5- Day Sermon Devo

Pastor Nate Widener • April 28, 2025

Sermon by Pastor Nate Widener

Day 1: The Returning King

Reading: Revelation 1:4-8, 12-18

Devotional: As we reflect on Christ's return, we're reminded of His majesty and power. John's vision in Revelation paints a picture of Jesus that's both awe-inspiring and humbling. Today, meditate on the description of Christ with "eyes like a flame of fire" and a voice "like the roar of many waters." How does this image of Jesus challenge or comfort you? Consider how this powerful King chose to die for your sins out of love. Take a moment to surrender any areas of doubt or fear to Him, remembering that He holds "the keys of death and Hades." How might your life change if you lived each day expecting Christ's return?


Day 2: Overcoming Doubt

Reading: John 20:24-29

Devotional: Thomas's doubt is a story we can all relate to. Like him, we often struggle to believe what we cannot see or understand. Yet Jesus met Thomas in his doubt with patience and love. Reflect on a time when you've doubted God's presence or promises. How did God respond to your doubt? Remember that Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Today, ask God to strengthen your faith in areas where you struggle to trust Him. Consider how you might encourage someone else who's wrestling with doubt.


Day 3: The Peace of Christ

Reading: John 14:25-27, Philippians 4:6-7

Devotional: In a world full of turmoil, Christ offers us His peace - a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace isn't just the absence of conflict, but a deep-seated assurance of God's presence and control. How have you experienced Christ's peace in your life? In what areas do you need to invite His peace today? Take time to bring your anxieties and fears to God in prayer, asking Him to fill you with His peace. Consider how you might be an instrument of Christ's peace to others around you.


Day 4: Living in Light of Eternity

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Devotional: The promise of Christ's return and our resurrection gives us hope beyond this life. How does the reality of eternal life impact your daily decisions and priorities? Reflect on Paul's words that we should "encourage one another with these words." How might you live differently if you constantly remembered that this life is not all there is? Today, choose one way to invest in your eternal future - perhaps by serving others, deepening your prayer life, or sharing your faith with someone.


Day 5: God's Presence in Suffering

Reading: Romans 8:18-39

Devotional: Life inevitably brings challenges and suffering, but we're assured that God is with us through it all. Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from God's love. Reflect on a difficult time in your life - how did you experience God's presence? Even when we can't see or feel Him, God promises to be our "constant companion." Today, if you're going through a trial, invite God into that space. If you're in a season of peace, pray for those who are suffering. Remember that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. How can this eternal perspective change how you face challenges?


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Board of Directors Ben Clinkenbeard Your Board of Directors is proud to announce that the motion to change our bylaws was approved by the members of St. Peter's on Sunday. A hearty THANK YOU goes out to all of our members who attended the meeting. The meeting also provided an opportunity for spirited discussion and reports from the Endowment Committee, Treasurer, School and Preschool, and some of our Ministry Teams. We also received an update from the Vision to Victory team and the Senior Pastor Call committee. As Pastor Dancy steps away from St. Peter's at the end of May, please be on the lookout for updates from our Senior Pastor Call committee and updates from the Board of Directors as we transition into our newly approved bylaws. We want to extend another thank you to both Pastor Dancy and Pam Launer! Blessings on your next chapter. New elections to the Board of Directors were as follows (* indicates incumbent): Dennis Borchers Ben Clinkebeard* Gary DeCamp Bill Habegger* Mark Timm Vision to Victory Mark & Sandy Timm If you missed the Spring Voter’s Meeting, you missed a big announcement from the Vision to Victory Team. WE PAID OFF THE MORTGAGE! Praise the Lord! We took out a loan twelve years ago to make additions and major renovations to the church. Paying down, or paying off this loan has been a major focus of four consecutive capital campaigns. And we are now debt free. Thanks to everyone who contributed to any of these capital campaigns. It’s been a long time coming, but we praise the Lord that this has been accomplished. Huge cause for celebration! In the weeks to come, the pastors will incorporate a symbolic “mortgage burning” ceremony as a part of our weekly services. And maybe, if we ask nicely, we might even get some refreshments following the service! The Vision to Victory campaign has four major objectives. Retiring our debt was the first and foremost. Done. Refurbishing the sanctuary was the second objective. That has been accomplished and paid for through dedicated funds that were earmarked for this purpose. In fact, we did not require any funds from the capital campaign to accomplish this work. Refurbishing the organ was a third objective. This work is also complete and paid for. At a cost of $330k, we were fortunate to receive a grant from the Lutheran Foundation to cover half the expense. We also were able to use a fund that was previously set aside for this purpose. In reality, we only required a little over $70k from the Vision to Victory capital campaign to get this work accomplished. The final objective of this campaign was to accomplish some much-needed work at the school. Last summer, we were able to install air conditioning units for the school cafeteria and gym. That work is paid for. This summer, we will replace all the windows in the school and refurbish the gym ceiling. We expect this work to total approximately $150k. The Vision to Victory Capital Campaign was designed to run for three years, through June of 2026. We are almost finished with the second of those three years, and we are in great shape. But this is not a time to step away from our pledges. A dozen years ago, the congregation approved a Master Plan that featured three phases. Paying off the mortgage closes the books on the first phase. Whether we continue with the other two phases as described 12 years ago, or go in another direction remains to be seen. But I am certain there will be a next step. And by honoring ourcommitments in the Vision to Victory campaign, we give ourselves a running start on whatever those next steps may be. Like all the generations of church members before us – from the original families who came together to form St. Peters 170 years ago to today – we need to follow two objectives. Maintain the church to meet the needs of the day. And prepare the church to meet the needs of the next generation. We thank each and every one of you who contributed to our accomplishments so far. Let’s finish this final year of the capital campaign by tucking some funding away for wherever the Holy Spirit leads us in the next phase of the life of St. Peters. Finance If you would like a copy of the budget presented at the voter's meeting, give the church office a call and we're happy to get you a printed or electronic copy upon request.
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