God Provides, August 12 Worship

The prophet Elijah falls to the ground in exhaustion, content to die. Suddenly an angel is standing over him commanding him to get up and eat. Fortified by the angel’s meal of bread Elijah finds that he is able to travel on for forty days and forty nights. Whenever we doubt in our abilities we can be renewed by relying on how God defines us. In baptism God claims us and says, “You are mine.” As his children we hear God’s invitation that we can admit our weakness and rely on His strength. God provides for us today and forever in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

I Am the Bread of Life, August 5 Worship

It seems that our culture values what is new more than what endures. We throw away so much that is perfectly good---simply out of style or no longer wanted. In the midst of this throw-away culture, our Lord cautions us against seeking that which does not last. Instead, He points us to Himself and calls on us to seek the eternal things. The people remembered Jesus as the miracle worker who had fed thousands with nothing but a few loaves of bread and some fish. But Jesus' miracle was not just a momentary amusement. It pointed to the food which does not perish, which feeds and nourishes, and fills us with the spiritual things of God. This is the food we really need.  Jesus is this bread, he is the eternal, for today, for tomorrow, and forever.

Take Courage, it is I, July 29th Worship

Fear has the power to steal our joy, to distract us from our hope, and to enhance whatever current misery befalls us. Life is never smooth sailing and the waters of life are filled with waves of doubt and discontent and the storms of fear and trouble. Jesus who comes to his disciples walking on water stands forever above our doubts, fears, and storms: "It is I . . .do not be afraid." So from our little boats nearly swamped by its storms and our doubts we too look out and can see Jesus transcending all things to come to us.  "It is I , take courage; do not be afraid."

Jesus Invites Us to Rest in His Presence, July 22 Worship

Paul tells his friends the Ephesians that God has knocked down the dividing wall and made himself to be our peace. In Jesus we find real rest from things that trouble us in body and soul. In Him we find rest with one another because Jesus gives us reason to leave behind the things that would seem to divide us. Ultimately all things will be brought together in unity under the reign of Christ. To anticipate this we can imagine joining the large crowd of diverse people that came and sat down in the green grass to listen to Jesus. They had come from different towns, but they all were “like a sheep without a shepherd.” After Jesus fed their souls with his teaching he also fed their bodies with a meal he amazingly produces for 5000 from five loaves of bread and two fish. Today and forever we are invited to rest in God’s

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.