First Lutheran Church • Reformation • Sunday, October 26, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Centrality of the Nicene Creed in Our Faith

The Nicene Creed unites believers in a shared confession of faith, affirming the divinity of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of resurrection. This ancient statement reminds us that our faith is rooted in the saving work of Jesus, who came down from heaven, was crucified, rose again, and will come again in glory. It calls us to remember that we are part of a global and historic church, bound together by the Spirit, and sent into the world to live out this faith with hope and love. [16:57]

Bible passage: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

Reflection: How does reciting the Nicene Creed shape your understanding of what it means to belong to the church and to Christ’s story today?

Day 2: Welcoming the Outcast and Marginalized

God calls the church to be a loving and welcoming community, especially to those who have been hurt, marginalized, or excluded. The Spirit gathers us into one body, urging us to extend hospitality and compassion to all people, regardless of their background or story. As we pray for God’s vision, we are challenged to open our hearts and doors, making space for those who feel like outsiders, and embodying Christ’s radical love in tangible ways. [18:16]

Bible passage: Romans 15:7 (ESV)
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Reflection: Who in your life or community might feel like an outcast, and what is one concrete way you can extend Christ’s welcome to them this week?

Day 3: Trusting God’s Provision and Sharing Generously

We are reminded to set our hope not on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides for all our needs. In times of scarcity or uncertainty, we are called to return a portion of what we have received, trusting that God will multiply our gifts to bless those who are suffering and in need. This posture of generosity and trust transforms our relationship with material things and aligns our hearts with God’s compassion for the vulnerable. [43:20]

Bible passage: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Reflection: What is one way you can practice generosity this week, trusting God to use your gift to bless someone in need?

Day 4: The Gift and Responsibility of Scripture

Receiving the Bible is both a gift and a calling to nurture faith and prayer. Placing the Scriptures in the hands of the next generation is a sacred promise, inviting children and adults alike to discover God’s love, trust in His grace, and follow the path from darkness into light. Engaging with God’s Word daily shapes our identity as God’s children and equips us to walk faithfully in the world. [41:51]

Bible passage: Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Reflection: How can you make space today to read, reflect on, or share a passage of Scripture, allowing God’s Word to guide your steps?

Day 5: The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is present among us, bringing healing, unity, and new life. In times of need, conflict, or uncertainty, we are invited to pray for the Spirit’s presence to renew us, heal our wounds, and empower us to serve side-by-side for the good of the world. Trusting in the Spirit’s work, we become agents of God’s grace, hope, and reconciliation in our communities and beyond. [19:13]

Bible passage: Acts 1:8 (ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Reflection: Where do you most need the Holy Spirit’s healing or empowering presence today, and how can you invite the Spirit to work in and through you?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as one body to proclaim our faith in the Triune God, affirming the ancient words of the Nicene Creed. We remembered that our faith is rooted in the mystery of Christ—God from God, light from light—who became incarnate for our salvation, suffered, died, and rose again, and who will come again in glory. The Holy Spirit, the giver of life, continues to unite us, speak through us, and guide us as a church called to be holy, apostolic, and welcoming to all. We prayed for the world, for healing, for justice, and for the courage to be a community that welcomes the outcast and serves those in need.

We acknowledged the joys and sorrows within our congregation, remembering those who have passed and celebrating milestones of birthdays and anniversaries. Our call to serve was made tangible through ongoing ministries—supporting food banks in a time of growing need, and the Angel Tree project, which seeks to bless children and families with gifts and warmth. We were reminded that our acts of service are not just charity, but a living out of Christ’s love and justice in a world marked by hunger, conflict, and uncertainty.

A special moment was shared as we celebrated the faith milestones of our youth, placing Bibles in the hands of our fourth graders. This act is a fulfillment of baptismal promises, a reminder that faith is nurtured in community and that the Word of God is a lamp for our journey. Parents and congregation alike recommitted to walking alongside our young people, supporting them in faith and prayer.

As we came to the table of Holy Communion, we remembered that this is Christ’s table, open to all. Here, we receive the body and blood of Christ, are united with him and with one another, and are sent out to be his presence in the world. We prayed for strength to give ourselves for others, trusting in the grace and blessing of the Triune God as we go forth.

Key Takeaways

1. The confession of faith in the Nicene Creed is not just a recitation of doctrine, but a living declaration of trust in the God who creates, redeems, and sustains. This faith roots us in the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and resurrection, calling us to live with hope and courage in a world that often feels uncertain. [16:57]
2. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force but the very presence of God among us, speaking through the prophets, guiding the church, and empowering us to be agents of healing and reconciliation. Openness to the Spirit means listening for God’s voice in one another and being willing to be changed for the sake of the world. [18:47]
3. The call to serve the marginalized, feed the hungry, and welcome the outcast is not optional for the church—it is the heart of our identity. In times of crisis, such as the loss of food benefits for many families, our response must be rooted in justice, compassion, and practical action, reflecting Christ’s love for all people. [25:59]
4. Faith formation is a lifelong journey, nurtured in community and marked by milestones. Placing the Scriptures in the hands of our children is both a fulfillment of baptismal promises and an invitation to all of us to return to the Word, to let it shape our lives, and to walk together in faith and prayer. [40:57]
5. The table of Holy Communion is a radical sign of God’s welcome and grace. Here, all are invited, all are fed, and all are sent out to be Christ’s body in the world. Receiving this gift calls us to live generously, to trust in God’s provision, and to give ourselves for the sake of others. [46:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:57] - Confession of Faith: The Nicene Creed
[17:37] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
[18:16] - Prayers for the Church and World
[18:47] - Praying for Justice and Healing
[19:13] - Inviting the Spirit’s Presence
[19:41] - Repeated Prayers for Healing
[24:46] - Announcements: Remembering and Celebrating
[25:27] - Food Insecurity and Community Response
[26:30] - Angel Tree Ministry and Volunteer Opportunities
[27:33] - Rainbow Trail Camp Reflections
[35:25] - Camp Registration and Scholarships
[38:32] - Honoring Camp Leadership
[40:00] - Faith Milestones and Bible Presentation
[41:33] - Blessing the Bibles and Children
[43:20] - Offertory and Thanksgiving
[44:51] - Words of Institution: Holy Communion
[46:29] - Invitation to the Table
[58:30] - Sending Prayer and Blessing
[61:35] - Closing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. John 1:1-5, 14 (ESV) — > In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2. Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) — > And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

3. Psalm 119:105 (ESV) — > Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Observation Questions

According to the Nicene Creed, what are some of the key beliefs we confess about Jesus and the Holy Spirit? ([16:57])
What are some of the ways the church in Acts 2 cared for one another and for those in need?
In the sermon, what ministries were mentioned as ways the congregation is serving the community right now? ([25:59])
What special milestone did the church celebrate with the fourth graders, and why is it important? ([40:57])

Interpretation Questions

The Nicene Creed is described as more than just a recitation of doctrine. What does it mean for this confession to be a “living declaration of trust” in God? ([16:57])
The sermon says the Holy Spirit is not a distant force but God’s presence among us. How might being “open to the Spirit” change the way a church community acts or makes decisions? ([18:47])
The call to serve the marginalized and feed the hungry is described as the “heart of our identity” as a church. Why do you think this is central to Christian faith? ([25:59])
Giving Bibles to children is called a fulfillment of baptismal promises. How does this act connect to the idea that faith is nurtured in community? ([40:57])

Application Questions

The Nicene Creed roots us in the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and resurrection. When you say the Creed, do you feel it as a living trust or just words? What could help you experience it more deeply? ([16:57])
The sermon talked about listening for the Holy Spirit’s voice in one another. Can you think of a time when God spoke to you through someone else in the church? How did you respond? ([18:47])
Our church is involved in food banks and the Angel Tree project. Is there a specific way you could get involved in serving the marginalized this month? What’s one step you could take? ([25:59])
The congregation recommitted to supporting young people in faith and prayer. Is there a child or youth in our church you could encourage or pray for this week? How might you do that? ([40:57])
The sermon reminded us that Holy Communion is Christ’s table, open to all. How does this shape your view of who belongs in our church community? Is there someone you could invite or welcome more intentionally? ([46:29])
We remembered both joys and sorrows in our congregation. Is there someone experiencing loss or celebration whom you could reach out to with a note, call, or prayer this week? ([24:46])
The Word of God is called a lamp for our journey. Is there a Bible verse or story that has guided you recently? How could you share that encouragement with someone else? ([41:33])

Sermon Clips

This past Friday morning, I attended a Food Insecurity Network meeting here in Colorado Springs, and one of the things that we were talking about is the upcoming expiration of SNAP benefits that will stop probably in the next week here, and about our military folks who aren't receiving, well, who may not be receiving paychecks coming up either. In total, in southern Colorado, that's over 120,000 families who won't be receiving benefits in the coming months. [00:25:40] (28 seconds) #CommunitySupportMatters

We'll be looking more to ways that we can support our community and the ways that we can support our food banks here locally. Currently, the best suggestion is just supporting the food banks that already exist as they are, but there'll be great need both in our community here and in the wider community and throughout southern Colorado here in the coming month. [00:26:09] (20 seconds) #AngelTreeVolunteerCall

Our Angel Tree Ministry is planning to make 150 fleece blankets, and we need your help with doing that. This week, we're looking for volunteers to help us with that. We're looking for volunteers to help us with that, and we're going to have a thigh and a leg cut fringe from 9-12 or from 1-3. You can sign up in the Welcome Center and they'll be doing that downstairs. [00:26:28] (17 seconds) #RainbowTrailRegistration

Then we're going to need four volunteers to make five or six phone calls to invite families to come to a Christmas party, where we distribute gifts and blankets for those kids on December 7th. Then we'll continue, just as we did last year, with tying those fleece blankets out in the Gathering Place throughout the month of November between services on a Sunday morning. [00:26:45] (19 seconds) #GratitudeForService

When they enter fourth grade, we give them all Bibles. And this morning, we've invited their parents to come up with them. And as part of those baptismal promises that their parents made for them was to pray for them. And place the Scriptures in their hands. So we are just going to do a little liturgy with them this morning. And invite their parents to, again, place those Scriptures in their hands. Knowing that both you support them in giving them these Bibles. And that their parents support them in walking with them in this faith formation journey. [00:40:15] (34 seconds) #BiblesInTheirHands

When your parents brought you for baptism, they promised, among other things, to place in your hands the Bible. The Holy Scriptures. To nurture your lives in faith and in prayer. And on that same day, this or another congregation promised to help your parents to fulfill that promise. Today, we join together to keep our promises. [00:40:50] (22 seconds) #KeepingBaptismPromises

Right now, you have to carry these Bibles with you everywhere. No, that's not true. But they would probably be good to look at at night. Maybe pick a Scripture or a passage. Share it. Share it with your parents. And find out what maybe that might mean to you. Or what your lens of faith might be in looking at that. [00:41:17] (21 seconds) #FaithInEveryPage

``Lord of the harvest, we return to you a portion of what you have given to us. Teach us to set our hope not on the uncertainty of riches, but on you, who richly provides for us. Multiply what we have gathered to bless all who are suffering and in need. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [00:43:16] (18 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the significance of the Nicene Creed?

How does the Holy Spirit influence faith community unity?

What role do milestones play in faith formation?