Hee säd to an: Wan jie bäden dan sajcht soo: Ons Voda em Himmel! Dien Nomen saul heilich jehoolen woaren. Lot dien Rikj komen, un dien Wellen oppe Ieed soo jedonen woaren aus em Himmel.

- Lukas 11:2

Today, we gathered as a church family to celebrate God’s goodness, beginning with gratitude for our worship teams and the way they prepare our hearts to encounter God. We rejoiced in the dedication of little Scotty May, praying God’s blessing, protection, and presence over her life and her parents, Justin and Gabby. This moment reminded us that life is always in God’s hands, and that prayer is not a last resort, but our first and most vital response in every circumstance.

Reflecting on Jesus’ teaching in Luke 11, we considered the Lord’s Prayer as a model for our own conversations with God. We are invited to approach the Creator of the universe as our Father, recognizing His holiness and responding with awe and praise. This relationship is deeply personal—God desires to be intimately involved in our lives. As we pray, we are called to surrender our own plans and desires, making room for God’s will to be done, just as Jesus did in the garden before His crucifixion. Often, our own plans can lead us astray or disappoint us, but God’s plans are always for our good, even when we don’t understand them.

We also looked at the importance of asking God for our daily needs, trusting Him as our provider. But prayer is not just about asking; it’s about maintaining a right relationship with God and others. Sin, whether unconfessed or unresolved in our relationships, can hinder our prayers and distance us from God. We are called to seek forgiveness, both from God and from those we have wronged, so that our hearts remain open and our prayers effective.

Another vital aspect of prayer is interceding for others. The story of the friends who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus shows the power of praying and acting on behalf of those in need. Sometimes, we try to fix situations ourselves and only turn to prayer when all else fails, but we are encouraged to pray first, trusting God to work in ways we cannot. Praying for others, even those who have hurt us, transforms our hearts and can heal broken relationships. As we grow in prayer, we become more connected to God, more compassionate toward others, and more effective in spiritual battles.

Daut kjeem soo rom, aus Jesus opp eene jewesse Städ em Jebäd wia, un dan opphieed, daut eena von siene Jinja to am säd: Har, lia ons bäden soo aus Johanes siene Jinja bäden lieed.

- Lukas 11:1

As Jesus prepared to ascend to heaven, He gave His disciples a clear commission: to make more followers, baptize them, and teach them everything He had taught. This calling is not just for the early church, but for us today, and it is especially encouraging to see our youth stepping up to lead and serve, as they are the future of our church. The foundation of all fruitful ministry and spiritual growth is prayer. Over the next three weeks, we will be exploring prayer in depth, beginning today with the questions: What is prayer, and what does it look like?

Prayer is simply communicating with God. The health of our spiritual life is directly tied to the health of our prayer life. If our prayer life is strong and genuine, our spiritual life will reflect that strength. Conversely, a weak or neglected prayer life will show itself in our spiritual walk. The most powerful and effective spiritual act we can engage in is prayer, and it must be done in spirit and in truth, from the heart. God is not interested in empty words or prayers recited out of habit or tradition. He looks at the heart, not the outward appearance or eloquence of our words.

It is easy to fall into the trap of praying to impress others or simply going through the motions, but God cannot be fooled. He knows when our prayers are genuine and when they are not. Jesus taught that we should not babble on with many words, thinking that will make us heard. Instead, we are invited to come to God personally, honestly, and directly. The tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus’ death symbolizes that the way is now open for each of us to approach God ourselves, in the name of Jesus.

When we struggle to find words or feel unable to pray, we can simply call out, “Jesus, help me.” The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness, even when we do not know what to pray. There is great value in both praying alone and praying together with others. Praying alone deepens our personal relationship with God, while praying together brings unity and power to the church. Whether we kneel, stand, or sit, what matters most is that our prayers come from a sincere heart and a focused mind. Let us be encouraged to grow in prayer, both individually and as a community, seeking God with all our hearts.

Petrus säd to an: Kjieet om un lot junt aula en Jesus Christus sienen Nomen deepen, daut junt de Sinden vejäft woaren. Dan woat Gott junt dän Heiljen Jeist schenkjen.

- Aposteljeschicht 2:38

Spiritual transformation is a journey that touches every part of who we are. At the heart of this journey is the call from Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation is not a one-time event, but a continual process of renewal, where our thoughts, desires, and actions are shaped more and more into the likeness of Christ. We are not simply called to behave differently, but to be changed from the inside out—beginning with our heart and spirit, and radiating outward to our mind, body, relationships, and the very soul of our being.

Understanding what has formed us is crucial to this process. Our family of origin, the culture and politics we grew up in, our digital consumption, performance pressures, and even religious expectations all play a role in shaping who we are. These influences can leave deep marks—some good, some painful. Recognizing these formative experiences helps us see where we need Christ’s transforming work the most. Sometimes, we carry wounds or patterns from childhood, or we find ourselves shaped by the pressures and messages of the world around us. But in Christ, we are invited to bring all of these to Him, trusting that He can renew and reshape us.

Spiritual transformation is both instantaneous and lifelong. The moment we trust in Christ, our spirit is made alive—we are a new creation. Yet, the work of transformation continues throughout our lives, as the Spirit renews our minds and shapes our actions. Growth is rarely a straight line; there are seasons of spiritual highs and lows, times of dryness and struggle. The expectation that we should always be “up and to the right” in our spiritual growth is unrealistic and can be burdensome. Instead, we are called to be honest about where we are, to resist the pressure to perform for others, and to serve out of love for Christ rather than obligation.

Ultimately, spiritual transformation is about relationship—being drawn closer to God, allowing His love to heal and reshape us, and letting that love flow out to others. It is a journey marked by grace, patience, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in every part of our lives.

Lot en jieda Staum Mana jesocht woaren, dee Weisheit haben, un Vestentnis un Erfoarunk, un ekj woa dee äwa junt stalen.

5 Mose 1:13

This morning, we celebrated the joy of new life in our church family and the privilege of worshiping our awesome God together. As we explored the story of Philip in Acts, we were reminded that questions are not the enemy of faith—rather, it is the posture of our hearts that determines whether our questions lead us to cynicism or to deeper curiosity and growth in Christ. The early church faced real challenges, including favoritism and division, but the Spirit led them to appoint men full of faith and wisdom, like Stephen and Philip, to serve and bring unity. This same Spirit calls us to examine our own hearts and church practices, ensuring that we do not show partiality or allow disputes to distract us from the ministry of the Word.

Philip’s journey took him from serving tables in Jerusalem to preaching the gospel in Samaria, a place once despised by the Jews. The transformation of the apostles, especially James and John—who once wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans but later laid hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit—shows the radical inclusivity of God’s kingdom. The gospel breaks down barriers, welcoming those who were once outsiders, and reminds us that we, too, are recipients of undeserved grace.

We also considered the story of Simon the Sorcerer, who tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. This challenges us to reflect on our own motives: do we serve God out of love, or are we trying to earn His favor through our works or offerings? True repentance and transformation come not from transactional faith, but from a heart surrendered to Christ.

Finally, the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch reveals the heart of God for those who feel excluded or barren. The eunuch, reading Isaiah, finds hope in the promise that God gives an everlasting name and legacy to those who trust Him, regardless of their earthly circumstances. Whether we are single, childless, or feel like outsiders, our true inheritance is found in Christ. Philip’s faithfulness led to the gospel spreading far beyond Jerusalem, reminding us that our influence in God’s kingdom is not measured by earthly standards, but by our obedience and love for Jesus.

Siene Gowen wieren dise: Daut hee eenje aus Apostel, eenje aus Profeeten, eenje aus Evangelisten, eenje aus Hoad un eenje aus Lierasch aunstalen deed. Dit deed hee om aul Gott siene Kjinja toom Christendeenst reedtomoaken, wuaderch Christus sien Kjarpa (daut es de Jemeent) jebut woat, bat wie aula to eene Eenichkjeit em Gloowen un Erkjantnis aun Gott sienen Sän komen, daut wie volstendje Menschen en Christus sent, soo wiet daut Christus bie ons eent un aules es.

- Efeesa 4:11-13

From the very beginning, God has designed the church with a specific structure and order, not for control or authority, but for our good and His glory. Just as every area of life—government, marriage, family—has a structure that, when followed, leads to harmony and flourishing, so too does the church. Leadership in the church is not a human invention, but a gift from Jesus Himself. He appoints leaders—pastors, elders, deacons—not to lord over others, but to serve, care, teach, and equip the body for ministry. When leaders fulfill their calling with humility and the congregation responds with respect, support, and partnership, the church thrives in unity, maturity, and love.

God’s order is like a recipe: when we follow His instructions, the result is the very best for us. Ignoring His structure, whether in marriage or in the church, leads to chaos, division, and even spiritual harm. The enemy seeks to disrupt God’s order, sowing discord and discouragement, but when we honor God’s blueprint, we experience peace, joy, and growth. Leaders are called to shepherd the flock, teach sound doctrine, lead by example, and equip believers for service. Their role is not to do all the work, but to prepare the church to serve together, each using their gifts for the building up of the body.

The congregation’s responsibility is to honor, respect, and support their leaders, submitting to their guidance as they teach the truth of God’s Word. This includes praying for them, serving alongside them, and being teachable and accountable. When challenges arise that are not clearly addressed in Scripture, it is the leaders’ responsibility to seek God’s wisdom and make decisions for the good of the church, and the congregation is called to stand behind them in unity. Ignoring or undermining leadership is a serious matter before God, as seen in the example of Miriam and Aaron opposing Moses. But when God’s order is honored, the church becomes a place of unity, growth, and effective ministry, where the gospel spreads and lives are transformed.