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.

Just when things seem hopeless, with threats and chaos on all sides, God’s people are told to keep still, and trust.  How do we hold our ground and watch for God’s deliverance?

Worship this week – 

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – One Worship at 9:00 a.m. 

followed by “God’s Work, Our Hands” service projects for all ages!!

Devotions for this week:  Rescue at the Sea – September 30, 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, Exodus 15:1-21, Songs of Moses and Miriam

Tuesday, Exodus 15:22-27, Bitter Water Made Sweet

Wednesday, Exodus 16:1-21, Bread from Heaven

Thursday, Exodus 17:1-7, Water from the Rock

Friday, Exodus 17:8-16, Amalek Attacks Israel and Is Defeated

Saturday, Exodus 18:13-27, Jethro’s Advice

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

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?

• What is your community enslaved to? (technology, peer pressure, economy?) How might God deliver you and your community from enslavement to these things?
• How does God show up in your life? Where has God been faithful, despite your own lack of faith?
• For the littles: What is the hardest thing to wait for? God can give us patience.

PRAY:  O Lord, your chosen people had no choice but to trust you and you delivered them. Keep our eyes fixed on you when the waters rise and the troubles of our lives seem insurmountable, for you are our savior and guide. Amen.

BLESS:  May God grant you patience to wait. Amen.

God blessed Abram, so he would be a blessing to “all the families of the earth,” and we too are blessed to be a blessing to others. The gifts and skills God gave us are meaningless unless we share them.  What will the story of your life tell?

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:   Call of Abraham – September 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, Genesis 15:1-6, God’s Covenant with Abram

Tuesday, Genesis 21:1-7, The Birth of Isaac

Wednesday, Genesis 25:19-28, The Birth of Esau and Jacob

Thursday, Genesis 35:16-26, The Birth of Benjamin and Death of Rachel

Friday, Genesis 37:1-11, Joseph Dreams of Greatness

Saturday, Genesis 37:12-36, Joseph is Sold by His Brothers

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

Abram spends his golden years—the time when most are relaxing and looking back on their lives—to follow God’s leading on a long and uncertain journey. He risks everything on the promise that the best is yet to come.

• How is God’s covenant with Abraham fulfilled today? If all humankind is now in covenant with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus, then how shall we treat one another? Where are you accepting of others? Where are you intolerant?
• How has God blessed you? What are you grateful for? Practicing gratitude is a holy practice. Do it often this week.
• For the littles: Can you keep all your promises? God can!

PRAY:  Faithful God, Abram and his family trusted you with their lives and all that they owned. May we also place our days within your hands, sure of the promise you have made us: to go before us, beside us, and after us with your protection. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
BLESS:  May God keep God’s promise to walk with you every step of your life. Amen.

Even if we grow weary, and wonder about the future, in the story of Noah we hear that God’s promise is that God will never give up on God’s creation—animals, plants, and humanity—ever again.

Worship this week:  

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

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 Education and fellowship — sign up for Sunday School this week

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Flood and Promise – September 9, 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, Genesis 9:18-28, Noah and His Sons

Tuesday, Genesis 10:1-14, Nations Descended from Noah

Wednesday, Genesis 10:15-32, Nations Descended from Noah

Thursday, Genesis 11:1-9, The Tower of Babel

Friday, Genesis 11:10-26, Descendants of Shem

Saturday, Genesis 11:27-32, Descendants of Terah

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9:17)

Noah’s story shows us how saddened God can be at our thoughtless actions. How that same creator has the power to destroy us all with one swipe. And, miraculously, chooses not to.

• How does God’s covenant with Noah shape the relationship humanity has with God today? Where do you see God’s promises lived out in this world?
• How does God show up in your life? How and where do you connect with God?
• For the littles: What is your favorite animal that God created? God saved all the animals from Noah’s flood—and some people, too!

PRAY:  O Lord, you preserved Noah as a sign that you hadn’t completely given up on your creation. Assure us of your mercy that we might live to proclaim it and share your promises with all humanity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

BLESS:  May God keep God’s promises in your life. Amen.