Jesus could see how far from God’s Word people had gone. He could prioritize words and actions according to God’s intent better than anyone had before.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP

5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent  choir.

9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship

10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.

Devotions for this week: What defiles?  — February 16, 2020

 SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Mark 8:1-10, Feeding the Four Thousand

Tuesday, Mark 8:11-13, The Demand for a Sign

Wednesday, Mark 8:14-21, The Yeast of the Pharisees

Thursday, Mark 8:22-26, Jesus Cures a Blind Man

Friday, Mark 9:9-13, The Coming of Elijah

Saturday, Mark 9:14-29, The Healing of a Boy with a Spirit

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:    

^“Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: ¹⁵ there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”  (Mark 7:14-15)

Jesus could see that the rites and rituals being performed had fallen far from God’s intent for God’s people.  He demanded that they stop over-attending to external things, and begin attending to the internal things that defile.

• Words can hurt.  Thank of a story that was reported unfairly.  Did it cause division?  What would it take for people to unlearn the lie and relearn the truth?
• Do you notice how you feel when you in indulge in gossip?  How does it affect your relationships?

PRAY:  O God, you know what we carry in our hearts.  Fills us with the things that promote life, and purge us of all that distorts and defiles from within. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless your words and actions that they may bless!

Jesus gives his disciples a mission and sends them out with his authority.  We share in that mission today.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP

5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent  choir.

9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship

10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.

Devotions for the week: Sent out to Share – Feb. 9, 2020

 SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Psalm 122, Psalm

Tuesday, Mark 6:30-44, Feeding of the 5000

 Wednesday, Mark 6:45-52, Jesus walks on water

Thursday, Mark 6:53-56, Healing the sick in Gennesaret

Friday, Mark 7:24-30, The Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

Saturday, Mark 7:31-37, Jesus Cures a Deaf Man

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“⁷ He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. “(Mark 6:7)

Despite the questions raised in his hometown, Jesus continues his teaching, and empowers his disciples to spread his mission throughout the countryside.

• The disciples were sent out without material gifts, but the powerful gift of Jesus’ authority.  Do you feel equipped to share in that ministry?
• John the Baptist risked everything for his faith.  We know that risking our lives is not wise, but do you risk anything for your faith?  Why or why not?  How could you be bolder?

PRAY:  Lord God, Jesus persisted in his mission in the face of opposition, disbelief, and danger.  Encourage us by his example when we encounter roadblocks, and give us the same Spirit which strengthened him.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May God protect you as live and grow in faith!

Even today, we cannot predict who, when, or how Jesus will heal. But we can hold on to hope that there is nothing in our lives that would prevent us from garnering Jesus’ attention. We are all worthy of Jesus’ love and attention.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP

5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent  choir.

9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship

10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.

Devotions for this week: Jairus’ Daughter Healed — Feb. 2, 2020

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Psalm 131, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 15:22-28, A Woman Healed

Wednesday, Luke 7:2-12, A Centurion Slave Healed

Thursday, Luke 8:40-52, Jairus’ Daughter Healed

Friday, Luke 14:1-6, Healing on the Sabbath

Saturday, Luke 17:10-20, Jesus Heals

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” ⁴² And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age).”  (Mark 5:41-42)                                                       

All kinds of people flocked to Jesus for healings and miracles.  In the healing of an old woman and a little girl, Jesus show that he could and would offer healing to all.

• Many illnesses that used to be deadly are treatable today.  How has this changed life?  Does it impact faith?
• Do you think miracles healings can happen today?  What makes it possible?  Is healing with medicine a miracle?

PRAY:  Holy Lord, your grace knows partiality nor distinction between people.  Lead us also to serve whomever and wherever we are needed for the sake of Jesus our healer.  Amen.  

BLESS:  May you feel the healing love of God in your heart.  Amen.

Even though Jesus was doing good, people were resistant to his words and actions.  How often do we resist when Jesus shows us the sin in our lives?

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP

5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent  choir.

9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship

10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.

Devotions for this week: Jesus and the Demoniac – January 26, 2020

 SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Psalm 89:1-4, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 8:23-33, Jesus casts out demons

Wednesday, Luke 8:31-41, Jesus casts out demons

Thursday, Luke 16:13-19, Jesus heals

Friday, Luke 9:37-47, Jesus heals a Boy

Saturday, Acts 14:4-14, Paul Heals

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“And when [Jesus] stepped out of the boat, immediately a man of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. ”  (Mark 5:2)

When with the Gerasenes, Jesus tried to help a man tormented by demons, but his efforts were met with fear and resistance.  It seems only the demons knew that Jesus was the Son of God.

• Where do you see the influence of evil?  Do demons exist, or is just a metaphor for other problems?
• Do you feel you’ve experienced evil?  What did you do to fight it?

PRAY:  Lord God, your power is greater than evil.  Shake us from complacent acceptance of all that doesn’t work in our world, and visit us with your healing Spirit.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May you feel the love of Christ protecting you from evil!

Some of Jesus’ followers were ready to let God’s word take root and grow strong in a hostile environment.  How is that Word growing in your life? How are you sharing that Word with others?

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP

5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent  choir.

9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship

10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.

Worship this week:

SATURDAYS, 5 P.M. A modified, shortened traditional worship service, in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building.

SUNDAYS, 8:30 A.M. Traditional worship in the sanctuary, accompanied by the pipe organ and the ELC Senior Choir.

SUNDAY, 9:30 A.M. Sunday School for ages 3 through 8th grade, adult study and fellowship.

SUNDAYS, 10:30 A.M. Contemporary worship with Christian music by our ELC Praise Team.

Devotions for this week: Parables in Mark – January 19, 2020

 SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Psalm 126, Psalm

Tuesday, Mark 3:31-35, The True Kindred of Jesus

Wednesday, Mark 4:35-41, Jesus Stills a Storm

Thursday, Matthew 13:1-8, Parable of Sower

Friday, Matthew 13:9-12, Disciples Question Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 13:13-23, Parable of Sower Explained

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow.”  (Mark 4:2-3)

Jesu taught by parables so that some would understand, while other were kept from knowing the word.  For now, Jesus would invest in those ready to follow.

• What does it take for seeds to grow?  How much do they depend on humans, and how much is by design alone?
• Sometimes we can’t completely change a situation—we can only plant a seed.  When was the last time you felt you planted a seed?

PRAY:  O Lord, your word is indeed life to us.  May we receive it with joy, and lay aside the concerns of our lives, caring only for the abundant life in your service.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the God of growth help you find good soil!