The Reformation was not the first time God’s people found themselves divided.  Human leaders are always fallible, but God continues to work renewal. As our young people are confirmed, we ask how each of us might be a part of God’s mission to rebuild broken communities and lives.

Worship this week:

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 – Confirmation Sunday
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.

Devotions for this week: A Divided Kingdom – October 26-27, 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, 1 Kings12:18-24, Jeroboam reigns over Israel

Tuesday, 1 Kings 12:35-33, Jeroboam’s golden calves

Wednesday, 1 Kings 13:1-34, A man of God from Judah

Thursday, 1 Kings 14:1-20, Judgement on the House of Jeroboam

Friday, 1 Kings 14:21-31, Rehoboam reigns over Judah

Saturday, 1 Kings 16:24-34, Ahab reigns

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“When all Israel saw that the king would not listen to them, the people answered the king, ‘What share do we have in David?  We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel!  Look now to your own house, O David.’  So Israel went away to their tents.”  (1 Kings 12:16)

After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam and Jeroboam divided the tribes of Israel into two kingdoms.  This division would alter the Jewish landscape forever.

• Everything that has happened made you who you are.  Think of an earlier event that had a big impact on your life.  How would life be different if it hadn’t happened?
• How can we learn to trust that God is still at work, when we can’t see how it fits together?

PRAY:  O God, you know the greed and dishonesty which lives within our hearts.  Humble us as Jesus was humble, and show us the way to true power.   In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

BLESS:  In a very divided world, may you feel the wholeness God brings.  Amen.

David’s joy spills over into a dance of celebration.  When is the last time we took great joy in God’s blessings in our life?

Worship this week –

SATURDAY, 5 P.M. A modified, shortened traditional worship service, in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building.

SUNDAY, 8:30 A.M. Traditional worship in the sanctuary, accompanied by the pipe organ and the ELC Senior Choir.

SUNDAY, 9:30 A.M. Sunday School for ages 3 through 8th grade, adult study and fellowship.

SUNDAY, 10:30 A.M. Contemporary worship with Christian music by our ELC Praise Team.

Devotions for this week: David Anointed King, October 19-20,  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 150, A Praise Psalm

Tuesday, 2 Samuel 5:6-16, Jerusalem, A United Kingdom

Wednesday, 2 Samuel 6:6-11, The Ark come to Jerusalem

Thursday, 2 Samuel 6:12-23, The Ark come to Jerusalem

Friday, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, God’s Covenant with David

Saturday, 2 Samuel 7:18-29, David’s Prayer

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

So all the elders of Israel cam to the king at Hebron; and Kind David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.  (2 Samuel 5:3)

After 20 years among enemies, the ark of the covenant is brought to Jerusalem by King David, and he rejoiced by dancing in the streets with reckless abandon.

• Think of a leader who has been celebrated when they took office.  Were you celebrating too?  Why or why not?
• What is your greatest accomplishment?
• How did you celebrate?
• Did many others celebrate with you?

PRAY:  Holy God, your word is life and your blessing infinite.  Fill us with such joy at your generosity that we cannot help but celebrate, so that all the world might know the joy that belongs to God’s Children.   In Jesus’ name.  Amen

BLESS:  May you be surrounded by the joy of celebration!  Amen.

David Anointed King, October 19-20,  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 150, A Praise Psalm

Tuesday, 2 Samuel 5:6-16, Jerusalem, A United Kingdom

Wednesday, 2 Samuel 6:6-11, The Ark come to Jerusalem

Thursday, 2 Samuel 6:12-23, The Ark come to Jerusalem

Friday, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, God’s Covenant with David

Saturday, 2 Samuel 7:18-29, David’s Prayer

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

So all the elders of Israel cam to the king at Hebron; and Kind David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.  (2 Samuel 5:3)

After 20 years among enemies, the ark of the covenant is brought to Jerusalem by King David, and he rejoiced by dancing in the streets with reckless abandon.

• Think of a leader who has been celebrated when they took office.  Were you celebrating too?  Why or why not?
• What is your greatest accomplishment?
• How did you celebrate?
• Did many others celebrate with you?

PRAY:  Holy God, your word is life and your blessing infinite.  Fill us with such joy at your generosity that we cannot help but celebrate, so that all the world might know the joy that belongs to God’s Children.   In Jesus’ name.  Amen

BLESS:  May you be surrounded by the joy of celebration!  Amen.

This Sunday we will have our regular 8:30 worship service, followed by a time of service work to our community, closing with lunch for all in the fellowship hall. Join us for worship, then give of your time and service!

Worship this weekend –

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Worship in the sanctuary

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and God’s Work Our Hands service projects

11:30 a.m. Lunch in fellowship hall

Devotions for this week: Ruth – October 12-13, 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, Ruth 1:18-22, Ruth and Naomi

Tuesday, Ruth 2:1-13, Ruth Meets Boaz

Wednesday, Ruth 2:14-23, Ruth and Boaz

Thursday, Ruth 3:1-18, At the threshing floor

Friday, Ruth 4:1-12, Marriage of Ruth and Boaz

Saturday, Ruth 4:13-22, Genealogy of David

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”    (Ruth 1:16b)

 Naomi and Ruth had lost so much already.  Naomi was ready to walk away form the people who loved her.  But Ruth was not willing to give up so soon.

• Think of a time you saw someone show deep love to another person?  Was it romantic love or something different?
• What is the most powerful kind of love?  Why do you think so?
• Who is someone you love so much you couldn’t bear to leave?
• How have they shown you their love?

PRAY:  O God, you are always present with us, even and especially when we have to make difficult choices.  Be at work in our hearts to find peace on our pathways, and look for the blessings you bestow upon us.    In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the love of God inspire you to love those around you.  Amen.

God’s commandments were given out of love and for the sake of love.  We should treasure these words and make them part of our daily routine. They are given to us to lead to a joyful life, here and now.

Worship this week:

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: Hear, O Israel – October 5-6, 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, Exodus 12:43-13:2, Directions for the Passover

Tuesday, Exodus 13:3-10, Festival of Unleavened Bread

Wednesday, Exodus 13:11-16, Consecration of the Firstborn

Thursday, Exodus 13:17-22, Pillars of Cloud and Fire

Friday, Exodus 14:1-31, Crossing the Red Sea

Saturday, Exodus 20:1-21, The Ten Commandments

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.  You shall love the Lord d you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”  (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

God gives God’s commandments and laws as a gift to help us honor God, others, and self.  These gifts can be written on our heart, soul, and mind.

• How do laws impact your day-to-day life?  Are all laws good? 
• What would you change if you made the rules? 
• Commandments were designed to create order in relationships.  What commandments are most valuable in your own life and relationships?  Why?

PRAY:  Dear Lord, you long for us not only to know and to follow your ways, but to love them as well.  Fill our hearts with the spirit of your law, that we might live each day as you would have us live.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

BLESS:  May the commandments of God be a blessing in your life.  Amen.

After hearing the cries of the people, God decides to intervene and the first step is to call someone to be God’s spokesperson, that’s where Moses and a voice from a burning bush came in. Moses’ new journey begins when he stops to notice God’s presence in an unlikely place.

Worship this week:

SATURDAY – 5 P.M. A modified, shortened traditional worship service, in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building.

SUNDAYS – 8:30 A.M. Traditional worship in the sanctuary, accompanied by the pipe organ and the ELC Senior Choir.

SUNDAY – 9:30 A.M. Sunday School for ages 3 through 8th grade, adult study and fellowship.

SUNDAYS – 10:30 A.M. Contemporary worship with Christian music by our ELC Praise Team.

Devotions for this week: Moses and God’s Name – September 28-29, 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, Exodus 7:14-8:15, First Two Plagues

Tuesday, Exodus 8:16-32, Two More Plagues

Wednesday, Exodus 9:1-12, Two More Plagues

Thursday, Exodus 9:13-10:20, Two More Plagues

Friday, Exodus 10:21-11:10, 12:29-32, Two More Plagues

Saturday Exodus 12:33-42, Exodus from Rameses to Succoth

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

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas

“God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)

Moses’ story takes many twists and turns, but all is woven into an epic story of deliverance and redemption.

• Everything that has happened made you who you are.  Think of an earlier event that had a big impact on your life.  How would life be different if it hadn’t happened?
• How can we learn to trust that God is still at work, when we can’t see how it fits together?

PRAY:  O Lord, the events of our lives don’t always make sense to us.  Show us how you are guiding us, day by day, to be the people you have created us to be, faithful followers and willing servants.   In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

BLESS:  May you find peace in knowing that God is weaving together your story as you live day by day.  Amen.