5 Day Devo

Pastor Nate Widener • March 9, 2026

Sermon by Pastor Nate Widener

5-Day Devotional: Living Water for Thirsty Souls

Day 1: Breaking Through Barriers

Reading: John 4:1-15

Devotional: Jesus broke every social convention to reach the woman at the well. He even speaks to a Samaritan, to a woman, to someone considered unclean. His love transcends our human boundaries and prejudices. Consider the barriers you've erected in your own heart. What cultural norms, past hurts, or fears keep you from receiving Christ's living water? Jesus doesn't wait for you to be "proper" or "ready." Jesus comes to you in your weariness, in your noon-day isolation, and offers Himself freely. Today, acknowledge one barrier you've built between yourself and God's grace. Remember: He crossed every boundary to reach you.

Day 2: Recognizing Your Thirst

Reading: Psalm 42:1-11

Devotional: The woman at the well didn't initially recognize her spiritual dehydration. She was focused on physical water, daily routines, and survival and she was missing the Messiah standing before her. How often do we do the same? We numb our spiritual thirst with busyness, entertainment, relationships, or achievement. Yet our souls remain parched. Like physical dehydration that causes confusion and hallucinations, spiritual thirst distorts our thinking and clouds our judgment. Today, honestly assess your spiritual condition. Are you experiencing "brain fog" in your faith? Is your spiritual blood thickening with bitterness or apathy? Acknowledge your thirst. Only then can you truly drink from the well that never runs dry.

Day 3: The Gift Right Before Your Eyes

Reading: James 1:16-18; Ephesians 2:8-9

Devotional: "If you knew the gift of God," Jesus said. The woman stood before the greatest gift humanity would ever receive, yet initially failed to recognize it. We do the same. Every worship service, every moment of forgiveness, every taste of communion, Christ offers Himself freely. Yet we can become jaded, going through motions without truly receiving. This week, God has placed gifts directly in your path: His Word, His presence, His people. Don't let bitterness or busyness blind you to His generosity. Take inventory today of three specific gifts God has given you recently. Thank Him specifically. Let gratitude crack open your "tiny, miserable heart" to receive even more of His abundant grace.

Day 4: When Jesus Names Your Sin

Reading: John 4:16-26; Hebrews 4:12-13

Devotional: "Go, call your husband." With these words, Jesus exposed the woman's hidden shame. He does this not to condemn, but to heal. He sees into your heart too, knows your sins, and shows them to you. This isn't cruelty; it's mercy. We cannot receive healing for wounds we refuse to acknowledge. Jesus' honesty is always accompanied by His offer of living water. He doesn't expose your sin to shame you into hiding, but to invite you into freedom. What sin are you carrying that needs to be brought into His light? Remember: the same Jesus who sees all you've ever done is the same Jesus who died to wash it all away. His knowledge of your sin is always coupled with His offer of salvation.

Day 5: From Receiver to Witness

Reading: John 4:27-42; Matthew 28:18-20

Devotional: The woman didn't meekly suggest people might want to meet Jesus. This woman ran into town, shaking people and proclaiming this gift given to her. This encounter transformed her from isolated and ashamed to bold and evangelical. This is the natural progression of receiving living water: it wells up within you and overflows to others. You don't need perfect theology or eloquent words. You simply need to say, "Come and see." This week, you will have opportunities to share your joy in Christ. The Holy Spirit promises to give you words when you need them. Who in your life is spiritually dehydrated? Who needs to hear that there's a well that never runs dry? Don't let fear silence your testimony. You've tasted living water. Now invite others to drink.

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August Happenings

By Amy Widener • July 27, 2026

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.