Please note special worship schedule for Sunday – One worship service (with traditional music)  at 10:00 a.m.

This week we will share in theme of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin’s Assembly:  “The Open Table — Always room for one more!”.

As we worship we’ll be asked to consider:  “Who first invited you into the fellowship of Christ’s church?  Who isn’t represented in our gathering?  How can we invite and include those who might be left out?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 10:00 a.m. with traditional music in the sanctuary.

Devotions for this week:

Introduction to the Psalms                                               May 30-31, 2015

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.  — Psalm 1:1-2

In this instructional psalm the Lord makes a clear distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous. Those who do not follow in God’s ways do not find happiness, while those who meditate on God’s law day and night find peace and contentment.

These wisdom psalms describe the life of righteousness and unrighteousness.

Sunday, Psalm 1, Introduction to the Psalms

Monday, Psalm 14, Instructional/Wisdom Psalm

Tuesday, Psalm 19, Instructional/Wisdom Psalm

Wednesday, Psalm 53, Instructional/Wisdom Psalm

Thursday, Psalm 90, Instructional/Wisdom Psalm

Friday, Psalm 119, Instructional/Wisdom Psalm

Saturday, Psalm 128, Instructional/Wisdom Psalm

• How do these psalms view the laws of God? Are God’s laws good news or bad news? Why?
• What might this world look like if people took God’s laws seriously?
• Which of God’s laws is hardest for you to follow? Why? What could you do to make a change in your behavior?

Make a routine of reading the psalms by yourself or with your household. Pick one thing from a psalm each day to work on for that day.

Close your devotion with a blessing. Bless yourself or other members of your household.–May God bless you with wisdom and delight. Amen.

 

Especially when times are hard we have the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to remind us that there is something greater than our suffering – salvation through God’s love in Christ.  Come celebrate the great festival of Pentecost.  The color of the day is red, so bring out your brightest red clothes to fill the house this Sunday.

Worship this week with Holy Communion

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. — Traditional worship

10:30 a.m. — Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week:

Pentecost                               May 24, 2015, Acts 2:1-4; Romans 8:18-39

 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.                 Romans 8:38-39

 On this Pentecost we celebrate the Holy Spirit that is God’s presence with us. In the midst of suffering, it is God’s Holy Spirit that “intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Despite human suffering, there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love. This love gives us hope that we can endure any suffering, knowing that we are not alone.

 Follow the book of Romans, as Paul explains humanity’s relationship with God’s righteousness.

Sunday, Acts 2:1-4, Pentecost

Monday, Romans 8:18-39, Pentecost

Tuesday, Romans 14:1-12, Do Not Judge Another

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

Thursday, Romans 15:1-13, Gospel for All

Friday, Romans 15:14-21, Paul’s Reason for Writing So Boldly

Saturday, Romans 15:22-33, Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

 What were Paul’s next plans?

• In light of God’s promises, how do you make sense of the times in life when God’s presence seems terribly far away? How do you make sense of evil?
• How do others know you are a child of God?

Do: In honor of Pentecost, light a fire (safely, in a fireplace or outdoor fire pit). As the wood burns, consider how God’s Holy Spirit is like the fire. How can you use the image to shape your behaviors this week as someone who can never be separated from God’s love?

Bless: God of the nations, speak to us in words that change our lives. We long for your Spirit in vibrant new expressions. Amen.

This Sunday at 10:30 a.m. will we have a special worship with our high school graduates and families.  We send them into the world with a special blanket and blessing.  Come share their joy and lend your blessing and prayers!

       Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the musical gifts of the ELC Senior Choir as they lead ‘Worship Through Music’ this Sunday, May 17h,  8:30 a.m. at ELC.   The choir, under the direction of Diane Dangerfield, will provide a variety of choral numbers, along with congregational singing as we praise God in this very special worship event.

We are all, like Paul, called to be saints.   Not because we excel in doing good, but because God has loved and forgiven us.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School / New member orientation

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for the week:

Gospel as Salvation                                   May 3, 2015, Romans 1:1-17

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

 Even though Christians understand that we are saved by faith and not by works of the law, it is still tempting to believe that we go to heaven because we are good, not because God is good. We often want to believe others may not go to heaven because they are bad. But our world is not made up of such absolutes. God saves not based on our goodness or badness. God saves because of God’s goodness. Salvation is ours because we have a righteous God. Salvation is ours by faith through God’s grace.

 Follow the book of Romans, as Paul explains humanity’s relationship with God’s righteousness.

Sunday, Romans 1:1-17, Gospel as Salvation

Monday, Matthew 9:10-13, Call of Matthew

Tuesday, Romans 2:17-3:8, The Jews and the Law

Wednesday, Romans 3:9-20, None Is Righteous

Thursday, Romans 3:21-31, Righteousness through Faith

Friday, Romans 4:1-12, The Example of Abraham

Saturday, Romans 4:13-25, God’s Promise Realized through Faith

 What is Paul’s purpose for writing Romans? How does he describe God’s righteousness?

• What sins do you consider unforgivable? What sins can be easily overlooked? Does God make a distinction between the two?
• What shames or embarrasses you about your life in faith? What would make that shame or embarrassment lessened?

Bless: Saving God, reveal the beauty of your grace to us in the reading of the scriptures today. Amen.