Come and share in the joy of our young people as they re-tell the Christmas story at ELC this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.!

As the day draws near, two women, Mary and Elizabeth, share a common bond and a mutual experience of God’s miracles on earth.  But Jesus’ presence will be a challenge to the world’s ways.  Are we ready to celebrate God’s presence in our lives?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  Modified traditional worship with Holy Communion

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship with Holy Communion

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m.  Sunday School Christmas Program

Devotions for this week:

Jesus’ Birth Announced                                               December 17-18, 2016

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: Jesus’ Birth Announced, Luke 1:26-45 [46-56]

Monday: Introduction to Luke, Luke 1:1-4

Tuesday: An Angel Tells Zechariah of John’s Birth, Luke 1:5-25

Wednesday: Mary’s Song, Luke 1:46-56

Thursday: Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:57-66

Friday: Prophecy of Zechariah, Luke 1:67-80

Saturday, Birth of Jesus (Christmas Eve), Luke 2:1-14, [15-20]

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Luke 1:46-49

What to do now? Here is Mary, unmarried, now pregnant, but with the Son of God? There’s nothing else to do but take refuge at her cousin’s, where two women share a common bond and a mutual experience of God’s miracles on earth.  Then Mary spoke on behalf of a nation united in its anticipation of something better.

• How will Jesus’ arrival change the course of human history?
• When have you had to wait for someone or something that had the potential to change your life? What did you do to prepare for its arrival?
• What can you do to help mothers-to-be prepare for the arrival of their babies? How can your community of faith support them as they raise their children?

PRAY: Nothing is impossible with you, O Lord. Gladden our hearts with your promises, and do not let us keep silent about all you have done for us. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God bless whatever you are anticipating in your life. Amen.

 

Isaiah’s words are music to an exiled Israel’s ears. Could it be that deliverance was just around the corner?  Each generation finds itself in times that seem dark, but the promise of God is that a new day is coming.  Time to put away weeping, people of God—if you only knew what goodness is coming your way! 

Worship this week: 

Saturday at 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:

The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me                              December 10-11, 2016

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: Spirit of the Lord upon Me, Isaiah 61:1-11

Monday: God Is Gracious, Isaiah 63:7-14

Tuesday: Prayer of Repentance, Isaiah 63:15-64:12

Wednesday: New Creation, Isaiah 65:17-25

Thursday: Edom’s Betrayal and Israel’s Restoration, Obadiah 1:1-21

Friday: Jerusalem’s Victory, Zechariah 12:1-13:1

Saturday: The Coming Messenger, Malachi 3:1-7

 TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11

Isaiah’s words are music to an exiled Israel’s ears. Could it be that deliverance was just around the corner? Time to put away weeping, people of God—if you only knew what goodness is coming your way!

• In what ways has creation been made new already?
• What binds you? What prevents you from being all that God has created you to be?
• What can you do this week to accept God’s freedom from the burden of your bondage?
• Who will you be, and what will you accomplish, knowing that in God you are free to live into the fullness of who God has created you to be and do?

PRAY:   You love justice and hate wrongdoing, O Lord. Plant within us this same love for what is right, that we might live it and be a beacon of your heavenly light. Through Jesus our Lord, Amen.

 BLESS: May God bless you abundantly with God’s Holy Spirit. Amen.

The prophet Joel’s vision a new future for God’s people included the promise that God’s Spirit would be poured out on all people, from young to old.  This week we learn about and celebrate the ongoing work of God’s Spirit through Laura Hermanns, who represented ELCA in Rwanda for a year through Young Adults in Global Mission. Laura will preach at all three services about the lessons we all can learn from Rwandans’ amazing ability to heal deep societal divisions. Read more about Laura’s experience abroad with YAGM in her blog entry: https://peaceonourwings.wordpress.com/

A pastor’s kid from Racine, WI, Laura Hermanns recently returned from a year of service in Rwanda with the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program. During her time in Rwanda she taught English at an ecumenical university, guided a bible study, and attempted to sing Kinyarwanda hymns in the university’s choir. She is now working as an ambassador for the YAGM program, which is one of the mission priorities of the Campaign for the ELCA. Laura plans to start the Masters of Sustainable Peacebuilding program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee next fall.

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 forum with Laura about her time in Rwanda

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Turn to a Merciful God

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: Turn to a Merciful God, Joel 2:12-13, 28-29

Monday: End of Babylonian Captivity, Ezra 1:1-11

Tuesday: Lament over the Ruined Country, Joel 1:1-12

Wednesday: Call to Repentance and God’s Response, Joel 1:13-20

Thursday: Dedication of the Temple, Ezra 6:13-22

Friday: Ezra Restores Torah as Law, Nehemiah 8:1-12

Saturday: Dedication of Jerusalem’s Wall, Nehemiah 12:27-47

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

 Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Joel 2:12-13

God desires that we turn to God. At this Christmas time, we can remember that love (for God and for others) is all that truly matters.

• How do God’s people respond to God’ deliverance?
• How is your community of faith preparing for Christmas? What difference will your preparations make in the larger community around you? What can you do to bring hope and renewal to people in need?
• What in your life requires repentance and renewal? Who in your life needs hope? How can you bring hope to those who need

PRAY: Lord, we have nothing to fear from you. Bring us back into your presence, rejoicing in your promises and basking in your mercy. Through Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God fill your days with love. Amen.

As Advent begins we hear of Daniel’s faithfulness in the face of injustice, and his rescue from the dark night of fear.  As we prepare in this season, who do we look to for hope?  How do we remain faithful to that true hope?

All are welcome to join us for worship!

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP 5:00PM

• A modified traditional worship service, generally less that 45 minutes.  We gather the smaller chapel on the Front Street side of the building

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:30 AM
Traditional Worship

• We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship, accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent  choir.

9:30 AM  Sunday School Classes

• Classes for age 3 and up are held throughout the building, while there is time for coffee and conversation in the fellowship hall.

10:30 AM
Contemporary Worship

• Led by our Praise Team we share contemporary Christian music, God’s Word and prayer in the sanctuary.

Devotions for this week:

Daniel’s Hope in God      November 27  (I Advent)

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: Daniel’s Hope in God, Daniel 6:6-27

Monday: Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream, Daniel 2:1-49

Tuesday: The Fiery Furnace, Daniel 3:1-30

Wednesday: Belshazzar’s Feast, Daniel 5:1-30

Thursday: Visions of Four Beasts, Daniel 7:1-28

Friday: Seventy Weeks, Daniel 9:20-27

Saturday: The Resurrection of the Dead, Daniel 12:1-13

TALK:   Consider some of these ideas:

Daniel then said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.” Daniel 6:21-22

King Darius is in a pickle. His friend Daniel has violated an unbreakable law, and must now face a den of lions. The powerless king spends an anxious night fasting, hoping for a miracle. What will the morning bring?

• Are there ordinances or laws that you do not find just? What can you do to live faithfully according to God’s word?
• When has God rescued you from certain demise? Did you put your faith in God before your rescue? After? How do you demonstrate faith?
• What can you do to remind yourself to pray several times a day?

 PRAY: Lord, you know the dangers that we face. Give us the wisdom to call on you always, and deliver us in our hour of need. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

BLESS:  May God strengthen you in your prayer and faith life. Amen.