Worship into the Week- Be Salt

 

Worship into the Week

Mark 9: 42-50 

Temptations to Sin

A challenging section here with hand chopping

 and eye gouging.          

I remember being struck as a child with verse 42-

"Whoever causes one of these little ones 

who believe in me to sin, it would be better

 for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck

 and he were thrown into the sea."

    Bring the little ones to Jesus-

 do not stand in their way.                      

The next section really enforces the idea that we need                              

      to be vigilant to remove the sinful things in our life.

Any sin is not worth an eternity in hell. 

 With the reference to salt,

Jesus would have been saying that if a community

 has lost its faith in the Kingdom vision, 

they sit without purpose. 

When they came under fire perhaps with persecution,

 they lost their faith. 

They did not serve well in the community any longer. 

They had lost their saltiness. 

As we become more like Jesus,

 we need to remember to not lose our saltiness. 

We are better in the world when we add to the flavor

 that enhances the Gospel message to the world.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

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Worship into the Week Printable

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Magazine cutouts

Colored pencils

Fine point Gel Sharpie

 

                                  

Spiritual Mentor

   

                   A beautiful morning at Green Springs Gardens

 in Alexandria, Virginia this morning.

I met with a dear friend that has been a 

spiritual mentor to me for almost 30 years.

We had lots to catch up with time apart for COVID.

She is that friend a bit ahead of me on the road, 

with a willingness to pour into me.

She is wise woman and reflects

 the light of Jesus in all that she does.

Today her words spoke into what I am doing right now- 

"make every effort". 

She shared the Biblical study 

that she has done with those verses.

We looked for what God is doing in our lives.

Discipling each other- the best faith walk journey.

We prayed together.

And gave thanks.

Worship into the Week- Draw Near

 

Worship into the Week-

James 4:1-10

Warning Against Worldliness

Seems like we slip away to the pull of the world

 when we fail to stay close to God.

Draw near- 

and He will draw near to us.

Simple mantra, not easily fulfilled.

So many distractions.

That pride- it certainly gets in the way

 of our living out life in the Kingdom.

We fail. God gives more grace.

"God opposes the proud,

 but gives grace to the humble."

The doorway into that goodness

 is a humble heart.

Resist the devil and he will flee.

God has given grace upon grace

 when we stay close to Him.

In the place of stillness 

let us not be double-minded.

 Living our lives with humility 

opens the door for the Lord to exalt us.

When we are on the bottom rung, 

His hand stretches out to us.

Thank you Lord, 

for this touch of your presence.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

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Worship into the Week Printable

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Colored pencils

Postage Stamp

Recycled envelope 

Psalm Summary- Psalm 30

Psalm  30 Summary 

I had stepped away from this practice

 for a couple of years.

That happens- things go in cycles.

Then I had a strong nudge to come back yesterday.

It is just an 8 1/2 by 11 journal

  that is set up with wine cork circles added with stamp ink.

Then it is no longer a blank sheet of paper.

I usually read it in multiple versions, 

as well as my usual ESV version.

I set down to the task with prayer for the

Holy Spirit to  point out special passages

 for me to PAY ATTENTION to as I read.

The lettering takes a bit of time as I find 

phrases that seem to jump out from the reading.

Sometimes, I add the same phrase in from multiple resources.

So, it was over two years

 since I had sat down to do a Psalm Summary.

As I was working on coloring in the phrase-

 Joy Comes in the Morning,

a song played on the Christian radio station

 with that phrase while I was coloring.

Joy Comes in the Morning.

It strikes me on this side of amazing- 

that in all the things God was busy with yesterday, 

there was this fine tuning in my life.

Let me say this again...

In the exact moment, I was coloring this phrase,

 the song with that phrase plays on the radio.

Sometimes, I think that all the years 

of practicing Visual Faith have helped me

 to SEE more and HEAR better.

I sure don't want to miss

 all the things He continues 

to plan and work out in my life.

You DID IT-

turned wild lament into

whirling dance!

Worship into the Week- Taming the Tongue

 

Worship into the Week- 

James 3:1-12

Taming the Tongue

Restless evil that cannot be tamed.

We bless our Father 

and then turn around and curse people.

The people made in the likeness of God.

With the same mouth we bless and curse-

 and it shouldn't be so, 

but it is our sinful life here on earth.

A salt pond can't yield fresh water.

Let us pray about this weapon

 that can set a forest on fire.

It is a small part of our body, but mighty.

May the Lord give me the patience

to continue to learn to speak wisely.

May the Lord give me wisdom to know 

when to hold my tongue. Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

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Worship into the Week Printable

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Colored pencils

Magazine cutouts

Hudson is One!

 

Celebrating Rookie Year for Hudson recently.

This little guy is ONE year old already!

A grand party was held for him- surrounded by family.

He works hard to stay up 

with the rest of the team.

Papa gives him a boost 

to check out that cake.

Investigate he did.

Ah- but first the icing.

Finally got to the SMASH part at the end.

You know- that mom- she wants this photo opps thing.

OK, I will humor her- then I am otta here.

Even with just bros and cousins-

 there is a pack of us!

They all seem to like this paper and bag thing.

I have lots of helpers to pull things out.

I just want the paper.

Always good to celebrate with 

Grandma and Grandpa Meier-

 they just make it extra fun. 

Now- I'M off to bed!

Got to rest up for the next big party thing!

9-11- 20th Anniversary

 

Worship into the Week-

 James 2

The Sin of Partiality

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” 

you are doing well. 

Faith Without Works is Dead

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.”

 Show me your faith apart from your works, 

and I will show you my faith by my works.

In this week leading up to the Anniversary of 9-11,

 I was spending time with these verses.

When lectionary readings fit time and space

 of current events, it is always time to sit and see for a bit.

How we see our neighbors-

 to love them as ourselves.

Works must follow faith.

It is time to set aside the things that separate us.

These 20 years- what have we learned?

We need the Lord's help- still.

To learn to love our neighbors as ourselves.

 Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Change our hearts.

Let my faith be shown in my works.

Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printables

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Worship into the Week Printables

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Colored Pencils

Magazine cutouts

Fine-point Sharpie marker

Here and About- St. Charles, Missouri

                 

                       This week has been a great connection time 

               with friends connected to the Council of Presidents

 in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

 as we met in St. Louis, MO this week.

Went out to explore St. Charles, Missouri.

And we didn't miss the Kilwin's Ice Cream Shoppe.

We stumbled upon the Grand Opening Day

 of Fig&Sparrow

thefigandsparrowco/

 and met this wonderful store owner 

who is also a mom of a 3 and 5 year old.  

Her long-time dream is here and the COVID hurdles

 are set aside 

and we wish her many blessings on this endeavor.

The quaint brick streets and historic buildings

 are home to many fun shops to poke around in!

Here is a highlight from JuJuB's shop

/shopjujubs/

with fun clothing and accessories.

Even if you just want to see the in-between spots

 you will find many interesting vignettes.

There are a lot of historic things

 to check out in St. Charles, Missouri.

Lewis and Clark are connected 

with the historical stories of this Missouri town.

So you get a bit of the story as you walk around.

(sorry about my reflection in the photos)

St. Charles we will be back!!!

Baptism Day- Lainey Ella Christine

 

Grandpa Steven Schumacher was able to do the baptism

 of the new addition to the Schumacher family.

This was on Saturday, September 4, 2021

 at Concordia University Chapel, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The blessing of a new daughter of the King-

Lainey Ella Christine Schumacher 

with Papa and Gigi Denninger.

                                 Great Grandma Schumacher 

made the trip from Chester, Illinois.

           Brothers Griffin and Gordon and Big Sister Hadley with 

Grandpas Steve and Grandma Cindy Schumacher.

                  Mom and dad Joshua and Laura with sponsors-

 Chance and Franci Childers.

                              Here is the Schumacher family

with sponsors-Ashlee and Micah Middendorf.

                           Jessica Meier, Ashlee and Laura.

Sisters and cousin.

           That is a grand crew of cousins when you add in the             

                           family of Dan and Jessica Meier.

                              The Graft side of the family.

                              The Decker side of the family.

Also attending was family friends- 

Rachel and Kyle Thoms.

Baptismal Gown worn by the Denninger girls 

and made by Great Grandma Florene Denninger. 

Quilt was made by Great Great Grandma Ella Graft.

The cake balls were a hit with everyone.

Lainey- may the Lord guard and protect

 you in the faith-

 into eternity.

Worship into the Week- Armor of God

 

Worship into the Week-

The Whole Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20

So easy to fall back on our daily strength and capacity.

We have the gift of the whole armor of God

 to withstand the  schemes of the devil.  

That word- "schemes" should be an alert for us.

We wrestle against the cosmic powers of darkness,

the spiritual forces in the heavenly places.

 How can I think I can tackle that on my own?

I need all the help I can get:

• the belt of truth
• breastplate of righteousness
• shoes-the gospel of peace
• shield of faith
• helmet of salvation
• sword of the Spirit- the word of God

I need to remember to pray at all times in the Sprit,

 with prayer and supplication. 

and keep alert with all perseverance.

I do not have the power to battle Satan and his armies.

Dear Lord,

 grant me the ability to "armor up"

that I may have the power of the 

creator of the universe on my side-

 for that is empowering.

Amen.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

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 Worship into the Week

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Magazine cutouts

Colored pencils 

Envelope insert

Scripture Doodles- August 2021

                                            

Scripture Doodles- August

One square a day. 

For Devotional Journaling.

seeing the take-aways for the whole month.

Currently reading the Spiritual Formation devotional-

The Reservoir.

Four colored pencils for the month.

And a fine point Sharpie.

I am able to see what the

  Holy Spirit brings forward each month.

Thankful for this practice that brings it all together.