God of grace, your word inspires our faith. Speak so that we may clearly see the options we face and have wisdom to choose those that draw us to you. Amen.

 

God acted powerfully to set the people free from slavery, now God spells out the way in which this newly free people can live well together. We would do well to recall both God’s acts of power for us, and God’s words of instruction for us.

Worship this week with Holy Communion —

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

October 4-5, 2014           Promises Kept – Covenant & Commandments

The people of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for over 400 years – many generations. They had forgotten how to govern themselves, as they had been ordered how to live by the Egyptians since birth. Many had likely learned to worship the Egyptian gods of their masters. When they were delivered from slavery in Egypt, they were like sheep without a shepherd.

God gave them what they needed first: deliverance, shelter (they set up camp), and food (manna and quail). Next, God set out to teach them how to govern themselves under God’s rule. God gave Moses Ten Commandments to bring to the people as basic tenants for living safely and peacefully. God’s Ten Commandments were not restrictions as much as they were promises. In each commandment, God promises (explicitly or implicitly) safety, God’s presence, prosperity, serenity, and long life.

Daily Devotions for this week:

Read:Follow the story of how Joshua took Jericho after Moses’ death. See how God led the Israelites during this time.

Sunday, Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17, Covenant and Commandments

Monday, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Moses Dies

Tuesday, Joshua 1:1-9, God’s Commission to Joshua

Wednesday, Joshua 2:1-21, Spies Sent to Jericho

Thursday, Joshua 3:1-17, Israel Crosses the Jordan

Friday, Joshua 6:1-14, Jericho Taken and Destroyed

Saturday, Joshua 6:15-27, Jericho Destroyed and Rahab Spared

• How did God lead the Israelites, through Joshua, during this time of transition into the Promised Land? How did God keep God’s promises?
• What gods are served in your community other than God (sports, money, progress, etc.)? Which gods fail to live up to their promises?
• Which commandments do you find hardest to follow? What gets in your way of following God’s laws?

Precious Creator, in the reading of your word, make us a faithful people. Shape our lives to bring glory to your name. Amen.

As God’s people escaped slavery in Egypt they faced new dangers and uncertainties. Many complained, even wished to go back, but even when all looked hopeless, God created a new future for them. We belong to that same God who, despite our fears and complaints, is still creating a new future for us.

Worship this week:

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

September 27-28, 2014                                                        Rescue at the Sea

God’s people, Israel, were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years. They prayed for deliverance. Finally, God heard and answered their prayers. God sent Moses to help free the people from slavery.

Once set free from Egypt, the people fled. But Pharaoh changed his mind, and set out after the people with the plan of bringing them back to Egypt. When the people came to the Red Sea, it appeared they were trapped. But God held Pharaoh’s armies back with pillars of fire and cloud. Then God parted the sea with a strong east wind so that the dry land appeared, and the people crossed safely. God allowed Pharaoh’s armies to follow, then clogged their chariot wheels to slow down their pursuit long enough to trap them in the seabed. Once trapped, God released the waters and the armies were drowned and washed away. God’s people were truly free. God had delivered them from slavery.

Read:Follow the stories of God’s continued faithfulness to the people, despite their complaining and lack of faith.

Sunday, Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29, Rescue at Sea

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

Tuesday, Exodus 15:22-27, Bitter Water Made Sweet

Wednesday, Exodus 16:1-21, Bread from Heaven

Thursday, Exodus 17:1-7, Water from the Rock

Friday, Exodus 17:8-16, Amalek Attacks Israel and Is Defeated

Saturday, Exodus 18:13-27, Jethro’s Advice

How did God respond to the people’s requests and their complaining?

• What is your community enslaved to? (technology, peer pressure, economy?) How might God deliver you and your community from enslavement to these things?

Do: Free yourself of one thing that entraps you this week. If you are a slave to your schedule, remove some events to make time for yourself and God.

God was at work in all the ups and downs of Joseph’s life, working through all the different circumstances to bring blessing through Joseph’s presence, even when he was unjustly imprisoned. God still walks with us through all of our ups and downs and provides opportunity to share blessing.

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

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary worship

God’s Story — Your Story                     Joseph in Prison

Devotion:Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray:Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.

God of presence, you remained faithful to Joseph, even in his darkest hours. Remind us daily that you are with us in every circumstance of our lives. Help us live with gratitude for your presence, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflect:Reflect on the key verse from Sunday’s reading.

From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. Genesis 39:5

Study:Study the reading and consider the background.

Joseph’s life had many ups and downs. He was born into a life of enough means to get by fairly well. But then his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. In slavery he rose to the head of household, where he enjoyed many privileges, but then his owner’s jealous wife made up a terrible lie that landed him in jail. In prison he rose to the head of the ranks of prisoners, where he enjoyed many privileges, but people in power forgot about him and he remained in prison many years. When finally he was released, he rose to the top of Pharaoh’s governing board, where again he enjoyed many privileges.

Throughout all his highs and lows in life, God remained faithful to him. God’s blessings became apparent, not explicitly because Joseph himself seemed blessed, but that others were blessed through Joseph. This blessing of others echoes the promise of his ancestor, Abraham, whom God promised would be “blessed to be a blessing” to the world. Indeed, Joseph was a blessing to the world despite his own life’s circumstance.

Read:Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. after the reading, ask the follow-up questions.

Follow the story of how Joseph brought his brothers (who became the 12 Tribes of Israel) to Egypt to save them from famine. See how the Egyptians soon forgot Joseph’s good deeds and enslaved the Israelites.

Sunday, Genesis 39:1-23, Joseph in Prison

Monday, Genesis 50:15-21, Joseph Forgives His Brothers

Tuesday, Genesis 50:22-26, Joseph’s Death

Wednesday, Exodus 1:1-22, Oppression of the Israelites

Thursday, Exodus 3:1-12, Moses at the Burning Bush

Friday, Exodus 12:29-32, The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn

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

Where did God show up in these stories? How did God show up? What is the nature of God in these stories of deliverance?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

• What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
• How does God bless others through you? What gifts do you bring to those around you?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.

Use your gifts to serve others this week. If you play an instrument, play it at a nursing home. If you are good with finances, offer to help someone manage their debt. Be creative! God gave you your gifts for a purpose!

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.

God who always works for good, teach us by your word to trust you above circumstance, to follow you when temptation beckons. Amen.

Living the Word

Teaching Kids God’s Story

We’re excited to start a new year of Sunday School with a fresh curriculum based on the Bible story that we share in worship each Sunday.  Classes are available for children age 3 through high school.

Grow together as a family!

Living the Word: Kids teaches your child about God’s love for the whole world using the same readings your pastor will be preaching on in worship! Take advantage of this and talk together as a family about the weekly readings.

Please join us Sunday!  Invite your friends!!