5 Day Devo

Pastor Danny Eggold • May 11, 2026

Sermon by Pastor Danny Eggold

5-Day Devotional: Never Alone, Never Forgotten

Day 1: The Promise of Presence

Reading: John 14:15-21

Devotional: On the night before His death, Jesus made an extraordinary promise: "I will not leave you as orphans." This wasn't merely comforting words for anxious disciples, it was a covenant declaration that echoes through eternity. In our moments of deepest loneliness, when silence feels deafening and isolation threatens to overwhelm, Jesus stands beside us. The Helper, the Holy Spirit, dwells within every believer, transforming our orphaned state into beloved sonship and daughterhood. Today, reflect on areas where you've felt abandoned or forgotten. Invite the Spirit to reveal Christ's presence there. You are not facing anything alone. The risen Lord who conquered death walks with you through every valley, every trial, every moment of uncertainty.

Day 2: Resurrection Recognition

Reading: John 20:11-18

Devotional: Mary stood weeping at the tomb, blinded by grief, unable to recognize the risen Christ standing before her. Then Jesus spoke her name..."Mary." Then everything changed. How often do our tears, fears, and disappointments obscure our vision of Christ's presence? We look for Him in expected places, using familiar categories, and miss Him standing right beside us. The resurrection means Jesus actively seeks us out, calls us by name, and opens our eyes to see Him. Today, listen for Christ calling your name. In Scripture, in prayer, in the quiet moments, He is speaking. Ask Him to clear your vision, to help you recognize His presence in unexpected places and people. Because He lives, you also live in Him.

Day 3: Adopted into the Family

Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Devotional: Baptism is God's definitive answer to our orphaned condition. Through water and the Spirit, we receive a new identity: beloved children who cry "Abba, Father!" This isn't merely a legal transaction; it's a radical relocation from isolation into family. We inherit everything Christ inherits which includes suffering with Him and being glorified with Him. The Christian life was never meant to be solitary. We're knit together with other imperfect, struggling believers who bear Christ's name. This messy, beautiful family becomes the place where we give and receive love, prayer, and presence. Today, consider your connection to Christ's family. Who needs to hear they're not alone? Who can remind you of your belovedness when you forget? Live into your adoption.

Day 4: Walking with the Unrecognized Christ

Reading: Luke 24:13-35

Devotional: Two disciples trudged away from Jerusalem, hearts heavy with disappointment and confusion. Jesus drew near and walked with them, but they didn't recognize Him. He opened the Scriptures, revealing how suffering led to glory. Then, in the breaking of bread, their eyes opened. Christ often accompanies us in our darkest journeys, even when we're walking away from hope. He meets us in our thick-headedness and slow hearts, patiently opening truth to us. The Eucharist, the breaking of bread, remains a place where recognition happens, where Christ reveals Himself. Today, reflect on your current journey. Where might Christ be walking beside you unrecognized? Bring your confusion and disappointment to the table. Let Him break bread with you and open your eyes.

Day 5: Living Un-Orphaned

Reading: Psalm 27:7-14

Devotional: "Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me." The psalmist understood what Jesus promised: we are never ultimately alone. Yet we often choose to live like orphans and retreat into self-protection, abandon prayer, isolate from community, cling to control. Living un-orphaned means actively trusting Christ's presence, especially when feelings suggest otherwise. It means continuing in worship when worship feels empty, praying when heaven seems silent, serving when we feel depleted. The widow in the silent house, the child afraid of darkness, the patient awaiting results, the sinner burdened with shame, these places we can declare: "I am not alone." Today, identify one way you've been living like an orphan. Choose instead to trust Christ's promise. Return to prayer, worship, or community. Live as the beloved child you are.

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August Happenings

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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.