5-Day Sermon Devotion 11/17/2024

Pastor Paul Dancy • November 18, 2024

Sermon "God's Stewardship Promises" by Pastor Paul Dancy

Day 1: The Source of All Blessings Reading: Psalm 50:10-12, Haggai 2:8-9 Devotional: As we begin this journey, let's reflect on the fundamental truth that everything good we have comes from God. Our possessions, our talents, even our very lives are gifts from our Creator. Today's reading reminds us that God owns "the cattle on a thousand hills" and “all the silver and gold.” How does this perspective change the way you view your possessions? Take a moment to list five blessings in your life, big or small, and thank God for His generosity. As stewards of God's gifts, how can you use what He's entrusted to you to honor Him today?


Day 2: Contentment in Christ Reading: Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Devotional: In a world that constantly tells us we need more, God's Word encourages us to find contentment in Him. Today's passages remind us that God will never leave or forsake us, and that godliness with contentment is great gain. Reflect on areas in your life where you struggle with contentment. How might focusing on God's provision change your perspective? Challenge yourself to go through the day without complaining. While this may seem impossible, instead try to counter a complaint by expressing gratitude for what you have. How does this shift in attitude affect your relationship with God and others?


Day 3: Storing Up Heavenly Treasures Reading: Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:32-34 Devotional: Jesus teaches us to focus on eternal values rather than temporary earthly possessions. What does it mean to store up treasures in heaven? Consider how you spend your time, energy, and resources. Are they aligned with Kingdom values? Today, intentionally do something in gratitude to our God we serve - perhaps by serving someone in need, sharing your faith, or dedicating time to prayer. Reflect on how this impacts your spiritual life and your understanding of what truly matters.


Day 4: Generosity as a Reflection of God's Love Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Luke 6:38 Devotional: God's nature is inherently generous - He gave His only Son for our salvation. As His children, we're called to reflect this generosity. Today's passages speak of sowing generously and giving cheerfully. How does your giving - of time, resources, or love - reflect God's generosity? Challenge yourself to an act of unexpected generosity today. It could be financial, or it might be giving your full attention to someone who needs it. Reflect on how this act of giving impacts both you and the recipient. How does it deepen your understanding of God's actionable love?


Day 5: Trusting God's Provision Reading: Matthew 6:25-34, Romans 8:31-32 Devotional: Our journey concludes with Jesus' powerful teaching on trusting God for our needs and Paul's reminder of God's ultimate provision in Christ. Worry and anxiety are so common in spite of God's care for us. Reflect on areas in your life where you struggle to rely on God fully and try to maintain control. How can you practically seek His kingdom first? Write down your concerns and then pray to God about these struggles. As you do this, meditate on the truth that the God who gave His Son for you can be trusted with every detail of your life. How does this truth transform your approach to daily challenges and future uncertainties?

News & Notes

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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.
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