God's Kingdom of Compassion, July 15th Worship

God is building a Kingdom on His compassion and grace. We need God’s compassion and guidance because the human heart can become a dark and desperate thing. The instinct for self- preservation alone can make people do hurtful things. The Holy Gospel today tells us about how King Herod had John the Baptist locked up in prison and then Herod is tricked into beheading the prophet. This king got trapped by his own pride into doing something that he regretted later. Surely we all feel such moments of confusion and self-deception. But our God is great and He can build something better. When we trust God to care for us it removes the helpless desperation of our hearts. Within God’s protective kingdom we can make better choices, and God brings to earth His wisdom and love, as it is in heaven. 

God is Our Strength in Weakness, July 8th Worship

You probably have at least a couple of amazing stories: things you have seen or learned that make the world a bigger and more amazing place. The apostle Paul could tell some tales. But at the same time there was at least one thing that kept him very grounded to the earth, “a thorn in the flesh,” he called it. This kept him humble and needful. He tells us that it was in his weakness that he really began to understand how great God is. One of the most amazing things in Paul’s life was to hear God say, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Waiting for God, July 1 Worship

"Do not fear, only believe," Jesus said to Jairus, who had just received news of his daughter's death. Jesus didn't say, "Just believe" and then walk away. He walked with the man to the girl's bedside.  But before they could get there, a woman stricken with illness sought Jesus, who paused to minister to her.  So Jairus waited.  Waiting is where many of us find ourselves - waiting for a test result, waiting for the teenager to come home at night, waiting for the news after the job interview.  Waiting.  Like He did for Jairus, Jesus gives us reasons to believe and wait.  He invites our trust, and walks with us in all of our waiting. In waiting for God we experience the truth of Lamentations 3:26:  "It is good that we should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."  

"Peace, be Still," June 24th Worship

"Do you not care that we are perishing?" The disciples' question resonates with anyone who has ever wondered if there is anyone who truly, personally cares about the struggles, troubles, and fears of our lives. When we face a stormy time of life, it can seem that no one cares.  Today Jesus answers the disciples with great compassion and power. With the wind howling, the boat taking on water, and the disciples afraid for their lives, Jesus speaks. "Peace, be still," He says to the wind and the waves.  All of nature must follow His command. The wind ceased.  There was a great calm.  Today His voice can reach the deepest part of our mind and spirit as we hear Jesus tell us “Peace, be still.”

The Kingdom of the Mustard Seed, June 17 Worship

Jesus teaches us that the mustard seed "is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade" (Mark 4:31-32). That sounds more like a biology lesson than spiritual instruction. What is Jesus trying to say? It might be  that Jesus was trying to spark the imagination of His listeners. Maybe the message of this parable is that God is infinite and creative. Maybe the point is that God loves to see life thrive and grow. It could be that Jesus is saying that God’s Kingdom is a place where small things can become significant. The easy answer is that Jesus’ story is about all this and more. We are always challenged to keep growing in our vision of what God can do and how we can be blessed in His care.

Growing in God's Gracious Care, June 10th Worship

God does not give up on any part of His creation, and he especially will never give up on us. The seeds He has planted will bear fruit according to His promise. There will be a happy ending! In this season of growing things, we renew our hope in the Lord, who is our health and salvation.  We are in a season of hope—a season when seeds are planted and creation is being renewed. Even in times when we are challenged, we can take to heart that we are being renewed day by day. As we live in God’s grace, the Holy Spirit works in us and through us.

God Creates a Sacred Day, June 3rd Worship

What do you prioritize? What do you arrange your schedule around? God asked His people to arrange their lives around a sacred day called the Sabbath. God wanted the Sabbath to be a source of refreshment and of joy. It is meant to be a time of rest and reflection. When we set a day to remember the gracious acts of God, we will live the rest of our days with grateful hearts .The Sabbath Day is the culmination of the week and gives meaning to all of the other days. With joy we gather for worship on the Lord’s Day. He is here! We have much to celebrate!

Trinity Sunday, May 27th

As we join together in worship on this day, we do so with God's people throughout the world.  The festival of the Holy Trinity has been celebrated for centuries, in recognition that God has revealed Himself to us as one God in three Persons.  We rejoice in this mystery of God and in all the blessings that He provides to us as His people.  We gather to be strengthened in the sacred name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Day of Pentecost, May 20th Worship

             In the Creed we confess the Holy Spirit as "the Lord and giver of life," and on Pentecost, after Jesus' resurrection, the Spirit was both given to the apostles and, through them by Baptism, to 3,000 people. Today we remember that day and thank God for the gift of the Spirit, who brings the life giving eternal things of God into our lives.

Ascension Day, May 13 Worship

As we go through life we hope for a few little triumphs.  So it was for Jesus’ disciples just before Christ was about to ascend to heaven.  "Lord," they said, "will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"  But God had a greater blessing in mind.  Christ's ascension means His triumph is over all humankind, all nations, kingdoms, and powers.  He who was crucified, died, and risen, now takes His victory with Him to sit at God's right hand in power and majesty. He is triumphant over all things forever.