God built rest into the fabric of all creation, and modeled the need for it by resting. Without this rest we find ourselves out of sync with our bodies, our relationship, and our God.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship

Sunday – 8:30 a.m Traditional worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week: Sabbath for God – August 25, 2019

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, Leviticus 23:9-16, Sabbath Rest

Tuesday, 1 Chronicles 28:2-7, A House for God

Wednesday, Jeremiah 47:1-7, A Plea for Quiet

Thursday, Ezekiel 44:28-30, Blessing

Friday, Hebrews 4:5-10, God Rested

Saturday, Mark 14:32-36, Jesus Prays

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and God rested on the seventh day form all the work that he had done.”                                 (Genesis 2:2)

Rest is built into the fabric of creation.  After turning nothing into everything, God rested.  In doing so, creation rested, too.

• Does your community put value on rest?  How does that impact the mood of the whole group? 
• Do you prioritize rest?  What happens if you don’t’ get enough sleep? 
• To what extent do we over-value ‘busyness’?  Do we respect and encourage others who take time for rest?

PRAY:  Renewing God, you have made all things to live, grow, and rest in cycles.  Help us honor the natural patters of our world, and to know when to work and when to rest.  For the sake of your dear son Jesus, Amen.

BLESS:  May the rest you find fill you with the strength you need for each day.  Amen.

God’s people live in faith that the promises of God will be kept, even when they seem distant. How do we hold faith through times of waiting? How does the witness of others help us? Join us for worship this week.

Worship schedule: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified Traditional Worship

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week: The Meaning of Faith – August 11, 2019

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, Hebrews 12:18-24, Rejecting God’s Grace

Tuesday, Hebrews 12:25-29, Rejecting God’s Grace

Wednesday, Hebrews 13:1-6, Service Well-Pleasing to God

Thursday, Hebrews 13:7-19, Service Well-Pleasing to God

Friday, Hebrews 13:20-21, Benediction

Saturday, Hebrews 13:22-25, Final Greetings

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”                                 (Hebrews 11:1)

Many of God’s people had faith in things that they would never come to know.  For some, the promises God made to them were realized by their descendants, sometimes centuries later.

• What is something you, your family, or community looks forward to?  What makes it worth the wait?  What happens if we become impatient?
• What is your deepest hope?  Do you believe it will become a reality?  Why or why not? How does faith compare with optimism?
• How do you deal the times of waiting?  How does the witness of others help you in persevering?

PRAY:  Trustworthy God, you are good to your word, and generations have witnessed your blessings.  Make us bold to believe your promises, even when we may not see their fulfillment within our lifetimes.  In the name of Jesus.   Amen.

BLESS:  May you be filled with the peace and trust of God.  Amen.

We join in one special worship service at 9:00 a.m. Sunday this weekend. Vicar Jason will preach his final sermon as our intern, and we conclude the worship with a special blessing of Godspeed for his journey ahead. Following the worship there will be a reception in the fellowship hall. Please join us!!

Devotions for this week:

Praise for Those Being Tested – July 28, 2019

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, Hebrews 5:11-14, Warning against Falling Away

Tuesday, Hebrews 6:1-12, Peril of Falling Away

Wednesday, Hebrews 6:13-20, God’s Certain Promise

Thursday, Hebrews 7:1-10, The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

Friday, Hebrews 7:11-28, A Priest like Melchizedek

Saturday, Hebrews 8:1-13, Mediator of a Better Covenant

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”              (Hebrews 2:18)

Even though humanity suffers, and continues to cause suffering, Jesus’ sacrifice has given us confidence that suffering, pain, and not even death will have the final say.

• Think of a recent disaster.  What seemed to be most helpful to those who are suffering?  Did you do anything to help?
• When has your faith been tested by illness, disaster, or a difficult situation?
• How did you handle it?  What gave you hope?

PRAY:  Holy Lord, you became one of us to know fully our humane experience.  Make us one with you in the mission to proclaim your gospel to all on earth.  In faith we pray, Amen.

BLESS:  May you feel surrounded by the love of God even when you are suffering.    Amen.