Ruth 4 Blessed Redeemer Summary: Today we finish our sermons in Ruth. Today, listen for all the blessings God hands out. He blessed Boaz with a wife and a child. He blessed Ruth with a husband and a son. He blessed Naomi with a grandson. And, he has blessed us, because through this family we have king David, and finally King Jesus. Let's think about God's faithfulness together: Outline: A tale of two redeemers The blessing for Ruth, for Boaz, for Naomi, and us Verse: Ruth 4:14 “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer...

Ruth 3 Hope on the Threshing Floor Summary: There are times when God calls us to trust him, and take big risks (Not foolish risks, but worthy risks!). Today we'll see Ruth take a huge risk. She approached Boaz in an unusual way, asking him to play the role of the

Finding Peace in Life AFTER Christmas Luke 2:25-35 The message will focus on how, in the midst of all the wonder and excitement of the first Christmas, life was still incredibly hard for Mary and Joseph… and this is true for us too. But this doesn’t mean that we’re on the wrong path. God is with us in what is hard, and gives us peace. Memory Verse: “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed. (Luke 2:34b)

Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. (Psalm 98:1)

Psalm 49 (Psalm 56:13) For You have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Luke 5:67-80 NRSV

Luke 5:67-80 NRSV

Matthew 1:1-17 An Unlikely Family Tree Summary: Merry Christmas! Today we're going to get ready to celebrate Christmas by looking at an unlikely part of the Christmas story: the list of Jesus' family tree. Although it might seem odd, this list of names shows us that God was faithful to his ancient promise to bring us a Savior, and that is good news for all of us! 1. Jesus is the long awaited Savior 2. Jesus is the Good News for unlikely people Verse: Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why would Matthew give this genealogy of Jesus' ancestry before telling of His birth? Why is that important? 2. Why did Jesus need to be shown to be the

Ezra 3:1-4, 10-13 NRSV

Philippians 2:5-11 Christmas Servanthood Summary: One of the most amazing things about celebrating Christmas is remembering that Jesus, the God of the whole universe, took flesh like you and me! Christmas is great because God became a man, all to save us. Today in worship, we also get to participate in ordaining new elders and deacons. Let's think about how Jesus came to save us, and how he gives us the strength to serve him. Outline: 1. Jesus’ glory 2. Jesus’ humbling 3. Jesus’ exaltation Memory Verse: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. (Philippians 2:5-6) Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What does Philippians 2:5-11 tell us about Jesus' attitude toward his mission to take flesh and save us? 2. Why is it so important to believe that

The Second Sunday of Advent Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel. (Matthew 1:23)

Numbers 6:22-27 The Blessing of God’s Name

Jeremiah 33:14-18 NRSV

2 Kings 22:1-10; 23:1-3 NRSV

Covenant Faithfulness Ruth 2:17-23 Summary: Throughout the Bible, God makes a promise to save his people. Sometimes we call it a covenant. God is always faithful to his covenant! In the book of Ruth, God is showing us a picture of this through the man named Boaz, who treated Naomi and Ruth with covenant faithfulness. Let's see it in action: Outline: 1. A heart reopened by covenant faithfulness 2. A redeemer acting in covenant faithfulness Verse: Ruth 2:20 “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. When Ruth returned after the day of gleaning in Boaz' field, how did Naomi respond? How is Naomi's heart becoming more softened toward the Lord, compared to chapter one? 2. How is God's covenant faithfulness toward us reflected in the actions of Boaz? How does Boaz show us Jesus? 3. How might your own heart need to be softened toward God? Have the experiences of this life hardened you toward Him? Meditate today on the faithfulness of God in the Gospel, and ask him to stir up your heart in worship today.

Ruth 2:1-16 The Shelter of His Wings Summary: Do things happen by accident? Is God in control of even the little details? Jesus tells us that God is concerned even for the smallest bird (Matthew 6:26). How much more is he in control of every detail of our lives too? Let's think about God's good plan in Ruth's life today: Outline: 1. Divine

1 Kings 18:20-39 NRSV

Ruth 1:19-22 Call Me Mara Summary: Sometimes in our life hard things happen to us. We might ask:

1Kings 12:1-17, 25-29

Ruth 1:6 -18 Covenant Loyalty Summary: Trusting Jesus and following him in this life seems crazy to an unbelieving world. Today in the book of Ruth we hear about Naomi again as she returns home to Israel. But she urges her daughters-in-law to return to Moab and not come with her. Orpah choose to go back. But even though it seems hopeless, Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi. Let's find out why, and think about how it shows us Jesus, and the call to follow him: Outline: 1. A call to decision 2. An unlikely evangelist 3. A response of faith Verse: Ruth 1:16b ...For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why did Orpah choose to go back to Moab? 2. What do we learn about Naomi's worldview and her view of God in this passage? 3. Why does Ruth choose to stay? What do her words show us about her faith? How do they point us to Jesus and what he would do for us? 4. How does this passage teach us about the call to discipleship? How might God want to change you as a result?