A vision of glory sets the stage for the difficult days ahead.  How does our experience of Jesus carry us through our difficult days?

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible Study, and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  TRANSFIGURATION

 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 41:7-10, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 13:47-53, Parables of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 18:1-9, Who Is the Greatest?

Thursday, Psalm 146:7c-10, Psalm

Friday, Psalm 51:1-3, Psalm

Saturday, Matthew 13:54-58, Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

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

TALK: And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun,

               and his clothes became dazzling white.   (Matthew 17:2)

Three of the disciples find themselves atop a mountain with Jesus and two dead prophets in a blaze of light. Under such circumstances, can we really blame Peter for speaking nonsense?

• What events have occurred in your community that have changed the course of your community’s future? How have the transformational events transformed you?
• What does it mean to you when Jesus says, “Deny [yourself], and take up your cross and follow me”? In what ways have you taken up a cross? In what ways have you denied yourself?
• For the littles: What does it mean when a person glows bright like the sun? Jesus glowed like that!

PRAY: O God of the ages, you give us your only son and ask only that we listen to him. Help us to see you throughout our highs and lows, and to find courage in having you by our side. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

BLESS: May God transform your heart and mind to be of like heart and mind with God. Amen.

Jesus fills the needs of the crowd not only for food, but for their need for hope.  Will we listen to that voice of hope today?

Worship this week:  Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible Study and Fellowship

10:30 a.m.  Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:   FEEDING THE 5000

 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 95:1-5, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 12:9-21, Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 12:22-32, Teachings of Jesus

Thursday, Matthew 12:33-45, Teachings of Jesus

Friday, Matthew 12:46-50, Teachings of Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 13:1-23, Parables of Jesus

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

TALK: Consider some of these ideas: Taking the five loaves and the two  

      fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave

     them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

                                                                                                      (Matthew 14:19)

Crowds throng to see, hear and experience the great teacher/healer. But Jesus resists the impulse to keep the spotlight on himself. If anyone would follow him, they must learn the strength of their own faith, love, and generosity.

• Who are the miracle workers and healers in your community? How are they recognized? How are they rewarded? What is God’s role in healing and the working of modern miracles?
• How much authority has God given you that you are reluctant to claim? What might you accomplish if you accept responsibility for the gifts God has given you?
• For the littles: What would you serve for dinner if you had very important guests coming?

PRAY: O Lord, you feed us on the riches of your kingdom, then invite us to feed others in kind. Spread the impulse of your generosity far and wide, that this world may see a revival of your original vision for creation. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

BLESS: May God fill your belly with food and your heart with love. Amen.

 

Jesus’ story tells of a kingdom where different types live alongside each other, leaving the judgement to God.  Focusing instead on what is truly important.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible Study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM

 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 84:1-7, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 10:16-42, Coming Persecutions

Wednesday, Matthew 10:26-42, Coming Persecutions

Thursday, Matthew 11:1-19, John the Baptist

Friday, Matthew 11:20-30, Woes

Saturday, Matthew 12:1-8, Teachings of Jesus

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas:   The kingdom of heaven may be     

     compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while  

     everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among

     the  wheat …”                                                         (Matthew 13:24b-25)

Jesus’ parables seem to leave many confused. But today’s message is clear: God’s kingdom is our greatest treasure, and it is this we should be seeking rather than the justification of our own views.

• What does it mean that the kingdom of heaven is a reaping of “good seed” and “weeds”? Which are you? How do you know? Whose job is it to discern good from bad, and to reap?
• How can you grow like the “good seeds” in Jesus’ parable? How might you make room in your life for others to grow alongside you?
• For the littles: What does God’s kingdom of heaven look like? What will you find there? One day you will live in God’s kingdom of heaven!

PRAY: O God, your ways are beyond our understanding and your mercy is wide enough to include everyone. May we lay aside our temptation to judge, and instead seek after your heavenly kingdom on earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

BLESS: May God help you grow in faith and understanding. Amen

Like the people in Jesus’ day, we are often preoccupied with what others are doing, instead of examining our own hearts, actions, and motives.

Worship this week:  Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday  8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Adult Bible Study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:    THE GOLDEN RULE

 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 37:16-18, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 9:9-17, Call of Matthew

Wednesday, Matthew 8:18-27, Miracles of Jesus

Thursday, Matthew 8:28-9:8, Healings of Jesus

Friday, Matthew 9:18-38, Healings of Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 10:1-15, The Twelve Apostles                                    

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

TALK: Consider some of these ideas:  

Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3)

It’s becoming ever clearer that this Jesus is no ordinary teacher. He says things others would never dare to say. And when he talks, people listen.

• What measurement is used to judge people within your community? (Money, beauty, power?) Are these measurements fair? Why or why not?
• If you could see yourself from the outside, what might you see? Do you like what you see? Why or why not?
• For the littles: Who helps you know the difference between right and wrong? God gives those people to us as a gift.

PRAY: O Lord, you give good things to all who ask of you. So move our hearts to the same generosity of spirit, that we might model your grace in our lives, to the glory of your name. Amen.

 BLESS: May God show you the truth. Amen.

 In his teaching, Jesus invites us to find worth, not in the praise of others, but in the love of God. We are worthy simply because we exist.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School, Ministry Fair in Fellowship Hall

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  TREASURE IN HEAVEN

 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 20:7, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 6:22-24, Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 6:25-34, Teachings of Jesus

Thursday, Matthew 7:15-20, Teachings of Jesus

Friday, Matthew 7:21-23, Teachings of Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 8:1-17, Healings of Jesus

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas: Jesus lays out for his followers a way to pray and fast which is pleasing to God: not a means to attract attention and credit on earth, but a pathway to a stronger bond with their holy parent in heaven.

• How is the accumulation of more encouraged in your community? What media or messages could you stop listening to so that you could limit your exposure to those messages?
• Name three things you wish you had more of. Reflect on how the desire for more shapes your behaviors and attitudes.
• For the littles: What is your favorite prayer? God likes all prayers.

PRAY: Loving God, you desire a simple, humble relationship with us. Turn our hearts away from seeking others’ approval and toward your way of mercy and peace, as our savior taught us. Amen.

 BLESS: May God fill your heart with words of praise. Amen.