It was often women who served as the supporters of the early ministry, and we need to acknowledge the diversity of unexpected leaders throughout our history and in the
church today.

Worship this week –  No Saturday worship due to installation of Bishop Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld.

Sunday worship with Holy Communion

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:   Rhoda/ Joanna /Lydia

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 12:13-14  Rhoda, the maid

Monday, Luke 8:1-3  The women who provided for the disciples

Tuesday, Romans 16:6-16 The many who assisted Paul

Wednesday, Acts 16:13-14  Lydia hears Paul’s witness

Thursday, Acts 16:15 Lydia invites Paul to stay

Friday, Acts 16:35-37 Paul in Jail

Saturday, Acts 16:38-40 Paul released to Lydia’s home

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

¹⁴A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.                                      Acts 16:14

 Lydia, Rhoda, and Joanna are but three of the many women who aided the ministry of the apostles in the early years of the church, and each in their own way played a vital role in advancing the gospel.

•  Do we recognize the importance of the ‘everyday’ gifts for ministry — feeding, hospitality, serving?
• Have you acknowledged those gifts in others?
• Where do you share your gifts for ministry?

 PRAY:  Gracious God, thank you for the many gifts of ministry, help us to value all gifts, and use our gifts for your ministry.   Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless you in your sharing in this ministry. Amen.

Often we think of ‘mission’ as something we go somewhere else to do, but we need to remember we are called to be in mission in our daily tasks.  This week we share the story of Priscilla and her husband, who work together with Paul both in making tents, but also working together to host a church in their home.  Do we consider our homes to be a church, a gathering place for God’s people?

Worship this week:  Saturday – 5:oo  p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  August 12 – Prisca/Priscilla

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 18:1-4 Paul meets the tentmakers of Corinth

Monday, Acts 18:18-19Priscilla & Aquilla accompany Paul

Tuesday, 1 Corinthians 16:13-19 Encouragement and greetings

Wednesday, 2 Timothy 4:16-22  Paul’s defense and greetings

Thursday, Romans 16:1-2 Commendation of Phoebe

Friday,  Romans 16:3-7 Partnership in ministry

Saturday, Acts 18:24-28  Priscilla instructs Apollos

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, ⁴and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. ⁵Greet also the church in their house.

                                                                   Romans 16:3-5

Paul singles out Prisca (other places Priscilla) as someone who worked with him, risked for him, and nurtured the church within her own home.

• Who has helped you on your journey?
• Who has taken risks for you?
• Do you think of church as a place you go, or do you remember that it exists wherever God’s people gather, including your own home?

PRAY:  God help us to be your witnesses in our work, and in our homes.  Help us give thanks for those who help us, and strengthen us to be a help to others.  Amen.

BLESS:  May God be known in our work, and in our homes. Amen.

Whether in parable, or in narrative, the gospel of Luke plays particular attention to the  impact of the faith and witness of those women who would be otherwise often ignored by the larger society.  

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:   The Widows in Luke

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, Luke 2:36-40  Anna prophesies

Monday, Luke 20:45 – 21:4    The widow’s gift

Tuesday, Luke 7:11-17  The widow at Nain

Wednesday, Luke 24:1-12  The women go to the tomb

Thursday, Luke 4:20-30  Elijah and widow at Zarephath

Friday, Acts 6:1S-6 The widows in the early church

Saturday, Luke 18:1-8  The widow and the unjust judge

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

³⁸At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.               Luke 2:38

³In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.”  

                                                                           Luke 18:3

While Anna announces the coming of this child as messiah, Jesus uses the example of an unfairly treated widow as a comparison to the justice and mercy of God.                                                                                                                                                                    

• Have you waiting for an opportunity to praise like Anna?
• Have you felt ignored like the widow with the unjust judge?
• What does it mean that God promises to listen and respond?

PRAY:  Holy God, help us to continually come to you both in times of trouble, and in times of rejoicing.  Let us know that you are with us in every season of our lives.    Amen.

BLESS:  May you know that God hears your prayer today. Amen.

 

Join us at a special combined worship service at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, when we’ll hear the young people of our congregation share the stories and the impact of the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering that took place in Houston, TX, with the theme:  “This Changes Everything”.

There will be a regular 5:00 p.m worship on Saturday in the chapel.

Sunday – One worship service at 9:00 a.m. followed by conversation and refreshments in fellowship hall.

Devotions for this week:  – Mary and Martha

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, Luke 10:38-42  Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha

Monday, John 11:1-6  Lazarus reported ill

Tuesday, John 11:7-16  Death of Lazarus

Wednesday, John 11:17-27  Martha comes out to meet Jesus

Thursday,  John 11:28-37  Mary meets Jesus, Jesus weeps

Friday, John 11:38-44  Lazarus is raised

Saturday,  John 12:1-7  Dinner with Jesus and Lazarus

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

²¹Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ ²³Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ ²⁴Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ ²⁵Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live,     John 11:21-24

Mary, Martha and Lazarus are friends of Jesus, but even being close to Jesus, didn’t always know what he was up to.  But they welcomed his presence, and trusted that he would act.  We can still learn much from their example.

• These two sisters show different styles of discipleship – active service & quiet listening. When do you find time for each?
• Though their first reaction was disappointment (Lord, if you had been here our brother would not have died) they still trusted. Do we bring our doubts, fear, and trust to Jesus?

PRAY:  Gathering God,  Empower us to model the supportive presence of the community surrounding Mary, Martha and Lazarus as they suffered, grieved and celebrated. And empower us also to continue to embody your love faith to and for one another. In Jesus name. Amen

 BLESS:  May you bring your hopes and fears to Jesus.

 

 

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 9:00a.m. Combine Worship

 

Devotions for this week:  Mary & Martha

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, Luke 10:38-42 Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha

Monday, John 11:1-6 Lazarus reported ill

Tuesday, John 11:7-16 Death of Lazarus

Wednesday, John 11:17-27 Martha comes out to meet Jesus

Thursday, John 11:28-37 Mary meets Jesus, Jesus weeps

Friday, John 11:38-44 Lazarus is raised

Saturday, John 12:1-7 Dinner with Jesus and Lazarus

 

TALK: Consider some of these ideas: ²¹Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ ²³Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ ²⁴Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ ²⁵Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, John 11:21-24 Mary, Martha and Lazarus are friends of Jesus, but even being close to Jesus, didn’t always know what he was up to. But they welcomed his presence, and trusted that he would act. We can still learn much from their example.

 

• These two sisters show different styles of discipleship – active service & quiet listening. When do you find time for each?
• Though their first reaction was disappointment (Lord, if you had been here our brother would not have died) they still trusted. Do we bring our doubts, fear, and trust to Jesus?

 

PRAY: Gathering God, Empower us to model the supportive presence of the community surrounding Mary, Martha and Lazarus as they suffered, grieved and celebrated. And empower us also to continue to embody your love faith to and for one another. In Jesus name. Amen

 

BLESS: May you bring your hopes and fears to Jesus.