Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Ephesians 6:10 NRSV
Be
strong with the Lord's mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 New Living Version
God is our refuge and always ready to help in times of
trouble. Psalm 46:1
From these scriptures, I know
God will always be there for me. God is always waiting for me to come to him in
prayer to seek God's strength. Recently, going through some health
issues, Steve and I have used prayer
to talk to God. Our prayers include sharing our need for my healing, the
isolation from the virus, thanking God for a good day and other things that
have happened, praying for others with medical issues, and racism issues.
Praying to God has given us strength every day and God's strength and his
power. I know God is always there for us.
Prayer: Thank
You God for being there for us. Thank you God for giving us strength to face
each moment. Amen
Susan Taylor
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Monday, June 29, 2020
You Are Faithful
Let us hold
unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:12-24
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
At the end of the June 14 broadcasted service, Will’s song “Questions” really captured so many things I have been feeling these last few months that I had to find the lyrics and relisten to Will’s voice again. For in the midst of COVID-19, unemployment, staying at home, face masks, physical distancing, racism, protests, cancelled plans and lack of hugs (especially lack of hugs), I must remember God is faithful.
Matt Redman – “Questions” (You Are Faithful)
[Verse 1]
In all of our questions, all of our searching
When we are wrestling You don't let go
In all of our fears and doubts, all of our anxious thoughts
When we are restless, still we are held
[Pre-Chorus]
Lord, I believe but help my unbelief
[Chorus]
The questions come but You remain
The battles roar but still You reign
And I believe one thing will never change
'Cause You are faithful, You are faithful
[Verse 2]
In all of our chaos, You will be constant
You can be trusted above it all
All of our fears and doubts, all of our anxious thoughts
You are not absent within the storm
[Chorus]
The questions come but You remain
The battles roar but still You reign
And I believe one thing will never change
'Cause You are faithful, You are faithful
Oh the questions come but You remain
The battles roar but still You reign
And I believe one thing will never change
'Cause You are faithful, 'cause You are faithful
Prayer: Dear God, in the midst of our fears, doubts, anxious thoughts and sadness, you are with us. You are faithful. Thank you for joy and laughter during this time; you are faithful. When we are weary, you are faithful. Renew our spirit so we may continue to grow in faith and love. Amen.
Cathy Schapmann
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
At the end of the June 14 broadcasted service, Will’s song “Questions” really captured so many things I have been feeling these last few months that I had to find the lyrics and relisten to Will’s voice again. For in the midst of COVID-19, unemployment, staying at home, face masks, physical distancing, racism, protests, cancelled plans and lack of hugs (especially lack of hugs), I must remember God is faithful.
Matt Redman – “Questions” (You Are Faithful)
[Verse 1]
In all of our questions, all of our searching
When we are wrestling You don't let go
In all of our fears and doubts, all of our anxious thoughts
When we are restless, still we are held
[Pre-Chorus]
Lord, I believe but help my unbelief
[Chorus]
The questions come but You remain
The battles roar but still You reign
And I believe one thing will never change
'Cause You are faithful, You are faithful
[Verse 2]
In all of our chaos, You will be constant
You can be trusted above it all
All of our fears and doubts, all of our anxious thoughts
You are not absent within the storm
[Chorus]
The questions come but You remain
The battles roar but still You reign
And I believe one thing will never change
'Cause You are faithful, You are faithful
Oh the questions come but You remain
The battles roar but still You reign
And I believe one thing will never change
'Cause You are faithful, 'cause You are faithful
Prayer: Dear God, in the midst of our fears, doubts, anxious thoughts and sadness, you are with us. You are faithful. Thank you for joy and laughter during this time; you are faithful. When we are weary, you are faithful. Renew our spirit so we may continue to grow in faith and love. Amen.
Cathy Schapmann
Friday, June 26, 2020
An Unbroken Chain of Hope
Look at this passage from Romans 5 and imagine yourself connected to an unbroken chain of hope.
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we* have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access* to this grace in which we stand; and we* boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we* also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Note how this strong link of hope connects us. It begins with the faith in Christ Jesus Who has given us access to God. That access gives us the strength to stand and boast in Christ. We are all linked together in hope.
Yes, it begins with suffering. But notice we grow in strength. We have heard we are all in this season of the virus together! We do go through a time of separation, distancing, and wearing masks. We see struggles of fellow citizens wanting to be heard for who they are as children of God. Their voice speaks of suffering. We hurt when they hurt. In the process, we pray that the suffering brings a renewed hope of health, safety and community where all are valued citizens.
But notice that this connection grows. The sufferings produce endurance; a confidence to say we can make this journey to the “new normal.”
When we have that confidence to endure, then we have another connection – character. This is the best of who we can be in Christ Jesus. Yes, that can change depending on our mood. Each day is a new challenge to claim that unbroken connection of hope. We may feel we broke the connection by our attitude, but God has not broken it. That connection of hope continues and we claim it! That constant reminder of reclaiming that hope is God’s grace working daily in you and me. We have the strength to keep on trying and connecting, for that connection is real and powerful.
But, with the link of suffering we gain endurance. Endurance leads us to character which brings one to hope. It is a hope that does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured out into one’s heart through the strength and encouragement of God’s Holy Spirit.
We are in a need of hope and I pray that this connection of hope from God works in all of us as we embark each day toward the “new normal.” The shining glory of God’s Spirit reveals the way!
Prayer: O God, let Your Spirit dwell in us that we may face any daily challenge which may cause suffering. But, may we all have the hope to endure and so gain strength of character that Your glory may shine hope into our future. Each and every day is a new time for that connection of hope through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Rev. Dr. John J. Duling, Parish Associate
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Our Father and Heavenly Father
Honor your father and mother. Exodus 20:12
...for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Galatians 3:26
...it is that very spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:16
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good help. 2 Thessalonians 2:16
This past Sunday all of us had the opportunity to honor and celebrate Father’s Day. Just as the Bible tells us: Honor your father and mother…it was a special day to honor, think about, and thank our fathers. Whether in person or in thought, important memories of what he means or has meant in our lives was remembered. Memories of the times when we needed him to provide protection, knowledge, support, encouragement, love and even punishment were easy to recall. Even though he might not be at our side today, we can still feel that security he provided in the past.
Fortunately, we also have the assurance of a Heavenly Father, a Savior, who loves us and can provide the comfort and assurance we might need today. Apostle Paul has taught us that we are the children of God. Therefore, we can also turn to our Heavenly Father. He too will provide the fatherly comfort and assurance that we need in our daily lives. Believe and rest assured in Him!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we are thankful for your presence in our daily lives. May we be comforted by the knowledge that you are always there for us if we will just turn to You and ask. In these troubling times, we are in need of your assurance in many ways as we deal with concerns in our daily lives. As Your children, we are comforted by Your fatherly care and concern. Amen.
Lauren Holcombe
...for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Galatians 3:26
...it is that very spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:16
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good help. 2 Thessalonians 2:16
This past Sunday all of us had the opportunity to honor and celebrate Father’s Day. Just as the Bible tells us: Honor your father and mother…it was a special day to honor, think about, and thank our fathers. Whether in person or in thought, important memories of what he means or has meant in our lives was remembered. Memories of the times when we needed him to provide protection, knowledge, support, encouragement, love and even punishment were easy to recall. Even though he might not be at our side today, we can still feel that security he provided in the past.
Fortunately, we also have the assurance of a Heavenly Father, a Savior, who loves us and can provide the comfort and assurance we might need today. Apostle Paul has taught us that we are the children of God. Therefore, we can also turn to our Heavenly Father. He too will provide the fatherly comfort and assurance that we need in our daily lives. Believe and rest assured in Him!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we are thankful for your presence in our daily lives. May we be comforted by the knowledge that you are always there for us if we will just turn to You and ask. In these troubling times, we are in need of your assurance in many ways as we deal with concerns in our daily lives. As Your children, we are comforted by Your fatherly care and concern. Amen.
Lauren Holcombe
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
A Word from Romans
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:25-27; 37-39
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Joy of Children
“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of
children is their parents.” Proverbs
17:6
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, who he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1-3
My grandmother lived in a care center in northeast Lincoln when she could no longer live alone. Sometimes I visited her by myself and sometimes I took our young daughter with me. I noticed that when I took our young daughter, my grandmother seemed more alert.
I learned about a rural church in southeast Nebraska that had a care center and also a day care for young children on the site. The children and the care center adults did simple art projects and shared daily snack time together. It was a special time that all looked forward to each day.
In my 25 years as a pre-school teacher and also a teacher in church settings, I learned so much from children. One time that I recall, I taught preschool children in vacation church school. Just before the last evening worship with the children and families, I took the children outside “to get the wiggles out”. We took our offering basket with us with coins given as children arrived that evening.
Outside the dandelions were blooming. The children asked if they could pick them. I told them they could each pick one special one. As we paused a moment at the sanctuary door, each child gently placed their dandelion on top of the coins in the offering basket.
Children add joy to our lives. We can learn much about sharing joy from children.
Prayer: God, we are grateful for the gifts of joy that children add to our lives. Remind us to learn from children and how they share joy. Amen.
Lois Poppe
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, who he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1-3
My grandmother lived in a care center in northeast Lincoln when she could no longer live alone. Sometimes I visited her by myself and sometimes I took our young daughter with me. I noticed that when I took our young daughter, my grandmother seemed more alert.
I learned about a rural church in southeast Nebraska that had a care center and also a day care for young children on the site. The children and the care center adults did simple art projects and shared daily snack time together. It was a special time that all looked forward to each day.
In my 25 years as a pre-school teacher and also a teacher in church settings, I learned so much from children. One time that I recall, I taught preschool children in vacation church school. Just before the last evening worship with the children and families, I took the children outside “to get the wiggles out”. We took our offering basket with us with coins given as children arrived that evening.
Outside the dandelions were blooming. The children asked if they could pick them. I told them they could each pick one special one. As we paused a moment at the sanctuary door, each child gently placed their dandelion on top of the coins in the offering basket.
Children add joy to our lives. We can learn much about sharing joy from children.
Prayer: God, we are grateful for the gifts of joy that children add to our lives. Remind us to learn from children and how they share joy. Amen.
Lois Poppe
Monday, June 22, 2020
Refuge from the Storm
Fear and
trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, “O that I had wings like a
dove! I would fly away and be at rest; truly, I would flee far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter for
myself from the raging wind and tempest." Psalm 55:5-8 (NRSV)
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?" Matthew 14: 25-31 (NIV)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”... He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. ... If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. Psalm 91:1-2, 4, 9-10 (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV)
When the Coronavirus “storm” hit Lincoln full force this spring, strong gusts of fear began blowing my way. With my husband and my dad both being high risk, these gusts were rattling at my door...yelling about all the things that could go wrong. I became terrified!
At first, I ran and “hid under the covers”, like a child afraid of a thunderstorm. I thought maybe I could just squeeze my eyes shut, curl up in a warm, comfy ball and wait for the storm to pass. This is a familiar scenario for me. I hide out inside myself, try to push aside my fears and hope they'll just go away. But, unfortunately, this place of refuge only provides a brief respite. The fear comes blowing back and begins to overwhelm me once again.
Finally, I remember. Like Peter, I'm supposed to keep my eyes on Jesus, not on the wind and waves. As I do, I hear Him say, “Take courage, it is I. Don't be afraid.” So I hop out from under the covers, shoot up many heartfelt prayers and head to the refuge of God's sheltering wings. For when I decide to reside in Him, fully trusting in His faithfulness and protection, my fears will be quieted. The “storm” may rage on, but I'll (put on my mask and) face it with the courage and strength He will provide.
Prayer: God of Refuge and Strength, forgive us for running away and hiding when we're afraid. Help us remember, instead, to always run directly to the shelter of your wings. During this especially scary time, we thank you for the many ways you have provided us courage, comfort, peace, strength, love...everything we need. Amen.
Sharon Irvin (photo below shared by Sharon, photo credit unknown)
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?" Matthew 14: 25-31 (NIV)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”... He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. ... If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. Psalm 91:1-2, 4, 9-10 (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV)
When the Coronavirus “storm” hit Lincoln full force this spring, strong gusts of fear began blowing my way. With my husband and my dad both being high risk, these gusts were rattling at my door...yelling about all the things that could go wrong. I became terrified!
At first, I ran and “hid under the covers”, like a child afraid of a thunderstorm. I thought maybe I could just squeeze my eyes shut, curl up in a warm, comfy ball and wait for the storm to pass. This is a familiar scenario for me. I hide out inside myself, try to push aside my fears and hope they'll just go away. But, unfortunately, this place of refuge only provides a brief respite. The fear comes blowing back and begins to overwhelm me once again.
Finally, I remember. Like Peter, I'm supposed to keep my eyes on Jesus, not on the wind and waves. As I do, I hear Him say, “Take courage, it is I. Don't be afraid.” So I hop out from under the covers, shoot up many heartfelt prayers and head to the refuge of God's sheltering wings. For when I decide to reside in Him, fully trusting in His faithfulness and protection, my fears will be quieted. The “storm” may rage on, but I'll (put on my mask and) face it with the courage and strength He will provide.
Prayer: God of Refuge and Strength, forgive us for running away and hiding when we're afraid. Help us remember, instead, to always run directly to the shelter of your wings. During this especially scary time, we thank you for the many ways you have provided us courage, comfort, peace, strength, love...everything we need. Amen.
Sharon Irvin (photo below shared by Sharon, photo credit unknown)
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