We continue the celebration of Christ’s birth with a special worship of Lessons and Carols this Sunday. There will be one combine worship at 10:00 a.m., with no Sunday School, or Saturday worship this week.

Devotions for this week: Jesus’ Ministry Begun – December 29, 2019

SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

        Monday, Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm

        Tuesday, Isaiah 42:10-20, A Hymn of Praise

        Wednesday, Psalm 2, Psalm

        Thursday, Psalm 113, Psalm

        Friday, Psalm 146:5-10, Psalm

        Saturday, Psalm 108:1-4, Psalm

 (Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.)

TALK: In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.   (Mark 1:35)

Jesus’ ministry was fast and full.  In the middle of his whirlwind tour, he took time to pray – to recharge and spend time with God.

• With all the technology, there is a lot of discussion about how it impacts people’s brains.  Is our technology a good thing?  How might it cause harm?
• How do cope when you are too busy?  What happens if you don’t take time to decompress?
• For the littles: What is your favorite prayer

PRAY: O Lord, even when crowds were pressing upon you, you still sought time to pray.  Bring us back to the silence of our hearts, so that we too may be refreshed by your spirit.  Amen.

BLESS: May God bless your new year! Amen.

The time of waiting for Israel was nearly over. God had promised a savior from the line of David to redeem Israel.  The same Savior whose birth we await eagerly. This week we hear the words of Zechariah’s song at worship at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Followed by the Sunday School Christmas program “Manger Tales” at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday!

Devotions for this week: Zechariah’s Song – December 22, 2019

 SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Luke 1:14-38, An Angel Speaks

Tuesday, Luke 2:1-14, The Birth of Jesus

Wednesday, Luke 2:8-20, The Shepherds Visit

Thursday, Matthew 2:1-12, The Magi

Friday, Luke 1:39-56, Mary’s Song

Saturday, Luke 2:21-24, Jesus Circumcised

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:  “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.”  (Lue 1:67-68)

Josiah was quite young when he became king of Judah.  But God know this young man had the heart to bring the nation back to God.

• Do you know someone who has had a long struggle to have children?  What was it like when they finally brought home a child?
• What is your reaction to unexpected good news?  Disbelief? Laughter? Challenges?  Do you trust in God’s timing?

PRAY:  Lord God, the gift of John the Baptist gave his parents joy and his people hope.  May their gladness be ours as we anticipate the arrival of our savior Jesus, in whose name we pray,  Amen.

BLESS:  May your feel the fullness of God’s surprising blessings!

Coming home after years in exile brought mixed responses, for the young, it was a grand celebration. For the elders, a bittersweet reminder of the past.  We may face the same range of response this season as we remember the past and prepare for a new day.

Worship this week with Holy Communion: 

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP

5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent  choir.

9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship

10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.

Devotions for this week: Rebuilding the Temple – December 15, 2019

 SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Ezra 3:5-13, Foundation Laid for the Temple

Tuesday, Ezra 4:1-5, Resistance to Rebuilding the Temple

Wednesday, Ezra 4:6-24, Rebuilding of Jerusalem Opposed

Thursday, Ezra 5:1-17, Restoration of the Temple Resumed

Friday, Ezra 6:13-18, Completion & Dedication of the Temple

Saturday, Ezra 6:10-22, The Passover Celebrated

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel.”  (Ezra 3:10)

When Persia defeated Babylon (who had defeated Judah) King Cyrus let the exiled Jews return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple.  For the young, it was a grand celebration.  For the elders, a bittersweet reminder of the past.

• Where does your congregation worship?  Does the history of the building cause conflicts or is it a celebrated space?
• What place is your safe space?  What makes it special to you?

PRAY:  O Lord, you restore what has been destroyed.  Rebuild our lives in the strength of your Spirit, and restore our joy in being your servants.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May you feel the celebration and love of God in all spaces. 

To a fearful and weary people, Isaiah proclaims a word of comfort. We need to hear that same word in our fears and weariness.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP

5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent  choir.

9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship

10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.

Devotions for this week: Promise of the Messiah – Dec. 1, 2019

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding

Monday, Mark 8:27-29, Who Do You Say that I Am?

Tuesday, Jeremiah 1:4-10, I Am Only a Boy

Wednesday, Jeremiah 1:11-19, Boiling Pot

Thursday, Jeremiah 2:1-8, Jeremiah Speaks

Friday, Jeremiah 33:19-26, Covenant with David

Saturday Jeremiah 34:1-7, Promise of Salvation

Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”                                                        (Jeremiah 33:14)

Judah was decimated – conquered and exiled by Babylon.  Through Jeremiah, God promised an end to their misery.  A savior from the line of David would come one day.

• Think of a tough promise that someone kept.   Why do you think they followed through?  What makes someone good at keeping promises?
• When have you felt brokenhearted, was it easy to hear that things would get better?  What helped you move on?

PRAY:  O God, you can be trusted to remember and fulfill your promises.  We wait with hopeful anticipation for our savior, eager to spread the light of your coming kingdom.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  You are beloved and worth the promise of God’s love.  Amen.