Grow Guide | November 16, 2025

Written By Kevin Bergeson

Text Study for Sunday, November 16, 2025.

Series Theme: VISION Worship With Joy

printable Version

Reading: Psalm 150

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

What is one long-term practice you have in your life? Piano? Prayer? Paying bills?

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord of light, you have looked upon your creation and affirmed its goodness. Sharpen our vision so that we may see the world with your eyes. With your eyes there will be no stranger only the children of God waiting to be welcomed. With your eyes we will not miss the exquisite beauty present all around us that stirs our hearts and gives glory to you, in Jesus' name, amen.

 

CONTEXT

This sermon series and generosity appeal, VISION, will dig deep into all five of Easter’s vision statements.

live in community,

care with compassion,

worship with joy,

learn with devotion,

love with generosity

Our vision board and pastors prayerfully curated the five vision statements to faithfully guide Easter in our mission (to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ). Focusing on the many ways we express our generosity is how we live out our vision statements at Easter, in our community, and in the world. We are stewarding God’s good gifts to us all when practice each vision. How will you practice each in your life? Join us in exploring and living out our vision statements.

 

From Dr Nick Schnaser at EntertheBible.org:

“Amen” (אָמֵן) is at the root of the Hebrew word אֱמוּנָה (emunah), which indicates trust, surety, and faith. In Psalm 119:30, the writer tells God, “I have chosen the way of faith (emunah); I have set your judgments [before me].” Later in the same prayer, the psalmist says that the divine teachings are trustworthy: “All your commandments are sure (emunah)” (119:86). Similarly, Psalm 33:4 states, “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his acts are [done] in faithfulness (בֶּאֱמוּנָה; be’emunah).”

When contemporary congregants say “amen,” they are engaging in a corporate reaffirmation of their own trust in the faithfulness of God, as in Psalm 106:48: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting, and let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the Lord.”

 

 

LOOK AT THE BOOK

  • How is it with your spirit this week?

  • Our series is named “Vision.” What might it mean to you to “worship with joy?”

  • What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?

  • Open to Psalm 150. How does it begin? What is “praise?”

  • "Praise the Lord” is a confession of faith. God is God and we are not. How is that good news?

  • Praise is joy-filled. Tell about a joy-filled moment from your life. What made it joyful?

  • We know the deep joy of life because we have also experienced pain and suffering. Why might we find that joy in worshipping God to be more lasting than other kinds of joy?

  • Verse one is about praising God in a location. Where? What are those places?

  • Verse two is about a praising God for a reason. What are the reasons we praise God?

  • One pastor has asked, “what if we only have tomorrow, what we thanked God for today?” How does this psalm help us thank God?

  • Verses 3-5 adds a new element to the praise. What is it? Count them. Why might there be such a list?

  • What is the first instrument listed? What is needed to make sound happen with this instrument?

  • What are ways that the people of Easter—together—worship with joy?

  • What was a joyful experience in worship for you? When was a time you needed that joy because life for you was not joyful?

  • Worship is not simply what happens in the sanctuary at Easter on Sunday. How might worship happen during the week?

  • Verse 6 is central to worshipping with joy. What is the psalmist saying?

  • Worship practices evolve over time. What has been a meaningful practice of worship for you? Singing? Communion? Confession? Prayer?

  • What is good news in this psalm for you? For our community?

  • What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

 

TAKING IT HOME

We have spent many weeks digging into our vision statements. What do you see for the future of Easter Lutheran Church?

 

Sending Prayer

Loving God, by covenant promise and enduring mercy you have joined us to yourself forever, and you invite us to respond to your love with faithfulness. By your Spirit may we share your vision for the church as we share the good news of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Kevin Bergeson
Next

Grow Guide | November 9, 2025