Thanksgiving at Living Hope
Living Hope will hold an evening service on
November 25 at 7 p.m.
Visitors welcome!
(no services will be held on Nov. 26th)
November 17, 2009
Videos: Learn about LWMS
Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) – Website Tour
Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) – United to Serve Jesus
LWMS Video Series
November 12, 2009
Failed WELS links
WELS.net is upgrading to a new website. Because of this change, many links on Living Hope’s sites that used to connect to the WELS site no longer go to those corresponding pages. We will work to correct this problem. Thank you for your patience.
November 11, 2009
New Heaven~New Earth~God’s Gifts
Ruth Knoke ~ Florida Sun Coast Circuit
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:8 -12a, 13
Guided by the Holy Spirit as we read our Bibles, these verses comfort us. As God’s children, we know he is patient with us, and he will return to earth again. When that day comes, however, he will appear suddenly “as a thief” because no one knows when it will be. Before he comes, he wants all to turn to him and be saved.
The news shows us destruction from storms, earthquakes, and floods. Wars cause terrible suffering. These verses tell us that one day our universe will be totally destroyed. Yet we have God’s promise we will have a new heaven and a new earth. No more tears, sins, or destruction. “The home of the righteous!” That’s for us—God’s believing people.
God asks us, “What kind of people ought you to be?” And he also answers, “You ought to live holy and godly lives.” Because God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins, we are holy. Isn’t that amazing?!! We, who do not live perfect lives are seen as perfect by our Almighty God, because Jesus took our punishment by suffering and dying on a cross! One day, when Jesus comes again, we, and all people who have died trusting in him as their Savior, will see that new heaven and new earth. We want Jesus to return quickly, yet we know some are not ready, so we joyfully tell them about Jesus. We offer prayers and gifts in support for our synod, our church and LWMS. We want everyone to know God’s love.
Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for your love and faithfulness. Increase our zeal and ability to always go and tell of your love. Amen.
Women of Faith Devotions
November 4, 2009
Weekly Worship: explore Grace
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Acts 15:11b …it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved… Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Revelation 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Come and explore Grace with us at Living Hope!
Sundays:
Family Bible Hour at 9:15 a.m. Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Our weekday service schedule:
May through November 2nd : Mondays @ 7 pm
During Advent and Lent: Wednesdays @ 7 pm
October 14, 2009
LWMS Fall Rally
Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society’s Fall Rally
Shepherd of Peace, Norfolk, Saturday, October 10th. Check-in 8:30 am, Opening 9:00 am.
Listen to Pastor Andrew Fix share the remarkable story of Sudanese Christians who changed a ministry and a congregation.
September 15, 2009
Sharing Good News Naturally
by Pastor John Beck
On several occasions, well-meaning, motivated Christian men and women, eager to share their faith, have expressed to me their frustration with actually doing it. They are confident that they know what to say (Jesus lived, died and rose for me), but don’t know how to go about working this good news into a conversation.
What follows is a brief outline of one way we might do just that. The beauty of this approach is that it is a natural way friends might converse with friends. It is not forced or contrived and the goal of this approach is not to get someone to do something (attend a church service or adult instruction class). The goal is to share our peace and confidence in Christ. The approach is known as YOUR STORY – MY STORY – HIS STORY.
We have all had friends who have experienced trials and challenges in life – from potty training toddlers to finding a new job to handling grief upon the death of a loved one. Our friends may share their heartaches, doubts and fears with us. After first being a good and sympathetic listener, we can move forward with YOUR STORY – MY STORY – HIS STORY.
You can begin by acknowledging, with compassion, the trial that has come into their life. Good listening says, “YOUR STORY is interesting to me. I’m concerned about you.” At this point you can move on to MY STORY. Suppose your friend is lamenting a doctor’s diagnosis of cancer in one of their parents. If you have faced a similar experience you can tell the story. That’s MY STORY and in this you establish a common ground for empathy and understanding.
What is different (if your friend is unchurched) is how you have coped with trials. My story isn’t the end of the story. I have faced cancer and death in the family with the confidence and hope that only Jesus brings. Now I can share HIS STORY. Now I can tell in a personal, heartfelt way that Jesus calms my storms. I can tell how He grieved at death, how He faced death and how He rose from death. I can tell how He took the sting out of death with His promise of resurrection life.
That, in brief, is YOUR STORY – MY STORY – HIS STORY. Look for opportunities to tell the good news that brings light to our darkness. Share it with a friend.
September 14, 2009
