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October 6 Worship

9/30/2013

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This coming Sunday will have a focus on faith being passed down from one generation to the next as we celebrate Savior Divine's 73rd Anniversary.  Yes, I believe every year we need to give thanks to God for another year of ministry.

The text will be from 2 Timothy 1:3-13.  Here Paul writes to his co-worker Timothy and compliments him for having a sincere faith.  Paul mentions how faith had been passed down from his grandmother to his mother.  I don't know if Timothy had any children, but I'm sure the faith would be passed down to them.  One last thing Paul mentions is for Timothy to rekindle the gift that he has.

With us at Savior Divine we can look at how the faith of the chartered members was passed down from one generation to the next.  Throughout history this is what has happened.  The Christian passed down to each succeeding generation.

Please read the text below in order to prepare for worship on Sunday.

2 Timothy 1:3-13  "I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
  NRSV


Discipleship Questions for Reflection

Are you insuring that the faith you have will get passed down to the next generation?  

Is the gift that God has given you in need of being rekindled?









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September 29 Worship

9/23/2013

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This coming Sunday is a festival day in the church devoted to "Michael and All Angels."  I'm not sure how often we get to devote our attention to angels except as they appear in the stories of Christmas and Easter.  This Sunday the focus is not only on angels in general but on a particular angel, Michael who was higher up in command.


Here are the words from Revelation 12:7-9  "War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon.  The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was a no longer any place for them in heaven.  The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world he was thrown down to the earth."

We would note that war had broken out in heaven.  Yes, things were not all peaceful in heaven.  This victory by Michael and his angels led to a defeat of Satan.  As a result, Satan and his angels were thrown out of heaven only to continue to wreak havoc here on earth.

Yes, a battle is still being waged by Satan.  The intended target is you and me as believers.  Are we ready to withstand the onslaught of this force?

This Sunday is a time to remember that there are many, many good angels willing to go to bat for us.  You might think of yourself as having a "guardian angel."   These heavenly beings are true messengers, continually being used for God's purposes!

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

What role might angels play in your life?
How aware are you that there is another realm of existence - one that you cannot see or are aware of (yes, angels can appear in human form)?


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September 22 Worship

9/16/2013

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Comparing the church to any kind of business can be like comparing apples to oranges.  They are two different kinds of entities.  I have heard the comment:  "The church should not be run like a business!"  I realize, too, that maybe the business world can also learn from the church in regard to the aspect of hospitality.

However, might not the church learn from the business world, with such things as team building, communications or even about marketing?

This coming Sunday, Jesus presents us with a parable (and perhaps one of the most difficult parables to understand) about possessing a certain shrewdness in being one of his followers.  It's a long text and you might want to read it on your own in preparation - Luke 16:1-13.  In fact, you might want to read it from several different translations.

In short it's about a rich man who has heard about the mismanagement of his manager.  The owner calls in his manager to settle the accounts.  The manager then goes out and acts in a very clever fashion, by telling his boss's creditors that they only need to pay up half the amount they owe.  The manager, thereby, is making friends to help him in his life.

Here's the shocker:  when the owner finds out about what his manager did, he commends him for his shrewdness!  Here's how Jesus ended the story.  "For the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.  And I tell you , make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes."  (Luke 16:8-9)  Do you catch what Jesus is saying?  Wow!!

We as followers of Jesus need to use our money (and possessions) for the benefit of God's kingdom.  If we believe that what we have is only for us to enjoy exclusively, we are missing the point.  Yes, this parable is about our stewardship.  How are you using your money (and possessions)?  How are you "making friends" with what you have?  Do you feel you have a sense of "shrewdness" in dealing with what you have?


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September 15 Worship

9/9/2013

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This Sunday's message will focus on Luke 15:1-10.  Jesus gives two parables addressed to the Pharisees.  Jesus reveals something about the desire of God in seeking to reach those who are "lost."

The text is given below for you to read in preparation.  You may reflect on the questions following and submit input for the Sunday message through the comments.

May God's blessing be upon your reading and reflecting on these words of Scripture.  May you grow in your discipleship as you become engaged with God's saving and life-giving word for you.

Luke 15:1-10  Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ He told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

 ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’
 NRSV

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

What stands out for you in these parables?
What do you notice about the persistence or passion in finding what is lost?
How passionate are you in seeking to connect with the unchurched?
How do you think a congregation can move more in this direction?





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September 8 Worship

9/2/2013

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In this Sunday's worship, I will be drawing upon all three lessons that deal with relationships:  our relationship to God (and Jesus) and our relationship to others.  We are called upon to have more than just a superficial connection in these relationships.

The texts are given below for you to read in preparation.  You may reflect on the questions following and submit input for the Sunday message through the comments.

May God's blessing be upon your reading and reflecting on these words of Scripture.  May you grow in your discipleship as you become engaged with God's saving and life-giving word for you.

Deuteronomy 30: 16  "If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today,...then you shall live and become numerous and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess."



Philemon vs. 15  "Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother - especially to me but how more to you , both in the flesh and in the Lord."


Luke 14:27  "Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

What stands out for you in these verses about relationships?
In what ways do you think relationships get transformed because of faith?


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    I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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    Pastor Marty Pauschke

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