A life of faith isn’t always easy, like Jacob we may find ourselves wrestling with God at some moments. Jacob is returning home to face his brother, his past, his fears, and God’s presence.

Worship this week:

SATURDAY – 5 P.M. A modified, shortened traditional worship service, in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building.

SUNDAYS – 8:30 A.M. Traditional worship in the sanctuary, accompanied by the pipe organ and the ELC Senior Choir.

SUNDAY – 9:30 A.M. Sunday School for ages 3 through 8th grade, adult study and fellowship.

SUNDAYS – 10:30 A.M. Contemporary worship with Christian music by our ELC Praise Team.

Devotions for this week: Jacob Wrestles God, September 21-22, 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, Genesis 32:3-21, Jacob Sends Gifts to Esau

Tuesday, Genesis 33:1-20, Jacob and Esau Meet

Wednesday, Genesis 37:1-11, Jacob’s Son, Joseph

Thursday, Genesis 37:12-36, Joseph is Sold by His Brothers

Friday, Genesis 41:37-57, Joseph’s Rise to Power

Saturday, Genesis 46:1-27, Joseph Brings Israelites to Egypt

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)

Jacob was on the eve of a precarious reunion with his estranged brother.  Maybe wrestling with God will result in the perspective he’ll need.

• Think of a long-term disagreement you’ve had with someone.  Would you be willing to work for reconciliation?
• What is worth struggling for in life?
• Do you struggle with what God is asking of you?

PRAY:  Dear Lord, we often struggle in our lives and in our faith.  Assure us that you will never let us go, and teach us to long for the blessing which result from seeing challenges through.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen

BLESS:  Feel the blessings of God even when you face struggle.  Amen.

From the first moment of creation we were created to be in relationship – with God, the creation, and with others.

Worship this week: 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship in the chapel.

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

9:30 a.m. Sunday School Registration

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship in the sanctuary

Devotions for this week: The Garden of Eden

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, Genesis 1:1-4a, First Creation Story

Tuesday, Genesis 3:1-24, Sin and Punishment

Wednesday, Genesis 4:1-16, Cain and Abel

Thursday, Genesis 4:17-26, Beginnings of Civilization

Friday, Genesis 6:1-8, Human Wickedness

Saturday, Genesis 6:9-22, Noah Pleases God

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“⁷ then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.”                (Genesis 2:7)

From the first moment of creation we were created to be in relationship – with God and with others.

• God made humans to work together.  What was a project you worked on that needed a team?
• It is easy to difficult to work as a group?
• What relationships are most important in your life? 
• Is it east to lean on others for help?

PRAY:  Creator God, you have given us every good thing on earth:  all that we need to live and enjoy this life.  Fill us with gratitude for the advantaged position in which we find ourselves, that we might use our power in service toward you.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the God of surprise delight you each day.  Amen.

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.