Christ Our Shepherd Lenten Devotion Series 2024 New Chapters in Vocation February 23, 2024 The following Lenten devotional on the theme New Chapters in Vocation comes from Ethan Miller, our director of youth. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 An old …
New Chapters: Hope in Co-Authoring Life Stories with God Week 1: Vocation 2024 Lenten Journey 21 February 2024 Dear Faith Friend, This Lenten season, as you know from COS emails, our series is entitled “New Chapters: Hope in Coauthoring Our Life Stories with God.” God’s Word tells us that “for everything there is a season,” which means that new chapters inevitably come as both …
Christ Our Shepherd Lenten Devotion Series 2024 New Chapters in Vocation February 19, 2024 The following Lenten devotional on the theme of New Chapters in Vocation comes from Ben McCumber. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -Colossians 3:17 A …
New Chapters Word From Wiese 14 February 2024 Welcome to a New Chapter. Having completed the church season of Epiphany, Christians turn the page to Lent. White and green vestments yield to purple. Biblical tales of Jesus’ ministry beginnings give way to talk of deeper purpose and sacrifice. Same incredible story, but a new chapter is ready to unfold. Culturally, …
Groundhog Day? Word from Wiese 7 February 2024 Last week, a party raged in Punsxutawny, Pennsylvania. Bustling throngs rivaling AGU football tailgate parties drank, danced and delighted—even before sunrise!–in preparation of “the forecast.” Would the world’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawny Phil, see his shadow? Six more weeks or winter OR an early spring was on the line. Knowing the future …
Value Meal Word from Wiese 31 January 2024 What’s the value of “value”? When I hear “value meal,” I think of some pretty cheap, unhealthy, perhaps greasy food (of which I must admit I’ve partaken too much in my younger years). The store “Value City” doesn’t elicit for me images of products that will serve well my household for decades …
Lift Somebody Up Word from Wiese 24 January 2024 Friends in faith, If you don’t live in a cave and spend any amount of time watching news, football, comedy programming or any combination thereof, you’ve heard of the juiciest romantic relationship in the today’s universe. Taylor Swift dating Travis Kelce. In case you don’t know, Taylor’s not the typical girl …
Only Love Can Do That Word from Wiese 17 January 2024 Friends in faith, A simple note for you today. But extremely substantive. Ten convictions, one or some of which might help propel you all week or maybe your entire life. The first five are from Martin Luther King, Jr., whose courageous faith in witness we honored two days ago. …
Put a Pin in It Word from Wiese 10 January 2024 Oakridge, Oregon. That’s where I was baptized. How about you? As the Epiphany season unfolds, this Sunday at church we move to the celebration of Jesus’ baptism . . . which leads to the celebration of our baptisms as well. As a fun feature, in the gathering space there …
Rizz Word from Wiese 3 January 2024 The conclusion of each year provides countless entertaining retrospects. One such analysis of 2023 emerged from dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster. Out of all the buzz-words of the past 12 months, the one taking honors for word of the year is . . . (drumroll please) . . . . “rizz.” Publishers of the Oxford …
