Advent Devotional - Day 27: by Russ Hauck

December 25, 2009

READING: Luke 2:1-14

“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 5-7

This is the familiar story of the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem, because there was no room for them in the inn. Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And an angel announced the birth to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night with these words.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

There is so much that is remarkable about this passage in Luke that we could spend many hours in study and discussion. But, Advent is not the time for deep study. It’s more a time for reflection and remembrance, and quiet preparation – a time for us to lose ourselves in the role of those shepherds who were visited first by the angel and then by a heavenly host singing “Glory to God in the highest.” If we hear these words from Luke and close our eyes, we can almost imagine being there with those shepherds. And, why not, for God’s spirit lives within us. We are those shepherds and they are us; we are in their house and lineage.

At each worship service throughout the year, we sing the Gloria: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth,” reminding us of this announcement to the shepherds. But especially during Advent, we are reminded of that ancient night of announcement. We’re looking for that sign and we want to recapture that sense of wonder that we felt as a child, or that the shepherds felt when they were visited by the heavenly host. Like a child, we know what’s coming, but we’re waiting to be surprised, nonetheless. And, like those shepherds, we’re looking for a sign and, we may not know it consciously, but we’re ready to respond. We are prepared to receive Him into our lives and to respond to God’s gift.

Let us pray: Most gracious and loving God, we come to you during this Advent season with many problems that weigh heavenly on our hearts. Help us to set those things aside, even as we tend to our flocks. Open our hearts and our minds, our hands and our arms, so that we might see you in our manger and welcome you with worship and praise. Glory to God in the highest. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 26: by Joe Anderson

December 24, 2009

READING: Matthew 1:23

“Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
And they shall name him Emmanuel,”
Which means, “God is with us”.
Matthew 1: 23

The Virgin Birth. One of the great side tracks of all times. In point of fact, it doesn’t matter. The books of Mark and John blow right past it. They pick up where John the Baptist baptizes Jesus as a full grown man. Matthew mentions it in brief. And only Luke treats it in any depth. So let’s not quibble over Mary’s virginity. Instead, lets’ focus on her faith. Consistent with contemporary Jewish culture, she was most likely new to puberty and here she was, talking with a strange creature who wanted to know if, oh by the way, she’d like to become the mother of God. Odd offer, especially since God already existed. “No, no, no...” says the angel. “I mean the mother of the son of God.” Also a strange offer, since Jews were monotheists. “It’s ok,” says the angel. It’s actually a trinity thing. So God is still one … just has three parts.” And Mary, who was actually a pretty sharp cookie, paused to ponder --- then said “do with me what you will.” There may have been harp music in the background. Most likely there wasn’t. Mary made the deal, and thereby sealed her future.

Admittedly, I took a few liberties there. But it illustrates that the heroes in the Bible all had a grand leap of faith moment, where they took a step that defied logic and safety. As we prep for the birth of our savior, let’s take a moment to ponder the adolescent whose courage changed the course of history. Do we have the courage to also utter, “do with me what you will”? That’s pretty heady stuff.

Heavenly Father,
Let us have the courage to say, “Do with me what you will” and then give us the ears to hear you and the courage to act. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 25: by Joe Anderson

December 23, 2009

READING: Hebrews 1:1-6

For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my son; today I have become your Father”?
Or again,
“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Hebrews 1: 5-6

One of the more important things we say as children is “My dad can whup your dad any day of the week.” Believing that childish little taunt let’s me sleep at night, sure in the knowledge that my dad can save me from all the harms that hide in my closet, and under my bed.

It turns out that nations need the same kind of reassurance. And so do congregations. Hebrews tells me that my Jesus can whup your gods any day of the week. He’s also bigger and stronger and wiser than the priests, scribes and Pharisees. Same thing goes for princes, kings and potentates. Heck, he’s even better than Moses and Elijah, and you know how they whupped up on everybody. To top it all off, Jesus can even whup a whole company of arch-angels with one hand tied behind his back.

Let the child in you rest easy this Advent season, in the secure knowledge that your Savior is awake.

My Lord and Savior, let us all rest easy in the knowledge that you are our Savior, King and the one true God. There are no others but YOU. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 24: by Chuck & Barb Johnson

December 22, 2009

READING: Luke 2:25-32

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
According to your word;
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
Which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A light for revelation to the Gentiles
And for glory to your people Israel.
Luke 2: 29-32

In Luke 2:25-32, God’s promise to Simeon was fulfilled when he was allowed to see Christ, the light of the world.

According to Sir Isaac Newton, “the source of a spectrum is white light. The rainbow gives off seven shades of color. Since the Scriptures often refer to God as “light”, perhaps the colors of the rainbow stem from the pure and radiant white light of our creator”.

On the day we began our life together in Grand Forks, North Dakota, we saw a double rainbow. We saw the same phenomenon again on our 10th and 20th, and within days of our 30th and 40th anniversaries. God had followed us from North Dakota to Florida. To us the rainbow has acted as a promise, not only to preserve the world from too much rain, but the promise that God will always be the nucleus of our life together. For 42 years we have enjoyed a Christ-centered marriage, secure in the fact that He does fulfill His promises-the promises of grace, salvation, and redemption.

Lord, your best promise of all is that you offer us salvation and eternal life. Help us to remember to seek you and your promises, Lord. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 23: by Julie Parker

December 21, 2009

READING: Isaiah 9:2-7

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9: 6

Like these verses in Isaiah, A new day is coming. Just as there was gloom and darkness before, God provided a great light and caused their nation to grow, making the people happy. We too live in spiritual darkness without the love of Jesus.

God gave his people the greatest gift to ever be given, his only Son. Jesus came to earth just as each of us; a baby. To grow and learn through childhood as all children do. He lived a normal life, so that he could experience and know our pain, joys and frustration. Then he took all our sin into his body and died for us, so that we could have everlasting life.

No greater gift could be given. Thanks be to God.
Merry Christmas.

Father in Heaven, You gave us the greatest gift of all, your Son, Jesus Christ. He has lived among us and died for our sins. Don’t ever let us forget this most precious gift .

Advent Devotional - Day 22: by Barbara Vincent

December 20, 2009

READING: Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said:

"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
Luke 1: 46-49

Mary’s Song:
The “Magnificat” was Mary’s way to magnify Jesus Christ as Lord even before He was born. She wanted to sing His praises and glorify His name. She rejoiced in God with her spirit and exalted God with her soul. She worshipped Him in spirit and truth. She professed herself to be lowly and yet she was blessed as no other woman. Her heart was filled with this song; her life was filled with music.

Our soul relates emotionally and personally with other people. It is with our spirit that we relate to God, that we know who He is, what He wants from us and what He has given and done for us. Each of us has a song of praise to sing. After you read these stanzas, let Mary’s song fill your heart. Add your own verses if you would like because her song seems to have no ending. It appears to be waiting for us to continue the verses, telling our own story of adoration and gratitude.

Dearest Jesus,
May we continue to sing your praises and create our own verses full of adoration and gratitude for what you have given us. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 21: by Mary Knurek

December 19, 2009

READING: Psalm 98:4-9

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
The world and those who live in it.
Let the floods clap their hands;
Let the hills sing together for joy
At the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
To judge the earth.
Psalm 98: 7-9

The Bible says, “that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, and peace.” So why do we sometimes have a hard time being joyful? Does your joy depend on the circumstances your in, does your happiness and peace depend on you getting your way? If some one is moving your cheese, changing things you don’t agree with, how do you handle it?

As Christians, our joy should never be dictated by the circumstance that we are going through, because joy comes from the Lord. He is our constant. He has the answers before we know the questions.

We have many opportunities during Advent to reach out to others and share the joy of the season with people we encounter. How we treat others speaks volumes. So, when that clerk isn’t helpful, when the holiday traffic is horrific, and when things aren’t going your way, pause… and remember to “shout joyfully to the Lord”.

Take the time to be a blessing to someone this Advent season. Be joyful in your thoughts, words and deeds. Show them you are a Christian by your love, have a servants heart, take the time to say thank you. It might be exactly what the person you are encountering needs.

Blessed Savior, as the sea roars and the hills sing, let us also sing joyfully about the miracle of your birth. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 20: by Cindy McClellan

December 18, 2009

READING: Luke 1:39-45

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Luke 1: 42

What an exciting moment. Elizabeth greeted Mary with honor and celebration. Her unborn baby , John the Baptist, leaped for joy and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Anticipating things to come, scripture to be fulfilled, both the unborn and the living shared an out of this world experience.

During this advent season, let our hearts too leap with joy at the thought of the baby in Bethlehem’s manger. Let us feel the elation of Elizabeth and John and rejoice in the birth of Mary’s baby, the Messiah.

Christmas reminds us that nothing is impossible with God. Through Christ’s miraculous conception and birth, God defies the laws of nature and implements His own plan for our world. He has given us His son – Our Savior, our brother, our friend.

Let’s celebrate ! Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 19: by Anita Rockett

December 17, 2009

READING: Jeremiah 31:31-34

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt..”
Jeremiah 31: 31-32a
Show Me

I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, "the show me state." I don't know about you, but I sure am glad that I am a child of the New Testament. I don't have to be told to wait until the time that God will fulfill his promises. No, I live in a time where the promises told of in this text in Jeremiah have come true. God did, indeed show me His love for me and all mankind in the sending of his Son to come to earth and take our yoke of sin upon Himself so that I might have my sins "remembered no more."

The amazing promise that the Christ child represents to us is that of a world of humanity living in the glorious promise of rebirth...a rebirth that comes daily knowing that our sin is forgiven...period. That's what God tells us here in Jeremiah. What joy there is in knowing forgiveness.

But beyond that, God tells us that the rebirth in forgiveness means that He will "remember our sins no more." They're gone! Washed away! Amazing grace.

Heavenly Father,
This advent, as we look forward to the celebration of Christ's birth, let the baby Jesus remind us of the simple grace in which God offers us eternal forgiveness and eternal life. We only need to come to His manager, know Him and take the gift. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 18: by Kay St. Pierre

December 17, 2009

READING: Isaiah 40:8-11

“He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
And carries them close to his heart;
He gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11

Isaiah - What a guy !! Generally considered to be the greatest prophet, Isaiah speaks more about the Messiah than does any other Old Testament prophet. He is also quoted at least fifty times in the New Testament. Following his words of judgment, chapter 40 of the Book of Isaiah begins the second half of his wonderful writings with words of comfort, forgiveness and hope. Verses 8 - 11 show us that God's Word is constant. Only in God's eternal Word will we find lasting solutions to our problems and needs. God is often pictured as a shepherd - powerful, yet careful and gentle. Here we see the Shepherd caring for the most defenseless members of His society: children and those caring for them. Let's worship our Personal Shepherd this Advent, as Isaiah suggests in verse 9:
"with a shout, lift up your voice, do not be afraid;
Here is your God !"

Welcome, Baby Jesus !

Lord, keep us ever mindful that we are the sheep and you are our Shepherd, there to guide and protect us if only we ask.
Amen.

ADvent Devotional - Day 17: by Ryan Traher

December 15, 2009
READING: John 1:19-28

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him. “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” ….. John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me…
John 1: 19-21, 26

Every day seems like a battle; a battle raging between the faithful and the doubtful. The faithful sit down once a week for an energy shot and are then sent out into the world for six days before returning for rejuvenation. However, during time out of church, the faithful are constantly challenged by the doubtful. Just as John the Baptist was questioned by the Levites, the faith driven today are questioned by the skeptical. “Who are you?” A typical inquisition that Christians are subject to. The second someone does something out of the social norm with any relation to Christ, they’ll turn the corner and a scoffer is waiting, ready to pounce the question, “Who do you think you are?”
So how is one to answer such a question? It is rarely in such a blunt form, but many of the questions revolve around misconstrued ideas about Christianity and what it represents, or whom the Christian represents themselves. People do not enjoy feeling inferior or demeaned, so how is one to proclaim Jesus by being his hands and feet without treading on other people’s toes? Well it is inevitable that eventually someone will be offended by their good intentions. John the Baptist was simply doing what he believed was right and explained that it wasn’t his choice, but that he represented someone much more important. This seems to be the best strategy in explaining where one is coming from when questioned about their faith. “I am merely a messenger of the Lord. I want nothing more than to make the world a better place in preparation for someone who is far more capable than I to change the face of humanity.”

Lord Jesus, continue to guide me and give me the strength to be your messenger so the world will know you as I do. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 16: by Frank Raike

December 14, 2009

READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not despise the works of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-22

I recently attended the Michael Jackson Movie, This Is It. I went to the film, not only because my wife asked me to go with her, but also out of sense of closure and finale.

Many years ago, I had met Michael and had a brief opportunity to work one of his concert tours, as a lighting operator. In retrospect, I recall that he didn’t have the ego or the arrogance that many self-absorbed rock stars think they are entitled too. He was nice and polite to everyone around him, no matter what your contribution was.

My brief moment around Michael Jackson was nothing particularly special. The concert moved from city to city, a couple times a week. However, Michael’s music came and evolved at a time when music videos were just becoming a fad and MTV started to define a generation. It was my generation.

Michael Jackson’s death earlier this year, seems to me that part of my generation has come to an end. It’s done; this is it.

From the movie, I find meaning in Thessalonians 5, in the presentation of Michael’s music, art, and performance. The film, This Is It, incorporates film footage that was taken during rehearsals from March through June at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The film captures the pure creativity of Michael. The film is constantly filled with musicians, choreographers, and crew, but the focus is forever on Michael Jackson. Watching him prepare for the concerts, one truly understands what it takes to be the best in music performance. To make the best at what God gave him.

What I brought a way from this film the most, is an appreciation of Michael’s disposition as a gentle, sweet soul, who was also a perfectionist. He was joyful and genuinely grateful to those around him. On the concert stage, he was sanctified and blessed in music, singing of caring for the world and loving his fellow man. His life might have ended, but his spirit lives on.

Jesus Christ, help us to remember to use our gifts that you have given us to the fullest, so we may shine for Christ wherever we go. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 15: by Matthew Swope

December 13, 2009

READING: Isaiah 40:1-5

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid, that she has received from
the Lord’s hand double fro all her sins.
Isaiah 40: 1-2

As a singer who spends time every year performing George Frideric Handel’s beloved Messiah, these words of scripture are some of the most familiar to me. In his setting of the scripture, Handel repeats the phrase “Comfort ye, my people” several times. Repeated passages force the performer to find different levels of meaning, intent, and nuance within the seemingly simple words.

Each year when we read the accounts of Jesus’ birth, we too are forced to see the prophecies and the coming of Christ in new ways. The central idea of comfort within today’s reading can be a difficult one for us as disciples. Whether consoling a grieving friend or smiling at a disgruntled co-worker, we are beacons of comfort in this world. Whether sharing our faith in an intimate spiritual discussion or in our daily acts, we are reminders of God’s love.

While God charges us to comfort His people, He also challenges us to “prepare the way of the Lord.” Indeed, there is nothing simple or easy about this mission. In striving toward His call and aspiring to Christ’s example, God calls us outside of our own comfort zones. Complacency and contentedness are not options. We are to reach out to our fellow man in word and in deed. During this time of Advent, let us challenge ourselves and each other to leave the safety our comfort zones. By committing to even one random act of kindness each day, we can effect positive change in the world around us. We will never know the full impact of these comforting actions; however, we can trust that if we keep Christ at the core, then we will have been at least a small part in preparing a “highway for our God.”

Lord Jesus, help us to prepare for your coming, even when it takes us out of our comfort zone. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 14: by Kenny Champagne

December 12, 2009

READING: John 10:14-15

“ I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—-- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—- and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10: 14-15

The image of the Shepherd is present from the beginning of Jesus’ life. It is Shepherd’s watching their flock at night who spot the star that leads them to the manager that Jesus is born in. I find great imagery in the fact that Shepherds don’t leave their flock to go find baby Jesus but bring them along to witness this miracle. In fact, I think it speaks to the heart of ministry. Normal every day people leading their flock to Jesus. Is this not what we are supposed to do as Christians? So at first we have ordinary people bringing a flock to Jesus, but quickly the tides turn as Jesus becomes the Shepherd and we become his flock. In John 10 Jesus speaks of being the good Shepherd. He does not leave his flock; in fact the good Shepard will risk his life for the flock. And of course Jesus, not only risks his life for us, he gives his life for us, so that we may have life through him.

Jesus is truly the good Shepherd, and who wouldn’t want to be a part of his flock; the part of a flock who’s Shepherd will die for you. So this time of year we recognize the birth of this good Shepherd and we remember the Shepherds who visited this baby on his birth. But we shouldn’t just remember and recognize this; we should share this with those around us. Just like those first Shepherds who brought their flock to Jesus, we too can bring people to Jesus. We can do this because we have the best news around; we have the good Shepherd…the Best Shepherd who will and has died for us so that we will have life! Merry Christmas and God Bless!

Almighty Father, keep us ever mindful of what you have done for us, in bringing the Good Shepherd to die for us. Show us how to be shepherds too who bring people to our flock. We are so blessed by you. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 13: Becky Rotroff

December 11, 2009

READING: Psalm 24:7-10

“Lift up your heads, O you gates;
Lift them up, you ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—-
He is the King of glory.”

Psalm 24:9-10

As we approach the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I find Advent a time to reflect on everything I have to be thankful for in this life. Sure, life is challenging at times, however, it is my faith in the Lord that keeps me going and I hope the same is true for you.

The Message version of Psalms 24:7 shouts out, “Wake up, you sleepyhead”. Does this take you back to when you were a child and your mother would stand at your door or by your bed, possibly even shaking you, saying these words? Was it because something wonderful was going to happen that day and you needed to get ready?

David is proclaiming to the people to “Wake Up”, to “Lift up your heads” because something wonderful is about to happen to them and he wants them ready. The Lord is coming! He is entering their gates.

Christ our Savior,
This season I pray that I will wake up each morning with Your love in my heart and be ready to walk with You all day. I pray that You will enter the gates of my life so we can all rejoice. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 12: by Margene Wampole

December 10, 2009

READING: Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you , Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
Matthew 11: 25-26

Advent is a time of waiting and preparation as we do all the things to get ready for Christmas. Decorating, shopping, Christmas Cards etc.

I have a memory of a Christmas long ago when we had three little boys under four years of age. We unloaded the boxes of ornaments and decorated our tree, with unbreakable ornaments for the boys to place on lower branches as we sang carols. Then the newest addition, our crèche scene, made with molded rubber figures easy for little hands to hold. As the older boys set up the crèche under the tree and the baby watched, Dan told Mike the Christmas story and the part of each figure and animal.

In the coming days the boys prepared presents for all members of the family, colorful pictures, clay creations and home baked cookies lovingly decorated. Carol singing and the crèche scene held their focus as the boys hopped each figure over to see the empty manger many times a day.
Early Christmas morning we awakened to the strains of Happy Birthday Baby Jesus! Our not quite four year old and two year old were delighted to see the Baby Jesus in His manger and were welcoming Him. We gathered up the baby and joined them singing. Then our oldest reminded us that Jesus shared presents with EVERYONE on His birth day!
The quiet simplicity and focus on the birth of the Holy Babe makes Christmas. May the serenity, joy and peace of Christmas be with us as we prepare for the birth of our Savior and let it dwell in our hearts all year.

Heavenly Father, as we prepare for the coming of your Son, let us focus on the simple joys and peace that Christmas brings and keep them in our hearts. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 11: by Anita Bergh

December 9, 2009
READING: 1 John 4:7-16

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4: 11-12

Most of us love “love” stories. The Bible is full of love stories. And today’s reading from the book of I John is one example. (not the GOSPEL of John - I John at the very back of your Bible….)Actually, the story of Jesus, his life and work, is not part of I John, but the essence of his life and work permeates the book.

Read this passage in the 4th chapter of I John again. Then select verse 10 and concentrate on it. It STUNS us. It STOPS US IN OUR TRACKS.. He loves us….! “Not that we loved God, but that he loves us…..” Or, as we read in John 15:16 (the GOSPEL John), “You did not choose ME, but I chose YOU”.

To think that we humans, running around on this planet, in charge of our own affairs, living life as we see it, really cannot get out of God’s grasp, even if we wanted to. He chose YOU----ME--- to love. He will love us until we come to his heavenly kingdom.

Because we are enveloped daily in busyness, worry, family and job concerns, we must return again and again to the “canopy of love”---to the amazing truth of God’s love wrapped up in “swaddling clothes and lying in a manger”.

“Love be our song and love our prayer
And love our endless story;
May God fill ev’ry day we share
And bring us at last into glory”.
(Marty Haugen, WOV #633)

Advent Devotional - Day 10: by Sandy Davis

December 8, 2009
READING: 1 Samuel 7:3-6

Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Astartes from amon you. Direct your heart to the Lord, andserve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." So Israel put away the Baals and the Astartes, and they served the Lord only.
1 Samuel 7:3-4

My faith was truly tested in 2001 when my Mom passed away suddenly from an asthma attack. I couldn’t believe that after only 53 short years, God had chosen to call her home. I couldn’t help feeling regret over “things left unsaid” and phone calls cut short because, let’s face it, there’s always tomorrow, right?

The angst I felt over not knowing if she was okay kept me up at night. I prayed and prayed for God to give me some sign that she was in good hands. I would sacrifice anything just to make sure she was safe and happy.

One night my prayers were answered when my Mom came to me in a dream. She had “telephoned” me to ask how I was doing. I had all sorts of questions for her…did she like being in Heaven and was she there with other members of our family. She assured me that everything was fine, like all mothers do, and that I need not worry about it anymore. She will always be with me watching over me.

As I awoke, I truly felt an inner peace, knowing that God had answered my prayers

Heavenly Father,
Keep us ever mindful of your presense. Let us not forget that all we need do is ask when we need you near and to comfort us. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 9: by Peter Lund

December 7, 2009
READING: John 1:6-8

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.”
John 1:6-7

“He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.” I’m not sure about you, but isn’t it nice to receive accolades? I love it; I can never get enough of it! Perhaps I have a slightly narcissistic streak, maybe I’m too self-centered, or maybe, I’m just HUMAN. I think human nature tends towards self-centeredness, especially when one is in a position of power. Along comes John, and right away, people think he’s special. Some people are even starting to dream big, and begin to question whether he may be the long-awaited Messiah. In other words – he’s a well-liked guy – receiving the accolades that we all love! Many people, in such a situation, would probably develop a mindset along the lines of, “You know what? I really AM great! Everybody’s right about me!” And over time, they would focus more and more on their own agenda. I’m sure even John would have been tempted to do so – a call from God doesn’t guarantee that someone will respond. I seem to recall a certain Jonah being told to go to Nineveh, so what does he do? He runs away… In the other direction… But that’s not what John does – he states that he is simply there to proclaim the One who is to come. He deflects all of the praise, and even calls himself unworthy. John, to me, serves as a reminder of how we are to center our lives – not on ourselves, but on Jesus. In this time of Advent, let us remember to be like John, and center our lives and our focus on what truly matters.

Lord, help us to remember to focus on you always, and keep you at the center of our lives.
Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 8: by Lou Shives

December 6, 2009
READING: John 1:29-31

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
John 1: 29

The first people, other than Mary and Joseph, to sense that Jesus was more than an ordinary person were the Wise Men from the East. Thirty years later, in Bethany, a village east of the Jordan River, John the Baptist announced to the crowd sent by Jewish leaders and the Pharisees, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. Although Jesus lived among the Jews and was referred to as the sacrificial and suffering Lamb, the people of Israel were confused by the meaning of John’s words. The Jews regularly sacrificed lambs in the Temple and for the Passover meal or Seder but did not make the connection. They put their trust in the sacrificial act but did not think anything more was necessary to be a “good Jew”. Few had accepted Him as the Messiah. If you were present during John’s proclamation, how do you think you would have reacted to his words? Would you have asked John to baptize you so that you could join God’s family?

According to historians, Advent originated during the first century as a period during which Christian converts prepared themselves for baptism through instruction, prayer, fasting, and reflection (similar to Lent). Since then, Advent has become a season filled with the spirit of expectation, anticipation, preparation, and longing for the Second Coming of Christ.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for this special time of year when we celebrate Your love coming down from heaven to earth. Open our hearts to receive a special gift of faith this Christmas. Use our lips and lives to invite others to become acquainted with You. Amen

Advent Devotional - Day 7: by Bill Nasworthy

December 5, 2009
READING: Isaiah 12:1-6

“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
Let this be know in all the earth.
Shout aloud and sign for joy, O royal Zion,
For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 12: 5-6

These verses were actually songs singing the praises of The Lord and all of his deeds. They tell us “for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me.” Despite our short comings, our Father loves us……always. The praises continue with “I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my might.” No matter what our lives are going through, the path we trod, Our Lord is “my salvation.” We are to “make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.” One of our jobs is to spread the Word and tell others of His greatness. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.” Indeed! Praise the Lord in all you do. Without Him, you are nothing and have nothing. “I will give thanks to you, O Lord.”

How will you sing praises to The Lord?

Lord God Our Savior, let us sing praises of our love for you this Christmas and sing them loudly, so all will hear and join in. Amen

Advent Devotional - Day 6: by Gail Seeram

December 4, 2009
READING: Luke 1:26-38

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” ….. The angel said to her, “The Holy spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.”

Luke 1: 30-31, 35

This story illustrates the journey God can place on our lives and how these journeys can help us come to faith or expand our faith. Mary, an unwed virgin, is being told by an Angel that she will conceive a child and he will be the Son of the Most High. For most women, the news of conceiving a child is exciting and is received as a blessing but for Mary she is afraid by this news. Mary questions the Angel, but after receiving a vague explanation that ended with “For nothing will be impossible with God”, Mary accepts God’s will. Mary says yes to God’s plan for her life and reaffirmed that she was a servant of the Lord.

As with Mary, God speaks to us daily in our lives, but do we also answer “yes”? Saying “yes” to God and sacrificing our plan for his plan is not an easy task.. Five years ago, I said “yes” to God and moved to Florida and left an established career and life-long friends in New York to follow a “plan” in Florida. There were many days where I questioned God and his plan for my life and career. Eventually, I saw God’s plan unfold and although I still wanted to follow my plan, I submitted myself as a servant to God and his plan. Now, five years later, I can appreciate God’s plan and purpose for my life although it was not clear to me at the time.

Now, whenever I am faced with life’s many challenges, I always remind myself that nothing is impossible with God (as stated in this passage) and only what is done for God and his Kingdom will last. Peace & love to you all.

Lord Jesus, let us remember that you have a plan for us and help us keep our ears open to hear what it is. And then follow you. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 5: by Neil Lund

December 3, 2009
READING: Psalm 89:19-26

Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: “I have energized a warrior; I have raised up a young man from the people. I have found David, my servant. With my sacred oil I have anointed him.
Psalm 89: 19-20

The Psalmist, Ethan, looks forward by looking back. He recalls God's promise to David - to give strength, protection, love and to deliver on His promises. Ethan also looked forward with those promises being fulfilled again. God again delivered on his promises with his Son, Jesus. Similarly we can look back to David and to Jesus and be assured that God will provide strength, protection and love to us.

Christ Jesus,
Just like the promise God made to his people to raise up David to protect his people, God promised to give us a King to save us. Thank you for keeping your promise to us and sending your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 4: by Carolyn Champagne

December 2, 2009
READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

“”For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal…….
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

The verses from Ecclesiastes tell us there is a time for everything.
“ a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, a time to dance;”
Right now is the time for Advent, a time to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. The celebration is close, but we must be patient.

When my boys were young they were so excited once December got here. All they could think about was Christmas and they wanted time to speed up. But there is a time for everything and God has other ideas. He has a plan to move more slowly and give us time to prepare for the birth of His Son. So listen to Him. Take time each day of Advent to reflect on what this means for us. It is not yet time to celebrate Christ’s coming. But it is close, real close. Take a deep breath, reflect and prepare ways to keep Christ in Christmas.

Heavenly Father,
You are in charge of the time table. As we go through this season of Advent, place in our hearts the knowledge of you, as our Savior, and what this means to us as we move forward to Christmas and life thereafter with Christ in our hearts. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 3: by Char Klima

December 1st, 2009
READING: Micah 5:2-5

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are small among the clans of Judah,
Out of you will come for me
One who will be ruler over Israel,”
Micah 5:2

Seven hundred years before Christ, Micah passed along the message he received from God announcing his Son’s birth. Expect a baby to be born in Bethlehem (the Bethlehem six miles from Jerusalem) to rule over Israel. This king’s reign, unlike all the kings they knew, would be eternal—Christ was before time, Christ is even today, and Christ will be forever.

What a promise with every detail exact! What a God! All we have to do is to believe Him. And we should believe with confidence. Has our Heavenly Father ever deceived us? He has delivered on every promise throughout history exactly as He spoke it.

But God through Micah doesn’t stop there. Israel will suffer for its rejection of Christ until it “gives birth” to our Lord a second time when He returns to earth in glory to draw the faithful to Himself. What a magnificent promise! God is faithful and can be trusted! BELIEVE! Praise God who cares enough to give us believing hearts even in our uncertain world.

Heavenly Father,
We hear your word and still question things. Come into our hearts and open them to hear your word so we believe everything you have promised. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 2: by Shirley Evans

November 30th
READING: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

“… just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you — so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Corinthians 1: 6-9

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This was a common greeting in the time of Paul and the early church. It’s a shame we’ve gotten away from such a warm and wonderful greeting. To know that we are blessed by God’s grace should fill us with peace and assurance of His love.

Next Paul thanks those at the church in Corinth because of the grace given them in Christ Jesus, for the way they’ve been enriched by the Holy Spirit and have testified to others of Christ Jesus. We too should thank God for each other and for the spiritual gift he has given us that we can share with one another. Our encouragement of fellow Christians is important, especially when life presents challenges and trials as we find in today’s world.

We can find peace and be strengthened in our faith knowing that God, through his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, will keep His promises and remain faithful to us.

Dear Lord, bless this day and let the knowledge of your gift to us strengthen my faith. Help me to encourage someone today who may be poor in faith so their heart may be filled with the wisdom of your grace and the warmth of your peace. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 1: by Evelyn Nasworthy

November 29th
READING: John 1:1-5

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
John 1: 1-2

God’s plan for us has been set since the beginning of time. Jesus was a part of it before we knew his name. The light sent to us shines in and through each of us to make our world a better place. That light shows us the path in the darkness of our lives. It NEVER goes out! Living in Our Lord allows each of us to spread this light. Can you feel the energy He gives you? Let your light shine…….God shares it with you. It is up to you to share it with others. Glow!! Glimmer!! SHINE!!

Lord Jesus, Allow me to shine your light in my life to others. Amen.

Raising the Roof of Faith - Placing God First

Week 6: November 7-13

Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ 29Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 31The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ 32Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; 33and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question.

Commentary
We so easily get caught up in our legalisms. By the time of Jesus, the 10 Commandments which were the foundation of the Hebrew covenant with Yahweh, their God, had become a legal code of 600+ laws that had to be observed for one to be righteous. We see Jesus routinely getting in arguments with the Pharisee’s over these things. Working (gathering grain) on the Sabbath, healing on the Sabbath, eating with the wrong sorts of people (treasonous tax collectors and the dissolute), etc. By the letter of the law, Jesus was breaking the religious code and traditions of his people. Except that he wasn’t. The code was not fundamentally about do’s and don’ts...but about our heart towards the world. And this is what Jesus drives at in the story above. The point of the Commandments was this: love God entirely, and love your neighbor as yourself. Love God. Love neighbor. How did it get so complicated?

Well...we like to measure things, we human beings. And so we start making the law even more specific so that we can measure whether we are really loving God or loving our neighbors, until we get so mired in our legalisms we can’t see our way to their original intent.

It’s all predicated on the idea that you and I aren’t intelligent enough to discern whether we are really loving God, loving neighbor or not. So we get specific, and lose it all altogether.

But just so we’re clear, Jesus wasn’t a legalist, and he didn’t want us to check our brains at the door. The law (or parts of Scripture) may say a thing, but anything that ever gets asserted as law (and a must do) must be weighed, not against itself or where it was found (such as the Bible itself), but against the Law of Love...and God’s demonstration of it given to us in the cross and resurrection. These in the end are the only valid measures.

Questions for Discussion
1. What are some modern examples of legalism in the church? Are these things helpful to our human community of Christ, or a hindrance? Do they help us love God more deeply, and our neighbors more authentically, or are these rules simply legalisms that make us feel good about ourselves?
2. How do you know when you are loving God? What does it look like for you as an individual? What does it look like for us as a Church?
3. How do you know when you are loving your neighbor? What does it look like for you as an individual? What does loving neighbor look like for us as a Church?

Raising the Roof of Faith - With God: On the Necessity of Prayer

Week 5: October 31 - November 6

Luke 11:1-13
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ 2He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father,* hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.* 3 Give us each day our daily bread.* 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’*
5 And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” 7And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. 9 ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for* a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit* to those who ask him!’

Commentary
Prayer is one of the hardest faith conversations we have. Prayer as practice and as concept comes with so much baggage attached to it that it is often hard to get at its deepest purposes. We learn as children the easiest of prayers -- how to kneel and hold our hands -- at dinner and at bedtime...physical actions set to prayerful scripts handed down through the generations. We learn to pray for ourselves and for others, and learn that prayer is especially warranted in times of great need. And perhaps this is the reason that there is so much disillusionment wrapped up in prayer. We pray for what we think we need and not what we really need and then are put out and discouraged when we don’t get what we want.

You have to be impressed by the disciples, though, who implore Jesus to teach them how to pray. The question isn’t, “why aren’t my prayers answered, Lord?” Instead its, “Teach me how to pray,” (e.g. What to ask for).

And Jesus’ answer is compelling. His answer has to do with the alignment of the person praying with the life of the Father and his kingdom where the kingdom is manifested fully today, God’s sufficiency is experienced today, his forgiveness is made real and alive today, and we are kept in a right relationship with the greatest purposes of God.

This hearkens to the version of the Lord’s Prayer we pray today. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
So the deepest purposes of prayer have to do with aligning our wills, minds, and hearts, with the will, mind, and heart of God...communion in the truest and deepest sense.

Prayer is not where our deepest wishes are manifest. Instead, prayer is where we as God’s children find ourselves manifest in the heart and very being of God and his purposes, and discover that there is no-thing on heaven or earth that can separate us from his real and powerful love. Ever.

Questions for Discussion
1. In Jesus’ response to the one disciple’s query on prayer, he uses an illustration of persistence to show us that the seeking of God’s heart and will I prayer is to be constant. If you struggle with regularity in prayer, what do you find is your biggest barrier to persistence? How might that barrier be overcome?
2. In your small group, share a personal story of un-answered prayer. Why do you think your prayer went unanswered?
3. In your small group, share a personal story of answered prayer. Were you able to recognize it as such at the time? Why or why not?
4. What other things do you notice in Luke’s story on learning to pray? What do you think the Spirit is saying to you? To the church?

Raising the Roof of Faith - Power of Commitment

Week 4: October 24 - 30

Mark 12:41-44a
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

Commentary
Commitment. You know, the four letter to “C” word! I believe, that we live in a culture that is commitment phobic. I believe this is the case, because commitment means accountability. And this means that there will be expectations of us. So rather than live with accountability, we run from it. Run the other direction, so that there will be no expectations of us. But our scriptures leave us no such latitude. The witness of the Bible over and over and over again is that commitment is part and parcel of faith. Anything significant that we will ever desire to do will require our utmost commitments and responsibility. These things will demand everything from us, if it really matters that much. Take the witness of this widow in the Gospel of Mark. For all of those who believe that they are giving generously, and that they are the picture of commitment, this woman walks into the treasury of the temple, gives everything she has, and puts everyone else to shame. She put them to shame, because she gives everything that she has. I wonder, if we have the same temerity and commitment that this woman demonstrates in the Gospel of Mark?

No doubt life is full of experiences that challenge our commitments. It’s just that our character gets tested when our commitment kicks into gear. It’s when we are asked to give it all, to give beyond it all, that we begin to measure the depths of our being and our passion for the thing at hand. I think that this widow, that we see in the Gospel of Mark, had to give everything she had because it was in her character to do no less. The Temple was the Temple of her God. She believed that her God deserved everything that she had, even her last few pennies.

Our commitment isn’t just a measure of our character, but also of the depth of our love. If this is true, then we should all be wowed by the depth of God’s love for us, revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus’s commitment took him to the depths of the cross and into Hell itself for this creation and the humanity that inhabits it. You simply can’t go any lower. There will never be any greater measure of the depth of God’s love, literally, for each of us.

Questions for Discussion
1. Jesus’s observation of the widow and his interpretation of her actions challenge Jesus’s disciples. As you read the story above, what do you hear God saying to you? What do you hear God saying to our congregation?
2. In your small group, share a personal story of radical commitment. This story may be something that you personally experienced, or a story you saw demonstrated in the life of another. How did the situation you just shared grow your character? What were the ramifications for those around this incident? If the story involved you personally, how did the opportunity to show commitment change you going forward?
3. What sort of commitments do you think that we as a church could make good on that would make God very proud of us? How do our commitments as God’s people reflect the nature and character of the God we serve?

Raising the Roof of Faith - Confronting/Overcoming Adversity

Week 3: October 17 - 23

Nehemiah 4:6-23
So we rebuilt the wall, and all the wall was joined together to half its height; for the people had a mind to work.

But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and the gaps were beginning to be closed, they were very angry, and all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. So we prayed to our God, and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

But Judah said, ‘The strength of the burden-bearers is failing, and there is too much rubbish, so that we are unable to work on the wall.’ And our enemies said, ‘They will not know or see anything before we come upon them and kill them and stop the work.’ When the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times, ‘From all the places where they live they will come up against us.’ So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. After I looked these things over, I stood up and said to the nobles and the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your kin, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.’

When our enemies heard that their plot was known to us, and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and body-armour; and the leaders posted themselves behind the whole house of Judah, who were building the wall. The burden-bearers carried their loads in such a way that each laboured on the work with one hand and with the other held a weapon. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, ‘The work is great and widely spread out, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Rally to us wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet. Our God will fight for us.’

So we laboured at the work, and half of them held the spears from break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, ‘Let every man and his servant pass the night inside Jerusalem, so that they may be a guard for us by night and may labour by day.’ So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me ever took off our clothes; each kept his weapon in his right hand.

Commentary
Adversity is a part of life. As relatively autonomous individuals between the doorposts of birth and death, we can all be assured that as we interact with the world and each other, that we will face adversity. Some adversity is external. Nature. Economic circumstances. Viruses. War. Illness. Conflict with family; your spouse, children, or parents. Other adversity is internal such as the depression and hopelessness that come as we wrestle spiritually an psychologically with our place in this world--and are tempted to let circumstances overtake and conquer our spirits. But inherent in all adversity is the opportunity to exercise the strength of our spirits, flexing the muscle of our souls, and seeing and experiencing our human capacity to overcome.

On some occasions what we face externally or internally will be greater than we can rightly handle. I know that popular spiritual wisdom tells us that God never gives us more than we can handle. But this presupposes that it is God that is giving us the adversity in the first place. I don’t believe that this assertion can stand in the light and reality of Jesus. The cross was more than he could handle. It did in fact kill him. But the revelation in the midst of the adversities of life -- even those that will take our lives -- is that God has the last word. There is no adversity you or I will ever face that is bigger than him or his unique power to overcome. This is the good news: that even when we are overcome by life and its adversity, God is still greater.

Questions for Discussion
1. If you are willing to share, identify two kinds of adversity from you own life. First identify a situation that tested and stretched you but through which your own human spirit triumphed. Next, identify an experience where your human capacities were not enough to get you through and where you had to totally rely on God. In each situation, what did you learn about yourself and you Creator?
2. Where is God when the adversity in you life is greatest? How do you know where God is in these times?
3. If life sometimes hands us more than we can handle, then how do Christ’s cross and resurrection become good news for us?

Raising the Roof of Faith - The Power of Community

Week Two: October 10-16

Nehemiah 3:1-12
Then the high priest Eliashib set to work with his fellow-priests and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors; they consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and as far as the Tower of Hananel. And the men of Jericho built next to him. And next to them Zaccur son of Imri built.

The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah son of Hakkoz made repairs. Next to them Meshullam son of Berechiah son of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs. Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.

Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. Next to them repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite—the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah—who were under the jurisdiction of the governor of the province Beyond the River. Next to them Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. Next to them Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. Next to them Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house; and next to him Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs. Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. Next to him Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs, he and his daughters.

Commentary
There are many wonderful things about the story of Nehemiah. It is in many respects a classic underdog story. You have an oppressed and conquered nation that rallies its will, marshals its resources, commits to doing what seems impossible, and then rebuilds even with the threat of attack from neighboring tribes and cities/provinces. But perhaps the greatest miracle of Nehemiah occurs in the power witnessed to in the single-mindedness of this community. Together, every household does its part to bring the wall of Jerusalem out of the ground, out of its rubble, and into formidable order. The miracle is that each household committed together, shoulder to shoulder, to get this daunting project done. It was the community, working together that did this profound thing. The rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem was not the singular victory of a particular family that bankrolled the effort. Everyone threw down and threw in. That saints, is miraculous! And in the end, each household was able to look at the wall and say together with full ownership, “We did this!”

Questions for Discussion
1. Think of a time that you experienced the very real power of a community pulling together to do an extraordinary thing. How did people commit together to do the thing? What was the outcome? What would have happened if people had opted out and decided not to participate?
2. When you are in community, especially God’s community, how does it strengthen you and help you walk taller as a person of faith? How does this faith community challenge you to be bolder and more faithful as a child of God?
3. How do you see God at work, for the sake of the world, through the community of St. Stephen? How do you think we could be even stronger as a community?

Raising the Roof of Faith - A Holy Discontent

Week One: October 3-9

Nehemiah 1:1-2:8
The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. They replied, ‘The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.’

When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, ‘O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.” They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!’
At the time, I was cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah Sent to Judah

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was served to him, I carried the wine and gave it to the king. Now, I had never been sad in his presence before. So the king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This can only be sadness of the heart.’ Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, ‘May the king live for ever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my ancestors’ graves, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’ Then the king said to me, ‘What do you request?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favour with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it.’ The king said to me (the queen also was sitting beside him), ‘How long will you be gone, and when will you return?’ So it pleased the king to send me, and I set him a date. Then I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may grant me passage until I arrive in Judah; and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, directing him to give me timber to make beams for the gates of the temple fortress, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.’ And the king granted me what I asked, for the gracious hand of my God was upon me.

Commentary
The unique story we tell the world, the story central to our Judeo-Christian faith, is that God not only created history but is at work IN it, present to it, and accomplishing in it his particular future. He hasn’t abandoned this creation to its own devices, but promises us a particular outcome - one grounded in hope and life.

As God works in our history, God repeatedly chooses to work through human agents to get accomplished and communicated the things he needs done. God works through Noah to save a human remnant and many animals through the worst flood the world has ever seen. God uses the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers to position Joseph in such a way that his gifts for vision and organization may provide not only for the inhabitants of Egypt during a seven year famine, but for the descendants of Abraham as well per God’s promise.

And through Nehemiah and Nehemiah’s holy discontent, God works to reestablish the vision and presence of his chosen people, these Judeans in exile, to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and in so doing rebuild the culture of a conquered people and its heart.

A holy discontent is a precious and wonderful thing and sometimes an incredible burden as well. We all know what discontent is...dissatisfaction with the way things are, perhaps our marriages, the grades our kids are bringing home, the nature of our home, how over committed we might be to various activities, or with our work lives. But a holy discontent is where our discontent over something that’s wrong in the world meets God’s purposes for the world. Think of Mother Theresa pitching her tent in Calcutta with the poor, or of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Harvard trained physician who has set up rural clinics all over the central plateau of Haiti to provide much needed health care to the poorest of the poor. In our own community, a stay at home mom named Angie Romagosa fanned her holy discontent for families in need and has taken The Sharing Center from helping 500 families in its first year of existence to almost 11,500 families last year.

Holy discontent is about God working through ordinary people like you and me the extraordinary purposes of his kingdom...where peace is central, where the poor are cared for, the orphan and widow are loved, the sick are visited, and the injustices of the world righted.

Questions for Discussion:
1. What do you hear God saying in the story of Nehemiah? To you personally? To our church community?
2. What do you think God is trying to get accomplished through Nehemiah, and why is that important to us, 2,500 years later?
3. What are other examples of holy discontent that you see in the world around you? How do these examples seek to bring God’s kingdom to earth?
4. Do you have an example of a holy discontent in your own life? If so, and if you are willing to share it with your group, what is it? What is God calling you to do with your holy discontent?

THE LONG VIEW -- "Raising the Roof of Faith"

A three year movement to grow our disciple-making

influence in this community and beyond!

Saints in Light,

As you all know, good things are in the air. St. Stephen is on fire with vitality and hopefulness, and conversations about our future in God are everywhere. Just over a year ago I walked our campus and prayed to God for guidance in the direction of our congregation. Those prayers and that conversation, along with many others, have brought us to this moment.

Two generations have called St. Stephen home and have raised their children in the faith of Jesus here. As we look towards a future of growth and vibrancy, it is apparent that our best days are not a thing of the past, but a future accessible to us on the horizon. If we are to be a church that rises to the challenge of these best days, then it makes sense for us to prepare for the future God is bringing to us.

In every time and place the mission of the church has been that of making disciples of Jesus...followers who live to bless the world with the hope and love of Christ. As a congregation we exist to "love, lead, build and send disciples for the mission of Jesus in the 21st century." This is our own unique articulation of the church's perennial call to disciple the world. Over our 36 years of life we have lived out this mission and have exemplified the values of vibrant worship, life-giving relationships, missional living and giving, and households alive in a resurrection faith.

The "Raising the Roof of Faith" Campaign is about people transformed and unleashed in the power of Jesus. It is about discipling both those who are already a part of the movement that is St. Stephen Lutheran Church, as well as all of those God will call to us so that his mission in the world can be fulfilled. As we dive into conversations about generosity over the coming month and as we are challenged as a congregation to own this future, even with our pocketbooks, my challenge to all of you is to remember that what we are doing is only secondarily about buildings. It's primarily about people.

Two true stories from our own community: The first has to do with a 15 year old teenager who has come to call our community in general and Solid Rock in particular, home. Her name is Bailey Dunn. She came into the influence of our church through Connie's Music Camp and over the years has transitioned from a child participant into a youth leader for the week. over the years she has made relationships of faith in Solid Rock that have led her to single critical decisions: that of baptism. If you look at the life of this young woman and the journey she has been on, you can see God's fingerprints all over her life, and this congregation had the privilege of being a part of that. This is what it's all about folks!

The second story is about Dick and Tina Langlotz. Tina came into our life because of the invitation (you know: AND next week? Bring a friend!) of a member to a Christmas Eve service. How did Tina know the member? They work out at the same gym and take gym classes together. Two months ago, at the age of 70, I had the tremendous privilege of baptizing Tina. It was a thing of power and beauty, and know that Tina, Dick and I all had a hard time getting through the baptism without outright weeping. Powerful!

Let us never forget our reason for being here. Our buildings, strategies, and even our giving are simply responses and vehicles through which God is doing wonderful and amazing things in our midst. God is on the move here. He's on the move transforming us in the life of this congregation. And He's going to do even more as we intentionally engage "Raising the Roof of Faith"!

From the Swenson-Reinhold's family room, God loves you and I do too!

Pastor Nathan