God calls his Son ‘beloved’ at his baptism.  We are also the ‘beloved’ of our God, and God is pleased to call us his own.

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:  

JESUS BAPTISM

 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 2:7-8, Psalm

Tuesday, Judges 13:1-7, The Birth of Samson

Wednesday, Isaiah 11:1-9, God’s Peaceful Kingdom

Thursday, Zechariah 3:1-10, Joshua and Satan

Friday, Numbers 31:21-24, Cleansing by Fire

Saturday, Isaiah 40:1-11, A Voice in the Wilderness

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas:      But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance.                (Matthew 3:7-8)

 How does your community of faith honor its baptismal promises for those who are baptized?

• How do you claim God’s baptismal promises in your daily life? What difference does your baptism make in your life?
• For the littles: Ask someone to tell you the story of your baptism. What did you like about the story?

 PRAY: Dear God, your only son came to impart the Spirit’s power and mercy to all. May our hearts receive him and turn from the ways of selfish pride. We ask this in the name of Jesus the anointed one, our savior and lord. Amen.

 BLESS: May God remind you daily of your baptismal promises. Amen.

 

 

This week we share the story of the the magi who came seeking a new king,  guided by the light of the star.  Are we following that true light, or are we wondering after lesser things.

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 fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Epiphany the visit of the Magi

 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 96:10-13, Psalm

        Tuesday, Psalm 11:1-3, Psalm

        Wednesday, Exodus 1:8-22, Israelites are Oppressed

        Thursday, Exodus 2:1-11, Birth of Moses

        Friday, Exodus 12:29-32, Death of the Firstborn

        Saturday, Hosea 11:1-12, A Promise Out of Egypt

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas: A rising star leads scholars to a growing child who is to become the king and messiah to deliver his weary people. But in Herod’s jealous heart, there is room for only one king in the land.

• How does knowing or not knowing your heritage shape your life? What can we learn from the people who raised us, and from the people who raised them?

• What does it mean to you that Jesus is a king? What other images for Jesus speak to you?
• For the littles: Where have you gone on a trip? God often sends people on trips.

PRAY: Dear God, your only son came to impart the Spirit’s power and mercy to all. May our hearts receive him and turn from the ways of selfish pride. We ask this in the name of Jesus the anointed one, our savior and lord. Amen.

 BLESS: May God bless your new year! Amen.

 

We gather at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday for one special worship time to sing Christmas carols and hear the Scriptures together.  Come and savor the good news of Christmas one more time before the new year begins.

Worship this week:  No Saturday worship or Sunday School

One worship gathering at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday, December 30th.

Devotions for this week:  The genealogy of Jesus

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 25:1-34, Abraham’s Descendants

Tuesday, Psalm 132:1-18, David’s Heir

Wednesday, Isaiah 11:1-9, The Branch from Jesse

Thursday, Ruth 4:13-22, Ruth Enters the Davidic Line

Friday, Genesis 21:1-7, Birth of Isaac

Saturday, Genesis 38:24-30, Tamar Births Perez and Zerah

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

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)

The Hebrew people placed great importance on a person’s descent. Jesus’ lineage can be traced (through his father Joseph) all the way back to King David, fulfilling an ancient promise.

• How does knowing or not knowing your heritage shape your life? What can we learn from the people who raised us, and from the people who raised them?
• As you reflect back on this year, what dreams do you have for the new year? How will you let your faith shape how you approach your new year?
• For the littles: Who are the people that take care of you? God cares for them, too.

PRAY:  Lord, you blessed all the generations of the earth with the gift of your son. Teach us to honor him and respect our own place within your family of believers. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.

BLESS: May God bless your new year! Amen.

 

At a time when Joseph likely felt completely isolated and alone, God sent God’s presence in the form of an angel, and promised God’s continued presence in the form of a child.  We gather in anticipation of God’s presence with us again at Christmas.

Join us for worship this week:

Saturday  – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 Sunday School and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Sunday School Christmas program

Devotions for this week:  Jesus as Emmanuel – December 23, 2018

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, Luke 2:1-14, [15-20], Birth of Jesus

Tuesday, Luke 2:8-20, Shepherds Visit

Wednesday, Genesis 15:1-21, God’s Covenant with Abram

Thursday, Isaiah 7:10-17, A Sign of Immanuel

Friday, Isaiah 7:18-25, A Sign of Immanuel

Saturday, Acts 13:38-39, Jesus Frees

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

  TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife. (Matthew 1:24)

Joseph’s life is going just according to plan. He’s made a fine engagement to a girl from a good family. But now she’s got some surprising news for her husband-to-be. How is an honorable man supposed to respond?

• How does God work through the marginalized in your community? Is their message or service received differently because they are different?
• How does Immanuel show up in your life?
• For the littles: What’s been the greatest surprise of this Christmas season so far? God loves surprises!

PRAY:  God, your servant Joseph remained obedient despite challenges and uncertainty. Give us his steady trust in the unfolding of your plan for us, that we might be found your faithful servants, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Emmanuel. Amen.

BLESS: May God surprise you with joy! Amen.

Isaiah promises one who will bring new hope to people, like us, who feel overwhelmed by the world around them.  As we prepare to receive this word of light and hope, how do we share it with others?

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School and fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Light to the Nations – December 16, 2018

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, Isaiah 42:10-20, A Hymn of Praise

Tuesday, Isaiah 42:21-25, Israel’s Disobedience

Wednesday, Isaiah 43:1-7, Restoration and Protection Promised

Thursday, Isaiah 43:8-21, Restoration and Protection Promised

Friday, Isaiah 43:22-28, Restoration and Protection Promised

Saturday, Isaiah 44:1-8, God’s Blessing on Israel.

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. (Isaiah 42:2-4)

Isaiah’s people are exiled and understandably discouraged. But the prophet can see beyond their present trials, to a future where they will be led with wisdom and justice.

• Who in your community lives in darkness? How can you shine light on those living in darkness?
• How does God’s light shine through you? How do people know you follow God?
• For the littles: Are you afraid of the dark? Why or why not?

 PRAY:  Lord, your promises stand fast throughout our trying times. Hold the hope of your deliverance ever before our eyes, that we might continue to put our trust in you, for the sake of your son Jesus. Amen.

BLESS:  God of all creation, through your word open our eyes to see the new things you are doing. Help us rejoice in your faithfulness in the past and look forward to it in the future. Amen.