In what we call the “sermon on the mount”, Jesus calls his followers salt and light for the world, and challenges us all to see the world in different way.

Worship 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:  BEATITUDES

 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 1:1-3, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 5:21-26, Concerning Anger

Wednesday, Matthew 5:27-32, Concerning Adultery and Divorce

Thursday, Matthew 5:33-42, Concerning Oaths and Retaliation

Friday, Matthew 5:43-48, Love for Enemies

Saturday, Matthew 6:1-6, Concerning Almsgiving

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

TALK: Consider some of these ideas: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:6-9)

• How do the guidelines in Jesus’ sermon shape your community? Which are necessary today? Which have been adjusted to reflect the modern era? How can a community remain faithful to God’s laws?
• How has God blessed you? How do you think Jesus would describe you in your current state of life?
• For the littles: Jesus liked to teach people about God. What is your favorite thing to learn about?

PRAY: O Lord, your son came as the fulfillment of your law. Continue to lift up all who are oppressed in this world, that they might know your blessing and receive the joy you have promised. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESS: May God bless you in whatever stage of life you are in. Amen.

 

When challenged to give in to other powers, Jesus stays firm in his identity.  When we are challenged, do we remember whose we are?

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 on Matthew, Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS

 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 91:9-12, Psalm

Tuesday, Genesis 1:26-27, Creation of Humanity

Wednesday, Genesis 3:1-7, Temptation in the Garden of Eden

Thursday, Deuteronomy 8:1-10, A Warning from God

Friday, Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Saturday, Matthew 4:23-25, Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas:   The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:3-4)

• How does a community come to agreement about which laws, rules, or norms are to be followed? Which rules or norms are unique to your setting? How are they followed? How are they enforced?
• What tempts you the most? How can your faith help you resist temptation?
• For the littles: Which is harder to resist… a sweet treat or staying up past bedtime? God can help you resist both!

PRAY: O Lord, your son did not succumb to temptation under the most extreme duress. May we show even a fraction of his faithfulness, keeping our eyes on you and our hearts true to who we are. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
BLESS: May God deliver you from temptation. Amen.

 

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.