God’s people have a history of straying away from the worship and service of God.   One of the first people called to bring them back was a wise, strong woman named Deborah.  We look at her story and ask ourselves if we are ready to listen to whoever God calls to speak the truth to us today?

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week: Deborah

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Judges 4:1-5 Israel sins, turns to Deborah

Monday, Judges 6-9:14-16, Deborah & Barak go to battle

Tuesday, Judges 4:17-24 Jael  and Sisera

Wednesday, Judges 5:1-11 Deborah’s song (part 1)

Thursday, Judges 5:12-22 Deborah’s song (part 2)

Friday, Judges 5:23-31 Deborah’s song (part 3)

Saturday, Judges 6:1-10 Israel sins, new judge arises

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

⁸Barak said to her, ‘If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.’ ⁹And she said, ‘I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.’      —  Judges 4:8-9

When the people sinned and turned away from God, the Lord raised up a judge to call them back to faithfulness.  Barak looks to Deborah as a source of wisdom and strength, and depends on her counsel and presence before he acts. 

• When have you had to admit that you needed to change something in your life? Who could you turn to give you guidance and counsel?
• Women like Deborah were seen as leaders early on in the Bible story, why have later generations been slow to acknowledge the wisdom and strength of women as leaders?

PRAY:  Holy God, help us to recognize your voice speaking through your people, and help us to trust your promise and presence..  Amen.

BLESS:  May you listen to God’s counsel this day. Amen.

 

We begin a summer series featuring women in the Bible story with the story of the women in the Exodus.  It is Moses’ mother, his sister, and other women who, in the midst of great danger and desperation, act in love and hope to preserve this child’s life.  With their courage and love God acts to bring about the liberation of the Hebrew slaves.

Worship this week:  (Note change to summer schedule)

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the  chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:  Miriam, and the women in the Exodus story

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Exodus 2:1-10  The baby in the basket

Monday, Exodus 2:11-22 Moses marries Zipporah

Tuesday, Numbers 12:1-9  Miriam and Aaron confront Moses

Wednesday, Numbers 12:10-16 Miriam stricken and healed

Thursday, Numbers 20:1-11 Death of Miriam, water from rock

Friday, Micah 6:1-8 Miriam recalled in prophet’s words

Saturday, Exodus 15:20-21  Miriam’s Song

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

 ²¹And Miriam sang to them:
‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.’

                                                                        Exodus 15:21

While Moses was often at the center of the story of the exodus, he did not get there on in his own.  His mother, Pharoah’s daughter, and his sister Miriam were vital to God’s mighty story of freedom.  The midwives who protected him, his sister Miriam, Pharoah’s servant and his daughter, his wife, and others were crucial along the way.

• Who are the women who have played a key role in your story of faith?
• How does God work in sometimes unseen ways to accomplish great things?
• Whose story should be lifted up?
• When have you joined in a song of praise?

PRAY: God, you continue to write the story of salvation in many people in our lives.  Use us as well to act, and to bring praise when we notice the opportunity.  Amen.

BLESS:  May God surround you with strong helpers. Amen.

 

 

Today we mark the presence of God’s Spirit in our lives and our family of faith.  This Spirit can change the way we see ourselves, and our neighbors.  We celebrate the gifts of the Spirit in many ways as we gather this weekend.  In addition to our regular worship we celebrate the gift of music at Worship through Music, we mark the stepping stone of graduation for our high school seniors, and we give thanks for the gifts our many volunteers with an appreciation reception.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  Worship with Holy Communion in chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m.  Worship through music – led by ELC Senior Choir

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Volunteer Appreciation reception

10:30 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion, Senior Recognition 

Volunteer Appreciation continues

Pentecost – Rejoice in the Lord, Acts 2:1-21; Philippians 4:4-7
SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Acts 2:1-21; Philippians 4:4-7, Pentecost; Rejoice in the Lord

Monday, Acts 3:11-16, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

Tuesday, Acts 3:17-26, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

Wednesday, Acts 4:1-12, Peter and John before the Council

Thursday, Acts 4:13-22, Peter and John before the Council

Friday, Acts 4:23-31, The Believers Pray for Boldness

Saturday, Acts 4:32-37, The Believers Share Their Possessions TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:2-4)

The Spirit’s descent upon the newly formed church is so powerful that spectators can only assume these multi-lingual proclamations are the effect of too much wine. But as it’s only nine in the morning, it might be worth seeking another explanation.

• Tell of a time something happened to you that changed you from the inside out. Was the change positive or negative? How has the change shaped who you are today?
• Wonder: Where is God’s spirit leading me today?

PRAY: Holy Spirit, you move within and among your people. Make us eager to go where you are sending us, open to being transformed by your Gospel’s power, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God fill you with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

If we are to be followers of Jesus, we need to consider our motives each day.   Jesus showed God’s depth of love for in putting you and I before even himself, and Paul challenges us to conform our daily lives to that same purpose.

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

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. – Special Meeting of the congregation/ Sunday School

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

The Christ Hymn, Philippians 2:1-13 – May 13, 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

Sunday, Philippians 2:1-13, The Christ Hymn

Monday, Acts 1:1-5, The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Tuesday, Acts 1:6-11, The Ascension of Jesus

Wednesday, Acts 1:12-26, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Thursday, Acts 2:37-42, The First Converts

Friday, Acts 2:43-47, Life Among the Believers

Saturday, Acts 3:1-10, Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. (Philippians 2:5-7)

With a memorable and well-crafted hymn, Paul exhorts the Philippians to live a life of humility. If even God doesn’t lord it over others, then neither should we.

• What does humility look like to you? How are you humble? In what ways are you not humble?
• Wonder: Why would the God who created everything, become human, humble, and empty?

PRAY: Loving God, you are both humble and highly exalted. Hold before us your ultimate example of servitude and sacrifice, setting the standard for love that knows no boundaries, for the sake of Jesus, Amen.

BLESS:  May God accept your humility with grace. Amen.

This week we hear Bishop Froiland’s message reflecting on the ministry we share, but a ministry that belongs to Christ, and is constantly empowered by God’s Spirit!  

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 and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:   Partnership in the Gospel, Philippians 1:1-18a
SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding Sunday, Philippians 1:1-18a, Partnership in the Gospel

Monday, Philippians 1:18b-30, Partnership in the Gospel

Tuesday, Philippians 2:14-30, Timothy and Epaphroditus

Wednesday, Philippians 3:1-11, Breaking with the Past

Thursday, Philippians 3:12-4:1, Pressing toward the Goal

Friday, Philippians 4:2-9, Exhortations

Saturday, Philippians 4:10-23, Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.                      (Philippians 1:7)

Imprisonment isn’t excuse enough for Paul to cease in his efforts to spread the Gospel. Leave it to Paul to make use of an unfortunate situation for the glory of God

• Who do you trust most in this world? Why?
• Wonder: What would you do with all your time if you were locked in prison?

PRAY: God of all insight, you grant us wisdom in ways that the world cannot. Open our ears to listen for your call that your love might overflow through us into a world desperately in need of your grace. Create in us the pure trust of a little child to follow you, even when it seems you are far away. In your name we pray, Amen

BLESS:  May God grant you partners you can trust. Amen.