Rather than try to argue or convince, Jesus invites these new disciples to come and see.   He invites them into a community of learning and serving, and let’s the power of the experience transform them, and overcome their preconceived notions.

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:

Come and See (Baptism of Our Lord), John 1:35-51
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, John 1:35-51, Jesus Says Come and See

Monday, Psalm 66:1-5, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel

Tuesday, Psalm 66:6-7, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel

Wednesday, Psalm 66:8-12, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel

Thursday, Psalm 66:13-15, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel

Friday, Psalm 66:16-19, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel

Saturday, Psalm 66:20, Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” (John 1:38-39)

 John’s proclamation begins to take hold as Jesus attracts his first followers. They are already impressed by what they see in their new leader, but they couldn’t possibly be prepared for what is to come.

• In what ways, do you abide with Jesus? How do you emulate him?
• How much time do you spend with Jesus throughout the week?
• Why did people leave everything to follow Jesus? What would I be willing to leave to follow? What would be hard to leave?

PRAY:  Holy Lord, your word is compelling and your authority apparent. Draw us to yourself, and lead us forth in faith, to follow in your servant footsteps. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:   May God abide with you, day in and day out. Amen.

Join us for a special worship time at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday as we gather to sing the carols of the season to close the year!

Devotions for this week:  

A new beginning

December 31,  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, John 1:19-34, A Voice in the Wilderness

Monday, Psalm 32:1-2, The Joy of Forgiveness

Tuesday, Psalm 32:3-4, The Joy of Forgiveness

Wednesday, Psalm 32:5, The Joy of Forgiveness

Thursday, Psalm 32:6-7, The Joy of Forgiveness

Friday, Psalm 32:8-9, The Joy of Forgiveness

Saturday, Psalm 32:10-11, The Joy of Forgiveness

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. (John 1:23)

• Who is this Messiah, this long-awaited whom John is proclaiming to anyone who will listen? Who is this one who baptizes, not with water but with the Holy Spirit? Who is it? (Hint: it’s not John.)
• There are so many competing voices in our world. In what ways do celebrities (entertainers, sports figures, politicians, etc.) compete to be heard? How does their contenting affect the rest of us? How do you know whose voice to listen to?
• Wonder: What was it like to live as a prophet in Jesus’ day? If you were a prophet today, what would you eat? What would you wear? How would you make your voice heard?

 PRAY: God who calls us, your servant John cries out in witness to Christ. May our lives also point to and proclaim the One who has delivered us and claimed us as his own. In the name of that same Jesus, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God be the loudest voice in your head. Amen.

At the time of John, the people were living in a dark world. They were occupied by Rome and their living conditions were difficult. John’s words offered the hope that there would be light in the midst of their darkness

Worship this week:

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m.  Traditional Worship with Holy Communion

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Program

Devotions for this week:

The Light Shines in the Darkness   December 17, 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, John 1:1-18, Word Made Flesh

Monday, Luke 2:1-20, Birth of Jesus

Tuesday, Luke 1:26-38, Birth of Jesus Foretold

Wednesday, Matthew 2:1-12, Wise Men

Thursday, Luke 2:21-32, Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

Friday, Luke 2:33-40, Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

Saturday, Luke 2:41-52, The Boy Jesus in the Temple

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

It all starts with a Word. Light. Promise. Savior. This is the One for whom we have waited. Our long-suffering hopes are about to be fulfilled. God created with a word, and then God’s Word became flesh.

• What is the most amazing thing you have ever created?
• What is the most important word or words you have ever spoken?
• How is Jesus God’s Word? What does that mean?

 PRAY: Loving parent, you have given us the immeasurable gift of the Word made flesh. May his light abide within us as we strain with anticipation toward the fulfillment of your promise in this holy season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God bless you with a single word. Amen.

Isaiah offers a word of invitation, and also a word of challenge. God’s Word must be spoken with tenderness and love, with power and justice, with thought and meaning. Will you let God’s words change your  world for the better?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

The Word will Accomplish God’s Purpose  December 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, Isaiah 55:1-11, Word Accomplishes God’s Purpose

Monday, Isaiah 40:1-11, God’s People Are Comforted

Tuesday, Isaiah 53:2-12, The Suffering Servant

Wednesday, Isaiah 57:14-21, A Promise of Help and Healing

Thursday, Isaiah 59:1-8, Injustice and Oppression to Be Punished

Friday, Isaiah 61:1-11, The Good News of Deliverance

Saturday, Isaiah 65:17-25, The Glorious New Creation

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

• What kinds of words do you speak?
• Are your words angry, gentle, spiteful, generous, bitter, meaningful?
• What do your words say about you?
• Just how powerful are words?

  PRAY: Spoken God, your word is life. Teach us to use it wisely and powerfully for the fulfilling of your will on earth. In the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God bless your words going out and coming in. Amen.

 

Everyone has the experience of despair and suffering at one time or another.  But God does promise new beginnings and God delivers the breath of life.  Join us for worship as we hear that word of new beginnings.

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 and Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones – December 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, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Ezekiel: Valley of Dry Bones

Monday, Ezekiel 1:1-14, The Vision of the Chariot

Tuesday, Ezekiel 1:15-28, The Vision of the Chariot

Wednesday, Ezekiel 2:1-3:11, The Vision of the Scroll

Thursday, Ezekiel 40:1-19, The Vision of the New Temple

Friday, Ezekiel 40:20-37, The Vision of the New Temple

Saturday, Ezekiel 40:38-47, The Vision of the New Temple

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

9Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” (Ezekiel 37:9)

Yet another prophet promises God’s deliverance for the exiled nation of Israel. How much longer can hey take it? Ezekiel’s vision must certainly be an illustration of a people desperate for life-giving breath.

 What vital part of you is dead or dying?

• How do you see the state of God’s people?
• What needs to happen for that part of you to be brought back to life?
• Why is there reason to hope?

PRAY: God of promise, you have never abandoned us. Strengthen our resolve and fortify our faith in the face of despair, that we might live to sing your praises another day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God breathe new life into you. Amen.