Faith Lutheran Church

Name: Faith Lutheran Church
Address: 4260 Fort Valley Road, Fort Valley, VA, 22652, US
Telephone: (540) 933-6154

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Faith Lutheran Church

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Please join us at 9:30am for coffee and donuts and 10am for worship service. We meet for coffee and donuts at 8:30am and our worship service at 9am.

Our mission is to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ by providing a caring environment to the members of our congregation and the people of Fort Valley and beyond. Our mission is to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ by providing a caring environment to the members of this congregation and the people of Fort Valley and beyond. All are welcome!

10/30/2026

God Pause for Friday, October 30, 2026
Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 5:1-12 on biblegateway.com

5When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Devotion
As we read the beatitudes again today, we have another chance to have something new revealed in text that is oh-so-familiar. When I studied these verses back in February, a new rhythm emerged for me in the repeated grouping of the words “blessed are.” Blessed are those in need of help, blessed are the helpers, and blessed are YOU—all are united as one. Brought together in love and mercy. OUR hearts are broken open, our hands are freed to be the blessing God sees us to be. God’s love liberates the oppressed and marginalized. God’s love invites the wealthy and powerful to participate in this kingdom, here and now. God’s love offers a promise for all people which is much greater than anything the world can possibly offer.

Prayer
Liberating God, send us forth with your blessings. May we live out your promises of love and mercy, united with you and our neighbor. Make us aware of our neighbor. Show us your kingdom here, and now. Amen.

Mara Stillson, ‘24 M.A.
Deacon, Church on the Street, Sioux Falls, SD

10/30/2026

God Pause for Thursday, October 29, 2026
Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 5:1-12 on biblegateway.com

5When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Devotion
When Jesus heads up a mountain and sits you down, you know something is up. It’s not surprising that what he has to say flips our script. Changes our perspectives. Goes against our norms. For those keeping track, this gospel text from Matthew was also included in the Revised Common Lectionary back in February of this year. I’m not sure how often this happens, but it seems like a good one to keep going back to. We need a constant reminder of Christ’s mountaintop, topsy-turvy ways. Sometimes this means we need to step away as well. We need to be reminded of Christ’s new way of living, a life of blessings that are not what the world gives, but a life where we are joined with Christ and with our neighbor. These are words we can keep coming back to time, and time again.

Prayer
Christ on the mountaintop, shift our perspectives so we see our blessings as you speak them into our lives. Return us to your words and upend the powers of this world. Send us forth, living in your promise of new life and a new way of encountering blessings. Amen.

Mara Stillson, ‘24 M.A.
Deacon, Church on the Street, Sioux Falls, SD

10/30/2026

There are things I have been through that only God knows how I made it through. Even when I felt tired and unsure, He gave me the strength to keep going. I am still healing in some places, but I have not forgotten His faithfulness. The God who carried me through the storm is still walking with me today.

10/30/2026

God Pause for Wednesday, October 28, 2026
1 John 3:1-3 (NRSV)
Read 1 John 3:1-3 on biblegateway.com

3See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Devotion
I remember singing the song “Kids of the Kingdom” in our church’s children's choir. When I read today's text, that was the first thing that popped into my mind. I had to do a little internet search to see if I was recalling the song correctly, and of course, there is an old recording you can listen to on YouTube. Listening to it made me chuckle a bit—the things that stick with you through the years. It was the mid-1980s when I would have sung it, but the promise has stuck with me. We are God’s beloved children, that’s what we are. Unfortunately, that is not the promise everyone hears. Too often, the world tries to offer other labels. If I adapt the words of this simple song, “Children of God, that’s what we are. Children of God, that’s what we are.” That is how we live, knowing and trusting that we are beloved children of God, transformed to see our neighbors as the same.

Prayer
Loving God, transform our hearts and minds to remember who we are and whose we are. Send us into the world with your love and reveal to us the belovedness of our neighbor. Amen.

Mara Stillson, ‘24 M.A.
Deacon, Church on the Street, Sioux Falls, SD

10/27/2026

God Pause for Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Psalm 34:1-10, 22 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 34:1-10, 22 on biblegateway.com

1I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

3O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

6This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.

7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

9O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.

10The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

22The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Devotion
I have been serving at Church on the Street in Sioux Falls for a little over two years now. It still surprises me when someone stops me in the middle of whatever is happening, needing prayer. Whether on the street, in the laundromat, in the food pantry, or at the local shelter, the intense need for prayer in that moment is humbling. The psalmist writes in verse 4, “ I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” While we live in the reality of sinfulness, pain, brokenness, oppression, and more, we come to God in prayer for moments of peace and the reminder that, in all times and in all places, God is present. So we continue to pray, and give thanks for moments when our fears subside through the love of God, and for those who surround us and remind us of God’s presence here and now.

Prayer
God of Goodness, calm our fears. Remind us of your steadfast presence. Show us your peace amid chaos. Give us glimmers of the good you bring into this weary and aching world. Amen.

Mara Stillson, ‘24 M.A.
Deacon, Church on the Street, Sioux Falls, SD
Interested in digging deeper into today’s text?

10/26/2026

Grief has no single timetable or expression. God meets us in the tears, the memories, and even the unexpected laughter. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” — Psalm 34:18

If your heart needs gentle company, our free weekly devotional is available through the link in bio.

Address

4260 Fort Valley Road
Fort Valley, VA
22652

Opening Hours

8:30am - 12pm

Telephone

(540) 933-6154

Website

http://www.faithlutheran-fortvalley.com/

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