5 Day Devo

Pastor Adam McDowell • January 12, 2026

Sermon by Pastor Adam McDowell

Day 1: Buried and Raised with Christ

Reading: Romans 6:1-11

Devotional: Baptism is not merely a ceremony or symbol—it is God's powerful work in you. When you were baptized, something real happened: your sinful nature was drowned and put to death, and you were raised to new life in Christ. This isn't something you accomplished; it's what God accomplished for you. Today, consider the profound truth that you have already died to sin and been made alive in Christ. Your identity has fundamentally changed—you are no longer defined by your failures but by Christ's victory. Let this truth reshape how you see yourself today. You are not trying to become new; you already are new in Christ.

Day 2: Heaven Opened

Reading: Matthew 3:13-17

Devotional: When Jesus was baptized, heaven opened, the Spirit descended, and the Father spoke: "This is my beloved Son." Jesus didn't need baptism for himself—he entered the waters for you, to fulfill all righteousness on your behalf. Because of Christ's baptism, your baptism connects you to this heavenly reality. The Father's voice over Jesus extends to you: you are His beloved child. Heaven has been opened for you. The Spirit has descended upon you. Today, live in the confidence that you belong to God. You are not an outsider hoping to be accepted; you are already claimed, named, and loved by the Father through Christ your brother.

Day 3: Daily Drowning, Daily Rising

Reading: Psalm 51:1-12

Devotional: Baptism happened once, but its power works daily. Each day, the old sinful nature within us needs to be drowned through repentance—genuine sorrow over sin and turning back to God. And each day, we rise anew, forgiven and renewed by God's grace. This is not exhausting work you must accomplish but a gift you receive. When you stumble today, remember that your baptism speaks louder than your failures. Confess your sins honestly before God, knowing that He has already declared you forgiven in Christ. The same water that once washed over you continues to cleanse you through God's ongoing promise. You are different today because God has made you different.

Day 4: Walking in Newness of Life

Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

Devotional: "We too might walk in newness of life"—this is not a command to try harder but a declaration of what God has given you. You have been raised with Christ; therefore, you can walk in newness. Your future has changed from death to eternal life. Your relationship with sin has changed from slavery to freedom. Today, consider what "newness of life" looks like in your daily choices, relationships, and priorities. Not because you must earn God's favor, but because you already have it. Let your actions flow from the truth of who you are in Christ—forgiven, free, beloved. The new life isn't something you're striving toward; it's something you're living from.

Day 5: The Family of the Baptized

Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Devotional: Every person baptized into Christ becomes part of God's family—your brothers and sisters in faith. The newly baptized need care, teaching, and the presence of faithful believers. But so do you. We all need the church, our mother, to nurture us in faith. Today, reflect on your role in God's family. Who can you encourage in their faith journey? Whose example strengthens your own walk with Christ? Your presence in worship, your prayers for others, and your faithful witness all remind the body of Christ that what we receive here is real and life-giving. You are not alone in your baptism—you walk together with all the saints, past and present, toward the eternal home Christ has prepared.

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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.