The new Sunday School Year will begin with an Open House for all parents and students this Sunday, September 8th at 9:30 a.m. Hope to see you there!
To print out a registration form click here: Sunday School Registration
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mt. Horeb
A family in faith, reaching out to share God's love with all people
by john
The new Sunday School Year will begin with an Open House for all parents and students this Sunday, September 8th at 9:30 a.m. Hope to see you there!
To print out a registration form click here: Sunday School Registration
by john
Wherever human beings gather, there is the potential (perhaps the likelihood) of disagreement and division. The letter to the Ephesians promises that Jesus is able to break down barriers and bring reconciliation.
Worship this week: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel, Worship with Holy Communion
Sunday – 9:30 a.m. –Worship with Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. – Special Meeting of the congregation
Building the Church
August 18, 2013
Ephesians 2:11-22
Key Verse: “For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” Ephesians 2:14
Time: about 62 A.D.
Background: Christians in Ephesus were divided, primarily into Jewish Christians and non-Jewish Christians. Those with a Jewish background still demanded physical circumcision as a rite of belonging. Those without a Jewish background did not generally practice circumcision, which was a source of division in the early church. Paul knew that division would not build the church. He wrote about Christ’s work of breaking down barriers to encourage peace. He emphasized peace and unity, rather than arguments and disagreements.
Community: Upon what gifts is your community of faith built? What gifts are lacking? What do you bring to the community? How might you use your gifts to make your community more whole?
At Home: No one can possess all the gifts God offers. What are some gifts or traits you do not possess that can be filled by others who do possess those gifts? In other words, who and how might your deficiencies be made whole by others?
Read This Week:
Monday: Cleansing the Temple, Luke 19:44-48
Tuesday: Moral Standards, Ephesians 4:17-5:2
Wednesday: Moral Standards, Ephesians 5:3-20
Thursday: Christian Household, Ephesians 5:21-33
Friday: Christian Household, Ephesians 6:1-9
Saturday: Peace, Ephesians 6:21-24
Next Week: Unity of the Church, Ephesians 4:1-16
by john
When by grace we are joined with Christ, we become full members of God’s family and inheritors of all the blessings of heaven. This week begin four weeks of reading the letter to Ephesians, where we hear that promise lavished upon us.
Worship this week: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. in Chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. in Sanctuary
10:00 a.m. outside on church lawn (weather permitting)
Spiritual Blessings
August 11, 2013
Ephesians 1:1-14
Key Verses: “In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-12
Time: about 62 A.D.
Background: The apostle, Paul, visited Ephesus twice. The first visit he stayed for 3 months. The second time, he stayed for 3 years. Since Ephesus was instrumental in reaching those in Asia Minor, he devoted a great deal of time founding and building up the church there.
The church was founded for residing Jews and Hellenists, whose religious and cultural views and behaviors differed greatly. The letter to the Ephesians addresses the hostility these differences created. For Paul, unity within the church was crucial to building a strong community of faith there.
Paul (rather, an author writing in his name) emphasized the sacrificial nature of Christ’s work. By doing so, he hoped to encourage the lifting up, rather than the tearing down, of one another’s practices and perspectives.
Community: What spiritual gifts define your community of faith most strongly? How do you use those gifts to build the church and to serve others? What could be changed to lessen division and strengthen the work of the church?
At Home: What spiritual blessings has God given to you? How might you use those this week to further God’s work in the world?
Read This Week:
Monday: Great Commission, Luke 24:44-47
Tuesday: Prayer, Ephesians 1:15-23
Wednesday: Building the Church, Ephesians 2:1-10
Thursday: Function of the Church, Ephesians 3:1-6
Friday: Function of the Church, Ephesians 3:7-13
Saturday: Function of the Church, Ephesians 3:14-21
Next Week: Building the Church, Ephesians 2:11-22
by john
When: Sunday, August 4th 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: Grundahl Park Stage
Why: To enjoy great worship music that benefits Water Ministry.
Sunday night, August 4th, the ELC, LifeChurch, and Immanuel Praise Bands will come together to provide music for the Mount Horeb Community. Join us for some great Christian music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and enjoy some light concessions. This event is a celebration to benefit water ministry to support mission trips to Central America to drill wells.
Bad weather location will be at ELC on Main Street.
by john
The rhythms of Ecclesiastes’ verses about time have been spoken and sung by many. They speak of a seasons and times, and while our lives may seem captive to these, we also belong to the one who is the Lord of time itself. Because we belong to Christ, our everyday rhythms are only a small part of an eternal reality.
Worship this week with Holy Communion:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – Traditional worship
10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship
Sunday evening – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday Night Live – music in Grundahl Park
For Everything There Is a Season
August 4, 2013
Ecclesiastes 2:18-3:8
Key Verse: “There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? … For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:1
Time: 3rd century B.C.
Background: Today’s reading acknowledges that life is filled with ups and downs, and nothing can be done to change this reality. Futility comes when humanity strives only to fill life with happiness and material possessions, because those can only be temporary. The expectation that life can always be positive will only lead to disappointment.
On the other hand, if people acknowledge and accept that life will also come with sadness, mourning, illness, and broken relationships, then they can come to accept their deep need for God. God has the power to bring healing and comfort in the midst of illness and grief. God’s presence can make these bearable. God can bring a deep joy that transcends despair.
Community: Where is God in the midst of the broken places in your community? How can you bring God’s presence to those who are in despair?
At Home: Where are the places of despair in your own life? Make a list of actions you can take this week that might bring you closer to God. Do one action this week. Where did you see God working, even in the midst of despair?
Read This Week:
Monday: Parable of a Rich Fool, Luke 12:16-21
Tuesday: Ambition and Desire, Ecclesiastes 6:1-12
Wednesday: A Sinful World, Ecclesiastes 7:1-29
Thursday: An Imperfect World, Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
Friday: An Uncertain Life, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20
Saturday: Charity, Ecclesiastes 11:1-10
Next Week: Spiritual Blessings, Ephesians 1:1-14
Welcome to Worship!
Saturday: 5:00 pm Worship in small chapel – modified traditional format.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. Worship with a blend of traditional and contemporary music
Live worship will be streamed at 9:00 a.m. on Facebook. Recordings will be available on Facebook, YouTube and on the Sermon Archive page.
Listen to an audio recording of this week’s worship by calling 855-514-2017.
Find Daily Devotions on our Facebook page.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mount Horeb (ELCA)
315 E. Main St., Mount Horeb, WI 53572
elc@mhtc.net
We welcome all to ELC! Everyone. Without exception. Regardless of race,
ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, faith traditions, physical or mental abilities, financial resources, family status, or personal struggles. We are committed to being an anti-racist community. By the power of the Holy Spirit we will work to extend God’s grace, love, justice, and dignity. You belong here. Your story and your life are valuable. In Christ’s love, we welcome you.