5-Day Sermon Devotion 11/3/2024

Pastor Paul Dancy • November 4, 2024

"A Tour of Heaven" by Pastor Paul Dancy

Day 1: The Glory of Heaven

Reading: Revelation 21:1-7, 22-27

Devotional: As we begin our journey through this week's devotional, let's reflect on the magnificent vision of heaven presented in Revelation. John's description of the New Jerusalem paints a picture of unparalleled beauty and perfection. The streets of gold, the absence of a temple, and the constant presence of God remind us that our eternal home will far surpass anything we can imagine on earth. Today, take a moment to consider how this heavenly perspective might change your outlook on your current circumstances. How does the promise of eternal glory impact your daily life? Remember, as believers, we are citizens of this heavenly kingdom even now. Let this truth inspire you to live with hope and purpose, knowing that your true home awaits.


Day 2: Washed in the Blood of the Lamb

Reading: Revelation 7:9-17

Devotional: The image of saints in white robes, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb, is a powerful reminder of Christ's redemptive work. This symbolism speaks to the core of our faith - that through Jesus' sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and we are made righteous before God. Today, reflect on areas of your life where you might be holding onto guilt or shame. Remember that in Christ, you are fully cleansed and accepted. How might embracing this truth more fully change your self-perception and your interactions with others? Take time to thank God for His incredible gift of salvation and ask Him to help you live in the freedom it provides.


Day 3: Perseverance in Faith

Reading: Hebrews 11:32-40, 12:1-3

Devotional: The tour guide's mention of martyrs and faithful believers who endured persecution reminds us of the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us. Hebrews 11 recounts many heroes of faith, some of whom faced terrible hardships for their beliefs. As you read about their experiences, consider the challenges you face in living out your faith. What obstacles or fears hold you back from fully committing to God's path for your life? Remember that you are not alone in your struggles. Draw strength from the examples of those who have gone before you, and fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Ask God for the courage to stand firm in your convictions, even when it's difficult.


Day 4: The Presence of God

Reading: Psalm 16:5-11, John 14:1-3

Devotional: One of the most beautiful aspects of the heavenly vision is the constant, unmediated presence of God. While we can experience God's presence now through prayer, worship, and communion, in heaven we will see Him face to face. Today's readings remind us that God's presence is our ultimate source of joy and fulfillment. As you go through your day, practice being aware of God's presence with you. How might your actions, attitudes, and decisions change if you were constantly mindful that God is right there with you? Take time to sit quietly in God's presence, allowing His love to fill you and transform you from the inside out.


Day 5: Hope in Suffering

Reading: Romans 8:18-25, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Devotional: The description of heaven as a place with no more tears, pain, or suffering offers tremendous hope, especially for those enduring hardships. Paul's words in today's readings remind us that our current sufferings are temporary and pale in comparison to the glory that awaits us. If you're going through a difficult time, allow this eternal perspective to comfort and strengthen you. If life is going well, use this reminder to cultivate compassion for those who are struggling. How can you offer hope to someone in pain today? Remember that as Christians, we don't just wait passively for heaven; we're called to bring glimpses of God's kingdom to earth now through acts of love, justice, and mercy. Pray for opportunities to be a bearer of hope and healing in your sphere of influence.

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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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