Too often we rush through our days not taking the time to acknowledge the wonder of the creation, and the even greater love that God has shown us.  We gather to express that joy and love in our worship.

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:

Psalm 100                                                                    June 11, 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 100

Monday, Psalm 103

Tuesday, Psalm 105

Wednesday, Psalm 111

Thursday, Psalm 135

Friday, Psalm 147

Saturday, Psalm 149

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

• The whole creation erupts in praise for its Creator, and we are a part of it. The time has come to rejoice in word, song, and action.
• Where do you see God working in the world? What makes you praise God?
• Did you ever wonder: What brings God joy? What is God’s favorite animal? Geography? Weather? Food? What are some of God’s other favorites? Why?
• Take 5 minutes each day this week to praise God in a unique way. Here are some ideas:
  • Sing your favorite Christmas carol,
  • Smile at someone who doesn’t expect it
  • take a photo of something beautiful
  • close your eyes, take a deep breath, and exhale a prayer of thanks

PRAY:   God of all, you are ever worthy of our praise. Show us your blessings anew and open our eyes to what has always been before us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 BLESS:   May God bless you as you praise God! Amen.

 

Pentecost, the third great festival of the church year, celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.  The coming of God’s Spirit is not just about gifts of language, or  tongues of fire, but about the way God continues to touch and bless each of our lives.   How is God’s Spirit moving in your life and our world?

Worship with Holy Communion this weekend:

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:

Pentecost                                                                       June 4, 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: Pentecost, Acts 2:1-4; Galatians 4:1-7

Monday: Paul Greets the Ephesians, Ephesians 1
Tuesday: One in Christ, Ephesians 2
Wednesday: Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles, Ephesians 3
Thursday: New Life in Christ, Ephesians 4
Friday: On Being Christian, Ephesians 5
Saturday: Put on the Armor of God, Ephesians 6

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Act 2:1-2

• How can the Word spread to the ends of the earth if its hearers can’t even understand the language? The Holy Spirit is about to take care of that.
• The Holy Spirit’s first gift was understanding through shared language.
• How does the Holy Spirit’s light explode in the new world?
• How is your life shaped by the gift of the Holy Spirit? How does it shape your behaviors, and relationships with God and others?
• What have you seen recently that has gone viral? Does it deserve its following? What have you done that you would like to go viral?
• Go online and view the top posts in your social media. Make a note of what goes viral. What do you think attracts people to the post? What does that say about what is needed in this world? Post something uplifting and see what reactions you get.

PRAY: God of fire, Your Spirit rushes in and sweeps us up in its wake. Send us forth in the fire of your inspiration, to light up the world with the witness to your unquenchable love, in the name of the Risen One, Amen.

BLESS:  The Holy Spirit lights your life. Amen.

 

Paul writes to remind the early church not to confuse their own customs with the faith we share.  God’s love is bigger than any one group, there is room for all in Jesus’ grace.

Please note change in worship schedule for summer:

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:

One in Christ                                                                    May 28, 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: One in Christ, Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29

Monday: Hagar and Sarah, Galatians 4:21-5:1
Tuesday: The Nature of Christian Freedom, Galatians 5:2-15
Wednesday: Works of the Flesh, Galatians 5:16-21
Thursday: The Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-26
Friday: Bear One Another’s Burdens, Galatians 6:1-10
Saturday: Final Words and Blessing, Galatians 6:11-18

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Paul wrote some of his most famous words to the church in Galatia, calling them out for improperly imposing Jewish customs on their Gentile members. If Paul had a time machine, what do you suppose he might say to us today?   We are one in Christ.

• How does Paul describe the community of faith?
• What stories does your community have that shape who you are as a community? What stories do you want to have shape you? What stories are ready to be laid to rest? How can you write new stories to shape who you are moving forward?
• Who do you want to get to know better? Why?
• Walk in someone’s shoes. Choose one person you love or even someone you want to know more about. Throughout the week, be aware of how the world treats that someone else based on their color, gender, size. How do you treat them?

PRAY:  God of unity and justice, you care less about our ancestry and more about the state of our hearts. Cover us with the garment of your salvation and prepare us for effective witness in your world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BLESS:  We are one in Christ. Amen

This Sunday, May 21st, at our 10:30 a.m.  Worship, we will recognize this year’s high school graduates, and join in a service of blessing for them and their parents during which they are presented with a blanket.  Join us as we add our prayers and blessings for these young people.

Today we proclaim with our words that we are saved by grace through faith. But in reality, we often assume that others’ sins are worse than our own, and that somehow we are better people.  Paul challenges us to confront the awesome grace of God in Christ.

Worship this week –

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

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – Worship through Music – Led by ELC Senior Choir

9:30 a.m. Final Day of Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion/Graduate Recognition

Devotions for this week:

Living by Faith                                                                 May 21, 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: Living by Faith, Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21

Monday: Welcome to the Galatians, Galatians 1:1-12
Tuesday: Paul Defends His Apostleship, Galatians 1:18-24
Wednesday: Paul and the Other Apostles, Galatians 2:1-10
Thursday: God’s Promise to Abraham, Galatians 3:10-18
Friday: The Purpose of the Law, Galatians 3:19-22
Saturday: Paul Reprimands the Galatians, Galatians 4:8-20

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

With power and grace Paul calls out some of the leaders on their inconsistencies, and presents himself as the classic example of someone who could not have been justified but through the grace of Jesus.  There are no good guys and no bad guys. There are just people saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• What is going on in Galatia?
• Too many churches have been notorious for assuming that we are saved by our good deeds and our refraining from sin. How might your story sound if you shared the good news that people are saved by the work of Jesus Christ apart from their good works? How might non-believers respond to such a message?
• How do you feel about the news that your salvation doesn’t depend upon what you do or fail to do? Does this sound like good news or bad to you? What might prevent you from claiming this gift of justification and salvation? How can you begin to let go of your reservations?

PRAY:  God of life,  We all stand condemned, but for your grace, O God. Foster in us such love for your word that we cannot help but proclaim it freely and openly to all, in the name of your son Jesus. Amen.

BLESS:  God says:  You are good, in Jesus’ name. Amen.