This week we hear the prophet’s promise that God will restore the people, setting a feast of celebration before them.  We still need to hear that promise that our Lord can restore us to life again and deliver us from our own times of isolation.

This week our Saturday worship will be moved to the sanctuary for our “Christmas at ELC” concert at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday– 8:30 a.m.  traditional worship with Holy Communion

               9:30 a.m. Sunday School (Christmas program rehearsal)

             10:30 a.m. Sunday School Christmas program

December 15, 2013
Isaiah 55:1-11

Key Verse: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1

Time: mid 500’s BCE

Background: The book of Isaiah was written at a time when God people, Israel, were in exile. It includes words of judgment and words of promise. Much of the New Testament quotes from Isaiah, since the people had once again been conquered, this time by Rome. They clung to Isaiah’s words of deliverance as they heard the new words of promise delivered by Jesus.

This passage begins with an invitation to a free and decadent banquet, given by the Lord. God’s freedom cannot be bought with money, but is given freely as a gift.

It goes on to promise deliverance to a people in exile. Deliverance comes with an upheaval of the system: the lowly will be brought up, and the lofty brought down. Finally, God’s word will spread throughout the land. It will not go out and return empty, but will become richer as it is spread.

Community: For what does your community thirst? How can your community of faith quench the thirst of those in need?

At Home: Make a list of your top 10 values. Where does money, or financial security, fall on your list, if at all? What are some gifts God has given you that do not involve money? What could you part with that involves money? Give up one material thing this week in favor of a spiritual gift.

Read This Week:
Monday, Dec 16, God’s People Are Comforted, Isaiah 40:1-11

Tuesday, Dec 17, The Suffering Servant, Isaiah 53:2-12

Wednesday, Dec 18, A Promise of Help and Healing, Isaiah 57:14-21

Thursday, Dec 19, Injustice and Oppression to Be Punished, Isaiah 59:1-8

Friday, Dec 20, The Good News of Deliverance, Isaiah 61:1-11

Saturday, Dec 21, The Glorious New Creation, Isaiah 65:17-25

 

Next Week: Sunday, Dec 22, Word Made Flesh, John 1:1-18

 

The people of Israel complain:  “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost” as they lament the sad situation in which they find themselves.  But God is not done with them, or us.  We may go through those days when we feel discouraged or defeated, but God stands ready to breathe new life into us.

Worship this weekend: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – traditional worship

9:30 a.m. –  Sunday School and adult Bible study

10:30 a.m. –  contemporary worship

 December 8, 2013
Ezekiel 37:1-14

Key Verses: “Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: ‘I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people.’” Ezekiel 37:12-13

Time: late 500’s BCE

Background: The book of Ezekiel was written at a time when God’s people were in exile. The first chapters are proclamations of judgment for Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. Later chapters, like the ones read today, include promises of restoration.

Ezekiel’s vision is a dramatic way for God to promise restoration. He tells Ezekiel to prophesy to a valley of dead bones, first renewing them with sinews and flesh, and finally bringing them to life with breath. This was an example of how God intended to bring Israel back to life, despite the despair they experienced at their exile.

Community: In what ways is your community dead or dying? What does it need to bring it back to life?

At Home: Think of a time when you needed to trust God, and God came through for you. Tell the story to one person this week. Thank God for God’s faithfulness.

Read This Week:
Monday, Dec 9, The Vision of the Chariot, Ezekiel 1:1-14

Tuesday, Dec 10, The Vision of the Chariot, Ezekiel 1:15-28

Wednesday, Dec 11, The Vision of the Scroll, Ezekiel 2:1-3:11

Thursday, Dec 12, The Vision of the New Temple, Ezekiel 40:1-19

Friday, Dec 13, The Vision of the New Temple, Ezekiel 40:20-37

Saturday, Dec 14, The Vision of the New Temple, Ezekiel 40:38-47

Next Week: Sunday, Dec 15, Return from Exile, Isaiah 55:1-11

 

 

This 4-session Bible study explores 4 word pictures in Isaiah and encourages participants to explore this book thoughtfully together:

• December 1^st — Peace for God’s People
  Isaiah 2:1-5
• December 8^th — Hope for God’s People
  Isaiah 11:1-10
• December 15^th — Joy for God’s People
  Isaiah 35:1-10
• December 22^nd — Promise for God’s People
  Isaiah 7:10-16

We will meet at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall, and repeat the session on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. if there is enough interest.   Contact Pastor John with questions.

God’s people in exile were asked to bow down to other gods, but refused, and God delivered them.  What are we pressured to bow down to today, and will we stand for what is right?

Worship with Holy Communion this weekend –

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. traditional worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School and Adult Bible Study

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

 December 1, 2013
Daniel 3:1, 8-30

Key Verse:  “Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him.’” Daniel 2:28

Time: mid 500’s BCE

Background: The book of Daniel was written at a time when God’s people were in exile. They had been conquered and were being ruled by a succession of kings. These kings held terrible power and regularly behaved with evil intent.

Many of God’s people remained faithful, even in the face of danger. Three such followers were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They continued to worship God, even when the penalty was death.

King Nebuchadnezzar tried to have them burned in a furnace for failing to worship his gods. The three remained faithful, and God saved them from death. Their faithfulness, and God’s dramatic rescue, turned the mind of the king. He decreed that all people should respect their God, and he promoted the three to positions of power.

Community: What lies or false idols has culture perpetuated that influence the way your community behaves? How might God’s truth be told so as to influence your community differently?

At Home: To what cultural pressures have you bowed? Do one thing this week to resist the pressures of the world, and turn your attention toward God.

Read This Week:
Monday, Dec 2, Four Young Israelites at the Babylonian Court, Daniel 1:1-21

Tuesday, Dec 3, Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, Daniel 2:1-16

Wednesday, Dec 4, God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, Daniel 2:17-23

Thursday, Dec 5, Daniel Interprets the Dream, Daniel 2:24-35

Friday, Dec 6, Daniel Interprets the Dream, Daniel 2:36-45

Saturday, Dec 7, Daniel and His Friends Promoted, Daniel 2:46-49

 

Next Week: Sunday, Dec 8, Valley of Bones, Ezekiel 37:1-14