The Temple

March 8, 2018

Opening Hymns:
Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh339.sht)

Scripture Reading:
John 2:13-22
2:13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2:14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.

2:15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

2:16 He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"

2:17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me."

2:18 The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?"

2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

2:20 The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?"

2:21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body.

2:22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Message:
In this scripture we see one of the few times that Jesus becomes angry. He is upset because not only are people taking advantage of others (the money changers were making some good profits from the people who were buying there), but they were doing it in His Father’s temple.

Throughout the New Testament we can see Jesus becoming upset with religious leaders. People who claim to be following God’s Word, but are falling short. They judge others, when they should be looking at their own actions instead. In today’s scripture they are sinning right in a house of worship.

Even though Jesus gets upset, by the end of this scripture he speaks of His own death and resurrection. We are reminded that though He is upset by the sin, he is forgiving of the sinner. He still sacrificed Himself so that we might live.

We as Christians can still sin. We can judge others while ignoring our own impurities. We can take advantage of one another. We might not always show others the love that God would want us to show. However, remember that we are forgiven and loved.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for sending Your Son down to forgive us of our sins. Please help us change our own actions when we go astray, that we might draw closer to You. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
O Perfect Love (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh645.sht)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

Commandments

March 7, 2018

Opening Hymns:
Because Thou Hast Said (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh635.sht)

Scripture Reading:
Exodus 20:1-17
20:1 Then God spoke all these words:

20:2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;

20:3 you shall have no other gods before me.

20:4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me,

20:6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.

20:7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

20:8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.

20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work.

20:10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work--you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns.

20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.

20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

20:13 You shall not murder.

20:14 You shall not commit adultery.

20:15 You shall not steal.

20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Message:
The ten commandments are some of the first things that we learn in Sunday School. They are guidelines that show us how to kindly treat one another. They are the basic ways to be a good human being. Many are even laws that our society enforces. We can’t just go around stealing, killing or lying. There could be great consequences.

These commandments teach us how to treat other well, and it also reminds us to take care of ourselves. Sometimes we can forget about keeping the Sabbath day holy. It is in there to remind us that our own bodies need to be cared for and treated with respect.

Some of the commandments help prevent us from committing a greater sin. When we covet our neighbor’s possessions that could lead us to do despicable things to get what we want. Instead we are encouraged to be grateful for what we have.  

In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus tells us that the most important commandment is: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[a] 38} This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^{[b] 40} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus’ words go right to the heart behind the law. We are to follow the 10 commandments to show God and one another Love. The reason we follow these rules is important too. When we do it just to follow the rules that does not draw us closer to God. That relationship is one of following authority. However, when done out of love for God and for one another, relationships are built. We can see these laws as the natural way we are supposed to live.

Time of Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us how to love one another. Thank you for showing us that You love us too. Out of love, help us to become better people so that we may create a more kind and beautiful world. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
I Know Whom I Have Believed (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh714.sht)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

Promises

February 22, 2018

Opening Hymns:
Blest Be the Tie that Binds (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh557.sht)

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.

17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous."

17:3 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him,

17:4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations.

17:5 No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations.

17:6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.

17:7 I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

17:15 God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

17:16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her."

Message:
God continually shows us how he fulfills His promises. In today’s scriptures He makes a covenant with Abram and Sarai. He promises that Abram will be the father of many nations. As a sign of the covenant He changes Abram’s name to Abraham which means “Father of many.”

Abraham and Sarah were not quick to believe God’s promise to them because they were both very old and had no children. However, God keeps His promise and throughout the rest of the Old Testament we can see how that promise continues to be fulfilled.

Jesus also has made a promise with us. He promises us love and forgiveness through His loving sacrifice. He calls us “Children of God,” and through belief in Him our sins are forgiven and we are created a new.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for calling us Your children. Continue to guide us to do right in this beautiful world that You have created. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Forth in Thy Name, O Lord (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh438.sht)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

Hope

February 21, 2018

Opening Hymns:

God, that Madest Earth and Heaven (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh688.sht)

Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:9-15
1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

1:10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.

1:11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

1:12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.

1:13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

1:14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God,

1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."

Message:
There are so many ways that Jesus offers us hope. He gives us hope through His forgiveness, love, mercy, and His example. During the season of let we have time to reflect on the hope that Has given to us. Today’s scripture reminds me of the hope we get through seeing His example.

In today’s scripture it briefly talks about how Jesus went into the wilderness and was tempted for 40 days by the devil. This reminds us that while Jesus is the Son of God, He is also human. He suffered in ways that we suffer, and He is tempted in ways that we are tempted. Temptation itself is not a sin, it’s when we succumb to temptation that we sin. When we struggle through each of our temptations it can give us great hope to know that Jesus was able to fight through His own temptations and win.

Jesus gives us so many good examples of how to care for and to love other people. He also shows us how to keep from sinning. However, even when we sin there is still hope. Jesus forgives us of our sins and washes us clean.

Time of Prayer
Lord, thank you for all the ways you show us hope. Please let us share this hope and love to those around us. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh127.sht)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord Thanks be to God

Baptism

February 20, 2018

Opening Hymns:

When Morning Gilds the Skies (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh185.sht)

Scripture Reading:
1 Peter 3:18-22
3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

3:19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison

3:20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.

3:21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Message:
Baptism can mean so many different things to different people. Some people believe that baptism cleanses us from the sin we are born with. They see it as essential if you want to go to heaven. Because of that, infants and babies are often baptized. In a way, this also shows the parent’s commitment to raise their child to be a son or daughter of Christ.

Others believe that baptism is a choice that the individual should make when they are ready. When they are baptized they are showing their faith and commitment to follow God. When I was 7 years old I came to the realization that I hadn’t been baptized yet, and made sure to get baptized as soon as I could. While my life as a Christian had started before I could talk, through my mom’s beautiful example, my full commitment came when I was 7.

As I read this scripture I can see something new about baptism. It is not only us committing ourselves or our children to follow God. It is a symbol of God cleansing us from our sins (be it is sin we are born with or sin we fall into). Peter compares baptism to the flood from Noah’s day. 8 people and 2 of each animal were saved from destruction. God promises never to flood the world again, however, through the waters of baptism He washes away our sin, letting the good remain.

I’ve for sure sinned since I was 7 after I made that commitment to God. Baptism doesn’t keep us from sinning. However, Peter gives us a beautiful image of the cleansing forgiveness of God. Our spirits are washed clean. Now, when I pray to God for forgiveness I will remember this scripture, and know that he is cleansing me. For Jesus promises to forgive us of all our sins, and we are once more clean.
Time of Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for sending Your Son down to forgive us of our sins. Cleanse us now, that we may draw closer to You. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Nothing but the Blood (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh362.sht)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord Thanks be to God

Paths

February 19, 2018

Opening Hymns:
As The Sun Doth Daily Rise (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh675.sht)
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 25:1-10
25:1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

25:2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

25:3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

25:4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.

25:5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

25:6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

25:7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O LORD!

25:8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

25:9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

25:10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

Message:
Today’s scripture is comforting to me, not only because it speaks to God’s forgiveness, faithfulness, and steadfast love. But also, because it shows the psalmist petitioning God to guide their path, and to help keep them from sin.

Sometimes I can forget that God forgives us of our sins AND helps keep us from sinning in the future. Life can be challenging, and daunting. Sometimes we can hurt others, or do wrong without realizing it. However, we can always ask for God’s help to lead us in the right way. Through prayer, the study of study of scripture, and worship we can have a better idea of how God would have us live our lives.

As I await the excitement and challenge of having a baby, I can feel terrified that I might not do everything right. So many what if’s come into my mind. What if I teach them wrong, or don’t discipline well enough. What if they have friends that start them down a bad path… I know I’m not perfect. I can worry about what is to come. But better still, I can trust this scripture. By trusting in God and the lessons that He has given me through the scripture I can go through my life with confidence knowing that God will be there with me to forgive me when I fall short, and to guide my path when I need a reminder of what is right and good.   

Time of Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for Your forgiveness of our sins, and for teaching us what is right and good in Your sight. Continue to guide us through our challenges, and through all of the questions that we have. Help lead us to do Your will in all that we do. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
God Will Take Care of You (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh130.sht)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord Thanks be to God

Covenants

February 17, 2018
Opening Hymns:
Fairest Lord Jesus (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh189.sht)
Scripture Reading:
Genesis 9:8-17
9:8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him,

9:9 "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you,

9:10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.

9:11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."

9:12 God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:

9:13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

9:14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds,

9:15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

9:16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

9:17 God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."

Message:
When life is hard we can forget the promises that God has made to us. Sometimes we can feel lost and abandoned. Life can feel so unfair when something that happens in an instant can change our lives. My mother-in-law had fallen down the stairs one night, and she hurt her back. That one instant made it so she had to be in a back brace for the next 6 months.

My husband has been such a wonderful son helping his mother through it each step of the way. While she is no longer in the back brace, she still does have doctor’s appointments even though the fall was nearly 2 years ago now.

Currently, I work as a nurse on an orthopedic unit. I work with people who need back surgery, hip replacements, or other surgical procedures involving bones. Often times a fall is what caused that person to come in. I will never forget that while I see them at the start of their recovery, they have a long road ahead of them too. In thinking of how my mother-in-law felt, I can try to relate, and show more compassion to the people that I work with.

When life presents us with these challenges it can be easy to become disheartened. It can be hard to remember the promises that God has made to us. However, remembering that God is with us and loves us through each challenge can also help us through them. Whenever challenges come, remember that God loves you. He always stays true to His promises.

Time of Prayer
Lord, thank you for showing us Your love and forgiveness. Help us through each of our individual struggles. Lead us back to You when we feel as though life has become overwhelming. Thank You for always being there for us through the good times and the bad. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Jesus Loves Me (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh191.sht)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

Remembering to Say Thank You

February 16, 2018
Opening Hymns:
Oh Love that Wilt not Let Me Go (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh480.sht)

Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
26:1 When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it,

26:2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.

26:3 You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, "Today I declare to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us."

26:4 When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the LORD your God,

26:5 you shall make this response before the LORD your God: "A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous.

26:6 When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us,

26:7 we cried to the LORD, the God of our ancestors; the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.

26:8 The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders;

26:9 and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

26:10 So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O LORD, have given me." You shall set it down before the LORD your God and bow down before the LORD your God.

26:11 Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house.

Message:
The Israelites had a long journey behind them at this point. They had traveled the desert for 40 years, and now God’s promise has been fulfilled. They are no longer slaves in Egypt, they are no longer wanderers without a home. They have a place to call their own.

God gives them instructions on how to thank and praise Him for giving them this new land. They are to give the first of their harvest to the Lord, and they are to celebrate the bounty that the Lord had given them. The Israelites haven’t been the best at saying “thank you” to the Lord, so it makes sense that He needed to tell them how to show their gratitude.

 

Do we remember to say thank you? When we are children our parents give us rememders… but do we still need those reminders as adults? Luke 17:11-19 tells the story of 10 men who were healed and how only 1 man came back to thank Jesus for the miracle that had occurred. Sometimes it can be easier to remember to pray for what we need, but not as easy to remember to thank God for all He has given us. So as we go about our day today, let us remember to say “thank you”

Time of Prayer
Dear heavenly Father. You have made all things on earth and beyond. Thank you for the beauty that You have created. Thank you for calling us Your children. You hear our prayers, and You give us Your loving presence. Thank you for all the answered prayers and all the times that You are with us through our struggles. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh057.sht)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

Give In Secret

February 15, 2018

Opening Hymns:
I Sought the Lord (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh341.sht) /

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
6:1 "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

6:2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

6:4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:5 "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:16 "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

6:18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;

6:20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Message:
As we enter this season of Lent, this scripture reminds us that when we are donating, fasting, or giving up something during this season, we must remember why we are doing it. If we do it to show off and brag to others about how good we are, our hearts are not in the right place. We should instead use this time and our sacrifices to draw closer to God.

As I ponder this scripture and look out at the world, I can’t help but question it this year. When I hear the news each day it can feel so dismal. It seems like there needs to be more stories of all the good that people are doing in the world too. They need to see kindness in action.

I know the scripture isn’t saying to hide our kindness from others. In fact, by fasting, giving, and sacrificing in secret the end goal is to draw closer to God. That closeness will reflect out in how we live our day to day lives. God tells us not to hide our light, but to let it shine (Matthew 5:15).

So, in this season of lent, remember that while we may pray, fast, donate, or give up things in secret, we still should openly show our kindness and God’s light to others. The world needs to see love and forgiveness. The world needs to remember there is goodness and grace.

Time of Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us this season so that we are reminded to draw closer to you. As we reflect on Jesus’ ministry and sacrifice during these next 40 days, be with us. Guide our actions and motivations. Draw us closer to you so that we may in turn show others Your love and grace. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Nearer My God to Thee (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh528.sht)


May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord Thanks be to God