SERMON NOTES:

PRAYER REQUESTS
Pray for Ruthann Coburn who had a procedure Wednesday on a serious wound on her leg. Pray for former Mayor Ryback who had a heart attached on Saturday while he was crosscountry skiing. Linda (Heather Butterfields sister) Gods protection while away from home. Peggy Kipling (friend of Jon Black) has terminal cancer. Prayer for Peggy and Brian for strength. Stephanies mom, Judy (co-worker of Heather Butterfield) who has cancer. Regina Shu (Judith Shus mother) as she struggles with diabetic neuropathy affecting her mobility. Sabrina Corey (classmate of Jenna Fitzgerald) who was seriously injured in a car accident. She is home recovering but needs lots of prayers. Cassie Hermann (cousin of Janna Fitzgerald) who struggles with emotional issues. Amina, a six year old girl who has brain cancer (friend of Michelle Ott). Judith Shu as she continues in her search for a family practice practitioner to precept her. Rose Bih (Sam Atu-Tetuhs wife) as she has high cholesterol and heart problems. Ruthann Coburn who is going through many health problems. Kay Prouty (mother of Pastor Pauls brother-inlaw) who has cancer. Steve Gast (Jennifer Huehns college friend) received new lungs for his Cystic Fibrosis, has returned home after complications. Pray for continued healing. Sarah Womack (Nancy Amundsens daughter) as she searches for a new job. Stephanie (Jerry Hermsens friend) who is waiting to have an operation. Beverly Dols (John Ivers sister) as she is in hospice care. Jessica Johnson (Stacy Foremans cousin) has been diagnosed with Lyme's disease. Due to the side effects and the illness symptoms she is unable to work. Joanne Seeman Benick (Jon & Jodi Blacks friend) who has cancer. Julie Fjeld (Jennifer & Mike Huehns neighbor) who lives with cancer. John Thiessen as he lives with cancer. Donna McCullen (wife of Ken McCullen) who is suffering from cancer.

DEVOTION
Elders are important people in a Presbyterian congregation. As well read this week the name of our denomination comes from the word elders. The office of elder is mentioned in the Bible. This week we have the opportunity to read some examples when the word is mentioned and can learn how the role of elders in our new church mirrors the teaching about elders in the Scriptures. Enjoy! Comments about the devotion can be e-mailed to pastor@colpres.org. Monday, January 13 Read Matthew 3:13-17 Yesterday, Pastor Paul shared a sermon called Identity. He talked about what is non-negotiable in being Presbyterian. He asked the question, If we stopped doing ___, then we would stop being Presbyterian. He went on to share in his mind what those blanks would be. Our identity starts with baptism. This story of the baptizing of Jesus is probably familiar to us, but very significant for our understanding of our own faith. In verse 17 God shared how God saw the identity of Jesus, This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. How would you fill in the blank of the question in the first paragraph? What would stop us from being a Presbyterian church? The question is important as we can still be Presbyterian as long as we dont do what would stop us from being Presbyterian. Jesus never stopped being 1) Gods Son; 2) the Beloved; 3) viewed by God with pleasure. This was his identity. We always want to be clear about our denominational identity too. Prayer: Lord, these identity questions are important. We have all sorts of identitiesas people, as a church, as Presbyterians. Just as Jesus was clear about his identity through baptism, help us be clear about our congregations identity as Presbyterians. Today pray for George Black, a current elder on the Steering Committee

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Tuesday, January 14 Read Acts 11:27-30 The English word, elder comes from the Greek word, Presbuteros. We can see that the word, Presbyterian comes from elder. We are a denomination that is run by elders. Pastors are now called Teaching Elders; people on the Session are now called Ruling Elders. In this story we see the importance of the elders living in Jerusalem. Money was raised from the church in Antioch for famine relief. This famine would take place all over the world. Barnabas and Saul brought the money to the elders in Jerusalem. It was up to the elders to decide how to administer and make decisions on how this money was used. The same idea applies to the Steering Committee or Session of Presbyterian churches. The elders have final authority on how money is spent and used. This authority is important and significant. The beauty of the system is one person doesnt have the final say. A group of people, elected by the congregationthe eldershave this authority. Prayer: Thank you for the elders who serve on the Steering Committee of Chain of Lakes. Give them wisdom as they make financial decisions for our congregation. Today pray for Justin Leitch, a current elder on the Steering Committee Wednesday, January 15 Read Acts 15:1-21 Elders sometimes have to make theological decisions for the church. This story is an example of what can happen. A dispute arose among the people of the church. A group from the Pharisees believed and taught that people could not be Christian unless they were circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses. Acts 15:5. The elders and apostles then met to make a decision. They were like the jury who made a determination on what would happen. The elders decided that people circumcision was not necessary to be a follower of Jesus. They then sent a delegation to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabus along with a letter to share their decision.

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How challenging it must have been for those elders! And how exciting it must have been for these elders. Their decisions were having an impact on the direction of the church. Prayer: Lord, this is an amazing story. The decision by these elders had an impact on the development of the church. As our elders meet give them wisdom for the decision they make. Give them discernment. Today pray for Melanie Vosdingh, a current elder on the Steering Committee Thursday, January 16 Read 1 Timothy 5:11-16 In this story Paul exhorted Timothy to not neglect the gifts that were in him. These gifts were given and confirmed when the elders of that local church laid their hands on him. Part of the task of elders is to see gifts of people and then encourage them to use those gifts. It is a special task for an elder to do. Imagine how important it is to see and confirm gifts that you see in others! When elders are installed in the church all people who have served as an elder come and lay hands on them. This practice follows the example in this story in 1 Timothy. The elders are recognizing and confirming the gifts in these current elders. Prayer: Help our elders see and confirm the gifts that they see in others. We have so many gifts, but its important that some group sees them, acknowledges them, and ultimately confirms them. Give our group of elders wisdom as they do this. Today pray for Val Owens, a current elder on the Steering Committee Friday, January 17 Read Titus 1:5 Paul shared that he left Titus behind in Crete to appoint elders. He then went on to share the qualities of the elders. someone who is blameless, married only once, whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious. Titus 1:6

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It is important that the elders have personal qualities that are admired and respected. We Presbyterians dont take this passage in selection of elders. For example elders can serve who have been divorced; they arent required to have children who are believers. But the idea of having criteria for conduct for elders is important. People in a congregation look up to the elders as examples in faith for them. Prayer: We pray for the personal characteristics of the elders who serve. Dont let them be burdened by this expectation, but help them see that their behavior is an example for the rest of the congregation and is noticed. Today pray for Pam Van Meter, who will be joining the Steering Committee as an elder Saturday, January 18 Read 1 Peter 5:1-4 In this passage Peter shared what he saw as some of the functions of the elders. tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do itnot for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3 Make this your prayer for the elders who serve in our congregation. Prayer: I pray that the elders of our congregation can tend our flock, exercise oversight willingly and with Gods help. May they be examples to us. Today pray for Dwight Zvorak, who will be joining the Steering Committee as an elder.