Everyone has the experience of despair and suffering at one time or another.  But God does promise new beginnings and God delivers the breath of life.  Join us for worship as we hear that word of new beginnings.

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 and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones – December 3, 2017

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

 READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Ezekiel: Valley of Dry Bones

Monday, Ezekiel 1:1-14, The Vision of the Chariot

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

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

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

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

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

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

9Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” (Ezekiel 37:9)

Yet another prophet promises God’s deliverance for the exiled nation of Israel. How much longer can hey take it? Ezekiel’s vision must certainly be an illustration of a people desperate for life-giving breath.

 What vital part of you is dead or dying?

• How do you see the state of God’s people?
• What needs to happen for that part of you to be brought back to life?
• Why is there reason to hope?

PRAY: God of promise, you have never abandoned us. Strengthen our resolve and fortify our faith in the face of despair, that we might live to sing your praises another day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God breathe new life into you. Amen.

We are called to faithful living wherever we find ourselves, seeking to be a blessing to those around us regardless of the current circumstances.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 pm in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 am Traditional Worship

9:30 am Sunday School and Fellowship

10:30 am Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

Jeremiah’s Letter to Exiles  — Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14
November 26, 2017

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

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14, Jeremiah’s Letter to Exiles

Monday, Jeremiah 1:4-19, Jeremiah’s Call

Tuesday, Jeremiah 2:1-8, God Pleads with Israel to Repent

Wednesday, Jeremiah 3:1-5, Unfaithful Israel

Thursday, Jeremiah 30:1-9, Restoration Promised for Israel and Judah

Friday, Jeremiah 31:1-6, The Joyful Return of the Exiles

Saturday, Jeremiah 31:31-37, A New Covenant

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. 1Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.

(Jeremiah 29:11-12)

Jeremiah has the difficult task of trying to comfort a nation brought low by exile. God still means to bless them—but they must be patient.

• Tell of a time your faith was shaken. What happened?
• Where is your faith now?
• Wonder: Has God ever gone back on a promise?

 PRAY: Holy Lord, in the darkest of times, your promises remain. Give us hope when we are tempted to despair, and keep the reminders of your mercy ever before us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 BLESS:  May God grant you unshakable faith. Amen.

Isaiah speaks a bold promise of a new day, a new light to those whose world was very dark.  Darkness still invades our world in many ways, but the promise of light and love is stronger yet.  Join us this week as we proclaim that promise

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 and fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

A Child is Born — Isaiah 9:1-7   November 19,  2017

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

 READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah: A Child Is Born

Monday, Isaiah 11:1-9, The Peaceful Kingdom

Tuesday, Isaiah 22:1-14, A Warning of Destruction of Jerusalem,

Wednesday, Isaiah 25:1-12, Praise for Deliverance from Oppression

Thursday, Isaiah 27:1-11, Israel’s Redemption

Friday, Isaiah 30:8-17, A Rebellious People

Saturday, Isaiah 32:16-20, The Peace of God’s Reign

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

 Isaiah’s glowing prophecy may sound like an impossible fantasy for a people under so many years of oppression. But no matter how long the wait, God never breaks a promise.

• What does your name say about you?
• What do your nicknames say about you?
• What do these names for Jesus say about Jesus?
• Wonder: What name/s would Jesus take on today? How would these names effect change in the world?

PRAY: O God of all ages, you have never forgotten us. Renew in us your vision of your people restored, and fire us up to bring about your will on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God call you by name. Amen.

 

Amos chastises the people for empty words and rituals, but it is not our rituals that God despises, it is the giving up of the hope that we can contribute to making this world more like the world God intended – a world where God’s justice and compassion are lived out.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Let Justice Roll Down – Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24  –  November 12, 2017

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

 READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24, Amos: Justice Rolls Down

Monday, Amos 3:1-8, Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

Tuesday, Amos 5:18-20, The Day of the Lord a Dark Day

Wednesday, Amos 6:1-8, Complacent Self-Indulgent Punished

Thursday, Amos 6:9-14, Complacent Self-Indulgent Punished

Friday, Amos 7:1-9, Locusts, Fire, and a Plumb Line

Saturday, Amos 9:22-25, The Restoration of David’s Kingdom

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (Amos 5:24)

 Amos brings a sobering testimony to the people. We can make a show of loving what is good, but in the end all God cares about is if we actually worked to bring about justice.

• Where do you see the greatest inequities in your community?
• What can you do to make your world more just?
• How does one person become a crowd, a crowd become a movement, movement become change?

 PRAY: God of mercy, your vision of justice for all is at the center of our faith. Clear our eyes to see it newly as something worth striving for, as messy and difficult as it may be. Renew our zeal for your gospel for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 BLESS:  May God wash you with a spirit of justice. Amen.