On this All Saints’ Sunday, we see how God calls all sorts of people, from the powerful prophet Elisha, to the unnamed servant girl, and the reluctant Naaman.    We will also take time in worship to remember those who have passed to the church triumphant as well as those baptized into the family of God in the past year.  

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 Study and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary worship

Devotions for the week:  

Elisha Heals Naaman – November 4, 2018

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READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, 2 Kings 2:13-18, Elisha Succeeds Elijah

Tuesday, 2 Kings 2:19-25, Elisha Performs Miracles

Wednesday, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Elisha and the Widow’s Oil

Thursday, 2 Kings 4:8-37, Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son

Friday, 2 Kings 4:38-41 Elisha Purifies the Pot of Stew

Saturday, 2 Kings 4:42-44 Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

 “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy!”   (2 Kings 5:10-11)

Naaman has pinned a great deal of hope on Elisha’s ability to heal his leprosy. But how will this great commander respond when, after such a long journey, the prophet tells him to simply take a dip in the river?

• Who in your community stands out as one who will stand up for the oppressed, poor, or silenced? How might you support such a person in their work?
• What miracles have you witnessed? Where have you seen God at work in the world this week? Can you reach out to help?
• For the littles: Do you swim or take baths? Do you like the water? Why or why not? God can do many things with water.

PRAY:  O God, you call us to humble ourselves in the face of your wisdom. Open our minds that we might be enlightened beyond the limits of our own expectations, and heal us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

BLESS:  God who blesses all, help us hear your word and obey it. Amen

Solomon is offered the chance to ask for whatever he wishes.  By choosing wisdom and discernment, Solomon has chosen care for his subjects over glory for himself. Can we focus our lives and wisdom on the needs of the world around us?

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 and Rite of Confirmation!

Devotions for this week:  

Solomon’s Wisdom (Confirmation Day) – October 28, 2018

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\READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, 1 Kings 6:1-22, Solomon Builds the Temple

Tuesday, 1 Kings 8:1-13, Dedication of the Temple

Wednesday, 1 Kings 8:54-61, Solomon Blesses the Assembly

Thursday, 1 Kings 10:1-13, Visit of the Queen of Sheba

Friday, 1 Kings 10:14-29, Visit of the Queen of Sheba

Saturday, 1 Kings 11:1-13, Solomon’s Errors

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

And God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David… Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:5-6a, 9)

The enslaved Israelites made it out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership. So far, so good. But now, the Egyptian army advances nearer. How long will faith in their leader endure? Perhaps the better question is, who is really in charge here?

• Where do you see justice carried out in your community? Where do you see injustice? What might you do to further the work of justice in your community?
• What does wisdom mean to you? How can you use your wisdom to do God’s work?
• For the littles: Who is the wisest person you know? God gives people wisdom, and will give you wisdom, too.

PRAY:  O Lord, your wisdom is often beyond our grasp. Give us discerning minds to know your will, and willing hearts to carry it out, for the sake of your son, Jesus. Amen.

BLESS: May God grant you wisdom. Amen.

David is unable to admit his own sinfulness until confronted by the prophet Nathan. Are we willing to examine our own actions with honesty?

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, Adult Bible Study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week: 

David and Bathsheba – October 21, 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, 2 Samuel 12:15b-23, Bathsheba’s Child Dies

Tuesday, 2 Samuel 12:24-25, Solomon Is Born

Wednesday, 1 Kings 1:1-21, The Struggle for Succession

Thursday, 1 Kings 1:22-27, The Struggle for the Succession

Friday, 1 Kings 1:28-53, The Accession of Solomon

Saturday, 1 Kings 2:13-25, Solomon Consolidates His Reign

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight?” (2 Samuel 12:7-9a)

King David thinks of himself as a good person. So what if he slips up now and then: an illicit affair here, an unjust murder there? No one will know, right? No one but God, that is.

• Where do you see power struggles within your community? In these struggles, who gets hurt? Who gains the most? How might God shape how power is distributed within your community?
• When have you committed a sin that you were unable to see? How did you come to realize your sin? What did you do next?

PRAY:  God, we stand convicted by our sin and we cannot deny it. Show us your mercy and the path back to wholeness with you, our neighbors, and ourselves, for the sake of him who gave his life for us. Amen.

BLESS:  May God see your sin and forgive it. Amen.

God invites us into a relationship. It is a relationship to be nurtured and celebrated. God does for the people because God loves them.  Now how does our service reflect God’s goodness?

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, Fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:  Joshua Renews the Covenant 

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, 1 Samuel 1:1-28, Samuel’s Birth and Dedication

Tuesday, 1 Samuel 3:1-18, Samuel’s Calling and Prophecies

Wednesday, 1 Samuel 7:3-15, Samuel as Judge

Thursday, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Israel Demands a King

Friday, 1 Samuel 9:27—10:8, Saul Anointed as King

Saturday, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, David Anointed as King

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

The Israelites have now, at long last, arrived and settled in the land which had been promised to their wandering ancestors. It was God who brought them through it all and delivered on the divine side of the covenant. Now it’s the people’s turn to choose where their loyalties lie.

• How are leaders in your community chosen? What might it look like to trust in God rather than trusting in people?
• What covenants or agreements have you made with God? Are these healthy (commitment to follow) or unhealthy (bargaining) agreements?

PRAY:  God, you bring us safely through all the trials and dangers of our lives. Keep us mindful and make us joyful to praise you with grateful hearts. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

BLESS:  God of grace, your word inspires our faith. Speak so that we may clearly see the options we face and have wisdom to choose those that draw us to you. Amen.

God loves, listens, acts, and frees God’s people.  That always comes first.  God then gives commands not as a requirement by which we earn God’s goodness, but as  a reflection of the love we’ve been shown.  All of God’s laws are intended to keep us organized and safe. When followed, they protect us from chaos. When disobeyed, everyone pays the price.

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, Adult study, and fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Covenant and Commandments – October 7, 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, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Moses Dies

Tuesday, Joshua 1:1-9, God’s Commission to Joshua

Wednesday, Joshua 2:1-21, Spies Sent to Jericho

Thursday, Joshua 3:1-17, Israel Crosses the Jordan

Friday, Joshua 6:1-14, Jericho Taken and Destroyed

Saturday, Joshua 6:15-27, Jericho Destroyed and Rahab Spared

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:5-6a)

Moses has successfully and safely led the Israelites out of slavery into the wilderness. How would they live in their newly gained freedom? Never fear, God is about to lay down the law. And that’s not a bad thing.

• What gods are served in your community other than God (celebrities, money, progress, etc.)? Which gods fail to live up to their promises?
• Which commandments do you find hardest to follow? What gets in your way of following God’s laws?
• For the littles: What is the hardest rule to follow? What is the easiest? God gives us rules so we can be safe and happy.

PRAY:  Lord, your law is the sign of your everlasting love. Keep us faithful to your word that our lives might testify to your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless you with healthy rules. Amen.