In a world that too often says “appearance is everything”, we are told that God looks beyond what is obvious to see the inner person.  We would do well to keep this mind as we look at others, and even in how we see ourselves.

Worship this week with Holy Communion –

            Saturday –  5:00 p.m. in Chapel

            Sunday – 8:30 a.m. traditional worship

                        10:30 a.m. contemporary worship

Education and fellowship hour at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School and adult study

October 20, 2013
1 Samuel 16:1-13

Key Verse: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7

Time: about 1000 BCE

Background: After years of following God with the guidance of judges and prophets, the people became eager to be ruled by a king. God warned them that they did not need a king if they were following God. But the people insisted.

The prophet, Samuel, was appointed by God to anoint a king over Israel. After a failed attempt at choosing Saul to be king, Samuel followed God’s command to find a king among the sons of Jesse. Samuel inspected all of Jesse’s sons except David, the youngest and smallest. Although they were leaders by outward appearance, God was searching for a leader with a pure heart. God chose David to be the next king.

Community: What criteria does your community use to select its leaders? What qualities does it seek? What qualities would God choose? How do they differ? How are they similar?

At Home: Where do you seek guidance? Who or what do you follow? Make a shift this week to follow the ways of the world less, and God’s ways more. Do one thing to open yourself so that God can create in you a clean heart.

Read This Week:
Monday, Oct 21, Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:1-11

Tuesday, Oct 22, David Visits His Brothers, 1 Samuel 17:12-23

Wednesday, Oct 23, David Prepares for Battle, 1 Samuel 17:31-40

Thursday, Oct 24, David Slays Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:41-54

Friday, Oct 25, Solomon Becomes King, 1 Kings 1:28-31

Saturday, Oct 26, Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom, 1 Kings 3:3-15

 

Next Week: Sunday, Oct 27, Solomon’s Temple, 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13

 

 

Maybe you remember the lines of the song “I the Lord of Sea and Sky” (or “Here I am Lord”).  That song recalls the story of young Samuel who is called from his sleep to speak and act on God’s behalf for the people of Israel.  But how well do we listen, and even more, how well do we respond today when God still rouses us to action?

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

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

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Education and fellowship at 9:30 a.m.

October 13, 2013
1 Samuel 3:1-21

Key Verse: “Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”
1 Samuel 3:10

Time: about 1000 BCE

Background: God led the Israelites for many, many years through the guidance of God’s judges and prophets. One such prophet was Samuel.

Samuel was born as a gift from God to Hannah, Samuel’s mother. Hannah was barren and prayed to God for a child. God heard her prayer and gave her Samuel. In thanks, Hannah gave Samuel back to God by allowing him to live and grow up in the temple.

While in the temple, Samuel was called in the middle of the night by God. Samuel didn’t know God yet, so he didn’t recognize that it was God calling. He thought it was his mentor, Eli, calling. Eli recognized it was God calling, and led Samuel to respond accordingly.

Community: Who are the people in your community in whom people place their trust? Are they community leaders? Politicians? Pastors? Celebrities? How does this shape how your community functions? How might your community be more intentional about whose voices they listen to?

At Home: Where do you hear God speaking to you? What does God say to you? How will you respond? Do one thing each day this week to create time and space to listen for God.

Read This Week:
Monday, Oct 14, The Ark of God Captured, 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Tuesday, Oct 15, Philistines and the Ark, 1 Samuel 5:1-12

Wednesday, Oct 16, The Ark Returned, 1 Samuel 6:1-16

Thursday, Oct 17, Israel Demands a King, 1 Samuel 8:1-18

Friday, Oct 18, Samuel Anoints Saul as King, 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8

Saturday, Oct 19, Saul Rejected as King, 1 Samuel 15:10-34

 

Many of us have been praying for “daily bread” nearly all our lives, without much thought as to what that means.  In the story of the Exodus from Egypt, the people of Israel are totally dependent on God’s daily providing of ‘manna’ or bread.  The real question is not one of physical hunger, but faith.  Do we continue to trust God in the midst of the wilderness of our lives?

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m traditional worship

10:30 a.m. contemporary worship

9:30 a.m Sunday School for ages 3 through high school

Also at 9:30 a.m. –   New member orientation in fellowship hall

October 6, 2013
Exodus 16:1-18

Key Verse:  “God said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”’” Exodus 16:12

Time: 1290 BCE

Background: With God’s guidance, Moses helped free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, where they had been held captive and pleading for God’s mercy for 400 years. Once freed, they had to learn to become independent of their captors and interdependent on one another and on God.

When their food ran out, the people panicked and begged God to send them back to Egypt, where at least they would be fed. But God had other plans. God sent manna (a bread-like substance) and quails daily for food, just enough for each person to be satisfied for the day. God tested their faith by making it impossible for the people to store more than a day’s food. If stored for more than a day, the food became rotten. So the people had to trust that God would provide each and every day, which God did. God cared for and protected the Israelites. For them, their faith in God was crucial for the basic necessities of survival.

Community: How is your community interdependent upon one another for survival? Where are the weakest links of support and interdependence? What could your community of faith help strengthen those weaknesses and better your community?

At Home: How do you express your faith daily? What could you do this week to express your faith? Do it every day with prayer and trust.

Read This Week:
Monday, Oct 7, Jethro’s Advice, Exodus 18:13-27

Tuesday, Oct 8, The Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-21

Wednesday, Oct 9, The Ark of the Covenant, Exodus 25:10-22

Thursday, Oct 10, The Golden Calf, Exodus 32:1-35

Friday, Oct 11, Samuel’s Birth and Dedication, 1 Samuel 1:1-28

Saturday, Oct 12, Hannah’s Prayer, 1 Samuel 2:1-10

 

Next Week: Sunday, Oct 13, Call of Samuel, 1 Samuel 3:1-21

 

 

In the midst of a society that takes God’s name very lightly, what does it mean for us to call upon God?  In the story of the Exodus God hears and responds to the cry of the people.  God tells Moses to say “I am” has sent him.  This name was seen as holy, special, and capable of great power.

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

                                     Sunday at 8:30 a.m. — traditional worship

                                                Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.

                                      Sunday at 10:30 a.m. — Contemporary worship

September 29, 2013
Exodus 2:23-25; 3:10-15; 4:10-17

Key Verses: “But Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’” Genesis 3:13-14a

Time: about 1290 BCE

Background: Jacob’s son, Joseph, was a prominent figure in Egyptian history. He saved Egyptians and others from a severe famine by storing food during years of abundance. Joseph’s family, the Israelites, settled in Egypt to escape the devastating effects of the famine.

Many years later, the reigning Pharaoh died and all memory of Joseph’s saving deeds were forgotten. The new Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites because they were becoming numerous, and the Pharaoh feared an uprising.

400 years after Joseph’s family settled in Egypt, God heard their plea and called Moses to proclaim freedom to God’s people.

Community: What has your community asked God for that is taking a long time for God to answer? What could your community do to show persistence in your faithful pleas, despite God’s perceived silence?

At Home: What has God asked of you that you are reluctant to do? What might you do this week to remove one barrier toward answering God’s call?

Read This Week:
Sunday, Sep 29, God’s Name, Exodus 2:23-25; 3:10-15; 4:10-17

Monday, Sep 30, Moses and Aaron Obey God’s Commands, Exodus 6:28-7:7

Tuesday, Oct 1, The First Passover, Exodus 12:1-13

Wednesday, Oct 2, Death of the Firstborn, Exodus 12:29-42

Thursday, Oct 3, The Pillars of Cloud and Fire, Exodus 13:17-22

Friday, Oct 4, Crossing the Red Sea, Exodus 14:1-25

Saturday, Oct 5, Pursuers Drowned, Exodus 14:26-31

 

Next Week: Sunday, Oct 6, Manna, Exodus 16:1-18

Even in the midst of sibling rivalry, dishonest, and family discord, the Lord continues to keep promises.  As Jacob is about to despair, he discovers that God is still with him.  Unfortunately we also can find ourselves in unexpected situations, sometimes of our own making, but the promise of God is that even in our lowest moments, God is there.

Worship this week – Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in chapel

Sunday,  8:30 a.m Traditional Lutheran Worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

 

September 22, 2013
Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17

Key Verses:  “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 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring.’” Genesis 28:13-14

Time: around 1800 BCE

Background: Jacob and his older twin, Esau, were rivals since before their birth. Their father, Isaac, loved Esau, but their mother, Rebekah, loved Jacob. When time came for Isaac to bestow his deathbed blessing upon Esau, Rebekah helped Jacob trick him out of the blessing. Jacob covered himself with animal skins so that his arms would feel like hairy Esau’s. When Jacob fled Esau’s fury, God told him in a dream that God would fulfill the blessing. Despite Jacob’s trickery, God remained faithful.

Community: How are the blessings bestowed in your community distributed? What might your community of faith do to ensure that all needs are met? Get involved in one of your faith community’s missional or outreach opportunities and contribute to the diminishing of your community’s inequities.

At Home: How have you tried to force God’s hand? What might you do to let go of control over some aspect of your life that is begging for God’s control?

Read This Week:
Sunday, Sep 22, Jacob’s Dream, Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17

Monday, Sep 23, Esau’s Lost Blessing, Genesis 27:30-40

Tuesday, Sep 24, Jacob Escapes, Genesis 27:41-28:5

Wednesday, Sep 25, Esau Marries Ishmael’s Daughter, Genesis 28:6-9

Thursday, Sep 26, Jacob Meets Rachel, Genesis 29:1-14

Friday, Sep 27, Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters, Genesis 29:15-35

Saturday, Sep 28, Rachel’s Jealousy, Genesis 30:1-24

 

Next Week: Sunday, Sep 29, God’s Name, Exodus 2:23-25; 3:10-15; 4:10-17