Jason finished off the Promises of God this week as he looked at God’s promise of Foundation and Security.

1. In what ways might I depend on God’s changeless nature?
2. What anxieties can I hand over to God today?
3. Which promises of God mean the most to me?

Let us know your joys and struggles in response to the sermon in the comments below.

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Pastor Chuck preached about Healing relationships last week. Check it out:

1. In what broken relationship can I listen for the hurt behind the anger?
2. How might God use me as a reconciler this week?
3. In what relationship can I remember to ask for God’s help?

Let us know your joys and struggles in response to the sermon in the comments below.

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Jason preached this week about some of his favorite promises of God. Listen to the first three that he chose and what they mean for our lives today.

1. How might I come to Jesus for rest in the midst of my busyness this week?
2. How can I remind myself that God is with me when I feel inadequate?
3. How does knowing that God cannot break His promises help me trust His Word?

Let us know your joys and struggles in response to the sermon in the comments below.

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Did you miss out on the People Matter experience? Here’s your chance to catch up, all in one post!

Individuals Matter
Devo 1: Based on Psalm 139:13-14 by Eric Fesmire
Devo 2: Based on Psalm 139:15-16 by Jim Brese
Devo 3: Based on Ephesians 3:14-19 by Cathy Mongielo
Devo 4: Based on Ephesians 3:20 by Pastor Chuck
Devo 5: Based on John 15:12 by Jen Weber
Devo 6: Based on John 15:13-15 by Paul Gerlach
Devo 7: Based on John 15:16-17 by Susan Brese
Pastor Chuck’s Sermon on Individuals Matter

Families Matter
Devo 8: Based on Ruth 1:6-14 by Darcy Fesmire
Devo 9: Based on 2 Timothy 1:3-5 by Tim Hartnett
Devo 10: Based on 2 Timothy 1:6 by Chris Wicher
Devo 11: Based on 2 Timothy 1:7 by Jaime Christ
Devo 12: Based on Mark 3:31-35 by Marsha Peth
Devo 13: Based on Psalm 34:11 by Sandra Rice
Devo 14: Based on Joel 1:3 by Mary Lou Hartnett
Pastor Chuck’s Sermon on Families Matter

Communities Matter
Devo 15: Based on Daniel 3:26-30 by Jason Christ
Devo 16: Based on 2 Corinthians 3:1-2 by Christine Hartnett
Devo 17: Based on 2 Corinthians 3:1-2 by Karen Cassidy
Devo 18: Based on John 4:1-14 by Bruce Stone
Devo 19: Based on John 4:15-26 by Sue Steege
Devo 20: Based on John 4:27-30 by Tracy Bramwell
Devo 21: Based on John 4:39-41 by Pastor Chuck
Pastor Chuck’s Sermon on Communities Matter

Nations Matter
Devo 22: Based on Isaiah 6:1-6 by Debbie Ferrante
Devo 23: Based on Isaiah 6:9 by Dick McKie
Devo 24: Based on Isaiah 6:10 by Kelsey Trautwein
Devo 25: Based on 1 Timothy 2:1-3 by Mary Ann Milak-Young
Devo 26: Based on 1 Timothy 2:4 by Laura Ciminelli
Devo 27: Based on 1 Timothy 2:5-6 by Cathi Doebler
Devo 28: Based on Mark 16:14-16 by Pastor Carl
Pastor Chuck’s Sermon on Nations Matter

We’ll be starting a new super series, complete with devotions written by members at First Trinity in late November. The series is titled Rooted and Relevant.

This weekend, Pastor Chuck wrapped up our series titled People Matter. He looked at how our world matters to God. If you missed the daily devotions, be sure to read the ones relating to Nations Matter.

1. How can I have a heart like Jesus?
2. Who in my life needs me to love them by actions as well as words (like Jesus does)?
3. Is there a child in my life who’s needs I can help meet?

Let us know your joys and struggles in response to the sermon in the comments below.

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A Word From God’s Word
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.“

Mark 16:14-16 (NIV)

A Word From Pastor Carl
It is amazing to me! The Lord gave the Great Commission, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”, not to His angels’ bands. He gave it to the Church, to you and me. Such trust calls for a strong response.

Unbelieving people in the nations of the world matter to us. Some of us become long term – career missionaries – like Tim and Rita Nickel. A growing number become short term missionaries. Others travel in mission teams every year like our Haiti groups. And, some women gather in study-prayer-action groups like the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Marlene Carr is our LWML – First Trinity Leader. More information at www.lwml.org.

Part of our weekend offerings are shared with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod World Mission. And, one is impressed by the Mite Box offerings of the LWML groups. In June in their national convention in Portland, OR, the LWML pledged for 2009 – 2011 a mission goal of: $1,825,000. These mission grants include: Pastoral Training in Tanzania; Body and Soul Care for Children in India; Braille Bibles in Africa; Training Kyrgyzstan Locals for Evangelism; Assisting Disabled Children in the Dominican Republic; Humanitarian Care Outreach in Kazakhstan; and Mission Field in North Korea.

And, we find time to pray for our missions and missionaries. You can download prayer cards at: www.lcmsworldmission.org/prayer cards. One missionary shared recently, “We know when a congregation is praying to the Lord for our work among the Garifuna people of Guatemala. We sense their care and concern.”

What joy to be a part of the vision of First Trinity! It includes the missions for Christ around the world. People of other nations matter to us.

All of our Christian families, back in history, received the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection from other nation missionaries. So we pass the Gospel of Jesus to other clans of the world.

Pastor Carl Streufert is our Spiritual Care Pastor.

A Word With God
Lord of the nations, continue to expand our First Trinity vision to include the unbelieving, needy people of the world. They matter. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A Word From God’s Word
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV)

A Word From Cathi Doebler
One of the first times I had to act in the role of mediator was when I was in graduate school. I had signed up to live in a house with three other female graduate students. None of us met in person until the first day we moved into our house, and we were all in different graduate programs.

As we slowly got to know each other it became clear that two of the women in the house did not get along well with one of the other women. I was able to get along with all three of them, and because of that I became a mediator between them.

Being the mediator was not a fun role to be in. It meant that I had to help them communicate about the simplest things, such as who owed what on the electric bill, and who was responsible for cleaning the bathroom. I took on the role to help maintain a level of peace in our living arrangement.

However, as hard as it was for me to be a mediator in that house, it was nothing compared to what Jesus had to do as our mediator. He gave everything. He gave Himself. He gave His life. Without His connection with God, we were separated from God by our constantly sinful lives.

Jesus acts as our mediator with God. Jesus is the one who connects us to God. When Jesus died for us He became a spiritual bridge between us and God, linking us together through His love for us.

I am so thankful for Jesus building the most important bridge I’ll ever need to take; the bridge that connects us to Our Heavenly Father.

Cathi Brese Doebler is a vocalist in the worship band.

A Word With God
Jesus, thank You for connecting us to God. Thank You for mediating on my behalf; for taking my sin through Your death. Help me to remember my connection to You daily, and to let You lead me over Your bridge of love. Amen.

A Word From God’s Word
God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:4 (NIV)

A Word From Laura Ciminelli
We’ve all heard people say, Jesus isn’t for me… but Christ died to save the whole world, which means He wants everyone to experience His amazing grace. God wants us to share His tremendous love with others – “He wants everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned…” (1 Timothy 2:4, TM), because there is enough of His love to go around. Be open about your faith!

Be “…filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and [speak] the Word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31, NIV). Share “God-sightings” with people. Think of those around the world who have never had a chance to see God’s love. You might be called to go on a mission trip, or you can make a difference by praying, like Paul did: “I keep asking that the …Father, may give you the Spirit …so that you may know him better…” (Ephesians 1:17, NIV).

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t feel you’ve transformed people. Remember, it is not our job to convert; the Spirit is the one to change hearts: “…no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3, NIV). We can plant a seed by sharing, and water it by praying. Prayer is powerful because God is powerful.

Remember, “In my Father’s house are many rooms…” (John 14:2, NIV); God has made room in heaven for each of his children, because all God’s people matter.

Laura Ciminelli is a student at Sweet Home High School. She was part of the youth mission team in Nashville this past summer, and was a VBS Crew Leader.

A Word With God
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit so I can share Your great love and works with others. Show Yourself to those who don’t know You, haven’t heard of You, or need to grow closer to You. Use me to plant a seed of faith so You can transform Your children so they can share a room in Your house. Amen.

A Word From God’s Word
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people; for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct. This is good and it pleases God our Savior.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 (GNB)

A Word From Mary Ann Milak-Young
Have you ever been asked if you were to be granted one wish, what would it be? Sometimes I like to think of wishes as spontaneous prayers. If I had one wish to be granted or one prayer answered, it would be- Dear God, let there be peace on earth. In my heart, I believe that in a peaceful world where people coexist to work to the glory of God much could be accomplished. We could put all of our energies into; finding a cure for cancer and other debilitating illnesses, working towards eliminating poverty in our country and throughout the world, and working to preserve our God given natural resources- I’m sure that you can think of other causes to add to the list.

The heading above 1 Timothy Chapter 2 in my Bible is Church Worship. In these first three verses, we are being urged to pray for all people, and for kings and for all who are in authority. We are not asked to pray only for our nation’s people and leaders, or for those who are our allies, but for all people and leaders of all nations, even those who oppress and despise us- perhaps even more so for those. For as Christians we are taught to love our enemies and that all people matter to God. When we join our hearts in prayer, this is especially pleasing to God.

Mary Ann Milak-Young is the Care Ministry Team Leader Family/Group Support

A Word With God
Dear Lord, we thank and praise You for those who are willing to assume the role of leadership in the nations of the world. We join together in prayer, asking that You would guide them in leading fairly and with the well being of all people in their minds and in their hearts. We pray for our President and for the leaders of the free world. We ask that they be mindful of Your presence in their lives and that they turn to You in prayer for guidance and with thanksgiving. We pray especially for those who are our enemies. We pray that they would come to know You and through knowing You their hearts will be changed and a new peace will descend upon our earth, Your beautiful creation. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A Word From God’s Word
Dull their understanding, close their ears and shut their eyes. I don’t want them to see or to hear or to understand, or to turn to me to heal them.

Isaiah 6:10 (TLB)

A Word From Kelsey Trautwein
Various distractions keep you captive in your spiritual life: technology, stress, school, work, sports, and relationships, to name a few. You can spend time reading the Bible and praying, but if you do not fully submit every aspect of your life to God, your Spiritual life will never reach full potential. In fact, God told Isaiah he would not allow Israel to understand Him as long as they allowed themselves to be captive to secular things. He literally said, “I don’t want them to see or to hear or to understand.” (Isaiah 6:10) God refuses to reveal himself to us when we allow ourselves to be captive to the world we live in.

God loves us too much to give up on us. God will put us through situation after situation until we finally realize we are captive by sin and have the sincere desire to change our ways. Unfortunately, it often takes many hardships for us to learn our lesson. Isaiah asked God “Lord, how long will it be before they are ready to listen” and He replied, “Not until their cities are destroyed—without a person left—and the whole country is an utter wasteland and they are all taken away as slaves to other countries far away, and all the land of Israel lies deserted!” (Isaiah 6:11-12) Fortunately, for us, God is never far away. Jeremiah 29:13-14 says “you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, ‘declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” What is keeping you captive from fully seeking God today?

Kelsey Trautwein served on the High School Mission Team this past summer as well as a Crew Leader for VBS. She is a student at Williamsville North High School.

A Word With God
Lord, give me the sincere desire to turn away from my captivity and the faith to know You will lead me back to Your righteous path. Amen.