Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mt. Horeb

A family in faith, reaching out to share God's love with all people

DonateFacebook YouTube

The Garden of Eden – This week at ELC

by

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.

Sabbath for Community – This week at ELC

by

In addition to ceasing our work, and resting in God’s love, the Sabbath calls us to nurture the community around us. God’s love provides for feasting in reconciliation, forgiveness, and provision for everyone to have a place at the table. We’ll also take time at our traditional worship services for singing favorite hymns suggested by the congregation.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship with favorite hymns

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship with favorite hymns

10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week: Sabbath for Community – September 1, 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, Exodus 23:6-16, Rest for Land and Livestock

Tuesday, Joshua 11:18-23, Rest from War

Wednesday, Judges 5:26-31, Land Had Rest

Thursday, 2 Chronicles 14:1-6, Rest from Strife

Friday, Isaiah 14:1-7, Rest from Pain

Saturday, Nehemiah 13:19, Rest for Servants

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Every seventh year you shall grant a remission of debts.”       

                          (Deuteronomy 15:1)

God’s command to forgive debts not only acknowledged God as the owner of all things, but also gave people the chance to start over, and the community a chance to heal.

  • How quick are you to forgive a debt?  Has anyone ever forgiven a debt for you?
  • How does long-term debt affect communities, families, and opportunities?
  • How well is God’s command to live in concern for the well-being of others reflected in our society?

PRAY:  Merciful God, you desire always to show compassion to those who need it.  Soften our hearts toward people in our debt, that we might learn to love as you love.  For the sake of Jesus our Savior.   Amen.

BLESS:  May the God who forgives debts inspire you to forgive the debts of others.  Amen.

Sabbath for God – This week at ELC

by

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.

Sabbath for Self – This week at ELC

by

God never intended for us to be so busy.  In creating the Sabbath we are asked to remember that sabbath rest is about rejuvenation, and it is also about setting aside time to be with God uninterrupted and intentionally.

Worship with Holy Communion 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 Self – August 18, 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, Exodus 16:23-26, Gathering Manna

Tuesday, Exodus 35:1-2 Rest or Death

Wednesday, Joshua 3:8-13, Rest for the Priests

Thursday, Job 11:13-19, Rest from fear

Friday, Mark 6:26-32, Rest from Grief

Saturday, Revelation 14-6-11, No Rest for the Wicked

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord you God commanded you.”                                 (Deuteronomy 5:12)

God delivered the Israelites from slavery, because relentless work brings suffering.  Now God instructs them to rest – a necessary practice for physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual health.

  • The society no longer recognizes a ‘sabbath day’.  Does it make finding sabbath more difficult for you?  Would there be a greater impact if we were all resting at the same time?
  • How do you observe the sabbath?  What helps you connect with God, yourself, and the people in your life?
  • What do we lose when we never take sabbath rest? 

PRAY:  Saving God, you delivered your people from slavery to experience a life of freedom in you.  May we live to know this same liberty in your Gospel — freed from all that would hold us fast.  For the sake of Jesus we pray, Amen.

BLESS:  May you feel the blessed rest from a God who cares for all aspects of your life.  Amen.

The Meaning of Faith — This week at ELC

by

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.

Worship Services

Welcome to Worship!

Saturday: 5:00 pm Worship in small chapel – modified traditional format.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. Worship with a blend of traditional and contemporary music

Sunday School:  10:15 a.m.

Live worship will be streamed at 9:00 a.m. on Facebook. Recordings will be available on Facebook,  YouTube and on the Sermon Archive page.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mount Horeb (ELCA)
315 E. Main St., Mount Horeb, WI  53572
elc@mhtc.net

A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

We welcome all to ELC! Everyone. Without exception. Regardless of race,
ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, faith traditions, physical or mental abilities, financial resources, family status, or personal struggles. We are committed to being an anti-racist community. By the power of the Holy Spirit we will work to extend God’s grace, love, justice, and dignity. You belong here. Your story and your life are valuable. In Christ’s love, we welcome you.