Author Archives: mllccarmine

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About mllccarmine

Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, Texas. We are located at 211 Luther Lane, Carmine Texas. Sunday School is at 9:00 a.m.; Sunday Worship is at 10:00 a.m. Saturday worship is at 6 p.m. Office phone: 979-278-3388

Beirut Explosion and Lutheran World Relief

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , , , ,

Beirut Explosion

Beirut Explosion: How We Can Help

On the evening of August 4, 2020, a ship full of approximately 2,700 tons of agricultural fertilizer exploded at the port of Beirut, Lebanon.  This explosion killed over 200 people and injured over 4,000 people.  Thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed.  Various other ships at the port were damaged or destroyed, and their cargoes ruined.

One of the ships destroyed was one carrying items brought to Lebanon by Lutheran World Relief.  Approximately $624,000 worth of relief supplies were destroyed.  Items in the destroyed shipment included 22,000 quilts, along with numerous school kits and health kits.  These quilts and kits are the sort which are made by our quilting group and the Women of the ELCA at MLLC. The loss of these supplies will make the relief efforts more challenging for our ministry partners at Lutheran World Relief.

Here is an article about this disaster as it relates to Lutheran World Relief supplies.  Click Link.

Thankfully there are ways to help those who have lost so much due to this industrial disaster.  The quickest way to help is through financial giving.  You can give online at: Click this link.

You can mail a check to:

Lutheran World Relief
PO Box 17061
Baltimore, MD   21297-1061

You can call to give at:  800.597.5972​​​​​

 

Another way to help is to work on the projects to make quilts, health kits and school kits for Lutheran World Relief.  Contact the church office about work days, project requirements, and other ways you can participate in these works of love for our neighbors around the world.

The 10th Sunday after Pentecost

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings, Synod

Nativity Sacred Art NatShepherdMurillo

The Birth, life and ministry of the Jesus is the greatest expression of God being with us.  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Readings, Devotion, and Prayers for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 9, 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 Sunday sermon.

 

Remember Your Regular Offerings

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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.

 

AUGUST 9, 2020

THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

 

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9-18

R:  A reading from 1 Kings, the 19th chapter.

On Mount Horeb, where God had appeared to Moses with typical signs of God’s presence—earthquake, wind, and fire—Elijah now experienced God in “sheer silence.” God assured Elijah that he is not the only faithful believer. Seven thousand Israelites are still loyal. God instructed Elijah to anoint two men as kings and to anoint Elisha as his own successor.

9At [Horeb, the mount of God,][Elijah] came to a cave, and spent the night there.
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”
11He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” 15Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm 85:8-13

8I will listen to what the Lord God is saying;
for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you.
9Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,
that your glory may dwell in our land. 
10Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth,
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12The Lord will indeed grant prosperity,
and our land will yield its increase.
13Righteousness shall go before the Lord
and shall prepare for God a pathway. 

 

 

Second Reading: Romans 10:5-15

R:  A reading from Romans the 10th chapter.

A right relationship with God is not something we achieve by heroic efforts. It is a gift received in the proclamation whose content is Jesus Christ. This proclaimed word creates our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence Christian proclamation is an indispensable component of God’s saving actions.

5Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say?
“The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

 

*Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

The holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 14th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Matthew’s gospel typically portrays Jesus’ disciples as people of “little faith,” who fail despite their best intentions. In this story, Matthew shows how Jesus comes to the disciples when they are in trouble and sustains them in their time of fear and doubt.

22[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while he dismissed the crowds.23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.

When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the

morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

The gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, O Christ.

 

 

Devotion

“God is With Us”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a traditional story about trusting in God.  A man was stranded on his roof during a massive flood.  The flood waters were rising all around him.  In fear for his life he prayed and asked him to save him from the rising waters.  Suddenly a neighbor came by in a boat.  The neighbor encouraged the man to climb down from the roof into the boat so they could escape the dangerous flood.  But the man on the roof replied that he had prayed and had complete faith that God would protect him and save him.  Therefore, no thanks for the boat ride.

Several hours passed and then the sheriff’s deputy came by in another boat.  By this time the waters were lapping at the eaves of the roof.  Still the man refused the help and insisted on staying at his home.  He was sure that God would not allow any harm to come to him, and would save him from the flood waters.

Later a National Guard helicopter arrived to lift him from the roof.  By this point the man was perched atop his chimney because the flood waters had risen so high as to cover his roof.  But still the man would not take the rescue line lowered to him. He screamed at the rescue crew that God would save him from the flood.  Soon afterward the helicopter left, the house collapsed and the man drowned in the flood waters.

Later the man found himself in heaven, standing before the Lord.  Even so, he was quite exasperated.  The man confronted God and said, “Lord, how could you have failed me?  I put faith in you, and I bore testimony to that faith again and again.  Why didn’t you save me from the flood?”

To this the Lord answered, “What do you mean?  I sent two boats and a helicopter to save you.  What more did you want me to do?”

One of the struggles of people throughout time is that we often look for powerful signs and wonders from God, yet miss out on what God is doing right now for us.  Maybe this problem comes because we lack the faith to recognize that God is present and active with us in simply amazing ways each day.

Gospel Reading:  A dramatic sign of God’s presence and power – Jesus walking on the water.

In today’s reading from First Kings we see that Elijah doesn’t get it at first.  The powerful signs are not really God’s presence.  God was not in the earthquake, the strong wind, or the fire.   Rather, God was present in the sound of sheer silence, or the “Still Small Voice”.  In that quiet moment, God is there, speaking to Elijah, assuring him of the prophet’s call, and sending him to live out his ministry.

Our Lord is with us today in many ways, including the quiet and simple moments.  Here are some examples:

In the quiet of the end of our day as we pause to pray– God is there.

In the reading of God’s word, individually, or with others– God is there.

In the sharing of the Holy Communion– God is there.

In the kind and encouraging words we share with others– God is there.

In the fellowship we have with others– God is there.

In those whom we serve in any way– God is there.

In the most difficult moments of loss – God is there.

In the singing of joyful songs in worship – God is there.

In the times when we remember all that God has done for us through Jesus’ death on the cross and in his rising from the dead– God is there.

In all this, we give thanks that God first loves us and seeks us out.  A faithful response to God loving us is to utilize disciplines of the Christian life.  I have shared many times about the Six Marks of Discipleship.  As a reminder, these are:

I will strive to…

*Pray daily

*Worship weekly

*Read the Bible daily

*Serve at and beyond Martin Luther Lutheran Church or Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

*Be in Relationship with others to encourage spiritual growth

*Give of my time, talents and resources in a generous manner and to the glory of God

We practice these Marks of Discipleship or spiritual disciplines because these are part of God’s gifts which help us to be transformed into the image of Christ.  The core purpose of these and any other Christian spiritual discipline is to become more like Jesus.  We don’t do these for the mere sake of doing them.  It always goes back to the core purpose – to be with God and to be transformed by the presence of God.  The Holy Spirit does this work in us. As we engage in any of these Marks of Discipleship, we are stepping into the reality that we are being worked on by God.  We are being transformed by God into something else.  As we spend time with God in these Marks of Discipleship, we are becoming more like the company we keep.  We are becoming more and more holy as God is with us, and as we are united with Jesus.

I encourage you to reflect on your own lives and to ponder where God has been present in the ordinary and quiet and powerful points of each week. As you do, remember that our God loves each of us with a love which surpasses all understanding.  His love draws us to himself, and in this, we are becoming more and more like Jesus.  We are becoming what he designed us to be in this life and forever more.  For this we give thanks.

Let us pray – Lord God Almighty, you are amazing beyond measure.  We praise you because you are the God who loves us, forgives us, and leads us toward our eternal home.  By your Holy Spirit enable us to see and to believe that you are present with us each day.  Transform our hearts and wills so that we grow to rejoice in the simple and quiet ways you bless us each and every day.  This we pray in Jesus’ 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 God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, your mercy is everlasting and your grace is sufficient for us.  Draw us to a closer walk following the way of Jesus.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We lift in prayer all of those who mourn.  Draw us together in care for those who have suffered a recent loss.   (We especially remember the family and friends of …)   Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We ask that you bring healing, strength and hope to those who struggle in mind, body, or spirit, especially . . .  and also those whom we name aloud or in quiet prayer…  We pray that you will be their help and their shield.   Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for the ministry of Lutheran World Relief.  Help us as we work with this organization to bring comfort and care to those who face difficulty.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Other petitions may be added here.

Grant us greater joy as we encourage faith in the lives of others.  Help us to reach out with your Good News so that our neighbors will know what you have done for them.  We pray that your Holy Spirit will open their spiritual hearts to receive this Gospel. 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 

Devotion and Readings for August 8 & 9

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Book of Common Prayer Cover

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 8 & 9, 2020

 

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

August 8

Mark 13:3-27

Acts 21:1-36

Psalm 92-94

1 Kings 13

August 9

Mark 13:28-37 

Acts 21:37 – 22:21

Psalms 95-98

1 Kings 14

Devotion for August 8 & 9, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

Our reading from Psalm 92 reminds me of a powerful Christian practice of prayer.  It is essentially to have preplanned prayer times each day.  It can be a great benefit to many to invest in one’s prayer life through these daily disciplines.  The psalmist tells us, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night…” Psalm 92:1-2

This is one of the various places which reminds us to include prayer times in the beginning and of the day.  Throughout history the church has helped the faithful by providing resources for daily devotions, scripture reading and prayer.

A few months ago I prepared a daily prayer guide.  It was initially distributed through the Martin Luther – Carmine monthly newsletter.  It is a combination of two traditional resources.  One is Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.  The other is the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.  The Book of Common Prayer has a simply format for morning, noon, evening and nighttime prayers for individuals or families.  I have added in some prayers from the Small Catechism which give us something more connected to the Lutheran faith tradition.

 

I present these to you in two formats.  Please feel free to share this as you desire.

1 – I have formatted this into a PDF.  Click Link.

This is formatted to be printer ready to make a booklet.  Print it on both sides, and have the pages flip on the short edge.  Once printed you can keep this with your Bible and/or other devotional materials.

 

2 – On this web page below is the complete document in the same format at the rest of this page.  Feel free to use this in whatever format you wish to use.

 

 

 

 

Daily Devotion Format for Individuals, Families, and Households

Adapted from the Episcopal Church Book of Common Prayer and Luther’s Small Catechism

 

In the Morning

From Psalm 51

Open my lips, O Lord, *
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

 

A Reading from Daily Readings, personal choice or this:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3

A hymn or song may be used; the Apostles Creed may be said.


Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Luther’s Morning Prayer

I give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me through the night from all harm and danger. I ask that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you. Into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

 

At Noon or Midday

From Psalm 113

Give praise, you servants of the LORD; *
praise the Name of the LORD.
Let the Name of the LORD be blessed, *
from this time forth for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to its going down *
let the Name of the LORD be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations, *
and his glory above the heavens.

 

A Reading from Daily Readings, personal choice, or this:

 

“O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are
fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in
quietness and trust shall be our strength.”    Isaiah 26:3; 30:15

 

Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

The Prayer

Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross,
stretching out your loving arms: Grant that all the peoples of
the earth may look to you and be saved; for your mercies’
sake. Amen.

 

Or

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to
you; my own peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins,
but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and
unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the
Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Early Evening

This devotion may be used before or after the evening meal.

O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

 

A Reading from Daily Readings, personal choice, or this:

 

“It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ
Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus’ sake.
For the same God who said, “Out of darkness let light
shine,” has caused his light to shine within us, to give the
light of revelation–the revelation of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.”     2 Corinthians 4:5-6

 

Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

The Prayer

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is
past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and
awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in
Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake
of your love. Amen.

 

 

 

At the Close of Day

Psalm 134

Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.

 

A Reading from Daily Readings, personal choice, or this:

 

Lord, you are in the midst of us and we are called by your
Name: Do not forsake us, O Lord our God.    Jeremiah 14:9,22

 

The following may be said:

Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see;
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.

 

Prayers for ourselves and others may follow. It is appropriate that prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings of the day, and penitence for our sins, be included.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Luther’s Evening Prayer

I give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today. I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. Into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me.  Amen.

The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.

 

Devotion and Readings for August 7

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Widow mite

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 7, 2020

 

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

 

Mark 12:41 – 13:2

Acts 20:17-38

Psalms 90-91

1 Kings 12

 

Devotion for August 7 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

The young children’s Sunday School teacher at a church years ago asked her eight students if they would give $1 Million to the missionaries.  “Yes!” they all screamed.

“Would you give $1,000 to the missionaries,” asked the teacher.

“Yes!” they all screamed.

The teacher asked a new question, “Would you give $10 to the missionaries?”

“Yes!” they all screamed.

Finally, she asked the group, “Would you give $1 to the missionaries?”

All the group screamed, “Yes!”

All expressed their commitment, except one boy, Johnny.  The teacher noticed the boy clutching his pocket, so she asked, “Johnny, why didn’t you say ‘Yes’ this time?”

“Well,” he stammered, “I have a dollar.”

 

Today’s reading from Mark tells of an impoverished widow who gives all of her wealth as an offering to God.  We read in Mark 12:42 and following:  “A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Here Jesus points out a new way of thinking for many of us.  Instead of simply a portion being for God, he shows us that everything is for God first and foremost.  The woman gave abundantly of herself, rather than just a portion.  All was for God.  Ultimately, this giving of money in this section of Mark is really about our relationship with God.  Sure, offerings support ministries and such, but the more important and much more deeply significant meaning of offerings is about how we love and serve our gracious God.

As we look at our uses for monetary resources, such as for taxes, offerings, food, charity, utility bills, or whatever, we see that the use of these resources is not about money itself.  The resources entrusted to us by God, such as money, are a means to an end.  We get to use these things as a means of expressing our faith and exhibiting our priorities in life.  What comes first is our connection to God.  Our generous use of God’s provision is a follow up to what God has done for us first in Jesus Christ.

Our use of financial resources can be summed up in the teaching of St. John in his first letter, chapter 4, verse 19, which reads, “We love because he (God) first loved us.”  Founded in God’s immense love for us, we are called upon to use and distributed our resources for the love of God, neighbor, and one another.  We are given opportunities each day to give generously and to build up life around us, all for the glory of God.

 

Prayer

God of abundance, you have poured out a large measure of earthly blessings: our table is richly furnished, our cup overflows, and we live in safety and security. Teach us to set our hearts on you and not these material blessings. Keep us from becoming captivated by prosperity, and grant us in wisdom to use your blessings to your glory and to the service of humankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Blood Drive August 23

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , , , , , , ,

Gulf Coast Blood Center Logo

 

Blood Donations Needed

You are invited to participate in the blood drive for the Round Top – Carmine area on Sunday, August 23, at the MLLC Fellowship Hall (the older white building on the north side of the MLLC campus).  211 Luther Lane, Carmine, TX 78932.  The blood center will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is required, as this helps the team be ready for the donors in a timely manner.  It also helps with keeping everybody safe during the COVID19 health crisis.  When donors make an appointment nobody will need to wait for a long time until his or her turn.  This reduces unnecessary congregating of people in the waiting areas.

We encourage you to use this link to register directly with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.  Click this link.

During this challenging time donations are down.  Let’s work together to help solve this concern.

For other questions, contact the Primary Blood Drive Coordinator:

Carol Goehring
Email: goehringr7@gmail.com
Phone: (979) 249-5116

Devotion and Readings for August 6

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

solomon-wisdom

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 6, 2020

 

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

 

Matthew 17:1-13 

2 Peter 1:12-21 

Psalm 27, 80

1 Kings 11

 

Devotion for August 6, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

A few days back I mentioned the wisdom of Solomon.  It is true that he was a wise person.  It was a wonderful gift from the Lord.  Remember, Wisdom, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is, “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.” In many things, Solomon did use experience, knowledge, and good judgment.  The devotion from the end of July – Click link – shows a powerful example.

In some other things, Solomon was a complete fool.  He was highly unwise and extraordinarily disobedient.  The centerpiece of his foolish disobedience was his marriage life.  His was unique among the Kings of Israel.  There were some who took more than one wife.  Solomon took not just a few wives, but 1,000 wives.  That is not a misprint in scripture nor this devotion.  700 of these were princesses, or regular wives.  There were also 300 concubines, or servant/slave wives.  It has been said that two girls/wives are too many, three’s a crowd, and four you’re dead.  I don’t really know how to describe what he put himself through.

It is likely that the marriages to the princesses were for political alliances with foreign nations.  The princess wife of greatest status and affection was the daughter of the Egyptian Pharaoh.  He also married women and princesses from the neighboring kingdoms, as listed in the reading.

These marriages, even just one to a foreign wife, were a deep problem.  The problem was that these foreign wives were people who worshiped any of various false gods and goddesses.  They did not know, worship and serve the one true God, the Lord.  Solomon’s foolishness was compounded in that he accepted the invitation of these various wives to worship their false idols.

Solomon became distracted and drawn away from faithfulness to the Lord.  It was not pleasing to our God.  We read where the Lord says about the resulting judgment against Solomon, “Since this has been your mind and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant.”  After his lifetime the kingdom was split between north and south, Israel and Judah.

It is painful thing to see how our foolishness hurts us and others.  Each of us can reflect on our lives and see something or numerous things which were signs of our foolishness and which had negative consequences.

Even more important is that God’s final word for our lives in mercy.  Sure, we have often been foolish when we could have utilized God’s wisdom.  We, like Solomon, have been inconsistent.  We have been a mix of faithful and sinful, wise and foolish.  As St. Paul notes in Romans 7:24-25a, “Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  Our only hope in this struggle of life is the source of all goodness and wisdom, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

Prayer

Gracious and holy God, give us diligence to seek you, wisdom to perceive you, and patience to wait for you. Grant us, O God, a mind to meditate on you; eyes to behold you; ears to listen for your word; a heart to love you; and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

 

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Devotion and Readings for August 5

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Eutychus_to_life

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 5, 2020

 

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

 

Luke 11:29-32

Acts 20:6-16

Psalm 89

1 Kings 10

 

Devotion for August 5, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

Today’s reading from Acts tells the story of one of my favorite people of the New Testament.  Eutychus is only mentioned in this passage.  This young man was present at a farewell event for St. Paul.  The Apostle was heading back to Jerusalem after a missionary journey.

The scene is almost comical.  St. Paul was a long-winded preacher.  He spoke for a very long time.  One person of the congregation, a young man named Eutychus, sat in an open window.  He fell asleep and fell onto the street below. This was not a minor fall, for he fell down three stories, maybe 20-25 feet.  He died as a result of his injuries.  It appears that Paul, by God’s power, revived Eutychus, and then went on with the gathering.

I like Eutychus because his response to the sermon reminds me that we are in the real world with our faith.  We are a gathering of very normal men and women, boys and girls.  Some days we are feeling good and alert.  Other days we may be worn out or tired from what we have experienced in recent days.  When we gather for worship we have come from all sorts of contexts.  Some of us may be like Eutychus, and we may even doze off for a moment.  Others of us my not doze off, but my be distracted or just not feeling that great.

In the end, our invitation is to have a bit of grace with one another.  It is a way we can, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2.  Life can be a burden, and it may lead us to fall asleep like Eutychus did during the pastor’s sermon, or at some other seemingly inappropriate time.  In the end, we are thankful to be together.  We are thankful that God’s love is for each of us.  We are thankful that we love one another and that we can live out grace for one another in all of life’s ups and downs.

 

Prayer

Almighty God, by the love of Jesus Christ you draw people to yourself and welcome them into the household of faith. May we show your joy by embracing new brothers and sisters as we bear your creative and redeeming word to all the world. Keep us close together in your Spirit, in the breaking of bread and the prayers, and in service to others, following the example of Jesus Christ, our servant and Lord.  Amen

 

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion and Readings for August 4

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

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Bible Readings and Devotion for August 4, 2020

 

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

 

Mark 12:35-40

Acts 19:35 – 20:5

Psalms 86-88 

1 Kings 9

 

Devotion for August 4, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are encouraged to, “pray without ceasing.”  This seems either wonderfully helpful or immensely difficult.  It would be difficult to do nothing but overtly pray.  How would we talk with our family?  How would we get any work done?  How would we engage in the broader ministry to which we are called by God himself?

Some have tried to take this instruction literally by a unique manner.  They will make every sentence they say include a prayer or praise of God.  An example would be, “I would like to order, praise the Lord, a Whataburger with cheese, Amen, no onion, fries, and Dr Pepper.”  This is not hyperbole at all.  I see that those who do this are striving to be faithful, but I would not interpret God’s Word to mean this.

Rather, it seems to be about having prayer throughout our day, every day.  It could be short, silent prayers, daily devotions, worship gatherings, family prayer at mealtimes, and so much more.  Instead of interrupting every sentence with prayer, it could be a model of prayer which is with us all day, bathing our actions and decisions in Holy Spirit guidance and thanksgiving.

Prayer is not just an action for the daytime. We can pray at other times, even when we are normally asleep. Our reading from Psalm 88 tells of this.  We read in Psalm 88:1-2, “O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.”

One aspect of this prayer situation is those times when we awake in the middle of the night, especially when we wish to be asleep. We often fall back asleep, but sometimes we don’t.  Sometimes we start thinking about things as we toss and turn in bed.  Sometimes we may even start worrying about one thing or another or many things. A suggestion from author and pastor Michael Foss makes sense to me.  He suggests that we use these sleepless periods to pray.  It could be time to use memorized prayers to connect with the Lord.  It could also be a time to pray for the people who come to mind, or to pray to God about the issues about which we are worrying.  Since we are awake, then use the time to work with God to find resolution.  Praying about our anxieties and problems during such waking times would be quite consistent with what the Psalm presents to us about prayer.

 

Prayer

We pray as the psalmist prays, “O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion and Readings for August 3

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Resurrection Easter cross flowers

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 3, 2020

 

Here are the references for the readings.  Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible:

 

Mark 12:28-34

Acts 19:21-34

Psalm 84-85

1 Kings 8

 

Devotion for August 3, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

“I love God, I just can’t stand other people.”

 

“It is just Jesus and me.”

 

These statements, and others of similar nature, may seem fine on the surface, but they end up missing something significant.  Each of these misses the point which our Lord makes in today’s reading from Mark 12.

In this passage our Lord Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment of God.  He gives a two-part answer.  He, in essence, notes that there are really two greatest commandments, and that these two are linked.  In response to the mercy, forgiveness, and love of God, we are called upon both to love God and to love our neighbor.  Jesus pulls these together and notes, “There is no other commandment greater than these.”

He does note that the first priority is to love God.  This makes sense, since God is to be our core priority.  When we look at the Ten Commandments, we observe that these begin with the three commandments regarding our relationship with God.

1 – You shall have no other gods.

2 – You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God.

3 – Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.

 

The Lord does not drop things at that point, and tell us, “Well, there are some other things which would be nice to do, but you can just get around to those later.  Let me know if you want to know those.”  Rather the Lord keeps it going by instructing the people, and eventually us, how to show love and care for our neighbor, for those others whom we encounter in this life.

 

4 – Honor your father and your mother.

5 – You shall not murder.

6 – You shall not commit adultery.

7 – You shall not steal.

8 – You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9 – You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

10 – You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

 

The foundation of all of these is the First Commandment, which is to have no other gods.  As we respond to God’s love we strive to honor him with all of these.  We show our love for God by loving both God and neighbor.  We show our love for neighbor by having our lives aligned with God and his ways.  Both go hand in hand.  Both are necessary to give a godly and faithful response to what God has first done for us in Jesus Christ.

Some have noted to me over the decades that they want to get their relationship with God right before they work on the love for neighbor.  This may sound like a wonderful idea, but it will ultimately prevent us from living God’s way. Due to our sin, we will never have our relationship with God in perfect order.  Instead, we get to strive to love God and neighbor at the same time, and this will honor both the spirit and the letter of the Commandments.  It will also help us have a more well-rounded life of faith.

 

Some images I have noted before about this duel focus is this:

1 – we live our lives as followers of Jesus with one hand up in praise of God and one hand out to others in caring service.

2 – The cross is a powerful reminder of this as well.  The cross has two parts.  Without both parts it is no longer a cross.  The vertical bar of the cross reminds us to love God.  The horizontal bar of the cross reminds us to love others.

 

St. John draws this all together with what he says in 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.”  God has acted for us, and we get to respond with love for both God and neighbor.

 

Prayer

A prayer of Martin Luther

Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give. Amen

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 9th Sunday after Pentecost

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings, Sermons

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Readings, Devotion, and Prayers for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, August 2, 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 Sunday sermon.

 

Remember Your Regular Offerings

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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.

 

AUGUST 2, 2020

THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

 

First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-5

R:  A reading from Isaiah, the 55th chapter.

God invites Israel to a great feast at which both food and drink are free. God also promises to make an everlasting covenant with all peoples, with promises that previously had been limited to Israel. As David was a witness to the nations, these nations shall now acknowledge the ways in which God has glorified Israel.

And now the reading.

1Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.

 

Psalm: Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

R:  Psalm 145, read responsively by verse.

8The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9Lord, you are good to all,
and your compassion is over all your works. 
14The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up those who are bowed down.
15The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord,
and you give them their food in due season.
16You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17You are righteous in all your ways
and loving in all your works. 
18You are near to all who call upon you,
to all who call upon you faithfully.

19You fulfill the desire of those who fear you;
you hear their cry and save them.
20You watch over all those who love you,
but all the wicked you shall destroy.
21My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord;
let all flesh bless God’s holy name forever and ever. 

 

Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5

R:  A reading from Romans, the 9th chapter.

This begins a new section in Paul’s letter in which he will deal with the place of Israel in God’s saving plan. He opens by highlighting how Israel’s heritage and legacy include being God’s children, having God’s covenants, being given God’s law, participating in worship of God, and receiving divine promises.

And now the reading.

1I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit—2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

 

*Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

P:  The holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 14th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

After John the Baptist is murdered, Jesus desires a time of solitude. Still, his compassion for others will not allow him to dismiss those who need him, and he is moved to perform one of his greatest miracles.

And now the reading.

13Now when Jesus heard [about the beheading of John the Baptist], he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sea of Galilee EilersSea of Galilee photo, courtesy of Nancy Eilers

Devotion

“The Greatest Meal”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 2005 I went to visit a man named Howard Seitz.  He was in his last week or so of life before his death from cancer. While visiting with Howard, his wife, Mildred, made some pizza for the two of us to eat.  It was simple, and we were quiet as we ate in his room.  It was the two of us appreciating our food, our friendship, and God’s gift of that day.  It was a wonderful abundance in a time of difficulty.

Today we hear the story of the Feeding of the 5000.  This is the one ministry miracle of Jesus which is in each of the 4 Gospel books.  We hear about how the people listening to Jesus’ teaching were hungry after so much time without food.  The disciples suggest the people just leave, but Jesus tells them to give the people something to eat.  All they can muster up are 5 small loaves of bread and two fish.  Jesus takes these, gives thanks and blesses them, and this miraculously becomes enough food to feed many thousands of people.  There were even a dozen basketfuls of leftovers.

This event was, in part, about giving the people food.  But it was about so much more.  Just as so much in the Bible is about something more, so was this.  This event points us toward the greater feast to come.  Our reading from Isaiah 55 tells a bit about this.  It teaches us that the greater things God has in store for us are in the context of a communal meal in eternity.  This message is shown again in some way in the teachings of Jesus and in the visions shown us in the book of Revelation.  We are invited to connect with God through these delightful meals.  God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is in the center of it all, and we are with God and his people as we feast in great joy.

Ultimately, this miracle and the visions of eternity are not really about food at all.  Rather, these are about our connection with God.  With this wonderful connection with God and the meal we get the benefit of knowing our Lord and appreciating all that he has done for us in Jesus Christ.

Jesus teaches us that life is more than about figuring where our next meal is coming from.  Even though life is to be more than about food, God continues to use food to help us be connected with him.  The most wonderful thing we have in this life which uses food for this purpose is the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Communion.  This is a foretaste to a truly great meal.  That truly great meal is yet to come.

In First Corinthians, chapter 11, we are pointed to that greatest meal.  When Paul teaches about the Holy Communion, he states the following: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

So, in the Holy Communion, we have a small piece of bread and a small drink of wine.  We are connected with the Lord, and we are blessed with the forgiveness of our sin.  On its own, the meal of bread and wine is not very satisfying.  Author Donna Tartt notes the following about rituals such as Holy Communion: “…any religious ritual is arbitrary unless one is able to see past it to a deeper meaning.”

Holy Communion gets its meaning and depth by getting us connected with God’s Word, God’s promises, and the feast to come.

God’s Word shows us that this greatest meal is about the suffering and death on the cross of Jesus for our sin.  The Word tells us that God’s forgiveness is brought to us by this meal. The Word is what ties everything together in this Sacrament.

In First Holy Communion Class I teach about the four parts of our Lutheran Understanding of the Sacrament.  These are:

The Elements – the Bread and the Wine

The Congregation – the people of God gathered

The Pastor – who leads and teaches about what this holy meal is all about, sort of like a coach with a team.

The Word of God – which is God’s power brought to bear on the gathering of the other three parts.  It is what reminds us again and again about the Promises of the Lord.

 

God’s Promises assure us that we are forgiven of our sin, and that our future is in God’s good and gracious care.

The Feast to Come is our eternal fellowship with the Lord.  Over and over in scripture this wonderful eternity with God is expressed as the greatest and grandest meal of all.  It is like a marriage feast, but so much better.

Weddings are wonderful events, yet these also can point to our greater connection with our loving God.  This is part of the Marriage Blessing I use at many weddings:

“Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast forever in your heavenly home, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”

Wedding and the feasts which often follow are wonderful events.  As Christians, these point to the greatest meal of all.  These are small celebrations which remind us over and over again that God loves and forgives us.  Like that meal of pizza which I enjoyed with my friend Howard, these grand meals remind us that together we get to have a relationship with the Lord.  These show us that God will keep providing for our spiritual journey with the Lord, both now and forever.

Let us pray:  God of Grace and Glory, we give thank for the meals in our lives, both daily bread and grand celebrations.  Help us each day to see that these give us a small foretaste of the greater things you have for us in eternity.  We pray this in the holy name of Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you seek us out in the midst of our broken lives.  Help us to respond to you with worship and praise.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for the leaders of our city.  Guide our mayor, city council and city administrator in their leadership.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for your strength and presence for those who mourn.  Help us to offer care and support for those who remember those who rest in you.   (We especially remember…)   Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Other petitions may be added here.

We ask that you would bring healing, strength and hope to those who struggle in mind, body, or spirit, especially . . .  and also those whom we name aloud or in quiet prayer…  We pray that you will be their help and their shield.   Lord, in your mercy,  Hear our prayer.

We pray for the ministry of Lutheran Disaster Response.  Help this cooperative relief agency to bring help to those whose lives have been shattered by natural disasters.    Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. 

By your mercy we ask that you help us to grow in our service to our neighbors in need.  Stir in us renewed joy in giving sacrificially of our time, care and resources for the benefit of others. 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 

Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #27061.
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.