"The Power of Prayer: Mirror, Mirror" – 2 Corinthians 13:5-10 

"Search me and know me" (Psalm 139).  It’s not often that we actually stop long enough to think.  But prayer isn’t just thinking, it’s asking God to help us remember who we are, and who God is.  Prayer reminds us of the importance of asking God to teach us to be more like Jesus, to bring the hope God brings to earth. 

This is part of our 40 Days of Prayer series.

"The Power of Prayer: Ashamed To Say – Romans 8:15-17 

Praying requires us to be open to God.  But when we are filled with shame, we want to hide parts of our lives.  Faith requires us to learn that God doesn’t want to hear from someone perfect, God wants to hear from you.

This is part of the 40 Days of Discipleship Series we will be engaging in for 2021.  These 40 days are dedicated to prayer.

"The Power of Prayer: Blueprint" – Luke 11:1-4 

Prayer is one of the mysteries – something we aren’t sure we know how to do.  The disciples ask Jesus to teach them, and he does.  By shaping our prayers in the same way Jesus does, we are given a pattern that reminds us of who we are, and how God will care for and use us. 

This is part of the 40 Days of Discipleship Series we will be engaging in for 2021.  These 40 days are dedicated to prayer.

A reflection on Matthew 2:1-12 and the Magi by Intern Pastor Tim Jacobsen

A reflection on Luke 2:22-40 by the Bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, Amy Current.

"Travel Light: Letting Go of Control" – Luke 2:1-7 

Having a baby in the middle of a road trip.  Being born in a barn.  These are not the plans young mothers make as they get ready to welcome babies.  But the truth is that we never really had control to begin with.  And when we begin to trust something bigger, we see that God has more for us than we ever expected.

Travel Light: Letting Go of Bitterness – Luke 1:5-13 

Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful and dedicated followers of God.  But their faithfulness hadn’t resulted in fulfilled promises.  They faced a choice – become overwhelmed with the frustration of waiting, or continuing to trust and lean into relationship with God.  When we carry bitterness, we end up separating ourselves from God and each other.

"Travel Light: Letting Go of Distractions" – Luke 10:38-42 

This year has been all about removing things.  But one thing we’ve learned – we are exceptionally good at filling the voids.  We can distract ourselves with projects, entertainment, or making TikTok videos.  Traveling light means we might need to make some space not to keep ourselves busy, but to ask if there is a better place to focus our attention.

"Travel Light: Letting Go of Stuff" – Luke 12:13-21 

It’s the season of giving, but it’s the season of getting, too.  And all that stuff can be a distraction to what we really need.  What if, this advent, we decided to let go of some of the stuff, and instead took the time to ask what Jesus means when he reminds us to be “rich toward God.”

The theme for this first week in Advent is "Jesus as God in Person" and the reading is from John 1:1-5, 14-18.