Each time we utter the words “Your kingdom come” we are not simply looking ahead to the end of days, but asking that we might also live here and now with God, each other, and the whole creation in a way which reflects God’s loving design.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

7:00 p.m. – Music on the lawn

Devotions for this week:

Your Kingdom Come                                                August 20-21, 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, Luke 11:2-4, Your Kingdom Come

Monday, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, God’s Covenant with David

Tuesday, Matthew 3:1-12, The Proclamation of John the Baptist

Wednesday, Mark 1:9-15, The Baptism of Jesus

Thursday, Luke 4:42-44, Jesus Preaches in the Synagogues

Friday, John 3:1-21, Nicodemus Visits Jesus

Saturday, Romans 14:13-23, Do Not Make Another Stumble

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

[Jesus said,] “Your kingdom come.” Luke 11:2b

• What do these texts say about God’s kingdom?
• What does it mean for God’s kingdom to come here to earth? God’s kingdom occurs on earth any time people are doing God’s work and loving one another. How can you help bring about God’s kingdom?
• Tell a story of a time you knew you were living in God’s kingdom.
• Do something this week to heal the earth, which is God’s kingdom. Use less fuel, less water, or plant a tree. Or clean a closet and donate items to an organization that recycles, reuses, or reduces. Be creative!

PRAY:  Loving God, your kingdom is anywhere your vision for creation is fulfilled. Bring this same vision into focus before our own eyes, that you might live through us, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BLESS:  May God create God’s kingdom on earth. Amen.

For the next four weeks we’ll be considering Jesus’ teaching on prayer.  As he begins teaching the disciples Jesus invites us to stand before the holy and address the sacred as we would address our loving parent.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel  (modified traditional)

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

Father, Hallowed be Your Name                              August 13-14, 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, Luke 11:2-4, Father, Hallowed Be Your Name

Monday, Genesis 32:22-32, Jacob Wrestles with God

Tuesday, Exodus 3:13-15, The Great I Am

Wednesday, Exodus 20:1-17, The Ten Commandments

Thursday, Matthew 28:16-20, The Sending of the Disciples

Friday, John 16:16-24, Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

Saturday, Philippians 2:5-11, Servant Song

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name.” Luke 11:2a

• What do these texts say about God’s name?
• What power does a name hold? Does it matter what we call God? Why or why not? Does it matter what we call others? Why or why not?
• Tell a story of a time someone called you a name. How did you feel? How did it shape the way you treat others?
• Keep a journal with you throughout the week. Write down all the times you call someone a name, even if only in your head. At the end of the week, consider how you might change your perspective so that the name-calling and labeling might be lessened.

PRAY:  God of love, you open your arms to your children and love to hear us call your name. Give us words that honor and build up, to your glory and that of your Son Jesus, who taught us how to pray. Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless you with a holy name. Amen.

Job’s suffering had isolated him from God and his community.  Now we a renewed sense of wonder for all that God has done, Job is also reconnected with his friends, and the road to recovery is possible.

Join us for 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:

Job is Restored                                                          August 6-7,  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, Job 42:7-17, Job Is Restored

Monday, Job 36-37, Elihu Exalts God’s Goodness

Tuesday, Job 38, The Lord Answers Job

Wednesday, Job 39, The Lord Answers Job

Thursday, Job 40, Job’s Response and God’s Challenge

Friday, Job 41, God’s Challenge

Saturday, Job 42, Job is Restored

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

• How does God challenge Job? What is Job’s response?
• What does Job’s restoration say about God? How do you explain suffering that does not end in the same way Job’s suffering ended?
• Tell a story of a time you were restored from suffering. Tell of a time you or someone you loved were not restored. Consider a time when someone you loved or trusted steered you wrong. Write the situation on a piece of paper. Say a prayer on behalf of the person. Burn the paper (safely) and let the situation go. Resist the temptation to demand an apology. Burn your resentment with the paper. Let it go.

PRAY:  Lord, you are ultimately merciful and always provide a way for reconciliation. Continue to restore us, and bring us into closer relationship with you, our Creator. Amen.

BLESS:  May God restore you to wholeness and health. Amen.

Job’s suffering ends, not when God restores to him what has been lost, but when Job came to understand his place in the world.  Acceptance is one of the most difficult life lessons to learn, and it is an ongoing lesson.

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – One worship at 9:00 a.m.

 

Devotions for this week:

The Lord Challenges Job                                            July 31, 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, Job 38:25-27; 41:1-8; 42:1-6, The Lord Challenges Job

Monday, Job 29-30, Job’s Defense

Tuesday, Job 31, Job’s Defense

Wednesday, Job 32, Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends

Thursday, Job 33, Elihu Rebukes Job

Friday, Job 34, Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice

Saturday, Job 35, Elihu Condemns Self-Righteousness

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook, or press down its tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in its nose, or pierce its jaw with a hook?” Job 41:1-2

Job’s journey has been long and wearying. He begins to see the whole of it from his limited perspective, and is led to repent for his impulsive words.

• What does Elihu say about the question of suffering?
• What do you think about God’s response to Job? Is God’s response or attitude consistent with what you know about God?
• Tell a story of a time you were humbled by God’s response to your prayers.
•  

  Watch the news each night this week. Write down two or three stories that seem too big for humanity to fix or heal. Pray for those situations, that God will intervene where humans are too small.

  PRAY:  Long suffering God, your ears are always open to your children. We implore you to hear us with patience and correct us with compassion, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

  BLESS: May God remind you that, although you are small, God is big. Amen.

After Job has cried out in pain, lament, and anger, God speaks and shows Job a different perspective. 

All Worship gatherings this weekend will be in the (air conditioned) fellowship hall.

Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:00 a.m. – Special meeting of the congregation

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

The Lord Responds to Job                                         July 24, 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, Job 31:35-37, 38:1-11, The Lord Responds to Job

Monday, Job 21, Job Replies

Tuesday, Job 22, Eliphaz Speaks

Wednesday, Job 23-24, Job Replies

Thursday, Job 25, Bildad Speaks

Friday, Job 26-27, Job Replies

Saturday, Job 28, Where Wisdom Is Found

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” Job 38:4-5

At last, God answers Job’s challenge and replies. It might not be the response Job was looking for. It’s time to bring some perspective to the whole situation; of what significance are humans in the vast space of the cosmos?

• Does God answer prayer? Why or why not?
• Tell a story of a time you prayed and God did not respond the way you hoped God would.
• Listen for God this week. Keep a small notebook, journal, or sketchpad with you. Write or draw each time you find evidence of God’s presence or God’s answer to prayers.

PRAY:  Almighty God, you stretched the heavens and harnessed the seas. Regard us, your creatures, with mercy and incline your ear to our feeble cries, for the sake of Jesus who loves us. Amen.

BLESS:  May God show you the many ways God responds to your prayers. Amen.