Readings, Devotion, Prayers and Announcements for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, June 14, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church
We resumed in-person services on the weekend of June 6-7, following the normal schedule for both MLLC and Waldeck. The Facebook Live services will be offered on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. from Waldeck, and at 10:00 a.m. from MLLC.
Below are the readings, prayers, and various announcements for this Sunday and this week. The Sunday devotion is at the end of the readings.
Remember Your Regular Offerings
For both of our congregations, Waldeck and MLLC, please remember that our expenses continue even when we are unable to meet as usual. Please make a point to give your offerings as you would on a typical week. Here are some ideas of what to do:
For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:
– send your offering by mail to the church office – Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church; 6915 Waldeck Church Lane; Ledbetter, TX 78946
– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.
For MLLC in Carmine:
– send your offering by mail to the church office – MLLC, P O BOX 362, Carmine, TX 78932-0362
– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.
– give offerings through the church web site: mllccarmine.com/online-giving This page has a link to our secure giving page. Offerings can be made by bank draft, debit card, or credit card through this special web site.
JUNE 14, 2020
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
First Reading: Exodus 19:2-8a
A reading from Exodus.
At Sinai God assured Israel, “You shall be my treasured possession,” and commissioned them to serve as mediating priests for the nations. The people commit themselves completely to God’s will.
2[The Israelites] had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain.3Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: 4You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, 6but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”
7So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8aThe people all answered as one: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
2Serve the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with a song.
3Know that the Lord is God, our maker to whom we belong;
we are God’s people and the sheep of God’s pasture.
4Enter the gates of the Lord with thanksgiving and the courts with praise;
give thanks and bless God’s holy name.
5Good indeed is the Lord, whose steadfast love is everlasting,
whose faithfulness endures from age to age.
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-8
A reading from Romans.
We are no longer God’s enemies but have peace with God because we were brought into a right relationship with God through Christ’s death.
1Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel: Matthew 9:35–10:8 [9-23]
The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
The mission of Jesus’ followers is to continue the mission of Jesus himself. Here, he instructs his first disciples as to how they might proclaim the gospel through their words and deeds.
35Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
10:1Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. [9Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”]
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Devotion
“Just at the Right Time”
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
In 2003 a woman named Dorothy Fletcher was flying to her daughter’s wedding in Orlando. While traveling she suffered a heart attack. When this 67-year-old grandmother started having chest pains and collapsed on a plane, an anxious stewardess asked, “Is there a doctor on board?”
Within seconds 15 cardiology specialists, all of who were travelling to a conference on heart disease, offered to help. These doctors were all at the right place at the right time. With their immediate care Dorothy Fletcher was able to have an excellent recovery.
In a similar way our loving Savior is there for us. Paul tells us in Romans chapter 5, “for while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” At the right time, we, who are weak and lost without the Lord, are given God’s mercy. The Lord took notice of how we are separated from his love. We had chosen sin over God, and the results were devastating. We brought on death and eternal separation from the Lord.
But God’s power and forgiveness are always more powerful than our sin. The Lord can do much more than we ever expected. The Savior helps us in the middle of the weakest points of life. Remember, “for while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” St. Paul goes on to say, “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.”
At the right time, God’s love is brought into our lives. There are two reasons for God bringing his love into our lives. First, God wants us to have peace with him. To do this God entered human life in this world. In the person of Jesus, the Lord announced: “Return to the Lord, the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” He taught us about the Kingdom, and showed us how to live. After his time of teaching, Jesus then died for us, so that eternal death would not have to become our final reality. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ we have the opportunity to receive God’s power. This power enables us to follow Jesus through life, death, and into eternity. By being with Christ we have peace with God.
The second reason for God’s love in our lives is very related to the first. This peace I have noted is leads to hope which does not disappoint. This hope enables us to minister to others.
God’s way of building this hope in us is through the reality of this human life. As we follow Christ, we live. As we live, we face all that life has to offer. In life we face both joys and struggles. Paul writes of the struggles being sufferings. With God’s help we can respond to struggles with growth and hope. Paul phrases this growth of hope in this way: “And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
True hope, founded in life experience, it’s not something to keep hidden. Is a blessing to share with others.
Years ago, I heard about Mary. She was ecstatic. For the first time she knew what it meant to feel the power and the presence of our Lord at work and her life. For the first time Mary felt called to be a witness for Jesus Christ. But now she had a problem Mary didn’t know how to witness.
Mary grew up knowing that it was not right to talk about her own experiences. It was not right talk about his success, because that might sound like she was boasting, and it was certainly not right to talk about her weakness because that might sound like she was complaining. So, what could a person say that would convince others that God loved and cared for them?
Mary was so confused she decided to talk with her pastor about how to bear witness to her faith in Christ Jesus. Mary’s pastor gave her to suggestions. First, she was to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Secondly, she was to read and pray about Romans chapter 5:1-8.
Mary was a little disappointed with her pastor’s advice. She was hoping that he would give her the words to say. Instead, he had given her homework. But if praying and reading we’re going to teach her how to bear witness to Christ, the Mary was more than willing to do both.
As time went by Mary found that God was leading her into situations where she needed to talk about her life experiences. She met a young woman who had just had a miscarriage, and for her for the first time Mary spoke about her own a miscarriage. The two women shared their pain and their tears. When the younger woman asked Mary how she made it through her pain, Mary was able to talk about God’s healing love and peace.
Mary met a woman her own age who was struggling with the need to provide around-the-clock nursing care for her mother. This time she found herself talking about the turmoil she went through when her mother needed around-the-clock nursing care. As they talked Mary found herself describing how God helped her make it through.
About a month later Mary went back to visit her pastor. “Pastor,” she said, “I was taught that it was wrong to talk about myself. But I discovered that in order to bear witness to how God is at work in my life, I must talk about my own experiences. I have discovered that when I tell my story, others feel free to tell me their stories. When that happens, it’s possible to tell God story.”
Gods wonderful love in Jesus Christ you shown us for a reason. First, it is to build a peaceful relationship between God and humanity. And secondly, it is to give us the opportunity, at the right time, to tell God story through our life experience.
Ultimately, at the right time, God’s love is given to us so we might tell all people of the life God wants for them. What an honor it is to be there at the right time, and to be part of God’s plan for the world.
Let us pray – Loving God, we give you thanks for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. By your mercy help us to receive his caring forgiveness right now, for we need it. We pray this in his most Holy Name. Amen
*Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
A brief silence.
Almighty and everlasting God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, grant that with one voice we may confess you as our God and Lord and, in communion with your whole Christian Church, maintain, guard, and defend the true faith in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Graciously bestow on the pastors and teachers of your Church the boldness to speak the truth of the Gospel’s saving message to all people so that the world might know your Son Jesus Christ and the love you have shown us in him. Unite us in this faith just as you are one. Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
Grant your blessing on all in positions of authority, including the president, the governor of this state, our legislators and judges, that all may govern with justice and equity. Help them to serve the common good. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Look in mercy on all those in need—the disadvantaged in our society, the unemployed, the overworked, the exploited, victims of abuse and violence, and those wounded by sorrow, sadness, and the stresses and burdens of everyday life. Grant healing to the sick and struggling including… and those whom we name aloud or in quiet prayer… . Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Bring comfort to those who grieve (especially the family and friends of ____________). Hold before them the cross of your dear Son so that they may never lose sight of the only source of their true comfort and eternal hope. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Other intercessions may be added here.
Draw us toward a closer walk with you. Enliven our faith and help us to find better understanding of your Good News. Help us to keep the faithful discipline of daily Bible reading. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
LORD’S PRAYER
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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Waldeck Prayer List: Linda Brown, London Gaskins, Phillip Procell, Brian Shaffer, Sandra Gest, Barbara Spence, April Weyand, Fritz Schoenst, Alicia McQuaig, Diana Garik Poentisch, Sally Beettner, Carrie Oltmann, Beverly Drescher,
Sympathy: Robin Hardin
REMEMBER IN PRAYER: Susan Ray (knee replacement surgery); Brad & Patti (Hart) Eilers (both quarantined with COVID-19); Megan Hart Burch (daughter of Patti & Brad, chemotherapy); Ruby Renck (recovering from surgery); Angie Colpetzer (recovering from surgery); Carol Mertz Leitzel, Janet Schnell Beckworth (both friends of Praise Team leader Jolene Wickel, health concerns and in hospitals); Ricky Eckert (brother of Ronnie Eckert, health concerns); Kalisa Pomykal (Paula Barrick’s sister, medical concerns); Kenny Lorenz (former member Robert Hinze’s relative, serious burns and numerous health concerns); Nancy Pietsch (former RT-C teacher, health concerns); Johnny Dunham (health concerns); Joyce Kelley (friend, health concerns); Jack Walsh (friend of Wade Eilers, chemotherapy); Robert Vaughn (at Texas Neurology, thankful for extended stay for rehab); Edna Mae Krivacka (friend of Ed Eargle and Carol Carmean, back home, health concerns)
Sympathy to the families of Ilo Dean & Joyce Ullrich; Sam Reeves (friend of Daryl & Susan Ray)
The Ongoing Prayer Concerns may be found in the monthly newsletter.
CHRIST IN OUR HOME devotional booklets for July, August, and September are available in the narthex. Some are also available for April, May, and June.
WORSHIP SERVICES are planned to be continued. Detailed limitations are listed in the June newsletter. Saturday service is at 6 and Sunday at 10. Masks are optional. Every other pew will be blocked. Families are asked to sit together and leave space. Offering plate will be at back of sanctuary. Saturday service is asked to be reserved as much as possible for senior adults. No Holy Communion. No bulletins.
SERVING NEXT WEEKEND Assisting Minister-June 20, Robbie & June 21, Susan; Acolyte-Drayton; Reader-Blake; Flowers-Jason & Vickie; Usher team– Wade, capt. If you are uncomfortable serving, please let Pastor Tinker know. It is an option to serve.
CAMPING ENVELOPES are in the June newsletter. This goes to MLLC campers attending an ELCA Lutheran Camp.
CARMINE FIREMEN’S FEAST AND FUNDRAISER set for July 19 has been cancelled. Their drill night (2nd Thursday) and meeting night (4th Thursday) will resume in June. Annual meeting-June 25.
RECYCLING TRAILER is now back at the Carmine Hall on Thursdays from noon until 4 p.m. They are in Ledbetter the same day from 8:30 – 11 a.m. behind the Ledbetter Hall.
OUTREACH/CARE COMMITTEE A person is needed to serve on the Church Council for the Outreach/Care Committee position. You would only need to attend meetings and serve as a liaison, as Cheryl Etzel has volunteered to serve as the chairman. Please consider serving in this role.
OFFERING ENVELOPES may be mailed to the church at PO Box 362, Carmine, TX 78932. You may also give online. Check the http://mlllccarmine/online-giving/ website for more information. Thanks to all who have continued to make contributions.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL at MLLC has been postponed to August 2-6, 2020 from 5:30 – 7:45 p.m., with the theme Rocky Railway. See the codes in the June newsletter to register your child and to volunteer.
Registration is also available at the church web site: https://mllccarmine.com/vacation-bible-school-2020/
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Bethlehem Lutheran in Round Top is postponing VBS indefinitely. It may still be cancelled, but they are waiting to see how things go this summer. For more information contact Stacy Eilers at 979-639-1897.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Week ending 5/23/2020
Church Income $3,181.26
Church Expenses $3,745.08
Salaries & Benefits 3,387.66
Envelopes 187.42
Miscellaneous 170.00
Net Loss: $563.82
Week ending 5/30/2020
Church Income $4,183.90
Church Expenses $1,064.00
Printing 564.00
Salaries & Benefits 500.00
Net Income: $3,119.90
Year to Date Net Loss: $1,077.75
Martin Luther Lutheran Church 