The God of enslaved Israel is about to make good on an ancient promise, and has a special job for his servant Moses. This would-be hero, however, is less than enthusiastic.  God still calls us to speak God’s Word of freedom, forgiveness, and healing.  How will you answer God’s call?

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

No 10:30 a.m. Worship this week — God’s Work/Our Hands volunteer projects.

Devotions for this week:

God’s Name Is Revealed, Exodus 2:23-25; 3:10-15; 4:10-17
October 1, 2017

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READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Exodus 2:23-25; 3:10-15; 4:10-17, God’s Name Is Revealed

Monday, Exodus 6:28-7:7, Moses and Aaron Obey God’s Commands

Tuesday, Exodus 12:1-13, The First Passover

Wednesday, Exodus 12:29-42, Death of the Firstborn

Thursday, Exodus 13:17-22, The Pillars of Cloud and Fire

Friday, Exodus 14:1-25, Crossing the Red Sea

Saturday, Exodus 14:26-31, Pursuers Drowned

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:13-14)

The God of enslaved Israel is about to make good on an ancient promise, and has a special job for his servant Moses. This would-be hero, however, is less than enthusiastic.

• Tell of a time you had to wait a really long time for an answer from God. What happened when the answer finally came?
• If you are still waiting, what answer are you hoping for?
• How do you respond to God’s call to intercede for God’s children in a time of need?
• Are we willing to speak up, even if it puts us at risk?

 PRAY: Holy God, your promises stand fast forever. Make us bold to trust where you lead, and put our unfailing hope in your faithfulness. In the name of Jesus, Amen

BLESS:  May God answer your prayers. Amen.

Tired, alone, and away from the divided family he had left behind, Jacob encounters the promise of God’s continuing presence, even though he was a deeply flawed human being.  Where is God coming to reach you today?  Will you be aware of God’s presence?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

Jacob’s Dream, Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17
September 24, 2017

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READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17, Jacob’s Dream

Monday, Genesis 27:30-40, Esau’s Lost Blessing

Tuesday, Genesis 27:41-28:5, Jacob Escapes

Wednesday, Genesis 28:6-9, Esau Marries Ishmael’s Daughter

Thursday, Genesis 29:1-14, Jacob Meets Rachel

Friday, Genesis 29:15-35, Jacob Marries Laban’s Daughters

Saturday, Genesis 30:1-24, Rachel’s Jealousy

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. (Genesis 28:13)

With a little help from Mom (and some hairy goats), Jacob cheats his older brother out of his blessing. But is he prepared for the overwhelming responsibility that comes with the gifts of God

• Tell of a time you have tried to force God’s hand.
• What could you do to give control over some aspect of your life to God?
• Wonder: Why were angels climbing up and down the ladder? What were angels doing on the earth?

PRAY: Great God, you have offered us the richness of your blessings. Make us worthy to be the bearers of your life-giving word to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God give you God’s best blessing. Amen

All that we have, even our own lives and those of the ones most dear to us, belong ultimately to God, who gave them to us in the first place. The story of Abraham and Isaac assures us that God will provide, that God will be present.   But the next question for us is:  “How do we deal the gifts entrusted to us?”

Worship with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m Sunday School

10:30 a.m.  Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Binding of Isaac, Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14
September 17, 2017

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READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Sunday, Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14, Binding of Isaac

Monday, Genesis 24:1-27, Choosing of Rebekah

Tuesday, Genesis 24:28-49, Choosing of Rebekah

Wednesday, Genesis 24:50-67, Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah

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

Friday, Genesis 25:29-34, Esau Sells His Birthright

Saturday, Genesis 26:1-33, Isaac and Abimelech

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

[God] said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” (Genesis 22:2)

Wood, fire, and knife. Father and son have all the elements required for their sacrifice to God. All but an animal to be offered, that is. Who could imagine the degree to which Abraham’s faith is about to be tested?

• How does this story make you feel?
• What do you think is the point of the story?
• When have you experienced life testing you beyond what you thought you could handle?
• Wonder: Do you think God understood Abraham’s grief when God lost Jesus to crucifixion?

 PRAY: Faithful God, you do not bestow gifts only to take them away again. Train our eyes and hearts upon your steadfastness, so that we also might be found faithful to your covenant. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless you when life tests you. Amen.

The creation story models a healthy perspective for ourselves and for our relationships.  It reminds of the wonder of creation, and the need for rest.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship in Chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Creation by the Word, Genesis 1:1—2:4a                 September 10, 2017

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, Genesis 1:1—2:4a, Creation by the Word

Monday, Genesis 2:4b-25, A Second Account of Creation

Tuesday, Genesis 3:1-13, The First Sin

Wednesday, Genesis 3:14-24, Punishment

Thursday, Genesis 4:1-16, Cain Murders Abel

Friday, Genesis 4:1-26, Beginnings of Civilization

Saturday, Genesis 18:1-15, A Son Promised to Abraham and Sarah

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.     (Genesis 1:1-2)

God is hard at work crafting each aspect of the universe, sparing no detail. But even the Almighty Creator takes time to rest. What does it mean for God to be the beginning and the end?

• What does it mean that you are created in God’s image?
• What about yourself reminds you of God?
• Wonder: What is God’s favorite thing that God created?

 PRAY: Beloved Creator, everything in heaven and earth bears your signature. May we ever rejoice that you have made us, and that you have made us your own, through the loving-kindness of Jesus our Savior. Amen.

 

BLESS:   May God continue to create and re-create you each day. Amen.

The Bible’s story concludes with a vision of the new creation that God has kept for us. Death and destruction will never have the final word, not as long as our God is the beginning and end of all things.  All creation is made new!!

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:  Alpha and Omega, Revelation 21:1-6; 22:1-5
September 3, 2017

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, Revelation 21:1-6, 22:1-5, Alpha and Omega

Monday, Revelation 17, Woman and Beast

Tuesday, Revelation 18, Fall of Babylon

Wednesday, Revelation 19, Rejoicing in Heaven

Thursday, Revelation 20, A Thousand Years

Friday, Revelation 21:7-27, A New Jerusalem

Saturday, Revelation 22:6-21, Closing

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. (Revelation 21:6)

Finally, we have a vision of the new creation that God has kept for us. Death and destruction will never have the final word, not as long as our God is the beginning and end of all things.

• What does it mean for God to be the beginning and the end?
• Is there anything that exists outside the realm of God?
• What about the devil? Does the devil exist outside the realm of God?
• Wonder: If God exists outside of time, how can God be the beginning and the end?

PRAY: Faithful God, when all has passed away, you remain. May our hearts be glad and our hope restored, that we might live each day to the praise of your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May you live within the realm of God, the beginning and the end. Amen.