For a week in June four adults and sixteen youth weren’t in the church building, but we were the church. We gathered for meals, shared devotions, worship and prayer, but we also painted walls, organized donations, shared our time with children, adults, and the elderly of Indianapolis, and much more. This week in worship we’ll have a chance to hear from the mission trip participants at all three worship services. Come join us!

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall – Modified traditional worship

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in Sanctuary (will move to air-conditioned fellowship hall if conditions dictate)

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship in Fellowship Hall.

Devotions for this week:

Jesus the Great High Priest – July 21, 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 9:15-22, Mediator of a New Covenant

Tuesday, Hebrews 9:23-28, Christ’s Sacrifice

Wednesday, Hebrews 10:1-18, Christ’s Sacrifice

Thursday, Hebrews 10:19-25, Call to Perseverance

Friday, Hebrews 10:26-31, Call to Perseverance

Saturday, Hebrews 10:32-39, Call to Perseverance

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.”                                           (Hebrews 4:14)

The High Priest was revered, but a good one was a humble servant of the people.  Jesus served people to the point that he gave everything he had and everything he was for humanity’s redemption.

• Think of a leader you admire.  Do they show humility?  What is it like for someone in power to show vulnerability?
• Have you been called to be a leader in a situation?  What did you learn about the temptation to use power over others?  Were you able to be gracious?
• How does Jesus’ example show us what true leadership is?

PRAY:  Compassionate Lord, you didn’t exalt yourself for you won sake, but sacrificed yourself on our behalf. Make us grateful for your gift and eager to serve the people whom you love.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May you find power in the humble every day.  Amen.

God has spoken to the people in many ways throughout history, but in Jesus we have the the “exact imprint of God’s very being” (Hebrews 1:3). We look to Jesus to most directly see and understand what God has in mind for all of us.

Join us as we worship this weekend:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. – Modified traditional worship in Fellowship Hall

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

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship in Fellowship hall.

Devotions for this week:

God Has Spoken – July 14, 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 1:5-14, The Son Superior to Angels

Tuesday, Hebrews 2:1-4, Warning to Pay Attention

Wednesday, Hebrews 2:5-9, Jesus a Little Lower than Angels

Thursday, Hebrews 3:1-6, Moses and Christ

Friday, Hebrews 3:7-19, Warning against Unbelief

Saturday, Hebrews 4:1-13, God’s Promised Rest

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.”                                                     (Hebrews 1:1-2)

We are blessed that we can hear God’s voice throughout the Bible, but especially in the words of Jesus.

• Think of an important message that was shared – a famous speech, sermon, or headline.  How did it impact or change society?
• Would the world be different if that message was not known?
• What has someone said to you that you’ll never forget?
• How did their message to you change your life?
• How can we share an important message?

PRAY:  God of wisdom, you are speaking even when we are not listening.  Incline our ears to hear what you are telling us, in this day, in this world for the life of your people.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the words you speak be a light to the world.  Amen.

This week we finish our four-week series in the book of Psalms. We have touched the surface of some of the diversity in the book with praising God as well as low points of the writers, just as we experience in our own lives.   In this week’s text, our Psalmist has experienced deep lows and found solid ground once again, knowing God has been instrumental in his situation, helping him through his challenges. As a result, he is signing a new song, one of hope. His life is different.  He has a story to tell and he is not shy about telling it!

Worship this week with Holy Communion –

No Saturday worship this week –

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship in fellowship hall

Devotions for this week:  A New Song – July 7, 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, Psalm 30, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Tuesday, Psalm 32, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Wednesday, Psalm 34, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Thursday, Psalm 57, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Friday, Psalm 66, Psalm of Thanksgiving

Saturday, Psalm 116, Psalm of Thanksgiving

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God”

 (Psalm 40:3a)

The psalmist sees and acknowledges what God has done, and recognizes God’s faithfulness.  God’s abundant love helps the psalmist grow in faith.

• Who do you know that seems filled with joy?  Why do you think they seem so happy?
• Think of a time something good happened for you.  How did you react?  Who did you tell?  Did you say a prayer of thanks?
• How does it feel when someone thanks you for something you’ve done?   How does it feel if someone seems ungrateful?
• How does thanksgiving reflect our faith in God?

PRAY:  Abundant God, you have been forever faithful to your children.  Draw forth our praise and gratitude for all that we have received in your name, and through the grace of Jesus Christ your Son.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the God of abundance bless you in all that you do.  Amen.

“Reorientation: Light & Salvation”

We continue with the 3rd in our series on the Psalms this week, and read this Psalm that is both joyful and lamenting reminding us that trust in God is developed one small successful experience at a time, built over a lifetime.

Worship this weekend:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall including the baptism of Weston Hanson
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in the sanctuary
10:00 a.m. – A contemporary worship and discussion gathering in fellowship hall.

Devotions for this week: Light & Salvation – June 30, 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, Psalm 11, Psalm of Trust
Tuesday, Psalm 23, Psalm of Trust
Wednesday, Psalm 46, Psalm of Trust
Thursday, Psalm 63, Psalm of Trust
Friday, Psalm 121, Psalm of Trust
Saturday, Psalm 131, Psalm of Trust    

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

TALK:Consider some of these ideas

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1)    

• When have you felt trapped by bad news or circumstances?
• Can you trust God in times of struggle?
• Are you ever your own worst enemy?  How often could following God’s guidance help you from doing this?
• Do you find yourself able to stand strong in faith?
• Do you have the patience to wait for God’s action?

PRAY: Gracious Lord, you bid us to put all our trust in you.  Give us faith in your unfailing strength and light, even when we feel surrounded by darkness.  For the sake of Jesus we pray.  Amen

BLESS: May the Lord of light shine brightly up your heart and life no matter what you face.  Amen.

We continue our series on the Psalms this week, and read this Psalm of prayer and lament knowing that learning to be patient for God’s answer to our prayer can be difficult. But the writer knows that their persistence, and ours, can pay off, even when despair threatens to derail them.

Worship this weekend:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in the sanctuary with a blessing for our Youth Mission Trip participants who will be departing Sunday morning for Indianapolis.
10:00 a.m. – A contemporary worship and discussion gathering in fellowship hall.

Devotions for this week: When the Floods Rise – June 23, 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, Psalm 22, Psalm of Lament
Tuesday,  Psalm 51, Psalm of Lament  
Wednesday,  Psalm 70, Psalm of Lament  
Thursday,  Psalm 108, Psalm of Lament  
Friday,  Psalm 123, Psalm of Lament  
Saturday, Psalm 139, Psalm of Lament

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

TALK:Consider some of these ideas

“I sink deep in mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.”  (Psalm 69:2)

• When do you feel God’s presence close to you? 
• When is it hard to sense God’s presence?
• Share a time when you felt despair. Was it one event, or a series of things? What has been your source of help when things go bad?
• What things going on in the world might lead to despair?
• How do we pray when things seek bleak?

PRAY:  Steadfast God, when despair overwhelms us, you are always there. Keep our heads above water and our feet from sinking in the mire, so that we might learn to sing your praises once again. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

BLESS: Remember you are a beloved child of God, even when you struggle. Amen.