5 Day Devo

Pastor Nate Widener • March 30, 2026

Sermon by Pastor Nate Widener

Day 1: Listening with New Ears

Reading: Isaiah 53:1-12

Devotional: Holy Week is a familiar story, but familiarity can breed complacency. Isaiah prophesied the suffering servant centuries before Christ, yet when Jesus came, most missed it. The album of Holy Week begins with triumph and moves through betrayal, sacrifice, death, and resurrection. Each movement is essential to the complete work of salvation. Don't rush to Easter. Sit with each day this week. Feel the weight of Maundy Thursday's last supper, the horror of Good Friday's cross, the silence of Saturday's tomb. Only then can Sunday's resurrection truly transform you. You are the crowd, but you can also be the disciple who stays, who watches, who understands. Listen to this week's story with new ears, letting it change you once again.

Day 2: The Triumph of Misunderstood Love

Reading: John 12:12-19

Devotional: The crowds waved palms expecting a political deliverer, but Jesus came as something far greater, a Savior from sin itself. How often do we approach God with our own agenda, expecting Him to fulfill our desires rather than surrendering to His purposes? The irony of Palm Sunday is that while the people celebrated for the wrong reasons, Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. He walked toward the cross despite their misunderstanding, despite knowing they would turn on Him within days. His love isn't conditional on our understanding or faithfulness. His faithfulness is perfect. Today, examine your expectations of God. Are you seeking entertainment and comfort, or are you ready to receive the salvation He truly offers?

Day 3: From Spectacle to Sacrifice

Reading: Mark 11:1-11, 15-18

Devotional: The same Jesus who received triumphant praise also overturned tables in the temple. The crowd wanted miracles and spectacle; Jesus demanded holiness and transformation. We are often like those followers of Lazarus. We're drawn to the sensational, but uncomfortable with the confrontational truth of God's Word. True faith isn't about being entertained; it's about being changed. Jesus didn't come to make life easy but to make us free from sin's bondage. When God's truth challenges our comfortable lives, do we retreat like the fair-weather followers, or do we lean in? This Holy Week, ask yourself: Am I seeking God for what He can do for me, or for who He is?

Day 4: The Fickleness of Fans

Reading: Luke 19:28-44

Devotional: Jesus wept over Jerusalem because He knew the hearts of the people. Their "Hosannas" would become "Crucify Him" within days. We see our own reflection in this crowd. We praise God when blessings flow, and we question Him when trials come. Yet even knowing our fickleness, Jesus still rode toward His death. He knew we would betray, deny, and abandon Him, yet He chose the cross anyway. His love is not dependent on our consistency. While we are temperamental, He is our Rock. Today, confess the times you've turned from God in disappointment or anger. Receive the truth that His commitment to you never wavers, even when yours does. His triumph is that He saves unfaithful fans.

Day 5: The Real Reason to Celebrate

Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

Devotional: The triumphal entry wasn't about Jesus needing recognition; it was about fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating that true kingship comes through sacrifice, not conquest. We often celebrate God's blessings while missing His greatest gift: Himself. This week, shift your focus from what God gives to who God is. Celebrate not just answered prayers but the One who died to answer the deepest prayer of all, reconciliation with our Creator.

< Older Note

Newer Note >

Mail

News & Notes

Fieldworkers: Preparing Future Pastors

By Pastor Adam McDowell • July 27, 2026

Our Partnership with Our Seminary

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.