Shells Evangelical Lutheran Church

09/07/2026

GOD PAUSE
Monday, September 7, 2026
Genesis 50:15-21 (NRSV)

15Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers said, "What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?" 16So they approached Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17'Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.' Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, "We are here as your slaves." 19But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

Devotion
Forgiveness is probably one of the hardest things to offer, especially when we have been emotionally or physically harmed. Joseph’s brothers feared retaliation for all the suffering they had caused him. Yet, in looking back, Joseph could see how God was using his circumstance to provide a way to save people during the famine. In Prof. Lois Malcolm’s seminary class, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, one of the books for required reading was Simon Wiesenthal’s The Sunflower. The first half of the book tells the story of a Jewish prisoner in a concentration camp, to whom a dying N**i soldier confesses a wrong, asking for the Jewish man’s forgiveness. The second half of the book relates responses from prominent people who are asked the question “What would you do?” Granted, these two men were strangers. But for Joseph, this is his family. Joseph does more than forgive them. He welcomes them and their families to ensure they are provided for.

Prayer
Forgiving God, sometimes it is difficult to forgive when we have been wronged. Yet we know you want restored relationships. Help us to see where you may be at work in the situation and open our hearts for conversation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Rev. Sue Lynn White '17 M.Div.
Pastor, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC

09/06/2026

Welcome to worship on The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 6, 2026

Please click on the YouTube link below for the 9am live stream.

Conflict is a part of relationships and life in community. Jesus’ w...

09/05/2026

GOD PAUSE
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 676)

1 Lord, speak to us, that we may speak
in living echoes of your tone;
as you have sought, so let us seek
your straying children, lost and lone.

2 Oh, lead us, Lord, that we may lead
the wand'ring and the wav'ring feet;
oh, feed us, Lord, that we may feed
your hung'ring ones with manna sweet.

3 Oh, teach us, Lord, that we may teach
the precious truths which you impart;
and wing our words, that thy may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.

4 Oh, fill us with your fullness, Lord,
until my very hearts o'erflow
in kindling thought and glowing word,
your love to tell, your praise to show.

Text: Frances R. Havergal; Music: Robert Schumann; Public Domain

Devotion
This hymn, written by Frances Ridley Havergal in 1872, was originally titled “A Worker’s Prayer.” It reflects a belief that service flows from being shaped first by God. To me, it echoes the psalmist’s desire expressed in Psalm 119. The hymn’s first three verses give voice to that desire. “Speak… lead… feed… teach.” Verse after verse asks for the same thing in different forms: before we can offer anything to anyone, we need to have first received it ourselves. We speak only as an echo of a voice we’ve heard. We lead only because we've been led first—through wandering, uncertainty, our own need to turn back. We feed only on bread that was placed in our hands by another. We teach only truths that were first taught to us. This pattern underlies everything we have been hearing and pondering this week: we can't pour out what we haven't first received.

Prayer
Lord, speak, lead, feed, and teach us, so that we might do the same for others. Amen.

Joe Jorgensen '23 M.Div.
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Faribault, MN; Gol Lutheran Church, Kenyon, MN

09/03/2026

GOD PAUSE
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Matthew 18:15-20 (NRSV)

15"If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Devotion
What happens when someone wrongs you? Maybe you pretend it didn't happen. Maybe you post about it on social media. Maybe you rant to family or friends. But Jesus says, first go to the one who wronged you and point out the fault. Privately. Directly. To their face, not behind their back. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like hard, uncomfortable work. It would be easier to talk about the person than to them. But Jesus treats the relationship as worth more than our comfort. "If you are listened to, you have regained that one." Not defeated them. Not proven a point. Regained them. The relationship is something precious that was in danger of being lost. Only if that word goes unheard does the circle widen, first to witnesses, then the whole community. Confrontation, Jesus' way, stays as small as it can, because the goal was never to win, but to restore a broken relationship.

Prayer
Lord, give us the courage to go to one another in times of conflict, and to seek restoration. Amen.

Joe Jorgensen '23 M.Div.
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Faribault, MN; Gol Lutheran Church, Kenyon, MN

08/30/2026

Welcome to worship on The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 30, 2026

Please click on the YouTube link below for the 9am live stream.

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering...

08/27/2026

GOD PAUSE
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Matthew 16:21-28 (NRSV)

21From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." 23But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

24Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? 27"For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Devotion
“You are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Jesus’ rebuke of Peter is not a rejection of creation or of Jesus’ incarnation. It happens when Peter’s vision and understanding of what the Messiah should look like superseded God’s. Jesus did not let Peter get away with it—nor does he us. In his love for Peter he calls Peter out, reminding him he still has much to learn. So what are “divine things?” Peter had heard, yet had lots of growing to do. He is invited to listen again and measure what he hears over against what he wants. The “divine thing” looks like Jesus, freely going into unsafe places, suffering at the hands of other-minded powers, death—for the love and sake of others. But from it all will come new life—resurrection! For Peter it was a call to move beyond his narrow, absolute certainties and to grow in the wonder of the “divine things” that God was revealing and doing in Jesus. Here is life that not even death can destroy.

Prayer
Thank you, gracious one, for embracing our humanness while showering us with divine love. Nurture us in that love so that we can grow in faith and live with good courage in those places where humanity and all creation long for your life-giving peace, justice, and hope. Amen.

Phil Rue '72 M.Div.

08/26/2026

Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV)
Read Romans 12:9-21 on biblegateway.com

9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Devotion
“Let love be genuine.” Paul has just reminded his readers that they are more than individuals. They are individuals who are members of one another, with differing gifts that contribute to the whole. Love finds its full expression in community, where people share life together with its joys, its pains and wrongs, its sorrows. “How can I take a personal tragedy and turn it into a way to make a better world?” A news story shared this inspiring response of Alicia, who had lost her daughter to De Barcy Syndrome—premature aging. Her pain led her to other families who may be experiencing similar circumstances. She now enthusiastically teaches children facing numerous life illnesses and special challenges, caring deeply for each child in ways that open them up to joy and possibility. Her empathy and deep care “makes the children feel seen,” her principal relates. Genuine love, loose in our world, reducing pain, doubling joy! “Take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.” In a tit for tat world, it is love and grace that prevail in the new creation. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew in me a right spirit, that genuine love might flow in and through me and your church for the healing and wholeness of our world. Amen.

Phil Rue '72 M.Div.

08/23/2026

Welcome to worship on The Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 23, 2026

Please click on the YouTube link below for the 9am live stream.

In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancesto...

08/20/2026

GOD PAUSE
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)

13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Devotion
Who are you, really? Answers might include our relationships, work, joys and hobbies, our passions and interests. We remember our stories and our heritage. Life’s successes and joys live alongside our failures and hurts. But asking what others think of us? That always ends up short. Polite answers we hope. Yet others know little compared with an inner world that is ours alone. That is a humble focus. We don’t fully know others. Yet we are quick to put others in categories. It’s a bit risky for Jesus to ask such an open question. The disciple’ answers have difficulty looking deeper than the surface, trying to put Jesus in a container that easily defines him. Peter finally breaks through to a surprising answer that’s infinite, without boundaries. He points to a savior in relationship with a lively God, a bringer of shalom. A living God knows all of us, sinner and saint. That’s the key to life.

Prayer
Help us, God of truth, to be the truth that speaks of your love. Help our minds to seek those higher ways of grace and love, to uplift our world. Amen.

Mark R. Peterson '81 M.Div.
Retired, Seattle, WA

08/19/2026