In his teaching, Jesus invites us to find worth, not in the praise of others, but in the love of God. We are worthy simply because we exist.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m.  Sunday School, Ministry Fair in Fellowship Hall

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  TREASURE IN HEAVEN

 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 20:7, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 6:22-24, Teachings of Jesus

Wednesday, Matthew 6:25-34, Teachings of Jesus

Thursday, Matthew 7:15-20, Teachings of Jesus

Friday, Matthew 7:21-23, Teachings of Jesus

Saturday, Matthew 8:1-17, Healings of Jesus

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas: Jesus lays out for his followers a way to pray and fast which is pleasing to God: not a means to attract attention and credit on earth, but a pathway to a stronger bond with their holy parent in heaven.

• How is the accumulation of more encouraged in your community? What media or messages could you stop listening to so that you could limit your exposure to those messages?
• Name three things you wish you had more of. Reflect on how the desire for more shapes your behaviors and attitudes.
• For the littles: What is your favorite prayer? God likes all prayers.

PRAY: Loving God, you desire a simple, humble relationship with us. Turn our hearts away from seeking others’ approval and toward your way of mercy and peace, as our savior taught us. Amen.

 BLESS: May God fill your heart with words of praise. Amen.

 

In what we call the “sermon on the mount”, Jesus calls his followers salt and light for the world, and challenges us all to see the world in different way.

Worship this week:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m.  in the chapel

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School,  Adult Bible study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  BEATITUDES

 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 1:1-3, Psalm

Tuesday, Matthew 5:21-26, Concerning Anger

Wednesday, Matthew 5:27-32, Concerning Adultery and Divorce

Thursday, Matthew 5:33-42, Concerning Oaths and Retaliation

Friday, Matthew 5:43-48, Love for Enemies

Saturday, Matthew 6:1-6, Concerning Almsgiving

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

TALK: Consider some of these ideas: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:6-9)

• How do the guidelines in Jesus’ sermon shape your community? Which are necessary today? Which have been adjusted to reflect the modern era? How can a community remain faithful to God’s laws?
• How has God blessed you? How do you think Jesus would describe you in your current state of life?
• For the littles: Jesus liked to teach people about God. What is your favorite thing to learn about?

PRAY: O Lord, your son came as the fulfillment of your law. Continue to lift up all who are oppressed in this world, that they might know your blessing and receive the joy you have promised. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESS: May God bless you in whatever stage of life you are in. Amen.

 

When challenged to give in to other powers, Jesus stays firm in his identity.  When we are challenged, do we remember whose we are?

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible Study on Matthew, Fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS

 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 91:9-12, Psalm

Tuesday, Genesis 1:26-27, Creation of Humanity

Wednesday, Genesis 3:1-7, Temptation in the Garden of Eden

Thursday, Deuteronomy 8:1-10, A Warning from God

Friday, Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Saturday, Matthew 4:23-25, Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas:   The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:3-4)

• How does a community come to agreement about which laws, rules, or norms are to be followed? Which rules or norms are unique to your setting? How are they followed? How are they enforced?
• What tempts you the most? How can your faith help you resist temptation?
• For the littles: Which is harder to resist… a sweet treat or staying up past bedtime? God can help you resist both!

PRAY: O Lord, your son did not succumb to temptation under the most extreme duress. May we show even a fraction of his faithfulness, keeping our eyes on you and our hearts true to who we are. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
BLESS: May God deliver you from temptation. Amen.

 

God calls his Son ‘beloved’ at his baptism.  We are also the ‘beloved’ of our God, and God is pleased to call us his own.

Worship this week:  

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Adult Bible Study and fellowship

10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  

JESUS BAPTISM

 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 2:7-8, Psalm

Tuesday, Judges 13:1-7, The Birth of Samson

Wednesday, Isaiah 11:1-9, God’s Peaceful Kingdom

Thursday, Zechariah 3:1-10, Joshua and Satan

Friday, Numbers 31:21-24, Cleansing by Fire

Saturday, Isaiah 40:1-11, A Voice in the Wilderness

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas:      But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance.                (Matthew 3:7-8)

 How does your community of faith honor its baptismal promises for those who are baptized?

• How do you claim God’s baptismal promises in your daily life? What difference does your baptism make in your life?
• For the littles: Ask someone to tell you the story of your baptism. What did you like about the story?

 PRAY: Dear God, your only son came to impart the Spirit’s power and mercy to all. May our hearts receive him and turn from the ways of selfish pride. We ask this in the name of Jesus the anointed one, our savior and lord. Amen.

 BLESS: May God remind you daily of your baptismal promises. Amen.

 

 

This week we share the story of the the magi who came seeking a new king,  guided by the light of the star.  Are we following that true light, or are we wondering after lesser things.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Sunday School, Adult Bible Study fellowship

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:  Epiphany the visit of the Magi

 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 96:10-13, Psalm

        Tuesday, Psalm 11:1-3, Psalm

        Wednesday, Exodus 1:8-22, Israelites are Oppressed

        Thursday, Exodus 2:1-11, Birth of Moses

        Friday, Exodus 12:29-32, Death of the Firstborn

        Saturday, Hosea 11:1-12, A Promise Out of Egypt

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

 TALK: Consider some of these ideas: A rising star leads scholars to a growing child who is to become the king and messiah to deliver his weary people. But in Herod’s jealous heart, there is room for only one king in the land.

• How does knowing or not knowing your heritage shape your life? What can we learn from the people who raised us, and from the people who raised them?

• What does it mean to you that Jesus is a king? What other images for Jesus speak to you?
• For the littles: Where have you gone on a trip? God often sends people on trips.

PRAY: Dear God, your only son came to impart the Spirit’s power and mercy to all. May our hearts receive him and turn from the ways of selfish pride. We ask this in the name of Jesus the anointed one, our savior and lord. Amen.

 BLESS: May God bless your new year! Amen.