When by grace we are joined with Christ, we become full members of God’s family and inheritors of all the blessings of heaven.  This week begin four weeks of reading the letter to Ephesians, where we hear that promise lavished upon us.

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

          Sunday – 8:30 a.m. in Sanctuary

   10:00 a.m. outside on church lawn (weather permitting)

Spiritual Blessings
August 11, 2013
Ephesians 1:1-14

Key Verses: “In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-12

Time: about 62 A.D.

Background: The apostle, Paul, visited Ephesus twice. The first visit he stayed for 3 months. The second time, he stayed for 3 years. Since Ephesus was instrumental in reaching those in Asia Minor, he devoted a great deal of time founding and building up the church there.

The church was founded for residing Jews and Hellenists, whose religious and cultural views and behaviors differed greatly. The letter to the Ephesians addresses the hostility these differences created. For Paul, unity within the church was crucial to building a strong community of faith there.

Paul (rather, an author writing in his name) emphasized the sacrificial nature of Christ’s work. By doing so, he hoped to encourage the lifting up, rather than the tearing down, of one another’s practices and perspectives.

Community: What spiritual gifts define your community of faith most strongly? How do you use those gifts to build the church and to serve others? What could be changed to lessen division and strengthen the work of the church?

At Home: What spiritual blessings has God given to you? How might you use those this week to further God’s work in the world?

Read This Week:
Monday: Great Commission, Luke 24:44-47
Tuesday: Prayer, Ephesians 1:15-23
Wednesday: Building the Church, Ephesians 2:1-10
Thursday: Function of the Church, Ephesians 3:1-6
Friday: Function of the Church, Ephesians 3:7-13
Saturday: Function of the Church, Ephesians 3:14-21

Next Week: Building the Church, Ephesians 2:11-22

When:     Sunday, August 4^th  6:00 – 8:00 PM

Where:    Grundahl Park Stage

Why:      To enjoy great worship music that benefits Water Ministry.

Sunday night, August 4th, the ELC, LifeChurch, and Immanuel Praise Bands will come together to provide music for the Mount Horeb Community. Join us for some great Christian music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and enjoy some light concessions. This event is a celebration to benefit water ministry to support mission trips to Central America to drill wells.

Bad weather location will be at ELC on Main Street.

The rhythms of Ecclesiastes’ verses about time have been spoken and sung by many.  They speak of a seasons and times, and while our lives may seem captive to these, we also belong to the one who is the Lord of time itself.  Because we belong to Christ, our everyday rhythms are only a small part of an eternal reality.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel

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

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship

Sunday evening – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday Night Live – music in Grundahl Park

For Everything There Is a Season
August 4, 2013
Ecclesiastes 2:18-3:8

Key Verse: “There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? … For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:1

Time: 3rd century B.C.

Background: Today’s reading acknowledges that life is filled with ups and downs, and nothing can be done to change this reality. Futility comes when humanity strives only to fill life with happiness and material possessions, because those can only be temporary. The expectation that life can always be positive will only lead to disappointment.

On the other hand, if people acknowledge and accept that life will also come with sadness, mourning, illness, and broken relationships, then they can come to accept their deep need for God. God has the power to bring healing and comfort in the midst of illness and grief. God’s presence can make these bearable. God can bring a deep joy that transcends despair.

Community: Where is God in the midst of the broken places in your community? How can you bring God’s presence to those who are in despair?

At Home: Where are the places of despair in your own life? Make a list of actions you can take this week that might bring you closer to God. Do one action this week. Where did you see God working, even in the midst of despair?

Read This Week:
Monday: Parable of a Rich Fool, Luke 12:16-21
Tuesday: Ambition and Desire, Ecclesiastes 6:1-12
Wednesday: A Sinful World, Ecclesiastes 7:1-29
Thursday: An Imperfect World, Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
Friday: An Uncertain Life, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20
Saturday: Charity, Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Next Week: Spiritual Blessings, Ephesians 1:1-14

 

While Solomon’s proverbs extol on optimistic view of how a life filled with wise decisions will be happy and prosperous, Ecclesiastes (the preacher) has seen the good and the bad that happen to all people, often without a clear reason.  Ecclesiastes causes us to consider hard questions about seeking God’s presence in all things instead of relying on our own strength and wisdom.

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

 Sorrow in Knowledge
July 28, 2013
Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Key Verses: “Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

Time: 3rd century B.C.

Background: Ecclesiastes is generally attributed to Solomon, son of King David. However, it was likely written by an anonymous author.

This is a book that investigates the meaning of life. The conclusion repeated throughout is that the actions of humanity are “vanity,” which may also translate to mean futile, meaningless, empty, or temporary.

At first reading, this may seem depressing or desperate, but there is a deeper meaning that breathes hope into the midst of despair. The author discovers that the actions of humanity are vain, primarily when those actions are self-seeking. But underneath is a message of hope, that people’s actions are full and meaningful when they are driven by a search for God. When a desire for the presence of God is central, then humanity finds happiness and meaning.

Community: What messages or behaviors do you see in culture that can be deemed vain, futile, or empty? What messages or behaviors are full or meaningful? What makes them different? Where is God in these?

At Home: Which of your actions or behaviors are vain? Change one behavior this week that can lead away from futility and toward meaning. What did you learn about yourself in the process of change?

Read This Week:
Monday: Do Not Worry, Luke 12:22-23
Tuesday: Vanity of Pleasure and Wealth, Ecclesiastes 2:1-17
Wednesday: Human Striving, Ecclesiastes 3:9-22
Thursday: An Earthly Life, Ecclesiastes 4:1-12
Friday: Political Fame, Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
Saturday: A Self-Seeking Life, Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

Next Week: For Everything There is a Season, Ecclesiastes 2:18-3:8

 

Solomon’s proverbs lead us to consider how the choices we make each day will result in justice or harm for ourselves and others.  God’s desire is for us to live healthy lives and just relationships which are life-affirming.  He warns us that poor decisions and foolish living bring harm.

Let’s be sure to show up to worship this week, so that all the visitors to the art fair will see a church that is vital and active.

Worship – 5:00 p.m. Saturday in Chapel

Sunday —    8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Wisdom of Solomon
July 21, 2013
Proverbs 10:1-12

Key Verse: “The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise child makes a glad father, but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.” Proverbs 10:1

Time: 10^th – 6^th century B.C.

Background: In keeping with Proverbs’ instruction for living with peace and justice, today’s reading guides hearers in the ways of justice. Each verse helps distinguish wisdom from foolishness. Each lifts up a virtue such as righteousness, diligence, prudence, listening, integrity, and love.

These need not be read as warnings of punishments from God, but as warnings about consequences for our own actions. With or without God’s involvement, our actions bring their own consequences. God doesn’t desire to punish, but desires to see us succeed and deliver justice and happiness throughout the world.

Community: What are some of the consequences of the actions of our communities, both positive and negative? Do we find that our laws and customs foster despair, poverty, and injustice, or happiness, plenty, and justice?

At Home: Take a personal inventory at the end of each day this week. Make a mental (or written) list of all the choices you made that contributed or detracted from justice and happiness. Take note not only of the things you could do better, but also of the things you did well, the good decisions you made, and the positive interactions you had with people.

Read This Week:
Monday: Do Not Judge, Luke 6:37-38
Tuesday: Tongue of the Wise, Proverbs 15:1-12
Wednesday: Fine and False Speech, Proverbs 17:1-12
Thursday: Words of Wise and Foolish, Proverbs 18:1-24
Friday: A Good Name, Proverbs 22:1-16
Saturday: Wisdom Weighed, Proverbs 24:3-12

Next Week: Sorrow in Knowledge, Ecclesiastes 1:1-18