In the small hours of the morning, Abram wonders.   Things haven’t worked out like he imagined thus far.  Perhaps you know this feeling too?  While the answer is not simple, God’s promise is profound.  Step back and look at the grand sweep of things, and trust that God’s promise remains true.

Worship this week with Holy Communion:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

      9:30  a.m. Sunday School

                10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

God’s Promise to Abraham                          September 17-18, 2016

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

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text:

Sunday: Abraham’s Descendants, Genesis 15:1-6

Monday: Abraham’s Sacrifice, Genesis 22:1-19

Tuesday: Isaac and Rebekah, Genesis 24:1-67

Wednesday: Jacob Steals Esau’s Blessing, Genesis 27:1-29

Thursday: Jacob Marries Leah, then Rachel, Genesis 29:9-30

Friday: Jacob Wrestles an Angel, Genesis 32:22-32

Saturday: The Rape of Dinah, Genesis 34:1-31

How do the people in these stories try to take matters into their own hands?

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

• After years of no discernible fulfillment to God’s promise of descendants, Abram is losing heart. What will it take to restore his faith?
• Where do you see people in your community trying to take matters into their own hands? Where do you see God acting on their behalf?
• What has God promised you? How might you live and behave this week knowing that those promises are upheld?
• Go outside at night. Watch the stars. Imagine that those stars represent the people God promised to bless through Abram. Which ones shine brightest? Why?

PRAY: O God, our faith can be shaky and temperamental. Show us your steadfastness and restore our hope in you. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless you as abundantly as God created stars. Amen.

As we begin Bible story God has created an abundant garden for God’s people, but rather than enjoying what is, they desire to be something they are not.  Not content to be creatures of a loving God, they seek to be ‘like God’, and cause separation and shame.   Yet God continues to love, forgive, and bless.

Worship this week:

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

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship in the Sanctuary

9:30 a.m. Sunday School Registration in Fellowship Hall

10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship in the Sanctuary

Creation and Fall                                        September 10-11, 2016

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

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text:

Sunday: Creation and Fall, Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8

Monday: Cain and Abel, Genesis 4:1-16

Tuesday: Noah, Genesis 6:11-22

Wednesday: The Tower of Babel, Genesis 11:1-9

Thursday: God Calls Abram, Genesis 12:1-9

Friday: Abram Lies to Pharaoh about Sarai, Genesis 12:10-13:1

Saturday: Abram and Lot Part Ways, Genesis 13:2-18

How do these early stories portray the relationship between God and God’s people?

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

The first humans on earth are living the good life. They have free access to everything they need; what more could they possibly want? Only the one thing they’ve been told they cannot have. Our shame makes us vulnerable and exposed. God’s love forgives and heals.

• How does being a caretaker of God’s creation shape how you live your life?
• What can you do to care for the planet and God’s people?
• What does it mean to you that God’s breath lives within you?

Observe the ways in which you experience shame. Observe too, ways in which God’s forgiveness offers you new opportunities for life.

PRAY: O Lord, you create all, you know all, you see all. Have mercy on our shortcomings and release us from our shame. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless you as abundantly as God created stars. Amen.

We think we know what it means to forgive and be forgiven. Listen anew to God’s invitation and experience the fundamental transformation that comes when forgiveness is truly sought – and granted.

Worship with Holy Communion this week:

Saturday at 5:00 p.m.  in the chapel

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Forgive Us Our Sins                                           September 3-4, 2016

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

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding:

Sunday, Luke 11:2-4, Forgive Us Our Sins

Monday, Exodus 34:1-9, Moses Makes New Tablets

Tuesday, Psalm 32, The Joy of Forgiveness

Wednesday, Mark 2:1-12, Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Thursday, Matthew 18:23-35, The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Friday, Acts 2:37-42, The First Converts

Saturday, Colossians 2:6-19, Fullness of Life in Christ

What do these texts say about forgiveness?

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

 [Jesus said,] “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.” Luke 11:4a

• We think we know what it means to forgive and be forgiven. Listen anew to God’s invitation and experience the fundamental transformation that comes when forgiveness is truly sought – and granted.
• Why is important for God to forgive us? Why is it important for us to forgive others? What happens when forgiveness is not offered or received?
• Tell a story of a time you felt the burden lifted when forgiveness was offered.

PRAY: Nothing escapes your notice, O Lord. Teach us what joy there is in releasing others from their debts as we have been so graciously pardoned. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless you with forgiveness and reconciliation. Amen.

 

It is fitting that Jesus’  prayer uses bread to represent the needs of humanity. Food is one of the few universal human needs, which offers humanity opportunities daily to connect with one another over a meal.  Do we receive, and share, our daily bread with thankful hearts?

Worship this week: 

Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Devotions for this week:

Give Us Each Day Our Daily Bread                       August 27-28, 2016

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

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding:

Sunday, Luke 11:2-4, Give Us Each Day Our Daily Bread

Monday, Exodus 16:1-36, Bread from Heaven

Tuesday, Deuteronomy 8:1-20, A Warning Not to Forget God

Wednesday, 1 Samuel 21:1-9, David and the Holy Bread

Thursday, Matthew 4:1-11, The Temptation of Jesus

Friday, Matthew 14:13-21, Feeding the Five Thousand

Saturday, Luke 24:13-25, The Walk of Emmaus

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

[Jesus said,] “Give us each day our daily bread.” Luke 2:3

• What is the importance of bread in each of these stories?
• What does it mean to receive “daily bread” from God? Other than bread, what are some things you cannot live without?
• Tell a story of a time you were hungry.
• Bake a loaf of bread from scratch. Look up a recipe online or use an old family. Take note of how long it takes, of how patience and persistence are required. Enjoy the time to use your hands and let your mind wander – meditate or pray as you bake. Share your bread with your family, friends, or even strangers.

PRAY:  Provider of all, you have given all that is needed for life. Give us wisdom to choose what is good, and to share our abundance, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BLESS:  May God provide you with bread each and every day. Amen.

Sunday evening, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. .  Join us for a time of sharing the musical gifts of several in our community on lawn at ELC  315 E Main St., Mt. Horeb.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair.  In case of inclement weather, we’ll move inside the chapel.