We don’t always see ourselves as people in need of rescue, perhaps because we do not perceive the dangers that surround us.  But trials and temptations pull at our hearts each day, threatening to separate us from God, and from our families and friends.  We ask in this prayer for God’s wisdom, grace and might to lead us, guide us, and rescue us when we are in danger of falling under the influence of ungodly powers.

Worship (with Holy Communion) this week:  Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel

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

Contemporary Worship at 10:00 a.m.

Please keep in your prayers our Local Missions Week that runs Sunday through Thursday.

 

Deliver Us
June 23, 2013
Matthew 6:13

Key Verse: Jesus said, “And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13

Time: 30-33 C.E.

Background: People have many different ways of imagining evil or the evil one. Some personify evil, a traditional red-horned, red-tailed being; others view an intangible concept of anything that reflects the absence of good. Whether personified or not, Jesus’ teaching made clear that there is a state of being that is contrary to God’s will. Jesus teaches us to ask for God to steer us clear of that contrariness and help us to turn toward God and God’s will.

Community: Where do you see evil exist in our world? Is evil a matter of individual choice, or can evil be executed communally? What can your community of faith do to live out God’s will in your surrounding community?

At Home: What distracts your attention away from God? Is it evil or something else? How does your image of evil shape your thoughts and behaviors? Take steps this week to focus your attention intentionally toward God and away from anything that distracts you from God.

Read This Week:
Monday: I Lift My Eyes to the Hills, Psalm 121:1-8
Tuesday: God’s Promise to Moses, Exodus 3:1-12
Wednesday: God’s Promise to Gideon, Judges 7:1-8
Thursday: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel 3:16-30
Friday: Lord Is My Deliverer, Psalm 18:1-3
Saturday: Lord Delivers Jonah, Jonah 2:1-10

Next Week: Guest Pastors Jared Parmley (Sat.) and JoAnn Fabie (Sun.) will preach on  Luke 9:51-62

The set is all ready for Kingdom Rock – Camp ELC Vacation Bible School beginning Sunday, June 16th at 6:00 p.m.

Hope to see you there!!!

Don’t forget “Kingdom Rock” Camp ELC – Vacation Bible School begins Sunday at 6:00 p.m.  All children ages 3 through 5^th grade are welcome – invite your friends!!

We look forward to hearing about the experiences of this year’s India Youth Exchange as several members of the group will be with us on Sunday to present the message at both the 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Worship services

Forgiveness is central to the Christian message, and central to the Lord’s Prayer.  We hear Jesus’ words in Matthew and are asked to consider how much we have been forgiven, and how well we have forgiven others.

We look forward to a presentation this week by the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin’s India Youth Exchange group, including ELC’s own Brighid Monahan, as they will share their experiences of visiting India this past March.  They will share this presentation at both Sunday morning worship services.

 

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

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.  & 10:00 a.m. in Sanctuary

Don’t forget “Kingdom Rock” Camp ELC – Vacation Bible School begins Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

Forgive Us
June 16, 2013
Matthew 6:12

Key Verse: Jesus said, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

Time: 30-33 C.E.

Background: Often people think of forgiveness as letting another off the hook for a wrong done to us. With such a view, it is easy to hang on to resentments and refuse forgiveness. But resentments are toxic, both to those we resent, but more so to ourselves. Resentments poison our souls and make us sick in body, mind, and spirit.

Forgiveness, then, is a cleansing process, ridding ourselves of the toxins of resentment. Forgiveness is a recognition that the scales of injustice are out of balance, and a willingness to live with the imbalance. Some wrongs may never be made right. But we can release the poison and accept the imbalance as out of our control. Such an acceptance and release can be healing for ourselves and our relationships. Jesus’ petition gives us permission to surrender our resentments and live in peace and serenity.

Community: How does our culture’s sense of justice shape the way we view forgiveness and reconciliation? What might happen if we tried to get even less, and tried to reconcile more? How might our world turn differently if we spent less energy trying to control and balance others’ behaviors?

At Home: Who stands in need of your forgiveness today? To whom do you owe an apology? Reconcile with one person this week. Begin with prayer and a plan. Make a commitment to communicate. Thank God for your healthy relationships.

Read This Week:
Monday: Happiness of the Forgiven, Psalm 32:1-7
Tuesday: I Will Remember Their Sin No More, Jeremiah 31:31-34
Wednesday: Bless the Lord, Psalm 103:1-5
Thursday: Forgive for Friendship, Proverbs 17:1-12
Friday: Paralytic Forgiven, Matthew 9:2-8