5-Day Sermon Devotion 11/24/2024

Pastor Nate Widener • November 25, 2024

"Outta Time" Sermon by Pastor Nate Widener

Day 1: Seeking God's Presence Reading: Psalm 27:1-4 Devotional: David's passionate desire to dwell in God's house reminds us of the importance of seeking God's presence. In our busy lives, it's easy to neglect time with God. Today, reflect on how you can create space to experience God's beauty and seek His face. Consider visiting your church during a quiet time, or creating a sacred space in your home for prayer and reflection. How might intentionally seeking God's presence transform your daily life and perspective?


Day 2: The Heart's Response to God Reading: Psalm 27:7-8, Jeremiah 29:13 Devotional: God calls us to seek His face, and our hearts should eagerly respond. This involves more than just occasional prayers or attending church services. It's about cultivating a deep, ongoing relationship with God. Today, examine your heart's response to God's call. Are you actively seeking Him in all aspects of your life? Spend time in prayer, asking God to align your heart with His will. Consider how you can integrate more moments of God-consciousness into your daily routine.


Day 3: Learning God's Ways Reading: Psalm 27:11-12, Proverbs 3:5-6 Devotional: David's plea for God to teach him and lead him on a level path speaks to our need for divine guidance. In a world full of conflicting voices and paths, God's wisdom is our surest guide. Reflect on areas in your life where you need God's direction. Are you willing to surrender your own understanding to follow His ways? Take time to study a passage of Scripture, asking God to reveal His truth and how it applies to your life. Consider joining a Bible study group to deepen your understanding of God's Word.


Day 4: Hope in the Land of the Living Reading: Psalm 27:13-14, Romans 8:18-25 Devotional: David's confidence in seeing God's goodness "in the land of the living" points to the hope we have both in this life and the life to come. As Christians, we live in the tension of "already but not yet" – experiencing God's blessings now while awaiting the fullness of His kingdom. How does this eternal perspective change how you view your current circumstances? Reflect on ways you've seen God's goodness in your life. How can you be a bearer of hope to others who may be struggling?


Day 5: Stewardship of Time Reading: Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5 Devotional: The sermon emphasized the importance of being good stewards of our time, recognizing that all our time belongs to God. This challenges us to reconsider how we prioritize our activities and commitments. Today, prayerfully review how you spend your time. Are there areas where you could be more intentional about using your time for God's purposes? This doesn't necessarily mean more church activities, but it could involve being more present with loved ones, serving others, or deepening your spiritual disciplines. Ask God to help you discern how to best use the gift of time He's given you for His glory and the benefit of others.


News & Notes

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August Opportunities for Fellowship & Learning (In alphabetical order) Altar Guild Annual Potluck Meeting Wednesday, August 19th @ 6:00 pm in the Cornerstone Room If you're one of the ladies in our Altar Guild thank you. Be sure to join us for our annual potluck supper with a meeting following. Bible Studies (click for details) New Sunday series continues, but summer plans for weekday studies will be ending soon. Stay tuned for dates of when those will start to meet regularly again. Christian Education Weekend (Backpack Blessing) During all worship services August 8-9th Rededicate our faculty and staff to their teaching ministry as well as rededicate ourselves as a congregation to praying for them, encouraging them, and supporting the work God has given us to do together. Students may also get their backpack blessing tag for this school year. School starts August 12th! At the 10:30 AM service, we will also install Janet Bahr as our assistant principal and Dianna Bultemeier as a called teacher of St. Peter's. Please join us for a reception honoring Janet and Dianna on the church's front porch following this service. Confirmation Kick-Off Sunday, August 9th during the Bible Study hour @ 9:15 am in the Sanctuary Parents and students (7th & 8th graders) of our day school and public school will meet to prep for the upcoming year with Pastor McDowell. Plan to attend and remember the Confirmation Site on The Hub will be updated soon with everything you need to know as far as expectations, handbook, assignments, deadlines, and event dates. Collections/Fundraiser (ongoing) The Compassionate Care Collection is prepping hygiene kits for the Lutheran World Relief: The LWR collection will be through July and August--details can be found on the LWR.org/kits site or HERE . Needed are: light weight bath sized towels (between 20" x 40" to 27" x52"), bath-size soap bars in original wrapper, adult toothbrush, sturdy comb, metal nail clippers--all items must be new and NOT have religious symbols or patriotic decoration. Special Monthly Offering: This month we collect for our Preschool which is so appreciated by the faculty and students. You'll also see their annual Giving Tree displayed in the Ministry Center soon. Take a letter of the alphabet off the tree and bring back the supply listed. Stay tuned for a video from our Preschool Director, Barb Christian, next week about these two opportunities to support our Preschool. Drums Alive Drums will take a break in August and come back in September with an updated schedule. Stay tuned! Monday Night Worship Summer Monday night worship ends August 31st. The following Monday is Labor Day and the church offices and schools will be closed. Senior Saints Monday, August 10th @ 11:30 am in the Cornerstone Room REGISTER HERE for this month's Lunch N' Learn featuring our own Tina Acosta who does amazing work through Turnstone. Turnstone is a place unlike any other and anyone who knows about it only has good things to say. If you'd like to know another reason Fort Wayne is such a great place to be, come listen as Tina will offer an overview of Turnstone and their services. Serving in the Church Offering your talents or acts of service is often something we all want to do, but not always sure where to start. Opportunities present themselves, but it's hard to remember them all or keep track of something that called to you at one point. The Serve tab in the Realm Connect app continues to add areas that are open and looking for someone just like you. Log in on your computer or through the app on your phone and scroll through the Roles to see if one is a good fit for you. Remember, signing up doesn't commit you to it, but does share that you'd like to be contacted about it. Sisters in Christ: Simple Quilting Craft Saturday, August 15th starting at 10 am in the Cornerstone Room REGISTER HERE FREE Regret never learning how to sew? Or haven’t picked up a needle and thread in a long time? Do not miss this opportunity to learn from ladies who’ve been sewing since 2nd grade! It’s nearly a lost art, but we’re bringing it back with Linda Thiele, Debbie Haenftling, Carol Nahrwold, and Jan Bultemeier who have curated a perfect practice project to teach you sewing and the basics of quilting in the form of a pot holder or trivet. Coordinate colors with your kitchen! It’s made for beginners, but any sewing ability is welcome. There’s so much knowledge combined in this room, if you have a question about anything related to needle and thread, they can answer it! We also gather the last Wednesday each month (July 29th this week and August 26th) at 5:00 pm Kekionga Craft Co, 7328 Maysville Rd. Come & go. Enjoy a little fellowship, prayer idea, and grab something to eat if you’d like. Young Adults Second Sundays, August 9th starting at 6 pm @ Pastor Nate's house Hosted by Ben & Gwyn Corley, we'll have dinner together, games, and devotion. Bring a friend and fellowship with us. REMEMBER August 9th is also the last day to sign up for Combat Ops Laser Tag. REGISTER HERE. You can pay later, but sign up today! Don't miss out! Get on the text thread to be sent reminders and invites. Text 'stpfw' to 94000 and follow the prompts.
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