We begin a series on the Psalms this week, and read this Psalm of praise for our God who is high above all, but never fails to notice the needs of the least. Join us as we worship our God who is great, and merciful.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in the sanctuary

10:00 a.m. – A contemporary worship and discussion gathering in fellowship hall.

Devotions for this week: God Stoops Down – June 16, 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 8, Psalm of Praise

Tuesday, Psalm 68, Psalm of Praise

Wednesday, Psalm 100, Psalm of Praise

Thursday, Psalm 111, Psalm of Praise

Friday, Psalm 122, Psalm of Praise

Saturday, Psalm 150, Psalm of Praise

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,

who looks far down on the heavens and earth?”  (Psalm 113:5)

• Did you learn the prayer that begins “God is Great, God is Good?”
• How do you see the contrast between goodness and greatness?
• Which of these words do think of first when you think of God?
• What was the last celebration you attended?  What were you celebrating?  What in that day brought you the most joy?
• Do you feel God’s joy when you celebrate?

PRAY:  Dearest Lord, you are the reason for our joy and celebration.  Help us to share our blessings and stay mindful of them in times when we don’t feel like being joyful.  For you have given us an everlasting fulfillment in the gift of your son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

BLESS: May you know the joy of the Lord who is seated on high.

Jesus may no longer walk the earth alongside his followers, but by no means is he absent. The disciples are about to get blown away by a new and powerful presence, and that same Spirit remains with us.

Worship this week: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified Traditional Worship

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

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in Fellowship Hall

Devotions for this week: Pentecost – June 9, 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, 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

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:4)

• 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?
• For the littles: Have you ever seen a glowing campfire, a roaring fireplace, or a lit candle? What did it look like? Was it hot? God’s Holy Spirit is like the fire you saw—hot and alive!

PRAY:  God of holy fire, when the time was right, you sent your Holy Spirit to empower your disciples. Inspire us yet today with your fire, that with burning hearts we might eagerly continue the work which they started, for the sake of our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

BLESS:  May God’s Holy Spirit burn within you. Amen.

We have been rescued from hopelessness and fear by the power of Jesus Christ, now Paul challenges us to live out that new opportunity every day.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in fellowship hall

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

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary worship and conversation in fellowship hall

Devotions for this week: The Hope of Resurrection – June 2, 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, Romans 9:19-29, God’s Wrath and Mercy
Tuesday, Romans 9:30-33, Israel’s Unbelief
Wednesday, Romans 10:1-21, Salvation for All
Thursday, Romans 12:1-8, The New Life in Christ
Friday, Romans 12:9-21, Marks of the True Christian
Saturday, Romans 13:1-14, Love for One Another
Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.
TALK: Consider some of these ideas
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will
certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
(Romans 6:5)
 Does baptism make a difference? Why or why not? Is it
transformational or merely symbolic? Explain.
 What does it mean to you that you are dead to sin? How does
living as a child of God affect the way you behave in the world?
 For the littles: If you could take a walk with Jesus, would you
take him to the park, around a lake, up a mountain, through the
city, or through the desert? Why?
PRAY: O God, your costly grace is no excuse for dwelling in sin.
Therefore, strengthen us to do what is favorable in your sight, for the
benefit of your kingdom’s growth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
BLESS: May God grant you forgiveness and grace. Amen.

Despite all our failings, we have a God whose love is limitless, infinite. Join as we share that Good News this week.

Worship this week: 5:00 p.m. Saturday

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week: God’s Love Poured Out

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, Romans 5:12-21, Adam and Christ

Tuesday, Romans 6:15-23, Slaves of Righteousness

Wednesday, Romans 7:1-6, An Analogy of Marriage

Thursday, Romans 7:7-25, The Law and Sin

Friday, Romans 8:1-17, Life in the Spirit

Saturday, Romans 9:1-18, God’s Election of Israel

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

• How are communal sins different from individual sins? How are they alike? Which are worse? Why?
• How do you know God loves you? How is God’s love evident in your daily life?
• For the littles: Who was the last person you said, “I’m sorry” to? What happened next? Jesus forgives us for all the mistakes we make.
  
  

PRAY:  Infinite God, you gave your son for us when we did nothing to deserve it. Fill our hearts with gratitude so that we cannot help but spread the joyous news of your salvation, offered freely to all through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESS:  May God forgive your sin. Amen.

Ministry happens in so many ways throughout the life of our community. We take time this week to say thank you to all who use their gifts to enhance the work of Christ’s church in this community! There will be a reception in the fellowship hall following both morning worship services. Please come and join us!

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship in Chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Final day of Sunday School for the school year

10:30 a.m. Contemporary worship

Devotions for this week: Gospel of Salvation – May 18-19, 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, 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

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

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.                                                                                   (Romans 1:16)

• 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?
• For the littles: Who in the world is most like you? Who is least like you? Jesus loves them both the same—and you, too!

PRAY:  God, you have given us everything we need to understand and spread the good news of your salvation. Give us the enthusiasm of Paul for our mission in the world, and the compassion of Jesus, in whose name, we pray. Amen.

BLESS:  May God remove your shame. Amen.