“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.

We begin a series on the Psalms this week, and read this Psalm of praise for our God who is high above all, but never fails to notice the needs of the least. Join us as we worship our God who is great, and merciful.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall

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: God Stoops Down – June 16, 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 8, Psalm of Praise

Tuesday, Psalm 68, Psalm of Praise

Wednesday, Psalm 100, Psalm of Praise

Thursday, Psalm 111, Psalm of Praise

Friday, Psalm 122, Psalm of Praise

Saturday, Psalm 150, Psalm of Praise

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,

who looks far down on the heavens and earth?”  (Psalm 113:5)

• Did you learn the prayer that begins “God is Great, God is Good?”
• How do you see the contrast between goodness and greatness?
• Which of these words do think of first when you think of God?
• What was the last celebration you attended?  What were you celebrating?  What in that day brought you the most joy?
• Do you feel God’s joy when you celebrate?

PRAY:  Dearest Lord, you are the reason for our joy and celebration.  Help us to share our blessings and stay mindful of them in times when we don’t feel like being joyful.  For you have given us an everlasting fulfillment in the gift of your son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

BLESS: May you know the joy of the Lord who is seated on high.

Jesus may no longer walk the earth alongside his followers, but by no means is he absent. The disciples are about to get blown away by a new and powerful presence, and that same Spirit remains with us.

Worship this week: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified Traditional Worship

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall

Devotions for this week: Pentecost – June 9, 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, Romans 8:18-39, Pentecost

Tuesday, Romans 14:1-12, Do Not Judge Another

Wednesday, Romans 14:13-23, Do Not Make Another Stumble

Thursday, Romans 15:1-13, Gospel for All

Friday, Romans 15:14-21, Paul’s Reason for Writing So Boldly

Saturday, Romans 15:22-33, Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:4)

• In light of God’s promises, how do you make sense of the times in life when God’s presence seems terribly far away? How do you make sense of evil?
• How do others know you are a child of God?
• For the littles: Have you ever seen a glowing campfire, a roaring fireplace, or a lit candle? What did it look like? Was it hot? God’s Holy Spirit is like the fire you saw—hot and alive!

PRAY:  God of holy fire, when the time was right, you sent your Holy Spirit to empower your disciples. Inspire us yet today with your fire, that with burning hearts we might eagerly continue the work which they started, for the sake of our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

BLESS:  May God’s Holy Spirit burn within you. Amen.

We have been rescued from hopelessness and fear by the power of Jesus Christ, now Paul challenges us to live out that new opportunity every day.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in fellowship hall

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

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

Devotions for this week: The Hope of Resurrection – June 2, 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, Romans 9:19-29, God’s Wrath and Mercy
Tuesday, Romans 9:30-33, Israel’s Unbelief
Wednesday, Romans 10:1-21, Salvation for All
Thursday, Romans 12:1-8, The New Life in Christ
Friday, Romans 12:9-21, Marks of the True Christian
Saturday, Romans 13:1-14, Love for One Another
Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.
TALK: Consider some of these ideas
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will
certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
(Romans 6:5)
 Does baptism make a difference? Why or why not? Is it
transformational or merely symbolic? Explain.
 What does it mean to you that you are dead to sin? How does
living as a child of God affect the way you behave in the world?
 For the littles: If you could take a walk with Jesus, would you
take him to the park, around a lake, up a mountain, through the
city, or through the desert? Why?
PRAY: O God, your costly grace is no excuse for dwelling in sin.
Therefore, strengthen us to do what is favorable in your sight, for the
benefit of your kingdom’s growth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
BLESS: May God grant you forgiveness and grace. Amen.