Easter 7 & Ascension – Sunday, May 24

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Pastor's Ponderings, Sermons May 28, 2020

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Readings, Devotion, Prayers and Announcements for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Ascension Sunday, May 24, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

As we are not able to meet due as usual to health and safety concerns, yet we are still finding ways to share and celebrate our faith together.

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

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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.

YouTube Video Link

Here is the link for the YouTube video of this day’s service.

May 24, 2020

The Ascension of our Lord Sunday

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11

A reading from Acts.

Before he is lifted into heaven, Jesus promises that the missionary work of the disciples will spread out from Jerusalem to all the world. His words provide an outline of the book of Acts.

[Luke writes:] ¹In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning ²until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ³After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. ⁴While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; ⁵for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
⁶So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ⁹When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. ¹¹They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm 47

¹Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with a joyful sound.
²For the Lord Most High is to be feared:
a great king over all the earth,
³who subdues the peoples under us,
and the nations under our feet;
⁴who chooses our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom God loves.
⁵God has gone up with a shout,
the Lord with the sound of the ram’s horn.
⁶Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our king, sing praises.
⁷For God is king of all the earth;
sing praises with a song.
⁸God reigns over the nations;
God is enthroned on high.
⁹The nobles of the peoples have gathered as the people of the God of Abraham.
The rulers of the earth belong to God, who is highly exalted.

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

A reading from Ephesians.

The risen and exalted Christ reigns over the entire universe. The author of Ephesians prays that we are given the wisdom to know the power of the risen Christ and the empowering hope that the knowledge of this inheritance provides.

¹⁵I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason ¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, ¹⁸so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. ²⁰God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. ²²And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel: Luke 24:44-53

The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

On the day of his ascension, Jesus leaves his disciples with a commission, a blessing, and a promise of the Holy Spirit.

⁴⁴[Jesus said to the eleven and those with them,] “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
⁵⁰Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. ⁵¹While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵²And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; ⁵³and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

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

Devotion

“God’s Goal – Our Goal”

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

Mass media have changed our world. The big transition started with the printing press over 500 years ago. Books and pamphlets were everywhere. Transportation improvements over the centuries made these spread faster and further. Communications improvements in the 1800’s such as the telegraph and telephone spread information even further.

In the late 1920’s movies started having sound with them. At the same time broadcast radio was taking off and stations were started across the country. A couple decades later television became a national reality. This put even more information and entertainment into our homes. In the past few decades the internet has grown to where most people have access to news, information and entertainment in homes, offices and public places. The past decade or so has put the internet into Smartphones, so now many have this available pretty much wherever and whenever.

While not exactly a parallel effect, the Ascension of Jesus kicked off a radical and positive change for life and faith. The Ascension took place on the 40th day since the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. That 40th day this year was this past Thursday. Since we normally gather on the weekend, we celebrate this event today. We heard two accounts of this in the books of Luke and Acts. In Acts we have this description of the Ascension: Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as (the Apostles) were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” We see that Jesus gives them a job to do, promises them the Holy Spirit, and then ascends out of their sight.

Along with others I have wondered why Jesus chose to ascend like this. He was alive beyond death, never to die again, and was with his people. He could still be here with us, leading the church in perfection and love. The purpose of the Ascension of Jesus has to do with how he is with us in different ways now that he is ascended. It is similar the changes in the way we receive information and entertainment which I noted earlier.

Think about this: Jesus is God with us, yet he is also just one person. He entered human life and died on the cross to meet us in our sin and death. On the cross he brought about the forgiveness of our sin. Through his rising he leads us to life with him, both now and forever. This is all central to our faith and life with God.

Jesus could have stayed around like he did in those 40 days after his rising from the dead. He could have easily kept on teaching and ministering to people. He could have been an inspiring preacher and could have drawn crowds for the past 2000 years. But he didn’t. And that is actually a very good thing. Had he done that the church would likely have stayed a very small group on Jewish followers in the Holy Land. I believe he knew this, and he had a greater plan for the Good News and for his followers. Because he did it the way he did, the Church is now a worldwide movement of close to 3 Billion people.

Jesus did at least four things to execute his plan to spread the Gospel. The four things would bring the ministry and teachings of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Jesus would go away from us in one way, but then he would be with us all the time in other ways. Here are the 4 things he did:

He taught the disciples about the way of God. This became the New Testament. We continue to read and teach from this today.
He gave them the Sacraments. We have the power and presence of Jesus Christ through Baptism and the Holy Communion. These words and elements bring the Good News and the forgiveness of our sin by God. Our congregations are drawn together and unified by these Sacraments.
He organized and commissioned pastoral leaders – the Apostles. They would train more pastoral leaders who would bring Word of God and the forgiveness of sin to people. Instead of just one pastoral leader – Jesus – there are literally millions of pastors, priests and ministers around the world. Each pastor has the call to offer us the Word of God and the forgiveness of sin. Each is called to help us know and serve God and neighbor.
He promised his Holy Spirit. The giving of the Holy Spirit is promised many times, including in John 14:25-26: Jesus said, “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” With the Holy Spirit of Jesus in the world our Lord is not bound to just one location. Jesus can be in every church for worship, fellowship time and Bible Study. He can be with each of us in prayer. He can be with us as we serve our neighbors in need. He can be with those who need to understand the Gospel. He can be with those who are facing difficulty of any form, or who are suffering for the Gospel.

Here is something else to consider: Some churches have set off fireworks on the evening of Ascension. I think it is a great image. A limited image, but it is a start. A firework goes up into the sky, seemingly out of our sight. That is like Jesus going up out of our sight. Then, suddenly, there is a fiery explosion. That is like the day of Pentecost, which took place 10 days after the Ascension. The Holy Spirit makes a grand, fiery and powerful arrival. The presence of Jesus in Spirit is brought to the church, and the Spirit is then shared with all who would believe. The fire of a firework lasts, at most, a few seconds. The fire and influence of the Holy Spirit continues to this very day.

This burst of life for the Church stirs and empowers us to live out God’s goal for us. Here I bring in the Catechism of the Church of England. In the section on the Church it makes note of the mission of the Church. Here is part of what we read there:

Why is the Church described as apostolic?
The Church is apostolic, because it continues in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles and is sent to carry out Christ’s mission to all people.
What is the mission of the Church?
The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.
How does the Church pursue its mission?
The Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.
Through whom does the Church carry out its mission?
The church carries out its mission through the ministry of all its members.

The Ascension of Jesus sets in motion God’s grand plan. This is to bring the Good News of Jesus to others. God’s goal is that fulfilling this plan becomes our goal. With God’s provision we can be part of this great mission in the world.

On this Ascension Day celebration, we give thanks that Jesus did leave us. He left so that he could give the world even more. He gave us his teachings, the Sacraments, the Ministry of pastors and forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit. Through these he makes it possible for the message and ministry of Christ to be brought to people all over the world.

Prayer

Amazing and Mighty Lord, we praise you as the God of all creation. As we celebrate the Ascension of your Son, Jesus Christ, help us to understand the great things you have in store for us. By your Holy Spirit enliven our faith and help us to be steadfast in you. We pray this in the most 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.

Loving God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we pray for the spread of the Holy Gospel to people of every language, tribe, and nation. Help all pastors, deacons, teachers, missionaries, and the whole people of God, to speak to others of the Word of salvation and new life in Christ. Stir your Holy Spirit in the lives of those who hear the message of the Gospel so they, too, will have new life in Christ Jesus. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for all faithful Christians in this congregation and throughout the world. Grant us the grace of the Holy Spirit, both to fight against the snares and lures of our ancient enemies, and to carry out good works through congregations and communities. Help us joyfully to continue our partnership with the AMEN Food Pantry. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who will be graduating from high school, college or university. Grant them an assurance of faith as they enter a new season of their lives. Draw them to a renewed connection with your church as they move toward new endeavors of life. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are in mourning, [especially the family and friends of …], that our gracious heavenly Father would comfort them in their sorrow with the hope given to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior. By your compassion dry their tears and help their sorrow be turned to joy. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are sick, suffering from COVID19 illness, undergoing surgery, or suffering any other affliction, especially those we name aloud or in quiet prayer… We pray that you, our great and heavenly Physician, would grant them healing, strength and renewed hope. 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.

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, Robin Hardin, Beverly Drescher.

Sympathy – Peggy Rodgers, Waldeck Community Member.

REMEMBER IN PRAYER: Susan Ray (recent knee replacement surgery); Brad & Patti (Hart) Eilers (both quarantined with COVID-19); Megan Hart Burch (daughter of Patti & Brad, cancer and chemotherapy); Ruby Renck (recent surgery); Angie Colpetzer (recent 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 Bill Clarke (friend of Daryl & Susan Ray); Sylvia Braun Hughey (Floyd Braun’s sister); Carrie Bozarth (friend of Sedalia Ullrich); Ruth Hueske (friend from Brenham); Nelson Neutzler (friend from Burton); Verlene Citzler (aunt of Leonita Sanders)

The Ongoing Prayer Concerns may be found in the monthly newsletter.

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE The Carmine EDC along with Quade-Werchan American Legion Post 338 will sponsor a drive-in or drive-up, stay in your vehicle Memorial Day Service of Remembrance at the Carmine Muehlbrad-Albers City Park tomorrow, Monday, May 25, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Due to social distancing, those attending will be asked to remain in their vehicles or be appropriately distanced within the park grounds. There will not be any type of formal service and refreshments will not be served.

At 9:30 a.m., the flag will be lowered with taps played by Jennifer Mohr. Names of deceased veterans will be read, followed by Taps played again. All leave the park, and the flag will be raised by post members back to full staff at noon.

MEMORIAL DAY is being observed tomorrow. Today we remember the deceased veterans of our congregation with a list of their names; and are thankful for their service to our country.

WORSHIP SERVICES will begin June 6 & 7. Limitations will be listed in the June newsletter and possibly in next Sunday’s bulletin.

A.M.E.N. May is the month that we collect for the food pantry in La Grange. You may either send or bring by your monetary donations. You may also bring non-perishable food items to the church. The box is in the narthex.

HERITAGE COMMITTEE of the Carmine Chamber of Commerce will not meet on June 4 as planned. Next meeting will be Wed., Sept., 2 at 10 a.m. The topic will be “Educational Memories” from the old school. Questions and discussions are welcome. Please invite others interested in the history of the are to join the session.

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 someone has volunteered to serve as the chairman. Please consider serving in this role.

WELCA BANQUET set for June 3 has been postponed.

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.

LUTHERAN MISSION APPEAL envelopes are designated for Lutheran Disaster Response of the ELCA. You may send contributions in the mail, or bring it by the office, with the check made out to MLLC and in the memo line, put Lutheran Disaster Response. You may also go to the website to donate. http://mlllccarmine/online-giving/ When you go to this page, click on the link for the giving site. On that page you will see a line for disaster relief – Lutheran Disaster Response That is where you can indicate your gift amount through the online giving.

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 May 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. There are registration forms in the narthex and church office. For more information contact Stacy Eilers at 979-639-1897.

Announcing Resumption of In-Person Worship

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements May 28, 2020

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In Person Services Will Resume June 6-7

Here is the communication which will also be in the June Newsletter. We are working to resume our gatherings in a reverent and helpful manner.

Our Situation in June 2020

In observing the situation, the church council has decided to phase in the “in-person” worship and activities.

Here is the Plan for the June:

*We will gather for worship at our usual times: Saturday at 6 p.m.; Sunday at 10 a.m.

*There is no pressure to attend the in-person services. This is a time of transition.

*We ask that the Saturday service be reserved, as much as possible, for our senior, adult worship attendees. A companion or family member can attend with the senior as is helpful. This will help us with the 50 person maximum as noted below.

*We ask that the Sunday service be reserved, as much as possible, for the younger than senior individuals and families. This will help us with the 50 person maximum as noted below.

*In consideration of state guidance, the limit in our sanctuary for worship services will be 50, plus worship leaders. We will have overflow into the Parlor, with audio available. Every other row will be blocked off. Different individuals/couples/households/families are asked to sit away from each other throughout the sanctuary.

*The services will be simpler than usual, much like what has been offered in the Facebook Live services. No communion yet, as this greatly increases the physical contact and proximity between individuals. Yes, we know this is difficult, as the Sacrament is so central to our life with Christ.

*Regarding Offerings: there will be an offering plate on the table at the back of the sanctuary. You may place your offerings there, or you may continue to send these by mail or through the church’s giving web site.

*Group meetings and class meetings will phase in at various times in the summer.

*The church office staff will only be on site as needed, but generally Monday-Friday. Call before coming by, just to make sure. The office answering machine will be checked regularly. For emergencies please contact Pastor David Tinker on his cell phone: 713-461-8007

*No printed bulletins or congregational singing yet. These both increase the potential of the spread of infection.

*Our partner congregation, Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church, will also resume in-person worship services on June 7. Their service time is 8:00 a.m. each Sunday.

Devotional and Worship

Daily devotions will continue on the church web site: mllccarmine.com The link for these is being emailed to the newsletter list, and the links are provided on the church Facebook page.

To begin receiving these notifications, send a message requesting that your address be added. mluther@industryinet.com

We will to offer a Sunday devotion through our Facebook page on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. It will be viewable later as desired. You do not need a Facebook account to view the service. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/mllccarmine/ to view the church page. Links to the YouTube version will be on the church web page.

We will continue to send a bulletin and Sunday devotion to our older members (~75+), nursing home residents and shut-in individuals. This will be by email (if used by the person) or by postal delivery. The same bulletin will be available on the web site each week.

Devotion and Readings for May 28

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings May 28, 2020

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Bible Readings and Devotion for May 28, 2020

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

John 16:16-24

Ephesians 4:25 – 5:7

Psalms 66, 70, and 72

Ezekiel 48

Devotion for May 28, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

In John 1:43-51 we read about the encounter between Philip and Nathanael. Philip has just recently met Jesus, and he wants to share this good encounter with others. Here is a portion of the account of his discussion with Nathanael from John 1:45-46:

“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.””

Nathanael had his doubts, even after hearing what Philip told him. The response of Philip was an invitation to come and see for himself the great things of Jesus.

In today’s reading from Psalm 66 we have another invitation to, “Come and see.” Here is what we read in Psalm 66:5: “Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.”

The psalm writer gives a mini summary of God’s work to that point. We read this in the few verses following: “He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There we rejoiced in him, who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations—let the rebellious not exalt themselves.”

Of course, there is much more that our Lord had already done up to that point in Old Testament history. As the Old Testament points us to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, we then look to the New Testament books. The Gospel books, Acts, and the various letters all give us a chance to, “come and see,” the great works of God. You are encouraged to take time each day to read from God’s Word. The more you read, the more you will be able to, “Come and see,” all that God has done.

One tool we use each week at worship to, “come and see,” is the Creed. We most often use either the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed. These ancient church documents help us to review the work of God on a weekly, and even daily, basis. It is fully appropriate to read or recite one of the creeds in your daily devotions.

Here is the Nicene Creed as used from Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW), which is the green hymnal and worship book used at Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church:

*Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the virgin Mary,

and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen

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 May 20

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings May 19, 2020

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 20, 2020

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

Devotion for May 20, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Everything seems to change all the time. The thing which seems to have changed the most in my life is where I have lived. I have lived in six states: Colorado, Texas, California, Ohio, Florida and Indiana. I have lived in 12 cities or towns. In those 12 cities I have had 20 addresses which I can remember, not including temporary stays at hotels for a few weeks here and there while waiting for a house to become available.

In the midst of all these changes and challenges, there is one thing which has remained the same. It is that God has always loved and cared for me. He sought me out by his Holy Spirit, and called me to the Gospel. God stirred my parents to make sure I was baptized and raised to know our Lord. No matter what else happened in my life, God has been there, carrying me through it all from the very first until now, and on into eternity.

Psalm 46, verses 1-3 reminds us of the truth of God which I have experienced and lived, and which God offers to all who would believe in Jesus Christ. The Psalmist writes, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

To better understand this psalm, let us look to two contexts for this psalm. We look first to the Old Testament Context. The Old Testament Context of Psalm 46 is that of the people of Israel, around 1000 to 750 BC. This is the time of the Kings and of Jerusalem being the center of religious and political life for the people. The Israelites struggled against three enemies: foreign powers, the power of the sea, and their struggle with the temptation to worship false idols. Each of these brought chaos, division and loss to the people.

To care for them, God gave them this psalm as a source of encouragement in the midst of their fears and enemies. His love and care, and the people’s worship and thanksgiving, were central to his presence in that place. The Lord’s love for his people would not falter or sway.

Another context of this psalm is our life now. The strong and sure love of God is brought to us in the saving work of Jesus Christ. We are reminded that Jesus, God the Son, had given himself for the world for the forgiveness of our sin. Through his being raised from the dead, Jesus leads us beyond death to a new life founded on his goodness and love. That love of God is offered to us in our context today. We also face our own struggles. Life has its ups and downs. Into this we are reminded of a truth which is greater than our present struggles. We have a hope which is more powerful than all the changes and challenges of our time. We have the truth which was already there for us 3000 years ago. We have what the psalmist tells us: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

This also reminds us of a wonderfully assuring passage in Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 8, where the author states: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We know that despite all the changes and challenges of life that our Lord Jesus Christ will always love us and be with us. He has been there all along, and will be with us now and forever.

We are reminded in 1 Peter 5:7 that Jesus is there for us in the midst of all the challenges of life. Peter tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” We can cast all of our struggles and changes on him, and he will carry our burden. We can cast all our broken and troubled lives on him, because he gave himself for us on the cross. Because he has given all for us, because we can cast all of our changes and challenges on him, we can live with sure and certain hope.

To close I share with you the sure and certain vision for the future. We read in Revelation chapter 21 the following:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.””

Prayer

Eternal God, amid all the turmoil and changes of the world your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. In this time of danger and trouble, be to us a sure guardian and rock of defense. Guide the leaders of our nation with your wisdom, comfort those in distress, and grant us courage and hope to face the future; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

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

Devotion and Readings for May 19

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings May 19, 2020

Jesus-washing-feet

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 19, 2020

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

John 13:31-38

Ephesians 1:15-23

Psalms 45 and 49

Ezekiel 39

Devotion for May 19, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Our reading from John, chapter 13, highlights the New Commandment of Jesus. This is following the dramatic account earlier in chapter 13 of how Jesus serves his disciples at the Last Supper. Specifically, we read of him giving himself in humble service as he washes his disciples’ feet. His act of service to them becomes a model of Christian service. After Jesus washes their feet he says, “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” Our calling is to serve each other by washing one another’s feet, and any other kind of humble service for the benefit of one another.

Jesus lifts up a simple plan of action for his followers: serve one another as Jesus has served them. The day after giving this example of service for others, Jesus gave the ultimate act of service: he gave himself in death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin. For our sake he defeated the final power of death by being raised to life beyond death. Who is being served by this? Jesus is serving the people of the world whom he dearly loves. Jesus is serving you and me.

The death and resurrection of Jesus brings us forgiveness and life. His goodness for us leads us to live for God and others in a new and powerful way. The foundation of this is in the work of God for us in Jesus Christ. In Romans chapter 6, verses 3 and 4 we read the following: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” We can see here that, as we are united with Christ in Baptism, and as we are stirred to faith by the Holy Spirit, we grow into living his new and most excellent way. God’s new way always involves service to God, our neighbors and our fellow believers.

We serve one another because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19). Our mutual service ends up also being part of our witness to what God has done for us and the human race. The song, “They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love,” expresses this point well. See the video link below for this song.

Prayer

Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

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

Devotion and Readings for May 18

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings May 19, 2020

Trinity Symbol

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 18, 2020

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

Devotion for May 18, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Monday, May 18, is the 40^th anniversary of my Confirmation. On May 18, 1980 I affirmed by Baptism in the presence of God’s people and of our loving God, the Father, Son, Holy Spirit. When I affirmed my baptism, I was connecting with my faith, and giving glory to our God. I was honoring the Lord who had founded my faith in what God has first done for me in Jesus Christ. I was committing love God and loving my neighbor. When I was baptized on September 18, 1966, I was united to Jesus in the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is worthy of praise, just because he is God. On top of that, we give praise to God for all he has done for us in the work of Jesus Christ. We praise and thank him for Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin. We praise and thank him for his glorious rising from the dead. We praise and thank him for the forgiveness of our sin. We praise the Holy Spirit for leading us to God’s most excellent way, both now and forever.

The Apostle Paul gives a powerful expression of this in the opening part of his letter to the Ephesians, chapter 1, verses 3 through 14. I like to call it “An Ode to the Holy Trinity”. It has three distinct sections praising or giving “Doxa” to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each section ends with a similar note of praise to that person of the Trinity. Let’s read this now:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

FATHER: to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.

SON: … for the praise of his glory.

13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.”

HOLY SPIRIT: to the praise of his glory.”

We are blessed to have a way of proclaiming a Doxology. This Doxology is to the praise of the God revealed to us as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thankfully we know who God is, and what he has done for us in Jesus Christ.

When we realize the greatness of our God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are guided to two main responses. One is to praise God, and the other is to serve and build up others. As we go through our days, no matter what we say or do, it is an opportunity to rejoice in our God and to love our neighbors.

Prayer

God of heaven and earth, before the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time you are the Triune God: Author of creation, eternal Word of salvation, life-giving Spirit of wisdom. Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that we may proclaim all that Christ has revealed and rejoice in the glory he shares with us. Glory and praise to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen

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

Easter 6 – Sunday May 17

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Pastor's Ponderings May 17, 2020

dore Ascension Color

The Ascension of Jesus, by Gustav Doré.

Readings, Devotion, Prayers and Announcements for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

As we are not able to meet due as usual to health and safety concerns, yet we are still finding ways to share and celebrate our faith together.

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

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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.

YouTube Video Link

Here is the link for the YouTube video of this day’s service.

May 17, 2020

Sixth Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 17:22-31

A reading from Acts.

In Athens, Paul faces the challenge of proclaiming the gospel to Greeks who know nothing of either Jewish or Christian tradition. He proclaims that the “unknown god” whom they worship is the true Lord of heaven and earth who will judge the world with justice through Jesus, whom God has raised from the dead.

²²Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. ²³For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, ²⁵nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. ²⁶From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, ²⁷so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,
‘For we too are his offspring.’
²⁹Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. ³⁰While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm 66:8-20

⁸Bless our God, you peoples;
let the sound of praise be heard.
⁹Our God has kept us among the living
and has not allowed our feet to slip.
¹⁰For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us just as silver is tried.
¹¹You brought us into the net;
you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
¹²You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water,
but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
¹³I will enter your house with burnt offerings
and will pay you my vows—
¹⁴those that I promised with my lips
and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
¹⁵I will offer you burnt offerings of fatlings with the smoke of rams;
I will give you oxen and goats.
¹⁶Come and listen, all you who believe,
and I will tell you what God has done for me.
¹⁷I called out to God with my mouth,
and praised the Lord with my tongue.
¹⁸If I had cherished evil in my heart,
the Lord would not have heard me;
¹⁹but in truth God has heard me
and has attended to the sound of my prayer.
²⁰Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer,
nor withheld unfailing love from me.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22

A reading from 1 Peter.

The author of 1 Peter encourages Christians to remain faithful even in the face of defamation and persecution. In baptism we are made clean to act in accordance with what is right.

¹³Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? ¹⁴But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, ¹⁵but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; ¹⁶yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, ¹⁹in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, ²⁰who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. ²¹And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²²who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel: John 14:15-21

The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

In final words to his disciples on the night of his arrest, Jesus encourages obedience to his commandments and speaks of the Spirit, who will be with them forever.

[Jesus said to the disciples:] ¹⁵“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. ¹⁷This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
¹⁸“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. ¹⁹In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. ²⁰On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ²¹They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

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

Devotion

Pastor David J. Tinker

“But Wait, There’s More”

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

Have you ever watched one of those Infomercials? An infomercial is one of those half hour commercials for some product or line of products. Some of the items offered for sale are quite fascinating, while others are obviously junk. There is a certain pattern which I have noticed in these Infomercials. The main product is being talked about by the announcer. He or she shows us all the wonderful things which the widget can do. It can cut a tin can and a tomato. It can clean any surface. It can entertain you for hours. The announcer gets us transfixed on the item and gives us a price: just 5 easy payments of $19.95. Then comes the fun part. The announcer will say something such as, “But wait! There’s more!” Then the announcer will go on to tell us about the thing-a-ma-jig which comes with the widget. It can do all sorts of other things too. After getting us excited about the widget and the thing-a-ma-jig, the announcer says again, “But wait! There’s more!” If we call in the next 20 minutes, we can, for that same low price, also add on a what-cha-ma-call-it.

It seems as though we can get everything for that same low price. The announcer promises us everything we want, even if we don’t really need it at all.

In our Gospel Reading for today we have a promise of Jesus for his Apostles, for the Church, and for us today. This is much greater and wonderful than anything ever offered on an infomercial. Even great than that is the truth that God offers us this good gift freely out of his love for us. He promises that he will grant his Holy Spirit to us. We read in verses 16 and 17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

This promise is given to assure the followers of Jesus that they will be granted a strong and ongoing connection with God beyond the moment. The Holy Spirit was and is already present to draw people to the Good News of Jesus. The calling of the Apostles was an expression of the Holy Spirit’s work. Our calling to follow Jesus is a present-day expression of the Holy Spirit’s work.

There is something deeper which Jesus is promising. Yes, the calling of God for our lives is a powerful and deep thing. In a sense, Jesus is announcing a greater expression of the Holy Spirit. This giving of the Holy Spirit is about our growing relationship with God. It is about the assurance of the presence of Jesus in our lives, even after he has ascended out of our sight.

The promise of Jesus is a both/and announcement. He is promising something which counters that old adage: “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” That adage means that it is not possible to have both of two seemingly counter realities. It you have your cake on the plate, you can’t also have that same piece in your stomach. Either you have it on the plate, or you have eaten it.

In a beautiful way, Jesus is saying that, in his case, you can sort of have both. You can have the benefits of his ascension out of our sight, and you can have his presence in your life.

The benefit of the Ascension is that the ministry of Jesus is not limited to where he, an individual, can be. The Holy Spirit is given so that the ministry of Jesus is spread throughout the world. Jesus talks about this in John, chapter 4, as worshiping the Father in Spirit and Truth.

This is also how he will be with us. This giving of the Holy Spirit, this stirring of the Holy Spirit in the world, bring Jesus to us. This is the, “But wait, there’s more,” aspect. We get the Holy Spirit, and in many and various ways, we get Jesus as well.

Here are some of the main ways we get Jesus in our lives today.

Holy Communion – Jesus is in, with and under the bread and wine. We understand that he is truly present in these elements and the Word of God. Our weekly gatherings for Word and Sacrament are, in part, a rehearsal for this eternity with God. We call is a foretaste of the feast to come. In eternity we will no longer be concerned about what takes so much of our time now. Instead we will delight in being in the presence of Almighty God. We will be worshipping God in his fullness, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We are also connected to the eternal and holy worship of the Lord. We are spiritually lifted into the throne room of God. We pray, “Lift up your hearts, we lift them to the Lord.” In this, we are praying about being in that most holy place, and we are connected with that in the here and now.

Holy Baptism – By the Word and the Water, we are united with Jesus in his suffering, death and resurrection.

The Word of God – the message of the Word connects us with Jesus. It presents Jesus to us. It is Jesus in a sense.

The Holy Spirit – builds our faith and draws us closer to Jesus.

Service to others – As we serve others, we are serving Jesus. We are closer to Jesus when we serve those who are most vulnerable in the world, the hungry, the thirsty, those lacking clothing and warmth, those who are sick, those in prison, those who are lonely and separated from others.

In our Fellowship – We get to be part of the presence of Jesus for others. We get to be part of the way the Lord builds up life and love and fellowship among the community of Christians.

In all these good things we are reminded that there is always so much more to what we may first see or sense or know about our relationship with God. The various things offered for sale in Infomercials are certainly nothing compared with the beautiful, glorious, loving and beneficial things which the Lord provides for us in Jesus. Day by day we get to receive God’s offer to reconnect with him. In this we gain a great understanding of the many and various ways that our Lord Jesus is with us. As we go through our life with the Spirit presence and guidance, we are reminded again, “But wait, there’s more.”

Let us pray – Good and generous Lord, you provide all we need for faith and life. Help each of us to receive graciously your blessings and to respond with joyful service. This we pray in the name of our Savior, 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 are the source of our faith and the one whom we worship. We pray that you will receive our prayers and thanksgivings. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We lift before you all who struggle with grief. Grant us a faithful measure of compassion for those who face difficult losses. (We especially lift in prayer the family and friends of… ) Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Other petitions may be added here.

We pray for all who suffer and struggle with any ailment or distress. We lift before you all those whom we name aloud or in quiet prayer… Bring comfort and healing to all for whom we pray. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for the ministry of music in this congregation. Grant continued joy in service to the Tone Chimes Choir as they proclaim your glory among us. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Your Church around the world continues to witness to your goodness and mercy. We remember in prayer the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic. Strengthen them in their witness during these difficult days in their homeland. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for your provision of rain for all who need it. We pray that you will continue to provide the water needed for all of creation. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

You lead us to faithfulness in witness and service. We give you thanks for 118 years of ministry through the people of Martin Luther Lutheran Church. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Guide us in lives of faith and service. Stir us to greater generosity as we use and give your provision for your glory, and for the benefit of those in need. Help us to care for those who are struggling and suffering due to the current health crisis. 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

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, Robin Hardin, Beverly Drescher.

MLLC Prayer List: Brad & Patti (Hart) Eilers (Brad recently hospitalized, Patti ill); Megan Hart Burch (daughter of Patti & Brad, cancer and chemotherapy); Ruby Renck (recent surgery); Angie Colpetzer (recent 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)

The Ongoing Prayer Concerns may be found in the monthly newsletter.

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.

WORSHIP SERVICES are suspended until further notice.

WELCA BANQUET set for June 3 has been postponed.

CONFIRMATION will be postponed and a new date set when services resume.

Registration is also available at the church web site: https://mllccarmine.com/vacation-bible-school-2020/

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL at 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. There are registration forms in the narthex and church office. For more information contact Stacy Eilers at 979-639-1897.

10:00 a.m. Today for Worship

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements May 17, 2020

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Join us Live on Facebook today

Facebook Live at 10:00 a.m. CDT Today

We look forward to worshiping with you this morning for the 6th Sunday of Easter. We will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord on this Sunday, as we do throughout the season and every Sunday of the year. This is especially true during the Great 50 Day of Easter.

Join us at 10:00 a.m. on the Facebook page for MLLC.

Here is the link to that page.

Join us at 10:00 a.m. on the Facebook page for Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

Here is the link to that page.

We will be offering these Sunday services for MLLC and Wadleck Evangelical Lutheran Church at least until we are permitted to safely gather in the churches. Out of love for our neighbor and for one another we are not meeting as usual.

Remember Your Regular Offerings

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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.

Devotion and Readings for May 15

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings May 14, 2020

mr-rogers

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 15, 2020

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

John 8:31-47

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Psalms 32, 36, 38

Ezekiel 35

Devotion for May 15, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

One of the great struggles of public life in our nation and in the world today is denial. It happens with some, but not all, politicians of various stripes and parties. A politician will be caught up in a scandal or criminal behavior. When the citizens or the news media confront him or her about it, the first line of defense is denial. Some legal counselors will urge this policy on their clients: “Deny. Deny. Deny.” Whether or not the politician has actually done the wrong or scandalous thing becomes irrelevant. The hope is that the people or the press will eventually give up, and the politician can go his or her way.

In today’s reading from John chapter 8 we have a scene which seems to include either gross denial or great ignorance of history. Jesus is teaching when the following scene happens: “Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?””

The response of these Jews has long baffled me. It also makes some sense knowing human sin or an assertion of faith. The Jews say that they, “have never been slaves to anyone.” The baffling comes from their ignorance of their history. The central story of the people of Israel has been slavery. For most of their 430 years in Egypt they were crushed under the slave masters of Egypt. The Covenant at Mount Sinai, the core Israelite agreement with the Lord, is prefaced by a reminder that the Lord saved the people from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:1-2). Then many of them were enslaved by their own King Solomon who needed forced labor to complete his massive building program. In the 500s BC the Jews were dragged off into exile and slavery in Babylon. In the middle of the First Century BC the Roman Empire captured the Holy Land, and they controlled the people with threats and slavery, if needed. In the time of Jesus, the Jews were still under the threatening thumb of Rome. In all times and places, people have been slaves to the power of sin.

Human sin would possibly cause the people to deny that they have ever suffered loss due to their past sin. Their exile in Babylon was a judgment against the people for persistent and unrepentant sin. On the other hand, maybe they were asserting that, despite the harsh treatment by their enemies and their own king, the people were free under the Lord’s loving care.

People in all times and places try to deny their situations as relates to sin. It is hard to admit that we are wrong. Our pride often gets in the way of acknowledging our sin. Sometimes we believe that some action we like to do is not really wrong. No matter how we slice it, we are still denying our sinfulness. We today don’t really like admitting our sin. This is not a new idea. The Apostle John notes the following in his first letter, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. f we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10).

We actually benefit from admitting our sin. It is an important way to respond to the calling of God for us. The great Fred Rogers, the Mister Rogers of Public Television, was Presbyterian Pastor as well as a children’s television host. He got human sin. One time he noted this about feelings, but it can also be about sin: “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.” When we tell God that we know how we have sinned, it makes us more able to work with God or manage our lives in light of God’s love.

There are some normal Lutheran, Christiian options for recognizing our sin.

1) Praying the Lord’s Prayer – forgive us our sins and we forgive those who have sinned against us.

2) Public, corporate confession of sin, such as in our worship services.

3) Individual Confession. Here is what Martin Luther noted in the Small Catechism regarding this opportunity.

How people are to be taught to confess

What is confession?

Confession consists of two parts. One is that we confess our sins. The other is that we receive the absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God himself and by no means doubt but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.

Which sins is a person to confess?

Before God one is to acknowledge the guilt for all sins, even those of which we are not aware, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. However, before the pastor we are to confess only those sins of which we are aware and which trouble us.

Which sins are these?

Here reflect on your walk of life in light of the Ten Commandments: whether you are father, mother, son, daughter, master, mistress, servant; whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful, lazy, whether you have harmed anyone by word or deed; whether you have stolen, neglected, wasted, or injured anything.

4) When receiving Holy Communion, pray to God and confess to him your sin.

5) Pray the psalms. Psalm 51 is especially appropriate for confession of sin before God.

Confession is the daily, first step in getting the go on board with helping you, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12b).

There are other ways, but these can get you started. Remember, Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt. The less we deny that we are sinners, and begin honestly acknowledge our sin, the more we can tap into the beautiful grace and forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Merciful God, I confess that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done and by what I have left undone. I repent of all my sins, known and unknown. I am truly sorry, and I pray for forgiveness. I firmly intend to amend my life, and to seek help in mending what is broken. I ask for strength to turn from sin and to serve you in newness of life.Amen

Devotion and Readings for May 14

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings May 14, 2020

Luther's Small Catechism

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 14, 2020

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

John 8:21-30

1 Corinthians 14:14-25

Psalm 34, 35

Ezekiel 34

Devotion for May 14, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

There is an entire movie and television genre about fear. One of the more popular television series in the past few years has been, “Stranger Things.” From the beginning there are scenes and situations which both exhibit fear in the characters and invoke fear in the audience. The series is described as follows: “When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief and his friends must confront terrifying supernatural forces in order to get him back.” I have watched all of this series, and it does have plenty of scary and intense moments. At one point in the story the character, Lucas Sinclair, notes the following: “We’re talking about the destruction of our world as we know it.”

In some ways we like fear. It can be entertaining. It can, “give us a rush,” as some say. In other ways, the idea of fear is miserable and overwhelming. When the idea of fear is noted, those who don’t like fear will sometimes respond negatively.

In today’s reading from Psalm 34 we look at verse 11. This reads, “Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Years ago, in Confirmation Class, I was taught by our pastor and teachers that this is a less common use of fear. It is not really about a thing which will cause us to faint or run away screaming, such as the young people in the television series, “Stranger Things.” The use in this context is that of, “a mixed feeling of dread and reverence.” This is how the Oxford English Dictionary noted this idea of, “fear.”

This mix of dread and reverence is part of how we relate with our God. We have dread, for God’s holiness and our sin do not mix. We dread that, “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). Reverence is a feeling of deep respect or admiration for God. Reverence is a good and positive thing. So, we dread the contrast between our sin and God, while living out respect for our Holy God.

This mention of fear is connected with how Martin Luther talks about our relationship with God in the Small Catechism. This teaching document of our church tells about the meaning of the Ten Commandments. In the explanation of each commandment there is mention of, “fear.” Here is an example of what Luther writes,

The Eighth Commandment

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

What is this?

We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.

“We are to fear and love God.” Here Luther is teachings us over and over that fear and love go together. Our relationship with the Lord is expressed and experienced as both fear and love. We fear the Lord, for we relate with him with dread or regret for our sins, and with reverence, for we respect our God. We also love God. We give thanks for his goodness. We honor him with our lives. We serve him and give back to him in response to what he has first done for us.

The complete statement in Romans 6:23 is a beautiful combination of both fear and love for God. St. Paul notes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God, through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross, has loved us. In receiving this love of God we are given what we need to respond with fear and love.

Both fear and love are appropriate for our relationship with God. The Lord is powerful and impressive. The Lord has created all that is. The Lord shows his love for us in Jesus. We respond to his action with both fear and love. The Lord is not a scary monster or situation. The Lord is good and holy and loving, and worthy of both our fear and our love.

Prayer

Gracious and holy God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen