We are a people who love to have choices, but that doesn’t necessarily make it easy to choose. How can we faithfully say yes to things which nurture faith and love, and find the strength to say no to those things which rob our joy?

Worship with Holy Communion this weekend: Saturday 5:00 p.m. in Chapel

      Sunday 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship (Firehouse Minstrels provide special Music)

                    10:00 a.m. Contemporary worship in Sanctuary (due to art fair)

 July 19-20 – Practicing Saying Yes and Saying No

Questions for the week:

• What is the most demanding yes you’ve ever said?
• What has been the most difficult no?
• How does faith in Christ shape these decisions?

 Hymn of the week:

O Holy spirit, enter in, And in our hearts your work begin,
And make our hearts your dwelling. Sun of the soul, O Light divine,
Around and in us brightly shine, Your strength in us upwelling.
In your radiance Life from heaven Now is given Overflowing,
Gift of gifts beyond all knowing.

Left to ourselves, we surely stray; Oh, lead us on the narrow way,
With wisest counsel guide us; And give us steadfastness that we
May follow you forever free, No matter who derides us.
Gently heal those Hearts now broken; Give some token You are near us,
Whom we trust to light and cheer us

 Devotions for the week:

Monday – Psalm 77:2; Matthew 5:4

Lord, all life comes of you and returns to you, and there is in truth , nothing I should fear except losing you.

Tuesday – Psalm 103:14; 2 Corinthians 4:7

God, how wonderful are all your works. When I take a moment to ponder this my foolish pride is banished. You alone are worth of praise and honor.

Wednesday – Psalm 90:8; 1 John 1:8-9

Lord, you know my deepest secrets, yet you assure me of love and forgiveness.

Thursday – 2 Chronicles 30:8; John 1:45-46

Surprise me Lord, overcome by unbelief and pull my gaze to see you each day.

Friday – Proverbs 24:11-12; Matthew 25:45

Have mercy, O God, and move me to action on behalf of those who need you. Lord help me to love as you love me.

Saturday – Psalm 42:6; John 6:37

Thank you, God for your gracious welcome even when I have failed you.

 

 

We’ve had a great week at VBS & local missions, working with our neighbors at Immanuel Lutheran Church.    On Sunday at 10:00 a.m. members of both congregations will gather on the church lawn (weather permitting) for worship and have a chance to hear from our young people about their week.

Following worship we’ll host a potluck meal in the fellowship hall — bring a dish to pass!!

The choices we make about how we use our time and resources reflects the values that inform our decision making. God has richly blessed us in so many ways, how do we live in such a way that we reflect this bountiful love?

Worship this weekend: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in chapel

                                                Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary Worship – VBS & Mission Week program on the church lawn (weather permitting) Followed by potluck picnic.

                                     July 12-13 – Practice Household Economics

Questions for the week:

• Have I ever thought: “This is enough, I need nothing more to make me happy?”
• How do I decide what is essential?
• How do these decisions reflect my faith in God?

Hymn of the Week:

Praise and thanksgiving, Father, we offer for all things living, created good: harvest of sown fields, fruits of the orchard, hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood.

Bless, Lord, the labor we bring to serve you, that with our neighbor we may be fed.
Sowing or tilling, we would work with you, harvesting, milling for daily bread.

Devotions for the week:

Monday – Proverbs 11:13; Philippians 4:8

Lord, set me free from malice and from want to make my way at the expense of others. Help me to see what is good in others.

Tuesday – 1 Kings 3:11-12; Matthew 6:33

Lord, everything I need and all I truly want are given in what I can become through the power of Spirit. Lead me from self-concern to the freedom of love.

Wednesday – Psalm 77:11-12; Ephesians 1:18

Dear God, when my eye is clear I see your wonders all around me. Keep opening my eyes that I might see Jesus at work everywhere.

Thursday – Genesis 9:9-11; Romans 8:34

God of creation, sometimes it’s hard to see past the darkness that covers me like a flood. Help me to believe in your grace and show me your love.

Friday – John 1:18; Isaiah 44:6

God of all, the world offers so many false gods, and sometimes I serve them to the hurt of everyone. Help me not to forsake the one who gave himself for me.

Saturday – Jeremiah 2:29; Galatians 5:7

God of mercy, I marvel at the good news of your love when I consider the sad,   history of human beings. Yet I remember the gospel of Jesus’ faithful love for all.

 

The Mission Possible pool party for tonight has been cancelled due to weather concerns.  Please plan to still join us for Pizza, Ice Cream and some insight into the week – ELC 6:00.  Parents can pick up the kids in the back of ELC at 8:30pm.

Jesus welcomes rich and poor, the strong and the weak, the healthy and those who need healing. How can we share that attitude and atmosphere in God’s house, and throughout the week?

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in the Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship on the lawn (weather permitting)

 

Questions for the week:

• Remember when you entered a new space, who or what spoke a word of welcome to you?
• What does your building, and its people say to the newcomer?
• Look around you, whose faces are missing?

Hymn of the week:

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

 

 

Devotions for the week:

Monday – Micah 1:2; Hebrews 1:1-2

Lord, when I feel ashamed or unworthy, help me to trust in you always. Lead me to share in the wonder of Jesus’ life in word and deed.

Tuesday – Leviticus 19:13; Romans 15:2

Lord, help me see the graciousness of your will in your command to care for my neighbor. Thank you for giving me such a life and such a purpose.

Wednesday – Psalm 48:10; Revelation 19:1

Dear God, I trust you and thank you for placing me in my place and time. Help me bear witness to your vast and mysterious power and purpose.

Thursday – Psalm 106:44-45; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Lord Jesus. I marvel at the strength of your love, yet I fear to think that I might be called upon to suffer with you. Strengthen my faith, dear Lord.

Friday – Psalm 103:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24

Open my eyes Lord, to the wonder and power of your gracious rule. Open my lips today, Lord, that I might declare your praise.

Saturday – Psalm 108:1; Colossians 3:16

God, you are worthy of praise and honor. May I call up you always—when I am filled with joy and when all hope is gone. Lead to me confidence in you.