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.

Today’s psalm reminds us that, despite our faithlessness to God, God continues to be faithful to us. God has the power to turn sorrow into joy.

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Psalm 30                                                                                     July 2, 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 30

Monday, Psalm 34

Tuesday, Psalm 40

Wednesday, Psalm 57

Thursday, Psalm 66

Friday, Psalm 116

Saturday, Psalm 138

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

2O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

3O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. (Psalm 30:2-3)

• The praise of a soul lifted up from despair cannot be silenced. The psalmist knows deep grief; thanksgiving for deliverance from that grief is deeper still.
• Tell of a time you felt God restored you from grief or illness. How did it feel when you were grieved or sick? How did it feel to be restored?
• Wonder: If sadness was a place, what would it look like?
• Do: Reach out to someone who has recently experienced a loss. Bring a meal or offer a listening ear.

PRAY: God of life, you have the power to bring us up even from the depths of death. Dry our tears and lift our heads to the light of your healing love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

BLESS:  May God restore you to wholeness. Amen.

  Today’s psalm is an expression of ultimate trust. We do not know what perils may lie ahead. But we do know our shepherd, who guides and protects us.  What could our lives look like if we could live free of worry, fear, and always wanting for something more?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 9:00 a.m. Combined worship (Followed by special meeting of the congregation)

Devotions for this week:

Psalm 23                                                                     June 25, 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 23

Monday, Psalm 11

Tuesday, Psalm 16

Wednesday, Psalm 46

Thursday, Psalm 52

Friday, Psalm 121

Saturday, Psalm 131

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

• Today’s psalm is an expression of ultimate trust. We do not know what perils may lie ahead. But we do know our shepherd, who guides and protects us.
• “The Lord is my shepherd.” What other images for God speak to you? (Rock, friend, parent, lifeline, breath) Why?
• Wonder: What does God love about sheep?
• What does God love about you?
• Think of something you have been reluctant to turn over to God. (A relationship, a struggle, control) Make a decision every day this week to let God handle it without your help.

 PRAY:  Loving God, you see the dangers ahead long before we could imagine them. Keep our eyes trained on the path, following in your trustworthy footsteps, by the grace of your spirit. Amen.

 BLESS:  May God guide and protect you in all that you do. Amen.

This week’s Psalm is a cry for help.  These psalms give expression to the deepest moments of human pain. But they do so in a way which claims the promise of God’s presence in the midst of our suffering and also the promise that the God-who-is-with-us will preserve us from evil and bring us to a new day.

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:

Psalm 13                                                                      June 18, 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 13

Monday, Psalm 3

Tuesday, Psalm 51

Wednesday, Psalm 69

Thursday, Psalm 90

Friday, Psalm 102

Saturday, Psalm 140

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)

• We come to God in times of suffering, seeking relief, seeking light, seeking answers. And God hears it all, without judging or abandoning us.
• Tell of a time you had to trust someone, even though it was hard. How did it turn out?
• What makes trusting difficult?
• What makes trusting rewarding?
• Wonder: Does God trust me? Why or why not?
• Keep a photo journal this week of all the places you see God. Post the photos to your social media, #GodSightings.

 PRAY:  Holy Lord, all things come from you, and all things might be found in you. Open our eyes, O God, that we might know your presence and trust once more in your steadfast love. Amen.

 BLESS:  May God show God’s trustworthiness to you. Amen.