First Lutheran Church Minot

2024 Lent Week 5 Esther 1-4

The story of Esther is almost like a fairy tale as a young orphaned girl rises to prominence as the new queen of the realm. When she learns that there is a plot to kill all the Jewish people in her land, she must decide if she will risk her own life in an attempt to save her people. We discuss chapters 1-4 today, with the exciting conclusion tomorrow!

2024 Week 5 2 Chronicles 2.1-2, 3.1-5.1

Have you heard of the riches of Solomon? Today in 2 Chronicles 2:1-2; 3-5:1 we get to peek into the grand architecture and extravagant adornment of the vast temple that King Solomon constructs for the Lord. Read about gold and jewels, and then consider: what kind of surroundings make a space feel worshipful to you?

2024 Lent Week 5 2 Kings 5

Today we’re back in the Old Testament as we read the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 washing in the Jordan river and being healed of his skin disease. This story is often read in relation to our baptism, which is great, but there is more to it! God cures a mighty military leader, who is an outsider, and the wisest people in the story are his servants. Read this story for yourself and see what connections you make with Baptism, faith, and God calling us to do the unexpected!

2024 Lent Week 5 Mark 6.30-56

Welcome to Week 5 in our Lenten Series “Stories of Salvation” as we read a Bible story each day during the Season of Lent. Today is a Sunday, so we take a brake from the Old Testament and read a story of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark as he and his disciples try to get a break from people, but instead end up with a large crowd of hungry people with no Costco in sight. Read the story of Jesus the 5,000 today in Mark 6:30-56 and join the conversation!

2024 Lent Week 4 1 Kings 17, 18.20-40

Follow along with some stories of the great prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17, 18:20-40. From speaking truth to power, to being fed by ravens, to raising a boy from the dead, and then slaughtering 450 prophets of Baal, Elijah has a full and busy ministry going!

2024 Lent Week 4 2 Samuel 12.1-25

In 2 Samuel 12, God responds to David's evil deeds by sending Nathan to show him his sin and lead him to repentance. While God does forgive and there is hope for the future, nevertheless, Bathsheba's baby dies. For some bonus reading: check out our Psalm for this Sunday (Ps. 51), which is attributed to David as a response to this episode with Bathsheba.

2024 Lent Week 4- 2 Samuel 11

Today's story from 2 Samuel 11 is a heavy one that illustrates the pervasiveness and power of human sin. Our hero King David sees a beautiful woman and decides he must have her for himself, despite knowing she is married. His lust quickly leads to murder... and a whole mess of tragedy and consequence.

2024 Lent Week 4 1 Samuel 17

The story of David and Goliath is a tale that has made its way into our common vernacular, especially when it comes to sports. Today we read 1 Samuel 17, and we may be surprised that the story is a bit more brutal and bloodier than what we heard in Sunday School. This story is retold in countless children’s books, but Pastor Ellery found one that follows the biblical story with most of the gruesome details, through lego bricks!

2024 Lent Week 4 1 Samuel 16

How did a prophet in the Old Testament become a prophet? Today we read about the origin story of Samuel, who will become a great prophet in Israel, and involves God calling him while he is sleeping. This story is also the inspiration for the lovely hymn, “Here I Am, Lord”. Grab your bible and read his story in 1 Samuel 16 and see if you start humming the hymn while you do!

2024 Lent Week 2 Exodus 3

Have you ever read the whole story of Moses talking to God- “I AM WHO I AM”- from the bush that was on fire, but did not get burnt up? It is full of interesting statements and ideas that theologians from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have discussed for thousands of years. Read Exodus 3 yourself and then join Pastor Ellery for a brief conversation about this amazing story from the bible!