St. Michael's Lutheran Church - Roseville, MN
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  • About Us
    • Welcome
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Reconciling in Christ
    • New to St. Michael's?
    • Contact
    • Become a Member
    • Job Opportunities
    • Staff
    • Mission, Values
    • History
    • Gallery
    • Our Church Home
  • WORSHIP
    • Worship Schedule & What to Expect
    • Online Worship
    • Lent & Holy Week
    • Music
    • Sacraments & Special Services >
      • Baptism
      • Marriage
      • Funerals
  • Education
    • Adult Education >
      • Religion in Life
      • Faith In Daily Life
      • Thursday Morning Bible Study
      • DEI Matters
      • Women's Circle
      • Desserters II Book Club
    • Confirmation >
      • Confirmation Retreat
    • Sunday School
    • Youth Group
  • Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
    • Children Ministries >
      • Christmas Pageant 2020
    • Middle School
    • Confirmation
    • High School
  • OUTREACH
    • Local >
      • Habitat for Humanity
    • Youth Mission Trips
    • Global >
      • Guatemala Partnership
    • Caring Ministries
  • Giving
    • Building in Faith Serving in Grace
    • Give Today
    • Why We Give
    • Stewardship
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Fellowship
    • Adult >
      • 2023 Women's Retreat
      • Patio Series
    • Intergenerational

Daily Devotional for April 8, 2020

4/8/2020

2 Comments

 
Devotional for April 8
by Nicholas Guiang

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

You are not alone. I know this has been a common theme across these devotionals, but under these unprecedented times, it is a sentence that needs to be repeated often. Many people across our community and the world are not lucky enough to be quarantined with family or friends but are shut in by themselves in small apartments, homes, or dorm rooms. 

Isolation creates struggles with one’s mental health and relationships. It consumes and overwhelms us. But a part of us that often takes a blow during pandemics and chaotic times like these is our personal faith. We are away from a community that bonds, heals and pushes us and that often leaves a gaping hole in our lives.

Being away from one’s faith community, away from the church and away from your religious leaders quickly takes its toll. I, now more than ever, have struggled to see God or my faith in my day to day life. As I continue with the same old quarantine routine it becomes harder to see the bright light that I often associate with his presence. Lately, I have even began to question, “Where has God gone?” However, as I watched the sometimes funny online church service video this weekend, thank you Darla the donkey, I am reminded that God is still with us.

God presents himself subtly. It might be through a zoom call with family members where laughs are shared for the first time in days, or from a conversation with a dining hall worker who continues to work through this pandemic, but, God is there. He has not forsaken us, and as we continue through Holy Week remember that. It is easy for Jesus’s last words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” to creep into our minds, but even in Jesus’ worst moment and this current pandemic, God is with us, we might just have to look a little harder.

Prayer:
Father
Friend
Brother.
Be with us today
For we are all isolated in our own right.
Guide us with your righteous hand
Toward the light that makes our days brighter.
As we look for you in these dark times
Help us come together, stronger.
Heal those who are hurting,
And lift those who have fallen.
But God,
Help us remember that we are not alone in this,
for you have not forsaken us.

Nicholas Guiang is 20 years old - the youngest of 4 sons to Sixto Guiang and Jennifer Mehmel. Nicholas is currently attending Northwestern “Online” University in Evanston, Illinois where he is studying to be a journalist (Don’t worry, there are plenty of jobs in that field right now). He is currently in Evanston isolated with his friends in the fraternity house practicing social distancing. On days when he is not quarantined, he enjoys a good game of soccer or whiffle ball in the park. During the summer you will most likely find him eating a freshly cooked Brat with his family on their deck. Nicholas is most excited for the next time he is allowed basic human contact.
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Daily Devotional for April 7, 2020

4/7/2020

0 Comments

 
Devotional for Tuesday, April 7
by Bill Jolitz
 
Quote:  “ … hope …” (select any one of its 80 uses in the New Testament).
 
Reflection:  Hope is a squishy word.  The World’s definition comes from dictionaries.  As a noun it is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen;” one of its synonyms is daydream.  As a verb, it is to “want something to happen or be the case;” one of its synonyms is pipe dream.  Not very promising.
 
Churchfolk have their own intuitive definitions that come from reading the word in Scripture many times over.  The problem with individual intuition is that it can be ill-informed or simply wrong.  Cross-contamination from the world makes a proper understanding difficult.
 
Let’s get a little technical here.  What lies behind the word “hope” is the concept of probability; what are the chances something will happen.  A probability of zero means that “it ain’t gonna happen ever, no way.” A probability of one means “it most certainly will happen, no way that it won’t”  Everything between zero and one is doubtful.  Maybe yes, then again, maybe no.
 
Too many churches fail to teach its people the proper understanding of hope in the Kingdom of God.  In the New Testament, when God promises something to give us “hope,” it is an absolute certainty.  Our “hopes” are not pipe dreams or daydreams, they’re not sentimental wishes or platitudes. They’re not “nice-if-only-it-happens.”  They are as certain as the death and resurrection of Jesus bar Yusuf, the Christ.  It is a case of when and not if.  The Holy Spirit has been given as a pledge/guarantee of that happening.  SO, we can wait patiently.
 
“Christ in [me], [my] hope of glory” is an absolute certainty.  This is the basis for Kingdom confidence.
 
Prayer:  Dearest God, help me to realize that your promises are not a sentiment or wishful thinking.  Whatever promises you have made are made certain by your holy name.  AMEN!”
 
Bio:  Bill Jolitz and his wife Susan served as mission pastors to churches in a country closed and hostile to Christianity for over a decade.  He is currently diving deeply into Contemplative/Mystical Christianity.
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    Welcome to the St. Michael's Daily Devotional!

    As we seek to stay connected and grounded during this time of uncertainty and anxiety, we have asked staff and congregational members to write daily devotions. 

    Devotions are posted Mondays - Saturdays through Easter. To find a previous day of devotions, simply scroll down on the page or access the archives by month on the toolbar below.

    ​If you are interested in writing a devotional, contact Pastor Brad!

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St. Michael's Lutheran Church
1660 West County Road B
Roseville, MN 55113
651-631-1510

Worship Service Times
September through May:
Sundays 8:45a.m.  & 11:00 a.m.

June through August:
Sunday 10:00 a.m. &
Monday 7:00 p.m. (except holidays)
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​St. Michael's ELCA is a Reconciling in Christ Congregation. 


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