Amid all the noise of each day, God still calls people to speak, act, and live in ways which proclaim God’s love and justice.  These tasks may not be easy, but God’s Spirit empowers us to persevere in these tasks.  The real question may be, are we listening to God’s voice, or do we give in to less worthwhile noise?

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 and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

God Calls Samuel, 1 Samuel 3:1-21          October 15, 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 3:1-21, God Calls Samuel

Monday, 1 Samuel 4:1-11, The Ark of God Captured

Tuesday, 1 Samuel 5:1-12, Philistines and the Ark

Wednesday, 1 Samuel 6:1-16, The Ark Returned

Thursday, 1 Samuel 8:1-18, Israel Demands a King

Friday, 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8, Samuel Anoints Saul as King

Saturday, 1 Samuel 15:10-34, Saul Rejected as King

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

                                                                       (1 Samuel 3:10)

It takes several tries before young Samuel realizes that the One calling him in the night is God, rather than his master Eli. But delivering the message will prove even trickier.

• Tell of a time God called you to do something you were reluctant to do. (When was it hard to do the right thing?)
• How did you find the courage to do it?
• Wonder: How would your 11-year-old self have responded to a call by God?

PRAY: God who call us, your call comes often when we do not expect it. Incline our ears to hear what you are saying, and grant us courage to do what you ask. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God grant you courage to come when called. Amen

 

God promises that there will be enough for each day.   Like the people of Israel, we need to open our eyes to the good things God provides each day.  Too often  we struggle with  the concept of ‘enough’.  We are given enough, and we are enough, by God’s grace!

Worship this weekend:

Saturday  – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. traditional worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and fellowship hour

10:30 a.m. contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

God Provides Manna, Exodus 16:1-18         October 8, 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, Exodus 16:1-18, God Provides Manna

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

Tuesday, Exodus 20:1-21, The Ten Commandments

Wednesday, Exodus 25:10-22, The Ark of the Covenant

Thursday, Exodus 32:1-35, The Golden Calf

Friday, 1 Samuel 1:1-28, Samuel’s Birth and Dedication

Saturday, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hannah’s Prayer

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

 “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”                                                                 (Exodus 16:12)

God has looked after the Israelites as a loving parent would: first showing them the way out of slavery, then feeding and guiding them through the wilderness. And the people respond with all the gratitude of petulant children.

• How, when, and with whom do you eat? Tell about your favorite mealtime experiences, and how food brought you together.
• How many different ways could the Israelites have prepared manna and quail? What would you hope to eat if you were starving?

PRAY: Giving Lord, you have been generous beyond measure to your children. Open our hearts in gratitude for all that we have received, that we might give you the praise and honor befitting your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God provide for your every need. Amen.

 

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

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, 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

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 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

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 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.