St. John's Lutheran Church

Resources for Prayer and Devotions

​


Picture

​
​Daily Bible Readings from the ELCA
Picture



​Daily Lectionary
Picture

​
​Daily Devotionals from Women of the ELCA
Picture


​God Pause: A Daily Devotion from Luther Seminary
Picture


​Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
Night Prayer
Picture
​
​
​Prayer Ventures: Daily Prayer from the ELCA





​Meditations from Carol Dean Henn​

Coming soon
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Welcome and Mission Statements
    • History
    • Staff & Council
    • Bios >
      • Pastor Kimberly Greway
    • Life Events >
      • Wedding Policy
      • Funeral Policy
    • Committees
    • Land Acknowledgement
  • Worship
    • Worship Details
    • What to Expect
    • Prayground
    • Music at St. John's
    • Prayer and Devotional Resources
    • Young Disciples' Messages
    • Sermon Extras >
      • Feast of the Annunciation 2023
      • Reformation Sunday Oct 2022
      • Third Sunday in Advent, Dec. 2022
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved
    • Women of the ELCA
    • Committees
  • News
    • Newsletters
    • Stewardship message
  • Education
    • Sunday School for Children and Youth
    • Confirmation
    • Coffee and Conversations (Adult Sunday School)
  • St. John's Cares
    • MA's Pantry
    • St. Afterschool
    • Lutheran World Relief
    • Meals on Wheels
    • Counseling Center
    • Community Meetings
  • Photo Gallery
  • Forms
    • Forms >
      • Prayer Request Form
      • Altar Flowers Order Form
  • Contact Us
    • Contact & Location
    • Communication Contacts

11/26/2017

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Read Now
 
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication.     
                                                                                                                              
1 Thessalonians 4:3

           This verse uses a word we’re not always sure we understand: fornication.  Yes, we know what that means technically, but what does it mean as part of an instruction from God?  Certainly, it means that we are to 
abstain from using people for sexual purposes, to gratify our physical desires with no thought of that person’s humanity, sanctity, or human needs and feelings.  We know that’s wrong; no explanation needed.  We know that this verse is also linked to the expectation that we will be faithful to our mates.  God simply knows that, with fidelity, people have the freedom and trust that enhances their relationship and allows for true intimacy.  Extremely conservative interpretations of this verse hold that any contact before marriage is forbidden.  A more humane interpretation understands that this part of life – of intimacy – is too important to be an unknown or a subject of fear before marriage.  What we can know is that God wants us to respect each other, value each other’s humanity, and be trustworthy recipients of another’s most intimate love.
©Carol Dean Henn, 2017

Share


Comments are closed.
Details

    Author

    Carol Dean Henn of St. John’s Windish Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, PA

 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
715 Lincoln Highway
North Versailles, PA 15137-2027
[email protected]
​​412-824-0277
Office Hours: Mon-Thu 8:00am-2:00pm
Sunday Schedule:
Sunday School for all ages at 9:30am
Worship at 10:45am​
​Coffee Fellowship at 12pm
Picture
Picture
​© 2025 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Versailles, PA
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Welcome and Mission Statements
    • History
    • Staff & Council
    • Bios >
      • Pastor Kimberly Greway
    • Life Events >
      • Wedding Policy
      • Funeral Policy
    • Committees
    • Land Acknowledgement
  • Worship
    • Worship Details
    • What to Expect
    • Prayground
    • Music at St. John's
    • Prayer and Devotional Resources
    • Young Disciples' Messages
    • Sermon Extras >
      • Feast of the Annunciation 2023
      • Reformation Sunday Oct 2022
      • Third Sunday in Advent, Dec. 2022
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved
    • Women of the ELCA
    • Committees
  • News
    • Newsletters
    • Stewardship message
  • Education
    • Sunday School for Children and Youth
    • Confirmation
    • Coffee and Conversations (Adult Sunday School)
  • St. John's Cares
    • MA's Pantry
    • St. Afterschool
    • Lutheran World Relief
    • Meals on Wheels
    • Counseling Center
    • Community Meetings
  • Photo Gallery
  • Forms
    • Forms >
      • Prayer Request Form
      • Altar Flowers Order Form
  • Contact Us
    • Contact & Location
    • Communication Contacts