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

 

This year’s CROP Hunger Walk will be Sunday afternoon, September 29th, leaving from the ELC parking lot.

You can sign up before or after worship the next couple of weekends.  Ask your family and friends to join you in walking, or sponsor your walk.  The funds we raise will help alleviate hunger both here and around the world.

 

One of the most troubling stories in the Bible is found in the 22nd Chapter of Genesis.  We are often told that this is a ‘test’ of Abraham’s faith, but the details are disturbing to say the least.  Perhaps today we are still challenged to make unwholesome sacrifices, but not by God.  Instead we allow the other voices and forces around us to demand too much of our time, our families, and our devotion.  We, like Abraham, need to learn to depend on the promise that God will provide.

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

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

9:30 a.m. — Sunday School

10:30 a.m. — Contemporary  Worship

 September 15, 2013
Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14

Key Verses:  Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’” Genesis 22:13b-14

Time: around 1850 BCE

Background: God made a covenant with Abraham that would last for generations. God’s covenant was a blessing, that Abraham and his offspring would be a blessing to others. Abraham’s side of the covenant was fulfilled when he and his household were circumcised. This covenant was established before God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. God’s fulfilling of the covenant was not contingent on Abraham’s willingness to carry out the morbid request.

Scripture tells us the request was a test of Abraham. We will never know what may have happened to the covenant or the relationship if Abraham had denied God’s request. But Abraham proved he was willing to carry it out. Abraham was faithful and proved to God that he could be trusted with the blessing.

Community: To those who have not been brought up with the tradition of scripture (and even to those who have), this story can appear abominable. How might you tell this story to those who have not heard? What does this story tell us about God? What does it tell us about ourselves?

At Home: Where are there weaknesses in your faith life? What prevents you from trusting God fully? What could you do this week to make a change?

Read This Week:
Sunday, Sep 15, Binding of Isaac, Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14

Monday, Sep 16, Choosing of Rebekah, Genesis 24:1-27

Tuesday, Sep 17, Choosing of Rebekah, Genesis 24:28-49

Wednesday, Sep 18, Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, Genesis 24:50-67

Thursday. Sep 19, The Birth of Esau and Jacob, Genesis 25:19-28

Friday, Sep 20, Esau Sells His Birthright, Genesis 25:29-34

Saturday. Sep 21, Isaac and Abimelech, Genesis 26:1-33

 

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