Isaiah speaks a bold promise of a new day, a new light to those whose world was very dark.  Darkness still invades our world in many ways, but the promise of light and love is stronger yet.  Join us this week as we proclaim that promise

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

Devotions for this week:

A Child is Born — Isaiah 9:1-7   November 19,  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 9:1-7, Isaiah: A Child Is Born

Monday, Isaiah 11:1-9, The Peaceful Kingdom

Tuesday, Isaiah 22:1-14, A Warning of Destruction of Jerusalem,

Wednesday, Isaiah 25:1-12, Praise for Deliverance from Oppression

Thursday, Isaiah 27:1-11, Israel’s Redemption

Friday, Isaiah 30:8-17, A Rebellious People

Saturday, Isaiah 32:16-20, The Peace of God’s Reign

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

 Isaiah’s glowing prophecy may sound like an impossible fantasy for a people under so many years of oppression. But no matter how long the wait, God never breaks a promise.

• What does your name say about you?
• What do your nicknames say about you?
• What do these names for Jesus say about Jesus?
• Wonder: What name/s would Jesus take on today? How would these names effect change in the world?

PRAY: O God of all ages, you have never forgotten us. Renew in us your vision of your people restored, and fire us up to bring about your will on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God call you by name. Amen.

 

Amos chastises the people for empty words and rituals, but it is not our rituals that God despises, it is the giving up of the hope that we can contribute to making this world more like the world God intended – a world where God’s justice and compassion are lived out.

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

Let Justice Roll Down – Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24  –  November 12, 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, Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24, Amos: Justice Rolls Down

Monday, Amos 3:1-8, Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

Tuesday, Amos 5:18-20, The Day of the Lord a Dark Day

Wednesday, Amos 6:1-8, Complacent Self-Indulgent Punished

Thursday, Amos 6:9-14, Complacent Self-Indulgent Punished

Friday, Amos 7:1-9, Locusts, Fire, and a Plumb Line

Saturday, Amos 9:22-25, The Restoration of David’s Kingdom

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (Amos 5:24)

 Amos brings a sobering testimony to the people. We can make a show of loving what is good, but in the end all God cares about is if we actually worked to bring about justice.

• Where do you see the greatest inequities in your community?
• What can you do to make your world more just?
• How does one person become a crowd, a crowd become a movement, movement become change?

 PRAY: God of mercy, your vision of justice for all is at the center of our faith. Clear our eyes to see it newly as something worth striving for, as messy and difficult as it may be. Renew our zeal for your gospel for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 BLESS:  May God wash you with a spirit of justice. Amen.

We gather as one family in faith this week, with both traditional and contemporary music, to worship our Lord, celebrate Holy Communion, and give thanks to God for the lives and witness of those who have shared the light of Christ’s love in our lives.

Worship with Holy Communion this weekend:

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Combined worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:00 a.m.  Annual meeting of the congregation

Devotions for this week:

All Saints’ Sunday  —  November 5, 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 7:9-17, The host of heaven

Monday ,1 Kings 19:1-18, God Speaks to Elijah

Tuesday, 2 Kings 2:1-12, Elijah Ascends to Heaven

Wednesday, 2 Kings 2:13-18, Elisha Succeeds Elijah

Thursday 2 Kings 2:19-25, Elisha Performs Miracles

Friday, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Elisha and the Widow’s Oil

Saturday, 2 Kings 5:1-19, Elisha Heals Naaman

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

1 See what love the Father has given us,  that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.    1 John 3:1-3

We are made saints by God’s calling of us, not because we gave accomplished great things.  We are blessed by the witness of God’s people of all times – prophets, priests, servants, apostle’s, and so many more. 

• Who, in the history of the faith, and your own life experience, has helped to form your faith and reassure you of God’s promise?
• Who are you a witness to?

 PRAY:  O God, the generations rise and pass away before you.  We rejoice in the company of your saints.  We remember all who have lived in faith, all who have peacefully died, and especially those most dear to us who rest in you.  Give us in time our portion with those who have trusted in you and have striven to do your holy will.  In Jesus name.  Amen

 BLESS:  May God strengthen your faith, and your witness.   Amen.

This weekend we commemorate the events which led to the Reformation of the Church.  Martin Luther began to ask about our standing as the forgiven people of God in Jesus Christ.  His proclamation of salvation by God’s grace led him to stand in opposition to the powers of his day.   How about us?  We lay claim to that same promise of salvation, but where will we stand as Christ’s witnesses among the  powers of our day?

Join us this weekend for worship:

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 with rite of Confirmation

Devotions for this week: 

Reformation Sunday/Confirmation Day   October 28-29, 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, Jeremiah 31:31-34  God makes a new covenant

Monday, Psalm 46,  “A mighty fortress”

Tuesday, Romans 1:16-17, the righteous shall live by faith

Wednesday, Romans 3:21-27 justified by faith

Thursday, Ephesians 2:4-10 not by works

Friday, John 8:31-36  Freedom

Saturday, Romans 8:37-39  Nothing can separate us

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”  John 8:31-32

 Martin Luther’s reading of scripture brought a new emphasis on the powerful grace of God in Christ Jesus.  This forgiveness comes as a gift, not of our deserving.  How does that good news change our lives?

 Have you ever been discouraged by your own ability to change?

• Have you ever felt imprisoned by forces that seem to control your future? Do you feel that you can’t meet the expectations of God, others, yourself?
• What does freedom from obligation do to your outlook?
• Can you forgive others as you have been forgiven?

PRAY: Here we stand with those who reformed the church so long ago, and with those who still are reforming the church today. Here we stand witnesses to your good news for all.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God set you free to be who God made you to be!

     David would not have been the first choice among humans, but God did not see only physical appearance. God looked in David’s heart and saw qualities that would make David a great king.  Remember God sees beyond the judgements of the world and calls us to be God’s people.

Worship this week:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship 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:

God Calls David, 1 Samuel 16:1-13                              October 22, 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, 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 51:10-14, God Calls David

Monday, 1 Samuel 17:1-11, Goliath

Tuesday, 1 Samuel 17:12-23, David Visits His Brothers

Wednesday, 1 Samuel 17:31-40, David Prepares for Battle

Thursday, 1 Samuel 17:41-54, David Slays Goliath

Friday, 1 Kings 1:28-31, Solomon Becomes King

Saturday, 1 Kings 3:3-15, Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” (1 Samuel 16:12)

Samuel has the weighty task of choosing Israel’s next king from among Jesse’s many impressive sons. But God—as usual—has a surprise at hand.

• What leadership qualities do you possess? (Everyone has some.)
• What other gifts has God given you? How can you use your gifts to do God’s work in the world?
• Wonder: What did God see in David? How did David’s brothers feel about being passed up for the kingship?

PRAY: Accepting God, you have chosen the least likely for your special purposes. Show us how you work in unexpected ways to carry out your will for the world which you have made. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God choose you just for who you are. Amen.