Paul encouraged people to gird themselves with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and God’s word — not with the armor and weapons of earthly armies.  What might our world look like if we were to equip ourselves with these life-giving attributes?

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

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:

Put on the Armor of God                                          August 6, 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, Ephesians 6:10-20, Put on the Armor of God

Monday, Ephesians 5:25-29, The Christian Household

Tuesday, Ephesians 5:30-33, The Christian Household

Wednesday, Ephesians 6:1-4, Children and Parents

Thursday, Ephesians 6:5-9, Slaves and Masters

Friday, Ephesians 6:21-22, Closing

Saturday, Ephesians 6:23-24, Blessing

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

 God’s armor doesn’t look like ours. It is comprised of truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and proclamation. It’s not designed to protect against the dangers of combat, but rather the forces that seek to destroy humanity.

 What spiritual armor do you wear already?

• What spiritual gifts do you still need to work on? (Truth, righteousness, faith, etc.)
• Wonder: What would happen if you approached your greatest enemy with love and acceptance?

 PRAY: Mighty God, your weapons are spiritual and your armor is truth. Teach us not to be defensive, but to stand in the strength of your Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

BLESS:  May God clothe you with spiritual armor. Amen.

 

We celebrate God’s goodness with a hymn sing this week.  Join us as we share favorite hymns at 5:00 p.m. Saturday or 9:00 a.m. Sunday.

Devotions for this week:

Sing God’s Praise – Psalm 150                                                July 30, 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, Psalm 150

Monday, Psalm 2

Tuesday, Psalm 22

Wednesday, Psalm 25

Thursday, Psalm 50

Friday, Psalm 106

Saturday, Psalm 119

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

(Psalm 150:6)

• Imagine handing out instruments to a roomful of children, and what the sound would be like. The psalmist encourages us to praise God with every note, every breath, in every corner of creation.
• Tell of a time you were so happy, you danced.
• Wonder: What makes God dance? What is God’s favorite musical instrument? Why?
• Do: Make music. Dig out an old musical instrument, or make one. Remember a favorite hymn or song. Play along to your favorite song or make up your own song of praise.

 PRAY:   God in whom we praise, there is no place on earth or in heaven where our praise cannot reach you. Receive the offering of our hearts, and join our voices in one hymn of thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God fill you with music. Amen.

It is now no longer enough simply to sit back and marvel at God’s gift of grace offered freely to all; the time has come to listen hard to the Spirit calling us to use our unique gifts for the good of the community.  What impact is your life having in response to God’s great love?

Worship this week:  (All Services in air-conditioned fellowship hall)

Saturday  – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

10:30 a.m.  Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

Unity in Christ, Ephesians 4:1-16                     July 23, 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, Ephesians 4:1-16, Unity in Christ

Monday, Ephesians 4:17-24, Old to New Life

Tuesday, Ephesians 4:25 –5:2, Rules for the New Life

Wednesday, Ephesians 5:3-5:5, Renounce Old Ways

Thursday, Ephesians 5:6-14, Renounce Old Ways

Friday, Ephesians 5:15-20, Renounce Old Ways

Saturday, Ephesians 5:21-24, The Christian Household

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

• It is now no longer enough simply to sit back and marvel at God’s gift of grace offered freely to all; the time has come to listen hard to the Spirit calling us to use our unique gifts for the good of the community. Game on!
• What gifts do you bring to the body of Christ? (What are you good at?)
• Wonder: What drives or motivates people who are vastly different from yourself? How different are they, really?

 PRAY:  God of unity, you have brought us together for a purpose. Show us each the way in which we might use our unique gifts in service to all. In Christ’s name, we pray, Amen.

BLESS:  May God use your gifts well. Amen..

The Ephesians are told that the age-old divisions of culture and religion no longer exist, for Jesus has made such distinctions irrelevant.   Are these new Christians up to the challenge?  Are we?

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  an abbreviated traditional worship

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m.  Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

One in Christ, Ephesians 2:11-22                                 July 16, 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, Ephesians 2:11-22, One in Christ

Monday, Ephesians 3:1-6, Paul’s Ministry

Tuesday, Ephesians 3:7-12, Paul’s Ministry

Wednesday, Ephesians 3:13, Paul’s Prayer

Thursday, Ephesians 3:14-15, Paul’s Prayer

Friday, Ephesians 3:16-19, Paul’s Prayer

Saturday, Ephesians 3:20-22, Paul’s Prayer

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

17So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:17-18)

• The believers in Ephesus are given a monumental task: to live as though the age-old divisions of culture and religion no longer exist, for Jesus has made such distinctions irrelevant. Are these new Christians up to the challenge?
• What kinds of people are you most afraid of, or do you dislike the most? Why? What could you do to understand them better?
• Wonder: Who might God dislike? Why?
• Do: Learn three new facts about someone or a group that you dislike. Does growing in understanding help you move from hate to love?

PRAY:  One true God, we are your dwelling place. Brought close to you by grace, may we reflect the unity which ours in Christ, in the Church and in the world. Amen.

 BLESS:  May God make us all one in Christ. Amen.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians lays out the relationship we can have with God, and the relationship people can have for one another. We are privileged to be heirs by God’s grace, and ought to share that joy with others.

Worship this week:

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:

Spiritual Blessings, Ephesians 1:1-14                                       July 9, 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, Ephesians 1:1-14, Spiritual Blessings

Monday, Ephesians 1:15-19, Paul’s Prayer

Tuesday, Ephesians 1:20-23, Paul’s Prayer

Wednesday, Ephesians 2:1-3, Dying to Living

Thursday, Ephesians 2:4-10, Dying to Living

Friday, Philippians 1:3-11, Paul’s Prayer

Saturday, Philippians 2:1-11Imitating Christ’s Humility

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. (Ephesians 1:3-4)

• The letter to the Ephesians begins with a dramatic description of God’s extravagant generosity. They may not have been born into the faith, but as adopted children they—and we—have been blessed beyond measure.
• Tell of a time you felt like a child in need of a loving parent. Who did you turn to? What did you do to get your needs met?
• Wonder: Does God ever feel more like being the crazy aunt than the parent? What role is God’s favorite? Why?
• Do: Call the people closest to you and let them know how valuable they are to you.

PRAY:   God of spirit, we are yours because you have said we are. Guide us to live as full inheritors of your grace and joyful proclaimers of your promises to all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:   May God love you as God’s most beloved child. Amen.