Southwood Lutheran Church

USE it on Wednesday

On Sunday Pastor Sara talked about the importance of sharing faith within the home.  Listen to the sermon  - "Faith in our Homes" now.

Here's an idea for finding ways to share your life and your faith with your children.  Create a list of 20 questions (see suggestions below).  Put them on a list or cut them apart and put them in small bag.  Next time you are driving from home to school, church, soccer, or some other event in which time is spent in the car - pull out one question and give everyone a chance to answer it.  You'll learn something about your kids and your kids will learn something about you!

1.      What is something you want me to know about you?

2.      In what ways do you feel that I do not understand you?

3.      How do you hope that our relationship can improve over this next year?

4.      How can I do a better job listening to you?

5.      What are several ways I can be a better parent to you?

6.      What are some new things that our family can do together for fun?

7.      In what way would you like for me to consider giving you more responsibility and        freedom?

8.      Who are your most important friends right now and why?

9.      Who do you look up to right now?

10.  What is your biggest worry?

11.  What do you think that I think about you?

12.  What one word best describes you?

13.  If you could change something about your school, what would you change?

14.  When do you feel most alive?

15.  What would be the best day of your life?  The worst day?

16.  If you could have one super power, which super power would you have and why?

17.  What is your strongest emotion?

18.  What do you want to be remembered for?

19.  What is your best childhood memory?

20.  How can I do a better job serving you?

Keep in mind, the goal is to listen and learn – not to correct their impressions or “fix” anything too quickly.  Also, remember that your child may feel awkward talking to you about some of these concerns if you have not had similar chats before.  Be patient, and don’t worry if they struggle opening up.  Simply move on to whatever fun experiences you’ve planned and try again later.

What other ways have you found for sharing your faith with your children?

HEAR it on Sunday. USE it on Monday.

Sunday was Mother's day.  Pastor Sara talked about the importance of Mothers (and other adults too) in shaping the faith lives of our young people.  If you didn't hear it you can hear the sermon "Faith in Our Homes" on our website.

Here's a devotion taken from 1 Timothy to help you think more about the importance of sharing the gift of faith. This devotion comes from Pastor Kerry Nelson who writes daily email devotions - you can subscribe to these devotions here.  (The link for devotions is in the right hand column.)

I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:3-7

Her name is mentioned one time.  Not a word is said about what she looks like or what her homes was like or anything else that we think matters in life.  Only her name, Eunice.

We can make lots of educated guesses about her.  We can imagine her getting up before the rest of the family to begin making breakfast, walking to the town well to draw water, spending the day doing all that was necessary to make a home.  We can imagine her praying for and with her children.  But all we know for sure is that she was Timothy’s mother.

It is an interesting dynamic about life, how in some settings our identity is a function of the children we have parented.  “OH, you’re KATIE’S father?  Well how nice to meet you.”  “Hi everybody, this is MICHAEL NELSON’S father!”  Most of us love when that happens.  Our children are our legacy.  To be named after them is a sign of honor.

Eunice gave the best gift to her son that a mother and father can give.  She helped him see his life connected to the source of life. Of all the good that a mother (and father) can provide for their children, nothing has the eternal consequences of modeling and instilling a strong faith in the goodness, the presence and the purposes of God.  When the Apostle Paul showed up in town, and needed someone to come along on his journey as his apprentice, Timothy was ready to go.

But Eunice didn’t do what she did alone.  She didn’t make it up as she went.  For she too had been raised with a strong faith, modeled and instilled by her mother Lois, whose name is also mentioned just this one time in the Bible.

And so it goes.  Down through the generations and the centuries.  The gift of life nurtured in the lives of the young, who grow up to make their own mark on the wider world.  This is the rhythm that God built into the universe.  It is the heartbeat of creation.

This Sunday, (like every other day), is our opportunity to express our gratitude in person or in prayer, to the women who assumed the responsibility of nurturing our lives.  Of all the other things that women (and men) do in the world today, nothing has the significance or the consequences of the care they provide for their children.

Let us pray:  Dear Jesus, you knew the love and devotion of a mother who was with you from cradle to cross.  We thank you today for the anonymous women who made their mark on the world and then expanded their influence through the lives of their children.  Thank you for the rhythms of life and the opportunities we have today to do our part.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Think about those questions from Sunday's sermon again:

• What choices are you making that affect the faith lives of your children or other young people in your circle of influence?
• What small steps could you take to begin talking about faith in your home?
• In what ways do children see you acting out your faith?

Happy Mother's day!

Pastor Sara

**This is a new weekly feature.  You will find it each Monday Morning on our blog. Each week you can come here to find tools and resources to help you incorporate the things you hear in worship on Sunday to your daily walk of faith during the rest of the week. You will find a variety of scripture readings, questions, illustrations, prayers, and stories; they all connect to the themes from Sunday's worship. Hear it, Use it, GROW!

HEAR it on Sunday. USE it on Monday.

On Sunday Chip talked about what it means to live a life of faith. Listen to the sermon - "Walking With God" now.

“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love. And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.” Micah 6:8 - The Message

The people in Micah's time were so concerned with doing what was "right" in the temple that they forgot about doing what was right and good for God's people. They got caught up in religious rituals and forgot about relationships. They were more concerned about appearances and less concerned about the condition of their hearts. If we fast forward from Micah's time to today we can really see that we often do the same thing. We think the things we do in church are more important than anything else. We place more emphasis on these practices and forget about what God really wants - he wants our hearts. Micah says that God wants us to shape our hearts around justice, mercy, and humility.

On Sunday we celebrated Confirmation. 48 students affirmed their faith. We as pastors, parents, church staff, mentors and leaders pray that this past Sunday wasn't just a ritual - but that it marked an important turning point in a relationship. We pray that each of these 48 students will continue to grow in love for God and for God's people throughout their lives. That their hearts would be focused on acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

Take some time this week to think about the questions Chip asked during Sunday's sermon:

• What evidence or proof do people see in your life regarding your belief in Jesus? Do they see justice, mercy, and a humble relationship with God?
• How are you acting justly in your life?
• What things are you actively doing to show others mercy?
• What does it look like to walk humbly with God in your life?
• Ask God to guide you as you ask Him for ways that you can show your friends, coworkers, neighbors and strangers the love of Christ.

**This is a new weekly feature. You will find it each Monday Morning on our blog. Each week you can come here to find tools and resources to help you incorporate the things you hear in worship on Sunday to your daily walk of faith during the rest of the week. You will find a variety of scripture readings, questions, illustrations, prayers, and stories; they all connect to the themes from Sunday's worship. Hear it, Use it, GROW!

USE it on Friday.

This week we're thinking about our work and how God's purpose for our lives may or may not be lived out in our work.  If you missed Sunday's sermon click here, for other blog entries click here and here.

Today I encourage you to spend some time in prayer. Talk to God about both your challenges and your joys in your work.  Ask God to lead you in your work.  Pray that you would be a compassionate and generous example for your co-workers.

I stumbled upon this prayer website today. 

Check out Dear God.  There are lots of different people writing in their prayers, and lots of other people praying for and with them.  Its mostly anonymous - but its like a big huge internet prayer chain.  Check out this link with prayer requests specifically about work.

We know there are all kinds of people out there and all kinds of work situations - those who love their jobs, those who hate their jobs, those who are on the job search, those who've lost their jobs, those who feel stuck in their jobs, and those whose families wish they'd spend less time at their jobs.  Whatever your situation is - whatever your prayers are - please be sure to keep all workers in your prayers.

Pastor Sara

USE it on Wednesday.

This week Pastor Greg preached about our jobs. If you didn't get a chance to hear the sermon, click here to listen. What is it like to really have a sense of purpose in vision in your work? Maybe this is a concept you haven't spent much time thinking about. What is your purpose in work and in life? Are you living out that purpose? Is that purpose honoring God? Is it led by God?

If you'd like to think more about this here are a couple of books that my be helpful to you. They are both in Southwood's Library, stop by and check them out.

Chazown, A Different Way to See Your Life, by Craig Groeschel. Do you wake up each day motivated by knowing exactly why you were created? Guided by intention in every step? Enter: Chazown. Hebrew for “vision,” God wants to give His for you, and this book will reveal it! Living God’s dream will rock your world and align every area of your life, from your relationships to your finances and health. Chazown is packed with storytelling graphics, in-your-face honesty, bite-sized chapterettes, step-by-step guidance, surprising self-assessments, and scarcely containable energy in a fast-paced style that will drive you forward with purpose!

What Now, Making Sense of Who You Are and Where You're Going, by Marc Estes. There are times in life when the road is unclear, advice is scarce, and the question on your lips is "What now?" Author and pastor Marc Estes addresses this question in What Now as he takes the reader from inspiration to action on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he provides the tools necessary for a safe arrival.

Let me know if you find these books helpful!

Pastor Sara

HEAR it on Sunday. USE it on Monday.

On Sunday Pastor Greg talked about our work. We all work - but what does God have to say for people who hate their jobs? If you didn't get to hear Pastor Greg's sermon "When You Hate Your Job" - listen here.

C. S. Lewis said this about our work:

Do All to the Glory of God

The work of a Beethoven, and the work of a charwoman, become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God, of being done humbly 'as to the Lord." This does not, of course, mean that it is for anyone a mere toss-up whether he should sweep rooms or compose symphonies. A mole must dig to the glory of God and a cock must crow.

What Does The Bible Say . . .

There are seasons of life.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Eccles. 3:1 (NIV)

Sometimes we need a new start.
When the men brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:11 (NCV)

Sometimes we stay where we are because God needs us there.
Every Moses needs an Aaron

Sometimes we stay but adopt a new attitude about work.
Finding purpose through serving and volunteering

Whatever You Sense God Calling You to do, Practice. . .

Kindness
Undeserved love toward others
Mercy
Integrity
Prayer and other spiritual disciplines

Spend some time today with these Questions for Reflection and Prayer

Does my job provide a life for me and my family, or just a lifestyle?

Do I work for the company or for my customers and coworkers?

Can I work my job and find fulfillment in other ways?

How does God want to use me during this season of my life?

**This is a new weekly feature. You will find it each Monday Morning on our blog. Each week you can come here to find tools and resources to help you incorporate the things you hear in worship on Sunday to your daily walk of faith during the rest of the week. You will find a variety of scripture readings, questions, illustrations, prayers, and stories; they all connect to the themes from Sunday's worship. Hear it, Use it, GROW!

HEAR it on Sunday. USE it on Monday.

On Sunday Pastor Michael talked about the messages we hear every day - thousands of messages telling us we need something more, something better, or something faster. Wow! Its easy to see how quickly the voice of God can get get drowned out by all the other voices. If you didn't get to hear Pastor Michael's sermon "Filtering the Sea of Spam - listen here.

We hear some amazing words about God's voice in the Gospel of John. John 10:1-18

Writer Charles Swindoll once found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it, he writes:

'I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day," he recalled in his book Stress Fractures. 'Before long, things around our home started reflecting the pattern of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable.

'I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, 'Daddy, I wanna tell you somethin' and I'll tell you really fast.'

'Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, 'Honey, you can tell me,and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly."

'I'll never forget her answer: 'Then listen slowly.'"

From: Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, pp. 13-14

Take some time to day to "listen slowly" for the voice of God. This means slowing down, taking some intentional time out, and going to God in prayers of confession, thanksgiving, and praise. When was the last time you heard the voice of God?

**This is a new weekly feature. You will find it each Monday Morning on our blog. Each week you can come here to find tools and resources to help you incorporate the things you hear in worship on Sunday to your daily walk of faith during the rest of the week. You will find a variety of scripture readings, questions, illustrations, prayers, and stories; they all connect to the themes from Sunday's worship. Hear it, Use it, GROW!

USE it on Tuesday.

This week's Sunday message was about being an Apostle of Christ. If you missed it, be sure to listen. The text was from Acts 1:1-8. You can read the text from Acts by clicking here.

Jesus gave the disciples a huge task after his resurrection and before he ascended into heaven. In Acts 1:8 Jesus says:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Can you imagine what a huge task this was for them. After all, they started with only 12 people. There is a story told about Jesus return to heaven after giving the disciples this task:

Jesus reported to God and the angels of his time on earth – He had entrusted to his followers the responsibility to spread the good news of God’s love, to continue to tell the story, one of the angels gasped and said, “O, but Jesus, what is your plan if they fail?” And Jesus replied, “I have no other plan.”

So how is God using you as part of his play to spread the Gospel to the "ends of the earth?"
Pray this week about how God might use you in this way. Make St. Teresa of Avila's words your own:

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

How are you being God's hands and feet in this world this week?

Pastor Sara

HEAR it on Sunday. USE it on Monday.

On Sunday Pastor Michael shared a story he heard Friday morning on National Public Radio. You can listen to his sermon here. A story that brought new meaning to Jesus' command - "If someone takes the shirt off your back, give him your coat as well." Matthew 5:38-42.

The story is called "A Victim Treats His Mugger Right" - if you didn't hear it, take a moment and read that story - you can find it by clicking here. Essentially, the victim of a mugging treats his assailant to dinner and walks away with the weapon in his own hand.

What does it mean to treat people with the compassion that Jesus commands us? In what ways does this challenge your understanding of following Jesus?

**This is a new weekly feature. You will find it each Monday Morning on our blog. Each week you can come here to find tools and resources to help you incorporate the things you hear in worship on Sunday to your daily walk of faith during the rest of the week. You will find a variety of scripture readings, questions, illustrations, prayers, and stories; they all connect to the themes from Sunday's worship. Hear it, Use it, GROW!

HEAR it on Sunday. USE it on Monday

This Sunday's message was about sacrifice. Pastor Greg asked the question why do we make sacrifices for God? As we enter this Holy Week - we know that we are able to make sacrifices because Christ made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

If you missed Pastor Greg's message - you can listen to it here.

What will you do to make this Holy Week more meaningful? One idea is to check out Pastor Michael's daily devotionals this week.

Try reading through the Gospel accounts of Jesus betrayal and death - wait until Easter Sunday to read the resurrection story. Matthew 26:1-27:66, Mark 14:1-15:47, Luke 22:1-23:56, or John 18:1-19:42

If you want to try reading these stories side by side try this great website. Scroll down to find the story in one of the Gospels - then click on the little colored books to find that story in the other Gospels.

You might also consider picking up Max Lucado's book 3:16 - its a book that breaks down the most memorable verse in the Bible - John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. In the book Lucado walks the reader through the amazing, eternal, and powerful promise that this verse holds.

Remember this week's worship services:
March 20, Maundy Thursday - 6:30 p.m.
March 21, Good Friday - 6:30 p.m.
March 23, Easter Sunday - 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 a.m.

**This is a new weekly feature. You will find it each Monday Morning on our blog. Each week you can come here to find tools and resources to help you incorporate the things you hear in worship on Sunday to your daily walk of faith during the rest of the week. You will find a variety of scripture readings, questions, illustrations, prayers, and stories; they all connect to the themes from Sunday's worship. Hear it, Use it, GROW!