Readings, Devotion, Prayers and Announcements for the Second Sunday of Easter, April 19, 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 page.

 

Remember Your Regular Offerings

For both of our congregations, Waldeck and MLLC, please remember that our expenses continue even when we are unable to meet as usual.  Please make a point to give your offerings as you would on a typical week.  Here are some ideas of what to do:

For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:

– send your offering by mail to the church office  – Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church; 6915 Waldeck Church Lane; Ledbetter, TX 78946

– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.

For MLLC in Carmine:

– send your offering by mail to the church office  – MLLC, P O BOX 362, Carmine, TX 78932-0362

– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.

– give offerings through the church web site:  mllccarmine.com/online-giving  This page has a link to our secure giving page.  Offerings can be made by bank draft, debit card, or credit card through this special web site.

APRIL 19, 2020

Second Sunday of Easter

 

First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32

A reading from Acts.

After the Holy Spirit comes to the apostles on Pentecost, Peter preaches the gospel to the gathered crowd. He tells them that Jesus, who obediently went to his death according to God’s plan, was raised from the dead by God. Finally, he appeals to scripture, quoting Psalm 16:8-11, to show that Jesus is the Messiah: though crucified, the risen Jesus is now enthroned.

^14aPeter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed [the crowd], ²²“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—²³this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. ²⁴But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. ²⁵For David says concerning him,
‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
²⁶therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my flesh will live in hope.
²⁷For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
²⁸You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
²⁹“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
‘He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.’
³²This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm 16

¹Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;
I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.”
²All my delight is in the godly that are in the land,
upon those who are noble among the people.
³But those who run after other gods
shall have their troubles multiplied.
⁴I will not pour out drink offerings to such gods,
never take their names upon my lips. 
⁵O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;
it is you who uphold my lot.
⁶My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;
indeed, I have a rich inheritance.
⁷I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
my heart teaches me night after night.
⁸I have set the Lord always before me;
because God is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
⁹My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;
my body also shall rest in hope.

¹⁰For you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor let your holy one see the pit.
¹¹You will show me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

 

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

A reading from 1 Peter.

This epistle was written to encourage Christians experiencing hardships and suffering because of their faith in Christ. The letter opens by blessing God for the living hope we have through Christ’s resurrection even amid difficult circumstances and surroundings.

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, ⁷so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

Gospel: John 20:19-31

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

The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, offering them a benediction, a commission, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But one of their number is missing, and his unbelief prompts another visit from the Lord.

¹⁹When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. ²¹Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” ²²When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

²⁴But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
²⁶A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” ²⁸Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

³⁰Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. ³¹But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

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

 

Devotion by Pastor David Tinker

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

Running competition events are often filled with drama and stories.  The Boston Marathon a few years ago was no exception.  The story I most appreciated was about a woman from New Jersey who was exhausted near the very end of the race. (Click this link to see the news story from that day) She collapsed and could not finish on her own. Soon she was unconscious.  Quickly two runners, a man from Chile and a man from the United Kingdom, came along and picked her up and carried.  They were all strangers to each other at that moment.  The two men sacrificed a faster time to help this woman complete the last half mile of the 26.2-mile race.   With the exhausted woman in their arms these two men carried her to the finish line, and they completed the marathon together.  Together they carried on until the end of the race.

Today in St. Peter’s first letter we read about God’s gifts of faith, hope, and love.  This is how God leads us toward eternity with God.  The context of this passage is that Peter is giving encouragement to Christians who are facing fierce persecution.  Although we don’t face significant persecution in our culture, millions of our fellow Christians do every day.  For all of us, God provides the faith we need to carry on when the difficult days of our faith arrive.  God provides what we need in times such as now.

St. Peter seems to address three questions facing Christians.  Although not stated outright we can see him working out these problems which believers face.

Question 1:  Is there hope in this life, or only in the life to come?

Question 2:  What are we to make of these persecutions?

Question 3:  Why should I keep going on?

Let’s look at these three.  The first question: “Is there hope in this life, or only in the life to come?”  Peters answer is, “Yes, there is hope in both.” This is because of the mercy of God at work in Jesus Christ, those who have faith in him experience something of a new birth now.  We are restored to fellowship with our Eternal Father.  We also gain a new family – the Church.  We have a new a living hope, founded in God’s promises and in the work of Jesus who has defeated death and the tomb in his resurrection.

The second is: “What are we to make of these persecutions?”  Peter’s answer is twofold.  First, the various trials being suffered were opportunities for Christian to hone their faith, and thereby give glory to God.  Persecutions are transformative occasions which lead to deeper confidence in God.  Secondly, Peter notes that the persecutions were signs that Jesus will be returning soon.  This could be for all believers in the end of all things.  It could also be for the individual who dies and then wakes in the presence of the Lord.

Third question: “Why should I keep going on?”  Peter’s answer is similar to those marathon runners finishing the race.  Basically, keep faithful to the end, for the benefit of others who see our witness, and for our own faithful benefit.

While we are not under persecution in our culture, we do face struggles.  It has been weeks since we have met together for worship.  For many of us this is the longest we have been away from “in person” worship gatherings in our lifetimes.  Some of us this has come at just the wrong time for our spiritual lives.  We need the connection with one another and with the Word, but we are not together.

We are working together to increase our connectedness in this time.  With the encouragement of God’s Word, including today’s reading, and the stirring of the Holy Spirit, we are doing various things.  We are getting the Word of God out to others.  We are seeking connection with one another.  We are contacting the isolated and lonely.  We are praying.  We are loving one another and loving our neighbors.

In all this we look to the foundation of our faith in Christ.  We look to his mercy for us in this world.  This Mercy is expressed through the forgiving work of Jesus Christ who takes on himself the just results of our sin.  God’s merciful act is both absolutely necessary and wholly sufficient for our salvation.  The greatness of God’s mercy is the greatness of Christ hanging upon a cross, exchanging his “imperishable, undefiled, unfading” life for ours.

The mercy of God in Christ provides us with a “living hope”.  In response to God’s love we can only point to the cross of Christ and to God’s mercy to be our sources of Faith, Hope and Love, both now and forever.  With these gifts of God we can strive forward to complete the race of our lifetime with the Lord.  Thankfully, we have God and we have one another to carry us through to the end.

 

Prayer

Let us pray – Loving God, we look to you for mercy and strength.  Help us to have faith in the work of Jesus.  Stir us to have hope for our future with you and one another.  Help us to love as you have first loved us.  We pray this in the 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.

Gracious God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to you alone be the Majesty, Glory and Honor.  We ask that your Holy Spirit stir in each of us a renewed joy in coming to you in prayer each day.  Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for all who all who face difficulties or illness of any kind, especially… and also those whom now lift to you aloud or in quiet prayer…  Bring your gracious help to all for whom we pray.  Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for those Christians and others who were killed or injured in the terror attacks in Sri Lanka.  Help the church in that land to be faithful in service and in witness during these trying times.   Hear us, O God, Your mercy is great.

Other petitions may be added here.

We pray that the Holy Spirit would draw all people to you.  Stir our faith so that we will give a joyful account of the hope which you have planted within us.  Open the hearts and minds of those in our community who have not heard and responded to your Word.  Hear us, O God.  Your mercy is great.

We lift in prayer all who struggle with mourning at this time (including the family and friends of…)   . Help us to show mercy and to be supportive of those who grieve.   Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

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 

 

Prayer Request list for Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ledbetter

Health and Well-being Prayer List:  Phillip Procell, Brian Shaffer, Sandra Gest, James Smith, Barbara Spence, April Weyand, Fritz Schoenst, Alicia McQuaig, Diana Garik Poentisch, Sally Beettner, Carrie Oltmann, Robin Hardin, Beverly Drescher

 

Martin Luther Lutheran Church: REMEMBER IN PRAYER: 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); Nancy Pietsch (former RT-C teacher, health concerns); Johnny Dunham (health concerns); LaVerne Krumrey (friend from Brenham, cancer); Joyce Kelley (friend, health concerns); Jack Walsh (friend of Wade Eilers, recurring melanoma); Bill Clarke (friend of Daryl & Susan Ray, stage 4 cancer); Robert Vaughn (at Texas Neurology, thankful for extended stay for rehab); Carrie Bozarth (friend of Sedalia Ullrich, cancer); Edna Mae Krivacka (friend of Ed and Carol, back home, health concerns)

 

Sympathy to the family of Ruby Marburger Ivey (Nikki Pohl’s mother) Jeannie Johnson (mother of Kris Colpetzer, grandmother of Matthew and Nick Colpetzer, also family connections with Angelica Colpetzer, Joshua Aranzolo, and Emily Ortiz)

 

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

 

 

THIS WEEK at MLLC

Today              5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)

April 12           5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION is still being planned for Sunday, May 17, unless otherwise noted, depending on the CDC  recommendation.

 

2020 FLOWER CHART:  Three dates are open on the flower chart.  They are September 20 and November 1 & 22.  A correction to the April newsletter is that May 3 has been filled.

 

SPECIAL LENTEN ENVELOPES this year 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.

mlllccarmine/online-giving/

After going to secure giving site link, look for disaster relief – lutheran disaster response

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be at MLLC June 14-18, 2020 with the theme Rocky Railway.  See the codes on p. 2 of the March newsletter to register your child and volunteer.

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

Subject to being postponed to another date later in the summer.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL at Bethlehem Lutheran in Round Top will be June 1-4 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. with the theme “Anchored.”  There are registration forms in the narthex and church office.  For more information contact Stacy Eilers at 979-639-1897.  Possibly to be postponed to a later date.

 

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBER A person is needed to serve as chairperson of the Outreach/Care Committee.  Please consider serving in this role.

 

 

 

 

Readings, Devotion, Prayers and Announcements for Resurrection Sunday, April 12, 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 page.

 

Remember Your Regular Offerings

For both of our congregations, Waldeck and MLLC, please remember that our expenses continue even when we are unable to meet as usual.  Please make a point to give your offerings as you would on a typical week.  Here are some ideas of what to do:

For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:

– send your offering by mail to the church office  – Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church; 6915 Waldeck Church Lane; Ledbetter, TX 78946

– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.

For MLLC in Carmine:

– send your offering by mail to the church office  – MLLC, P O BOX 362, Carmine, TX 78932-0362

– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.

– give offerings through the church web site:  mllccarmine.com/online-giving  This page has a link to our secure giving page.  Offerings can be made by bank draft, debit card, or credit card through this special web site.

YouTube video of the Sunday Service

Click this link.

 

APRIL 12, 2020

The Resurrection of our Lord

 

First Reading: Acts 10:34-43

A reading from Acts. Peter’s sermon, delivered at the home of Cornelius, a Roman army officer, is a summary of the essential message of Christianity: Everyone who believes in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the words of the prophets, “receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

³⁴Peter began to speak to [the people]: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. ³⁷That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: ³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; ⁴⁰but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, ⁴¹not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴²He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

¹Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
God’s mercy endures forever.
²Let Israel now declare,
“God’s mercy endures forever.”
¹⁴The Lord is my strength and my song,
and has become my salvation.
¹⁵Shouts of rejoicing and salvation echo in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!
¹⁶The right hand of the Lord is exalted!
The right hand of the Lord acts valiantly!”
¹⁷I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the Lord. 
¹⁸The Lord indeed punished me sorely,
but did not hand me over to death.
¹⁹Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰“This is the gate of the Lord;
here the righteous may enter.”
²¹I give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and you have become my salvation. 
²²The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
²³By the Lord has this been done;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

 

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

A reading from Colossians. Easter means new life for us as it first meant new life for Christ. His resurrection reshapes the entire focus and motivation for our lives since we are now hidden with the risen Christ in God.

¹If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, ³for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

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

Sorrow gives way to “fear and great joy” when two women are sent by an angel to proclaim the good news: Jesus is risen!

¹After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ²And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ⁵But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” ⁸So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

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

 

Devotion

By Pastor David Tinker

Matthew 28:1-10       “Early Morning Surprise”

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

We have gathered here in the morning to remember and to celebrate the greatest victory in the world.  It reminds me of a day which some confuse with this day.

The story is told of a Sunday school teacher and her students.  They had gathered at their regular class time.  The teacher asked her class on the Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, if they know what happened on Easter and why it was important.

One little girl spoke up saying: “Easter is when the whole family gets together, and you eat turkey and sing about the pilgrims and all that.”

“No, that’s not it,” said the teacher.

“I know what Easter is,” a second student responded.  “Easter is when you get a tree and decorate it and give gifts and everybody sings lots of songs.”

“Nope, that’s not it either,” replied the teacher.

Finally, a third student spoke up, “Easter is when Jesus was killed, and put in a tomb, and left for three days.”

“Ah, thank goodness somebody knows,” the teacher thought to herself.

But then the student went on: “Then everybody gathers at the tomb early in the morning and waits to see if Jesus comes out, and if he sees his shadow he has to go back inside, and we have six more weeks of winter.”

We are celebrating as the church has done on Resurrection Day since the first Century.  Our reason for doing this is drastically more important than Ground Hog Day. Over the centuries Christians have gathered at the local cemetery on Resurrection Sunday morning. Our current situation does not permit that action, so we are here at the church and at our homes.  Even so, ponder this with me.  We gather in the place where we find the tombs of our neighbors and saints.  We gather there early in the morning to remind ourselves of what this day is all about.  We remember that it was in a graveyard of some sort where the women went to offer care for the body of their Lord and teacher, Jesus.  They expected to find the tomb door closed, and the body of Jesus in the tomb.  What they found was the stone rolled away and the body was gone.  This was a big surprise.  Then to their utter amazement, an angel appeared and told them something even more surprising, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”

With this immensely surprising news they found that the promises of Jesus were true.  He had endured the cross and death for the forgiveness of sin.  He was now alive.  He was raised from the dead.  Over the next month or so over 500 different people were able to see and visit with Jesus, the Risen Savior.  He then ascended to the Father and out of their sight and gave his followers the Holy Spirit, one another, and the Word of God so that they, and we, might know the Lord and live with him now and forever.

When we gather on this day, whether in our homes, at the church, or at the cemetery near dozens of full tombs, we do this to celebrate the one “Empty Tomb”.  Even though the followers of Jesus were told in advance by Jesus himself that this would happen, it was still a surprise.  It was beyond belief, yet it was true.  The promise of God the Son, Jesus Christ, came true.

Today we gather in our various ways to celebrate the greatest truth that Jesus has died for us, and that he has defeated the powers of sin, death and evil for us.  He is still fully alive today, never to die again.  By the gift of faith, we know that His tomb is empty, for he was raised to life and walked out of the tomb.  On this day of Resurrection, we celebrate the surprise of his empty tomb.  We celebrate that we, by faith, will follow him through life, and through death, and on to eternal life.

Let us pray – God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

*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, on this day we celebrate the glory of the Resurrection.  Draw us to yourself so that we might be freed from the power of sin, death and evil.  Lead us to new life in you.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Your Spirit helps us to believe in you.  May this same Holy Spirit enable us to bear witness to the greatest truth that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who need your touch of care and healing.  On this day we lift in prayer…and also those whom we now name aloud or in quiet prayer…   Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

You are the source of all mercy and consolation.  We pray for all who mourn, especially the family and friends of…  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 

Announcements and Prayer Request list for Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ledbetter

Health and Well-being Prayer List:  Phillip Procell, Brian Shaffer, Sandra Gest, James Smith, Barbara Spence, April Weyand, Fritz Schoenst, Alicia McQuaig, Diana Garik Poentisch, Sally Beettner, Carrie Oltmann, Robin Hardin, Beverly Drescher

 

REMEMBER IN PRAYER: Ruby Ivey (Nikki Pohl’s mother, on hospice); Ricky Eckert (brother of Ronnie Eckert, health concerns); Jeannie Johnson (grandmother of Matthew & Nick Colpetzer, Joshua Aranzolo, and Emily Ortiz, chronic pain); J. C. Pohl (health concerns); Kalisa Pomykal (Paula Barrick’s sister, medical concerns); Kenny Lorenz (former member Robert Hinze’s relative, serious burns); Nancy Pietsch (former RT-C teacher, health concerns); Johnny Dunham (health concerns); LaVerne Krumrey (friend from Brenham, cancer); Joyce Kelley (friend, health concerns); Jack Walsh (friend of Wade Eilers, recurring melanoma); Bill Clarke (friend of Daryl & Susan Ray, stage 4 cancer); Robert Vaughn (at Texas Neurology, thankful for extended stay for rehab); Carrie Bozarth (friend of Sedalia Ullrich, cancer); Edna Mae Krivacka (friend of Ed and Carol, back home, health concerns)

 

Sympathy to the families of Elisabeth McDaniel (mother of R.W. Crawford, friend of Alvis Mueller);

 

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

 

 

THIS WEEK at MLLC

Today              5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)

April 12           5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)

 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS to Sierra & Alan Richard on the birth of their daughter, Brinley Adeline Richard, born March 10, 2020.  She weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20 7/8 inches in length.  From MLLC grandparents are Ronda & Mark Kunkel and great grandparents are Dean & Joyce Ullrich.  She was also welcomed by

 

CONFIRMATION is still being planned for Sunday, May 17, unless otherwise noted.  It was changed since the MS150 Bike Ride was to come through Carmine on May 3, but that event has now been cancelled.

 

2020 FLOWER CHART:  Three dates are open on the flower chart.  They are September 20 and November 1 & 22.  A correction to the April newsletter is that May 3 has been filled.

 

SPECIAL LENTEN ENVELOPES this year 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/

See the line for: disaster relief-Lutheran disaster response

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be at MLLC June 14-18, 2020 with the theme Rocky Railway.  See the codes on p. 2 of the March newsletter to register your child and volunteer.

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

Subject to being postponed to another date.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL at Bethlehem Lutheran in Round Top will be June 1-4 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. with the theme “Anchored.”  There are registration forms in the narthex and church office.  For more information contact Stacy Eilers at 979-639-1897.  Possibly to be postponed to a later date.

 

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBER A person is needed to serve as chairperson of the Outreach/Care Committee.  Please consider serving in this role.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Week ending 3/21/2020

Church Income                                 $6,435.01

 

Church Expenses                              $1,262.67

Salaries & Benefits                             108.00

Camping Ministry                               520.00

Utilities                                               292.50

Envelopes                                           248.87

Miscellaneous                                     93.30

 

Net Income:                                                   $5,172.34

 

Week ending 3/28/2020

Church Income                                 $2,260.00

 

Church Expenses                              $4,456.66

Salaries & Benefits                             3,817.66

Printing                                               564.00

Miscellaneous                                     75.00

 

Net Loss:                                                        $2,196.66

Year to Date Net Income:                $1,081.95

 

 

The Raising of Lazarus, by Duccio, 1310–11

Readings, Devotion, Prayers and Announcements for Sunday, March 29, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

As we are not able to meet due to health and safety concerns, 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 page.

 

Remember Your Regular Offerings

For both of our congregations, Waldeck and MLLC, please remember that our expenses continue even when we are unable to meet as usual.  Please make a point to give your offerings as you would on a typical week.  Here are some ideas of what to do:

For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:

– send your offering by mail to the church office  – Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church; 6915 Waldeck Church Lane; Ledbetter, TX 78946

– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.

For MLLC in Carmine:

– send your offering by mail to the church office  – MLLC, P O BOX 362, Carmine, TX 78932-0362

– set aside your offerings each week, and then bring these to church when you can be at worship again.

– give offerings through the church web site:  mllccarmine.com/online-giving  This page has a link to our secure giving page.  Offerings can be made by bank draft, debit card, or credit card through this special web site.

 

The 5th Sunday in Lent

March 29, 2020

 

First Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14

A reading from Ezekiel.

Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones is a promise that Israel as a nation, though dead in exile, will live again in their land through God’s life-giving spirit. Three times Israel is assured that through this vision they will know that “I am the Lord.”

¹The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. ²He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. ³He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” ⁴Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. ⁵Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. ⁶I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
⁷So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. ⁸I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. ⁹Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” ¹⁰I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
¹¹Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ ¹²Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. ¹⁴I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm 130

¹Out | of the depths
I cry to | you, O Lord;
²O Lord, | hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my | supplication.
³If you were to keep watch | over sins,
O Lord, | who could stand?
⁴Yet with you | is forgiveness,
in order that you | may be feared. R
⁵I wait for you, O Lord; | my soul waits;
in your word | is my hope.
⁶My soul waits for the Lord more than those who keep watch | for the morning,
more than those who keep watch | for the morning.
⁷O Israel, wait for the Lord, for with the Lord there is | steadfast love;
with the Lord there is plen- | teous redemption.
⁸For the Lord shall | redeem Israel
from | all their sins. R

 

Second Reading: Romans 8:6-11

A reading from Romans.

For Paul, Christian spirituality entails living in the reality of the Holy Spirit. The driving force behind our actions and values is not our sinful desire for self-satisfaction but the very Spirit by which God raised Jesus from the dead and will also raise us from the dead.

⁶To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, ⁸and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
⁹But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ¹⁰But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

 

Gospel: John 11:1-45

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

Jesus is moved to sorrow when his friend Lazarus falls ill and dies. Then, in a dramatic scene, he calls his friend out of the tomb and restores him to life.

¹Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. ³So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” ⁴But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” ⁵Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, ⁶after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
⁷Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” ⁸The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” ⁹Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. ¹⁰But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” ¹¹After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” ¹²The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” ¹³Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. ¹⁴Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” ¹⁶Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

¹⁷When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. ¹⁸Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, ¹⁹and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. ²⁰When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. ²¹Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” ²³Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” ²⁴Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” ²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, ²⁶and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

²⁸When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” ²⁹And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. ³²When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” ³³When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. ³⁴He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵Jesus began to weep. ³⁶So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” ³⁷But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

³⁸Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. ³⁹Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” ⁴⁰Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” ⁴¹So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. ⁴²I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” ⁴³When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

⁴⁵Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

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

 

*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.

Merciful God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we praise you, for you are Lord of heaven and earth.  Receive our prayers and worship.   Lord, in your mercy,             Hear our prayer.

During this season of Lent help us to give of ourselves to you through self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love.  Renew our faith during these forty days.   Lord, in your mercy,                  Hear our prayer.

Other petitions may be added here.

We pray for all who struggle in body, mind or spirit.  By your Spirit grant healing, strength and hope to all for whom we pray.  We lift in prayer…  and also those whom we now name aloud or in quiet prayer…  Lord, in your mercy,                     Hear our prayer.

Guide and protect all who serve the community in medicine and emergency services.  Help us to work together as neighbors for the health, safety, and well-being of all in our community.  Keep us steadfast in our care for the most vulnerable in this world. Lord, in your mercy,                     Hear our prayer.

You are the source of all mercy and consolation.  We lift in prayer all who grieve for deceased friends and loved ones (and we especially pray for the family and friends of…).  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 

 

 

Announcements and Prayer Request list for Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ledbetter

Health and Well-being Prayer List:  Phillip Procell, Brian Shaffer, Sandra Gest, James Smith, Barbara Spence, April Weyand, Fritz Schoenst, Alicia McQuaig, Diana Garik Poentisch, Sally Beettner, Carrie Oltmann, Robin Hardin, Beverly Drescher

HOLY WEEK schedule:

– All these services are subject to change in the event that we must continue the suspension of services.  The Church Council will decide this in the next few days.

Palm Sunday weekend – April 4-5

6:00 p.m. on Saturday             Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

8:00 a.m. on Sunday               Worship at Waldeck

10:00 a.m. on Sunday             Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

 

Maundy Thursday – April 9

5:45 pm Worship at Waldeck

7:30 p.m. at Martin Luther in Carmine

Good Friday – April 10

7:00 pm Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

Saturday Easter Vigil with Holy Communion – April 11

7:00 p.m. at Martin Luther in Carmine

Easter Sunday – April 12

6:45 a.m. – Sunrise at Carmine Cemetery

8:00 a.m. – Worship at Waldeck

9:00 a.m. – Easter Brunch at Waldeck, followed by an egg hunt

Easter Reception in Parlor in Carmine – 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Festival Worship with Holy Communion in Carmine – 10:00 a.m.

Egg hunt in Carmine –11:30 a.m.

 

Announcements and Prayer Request list for Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine

REMEMBER IN PRAYER: Angelica Colpetzer (upcoming surgery); Ruby Ivey (Nikki Pohl’s mother, health concerns); Ricky Eckert (brother of Ronnie Eckert, health concerns); Jeannie Johnson (grandmother of Matthew & Nick Colpetzer, Joshua Aranzolo, and Emily Ortiz, chronic pain); Eugene Muehlbrad (health concerns); J. C. Pohl (health concerns); Carol Carmean (thyroid surgery last Monday); Kalisa Pomykal (Paula Barrick’s sister, medical concerns); Jacquelyn Mercado (JoLynn Schoenbeg’s daughter, severe broken wrist); Elisabeth McDaniel (mother of R.W. Crawford, friend of Alvis Mueller, cancer); Kenny Lorenz (former member Robert Hinze’s relative, serious burns); Nancy Pietsch (former RT-C teacher, health concerns); Johnny Dunham (health concerns); LaVerne Krumrey (friend from Brenham, cancer); Joyce Kelley (friend, health concerns); Jack Walsh (friend of Wade Eilers, recurring melanoma); Bill Clarke (friend of Daryl & Susan Ray, stage 4 cancer); Robert Vaughn (at Texas Neurology, thankful for extended stay for rehab); Carrie Bozarth (friend of Sedalia Ullrich, cancer); Edna Mae Krivacka (friend of Ed and Carol, back home, health concerns)

 

Sympathy to the families of Eugene Muehlbrad; The Rev. August M. Hannemann (former MLLC pastor); Genie Fuhrman (Ruby Renck’s niece); Edna Krause (mother of former organist Susan Michael); Charles Rudy Weigelt (brother-in-law of Kay Schmidt, JoLynn Schoenberg, and Darrel & Vickie Neutzler); Ricky Ebner (friend from Ledbetter)

 

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

 

THIS WEEK at MLLC

Today              5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)

Tuesday          5:30 pm-Yoga class

March 29         5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)

THOSE SERVING WEDNESDAY

 

NEXT SATURDAY ASSISTING MINISTER

 

THOSE SERVING NEXT SUNDAY

 

CHURCH COUNCIL will meet this Tuesday, March 31 to see what the recommendation is from the CDC and Gulf Coast Synod Office, and then make a decision on future church services.

 

APRIL NEWSLETTER printing will be postponed until April 1, and then mailed after that.  This is to have up-to-date information on schedules.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SHIPMENT has been postponed until November.  It will not be taken on April 13.  Packing will still be on April 8 at 2 p.m., so those who would like to come may do so.  If you have any respiratory symptoms, or just wish to stay at home, please do so.

 

DATE CHANGE FOR CONFIRMATION The new date is Sunday, May 17.  This has been changed due to the MS150 Bike Ride which will come through Carmine on May 3.

2020 FLOWER CHART:  Three dates are open on the flower chart.  They are September 20 and November 1 & 22.

LENTEN MEALS are cancelled.

LENTEN SERVICES are cancelled.

SPECIAL LENTEN ENVELOPES this year are designated for Lutheran Disaster Response of the ELCA.  These envelopes are in the pews marked “Lenten Offering.”  The envelopes for Lent that you receive in the mail go to the general fund.  The other envelopes in the pews will go to the general fund or where noted.

EASTER EGG HUNT Monetary and candy donations would be appreciated for the egg hunt following worship on April 12.  Please bring them to the church by Palm Sunday, April 5.  They will be filled that day.  Goody bags will be provided for the treats, but children may bring their Easter baskets if they wish.  (This may be subject to change.)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be at MLLC June 14-18, 2020 with the theme Rocky Railway.  See the codes on p. 2 of the March newsletter to register your child and volunteer.

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 will be June 1-4 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. with the theme “Anchored.”  There are registration forms in the narthex and church office.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBER A person is needed to serve as chairperson of the Outreach/Care Committee.  Please consider serving in this role.

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS This Tuesday, March 31 is the deadline for members to call Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to direct your 2019 Choice Dollars.  Call 1-800-847-4836 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time and say “Thrivent Choice.”  Have your member ID ready.  Martin Luther Lutheran Church is a choice.

You may also go online to direct the Choice Dollars.  If you do not give them your choice, they will designate your money where they think best.  If you need help, contact Nancy Eilers.  Thanks to those who have directed their Choice Dollars to MLLC.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES  Are on hold until further notice.  Contact Pastor Tinker to sign up.

 

EASTER LILIES may be ordered through the church office.  The Nesting Company is offering 6” potted lilies with gold pot covers for $14.50.  Make the check payable to MLLC.  Deadline is April 5.   Let the office know and if it is in memory or honor of someone.  A form is in the March newsletter.

EASTER EGG HUNT sponsored by the Carmine Lions Club and (EDC) will not be held on Saturday, April 11 at the Carmine City Park.

HOLY WEEK schedule: The Church Council will meet on Tuesday to determine our plans for ending or continuing the suspension of services due to the COVID19 health crisis.

Palm Sunday-10:00 a.m. Worship with Palm Processional and

Blessing of Quilts for Lutheran World Relief

Maundy Thursday-7:30 pm Worship with First Holy Communion

Good Friday – 7:00 pm Worship

Saturday Easter Vigil with Holy Communion – 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday-6:45 a.m. – Sunrise at Carmine Cemetery

Sunday School – 9:00 a.m.

Easter Reception in Parlor – 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Festival Worship with Holy Communion-10:00 a.m.

Egg hunt-11:30 a.m.

 

(Subject to change.)

 

Devotion

By Pastor David J. Tinker

Martin Luther Lutheran Church – Carmine

Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

29 March 2020   Lent 5/Cycle A RCL

Ezekiel 37:1-14           Psalm 130       Romans 8:6-11           John 11:1-45

“God Knows Who You Are”

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

Ash Wednesday was about a month ago.  It is the beginning of our Lent Journey each year.  A significant part of that service each year is the imposition of Ashes.  This is when each person at worship that day is marked on his or her forehead with a cross of ashes.  The pastor says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

These ashes symbolize two realities for us.  One is that ashes are a sign of repentance and sorrow for one’s sin.  The second symbolic message of the Ashes is that we are mortal.

If you think about what is happening it can be overwhelming.  Think back on any Ash Wednesday.  People of all ages are lined up and are reminded of their mortality.  The words said that day are reminding everybody of the undeniable truth about each person:  someday, each will die.

In the midst of this we are also reminded of a greater truth.  We remember that Jesus, being fully human, died as well.  Even more so, he died to save.  Jesus died to bring life.

Today we have a reading about death and life again.  The friends of Jesus, Mary and Martha, are concerned for their brother’s health.  Lazarus is ill, and is likely to die.  They know Jesus has the power to heal, so they send for him. Their message:  “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”  Upon hearing this, Jesus comments to his associates, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  Jesus does nothing for two days.  Why?  Because he knows the ends of this story.  He knows about life and death.  He knows that life will prevail.  Jesus takes decisive action to lead us toward eternal life with him.

When Jesus does finally arrive he receives the message:  “Lazarus is dead.”  Jesus goes to his friends and he mourns with them.  Then Jesus and Mary talk about the Resurrection of the Dead.

Her response was that of life.  She said, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”  She pointed to the mission of Jesus by saying who he was.  He is the Son of the Living God who has come into the world so that we might have life with God, even though we face earthly death.

Now the life Jesus brings is much more than what happens to Lazarus.  He died, then Jesus revives him.  Lazarus was brought back to life, but he will also die again.  When it comes to what will soon happen to Jesus, it is different.  Jesus will die, just as we all do, but his resurrection is to eternal life.  He doesn’t face death again.  The resurrection we are promised by Jesus is one which is beyond both death and earthly life.  It is to a new and forever life with God.

As people who are followers of Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, we are called to have a different perspective on life.  Life is both a now and a future reality.  For those who are baptized and have faith in Jesus, they have a life perspective.  Life is a wonderful reality on both sides of the grave.

Remember, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  By Baptized we are joined to Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection.  By baptism, Jesus meets us in the one thing we all have in common – death – and leads us to life with him beyond death.  Death is the lowest part of life, but for those who belong to Jesus, death doesn’t stop our destiny.

Knowing this changes everything.  Knowing this gives us a new perspective.  This is an “Eternal Life” perspective.  We see that life is not just an effort to keep from dying.  Nor are we here to bide our time until we die.  Rather, when we understand that Jesus died so that we can have life, we are transformed into truly living people.  When and where those with an Eternal Life perspective gather it is a place of life.  When we gather as the Church, we are people in a place of life, wherever that may be.

In this place of life we get to treat others in a new way.  In this place of life we look to what God has to say about a person rather than what the broken world has to say.  God’s abundant grace and love are all about brining life and helping us have that life abundantly.  The broken and sinful world leads us to death.

In this life we can be people who are in the place of life or the place of death.  The invitation of Jesus in today’s Gospel Reading is that we be in that place of life.  This world can keep on reminding us of all that we have done wrong.  Sin and death and evil always enjoy more company.  In the place of death we are told again and again of all that we have done wrong.

Ash Wednesday reminds us of our mortality, but it doesn’t leave us there.  Ash Wednesday is always, always, pointing us toward the saving work of Jesus Christ.  That work of Jesus Christ is always about bringing us to that place of life with the Lord.  As we prepare for Holy Week let us look forward through the suffering and death of Jesus for our sin, and also onto the life he leads us toward in his rising from the dead.  With that, let us always remember that God knows who we are.

Let us pray – Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust the breath of life, creating us to serve you and our neighbors. Call forth our prayers and acts of kindness, and strengthen us to face our mortality with confidence in the mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

 

Readings, Devotion, Prayers and Announcements for Sunday, March 22, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

 

As we are not able to meet due to health and safety concerns, 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.

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 usual.  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.

 

The 4th Sunday in Lent

March 22, 2020

First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

R:  A reading from 1^st Samuel the 16^th chapter.

Samuel anointed David even though he was the eighth-oldest son of Jesse and did not match his brothers in height or other physical characteristics. With the anointing came endowment with the Spirit of the Lord, designating David as the Lord’s chosen successor to Saul.

And now the reading.

¹The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” ²Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” ⁴Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” ⁵He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
⁶When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” ⁷But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” ⁸Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” ⁹Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” ¹⁰Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” ¹¹Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” ¹²He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” ¹³Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

KJV

 

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14

R:  A reading from Ephesians, the 5^th chapter.

Because we now live in the divine light which is Jesus Christ, we conduct our lives in ways that reflect the light of Christ, so that our activity is truly pleasing to God.

And now the reading.

⁸Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—⁹for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. ¹⁰Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; ¹³but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, ¹⁴for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

 

*Gospel: John 9:1-41

P:  The holy gospel according to St. John, the 9^th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus heals a man born blind, provoking a hostile reaction that he regards as spiritual blindness to the things of God.

And now the reading.

¹As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ³Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. ⁴We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. ⁵As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ⁶When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, ⁷saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. ⁸The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” ¹⁰But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” ¹¹He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” ¹²They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
¹³They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. ¹⁴Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and

opened his eyes. ¹⁵Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” ¹⁶Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. ¹⁷So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”
¹⁸The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight ¹⁹and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” ²⁰His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; ²¹but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” ²²His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. ²³Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
²⁴So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” ²⁵He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” ²⁶They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” ²⁷He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” ²⁸Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. ²⁹We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” ³⁰The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. ³¹We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. ³²Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. ³³If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” ³⁴They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.
³⁵Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” ³⁶He answered,

“And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” ³⁷Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” ³⁸He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. ³⁹Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” ⁴⁰Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” ⁴¹Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Devotion

By Pastor David Tinker

 

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

We remember the great hymn of church:

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

Today’s Gospel reading is the story of Jesus’ encounter with a man who was born blind.  The story begins with a discussion between Jesus and his disciples about the man’s condition and the reasons for his difficulty.  The disciples ask Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Jesus responds by challenging the entire premise of their question when he says, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.”  The disciples had falsely assumed that if someone had a disability or health problem that this was caused by the sin of that person or of his or her parents.

After Jesus teaches them about the true situation of the man, he proceeds to heal the man.   Because he can see now, his friends and neighbors don’t recognize him.  When they express doubt regarding his new ability to see he keeps saying, “I am the man,” yet few believe him.  They seem to not believe that a man born blind can now see.  Following this, some in authority begin challenging him regarding who performed the healing.  They were especially concerned that somebody apparently had broken a Sabbath regulation.  This leads to debate among them regarding whether or not Jesus was a sinner due to his act of healing on the Sabbath.  Eventually the man’s parents are questioned about the healing, but they defer the question back to their son.

The authorities corner the formerly blind man and begin the questioning.  They start by announcing that they know this man is a sinner, suggesting that they themselves are not sinners.  The discussion gets nowhere.  When the formerly blind man makes a good point, the authorities reject it because they assume that both the man and Jesus are unreliable due to their assumed sinfulness.

Soon after this the man comes to Jesus.  He confesses his faith in Jesus and begins to worship him.  Our Lord responds by saying, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.”

The authorities respond, “Surely we are not blind, are we?”

Jesus says, “If you were blind, you would not have sin.  But now that you say, “We see,” your sin remains.”

What Jesus was pointing out was an important truth.  He was stating that those who are focusing on the sin in others are those who are the most likely to be sinners themselves.  They are those who understand their own sinfulness the least.

Humanity really doesn’t understand or accept its broken nature.  The truth is that we have disregarded God’s love, guidance, and provision.  We have become what God calls sinners.  Long ago humanity had turned from God’s ways and turned toward thinking, doing and believing that which was contrary to God’s will for us.  Our own sinfulness blinds us to the truth of our condition.

The truth of this story is that today we are often the ones quick to see the sins of others, and are just as quick to overlook our own sins.  We are the ones who complain about individual sins of others, while ignoring the poor, the hungry, and persecuted, and those who suffer due to injustice or hate.  We have received the forgiveness of sin, but we have refused to repent – to turn away from sin and toward God’s better way.  We are often the sighted righteous ones who are, in fact, the blind sinners.

In 1 John 1:8, the apostle reminds us:  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”  Today in the middle of Lent we are reminded of this truth:  We are sinners, this is true.  But I invite you to remember the even greater truth.  God loves us and forgives us and gives himself for us in Jesus Christ.  God’s love is always bigger than the sin in our lives.  God’s mercy for us blind sinners is what will help us see.

We are sinners, this is true.  Thanks be to God for Jesus, for without his love and forgiveness we could neither survive the wages of our sin, nor be able to see that we are sinners.  We are sinners, this is true.  Thanks be to God that we can receive God’s love and forgiveness.  We are sinners, this is true.  Even more so, God puts his love in our lives in ways that are right in front of us and plain to see.  God provides himself to us in the Holy Spirit, by God’s Word, and through the gifts of Baptism and Holy Communion so that we might live as his beloved of God.

The Holy Spirit of God enables us to understand God.  The Spirit calls us to the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness, and guides us into a relationship with God.

God’s Word tells us again and again that the mercy, grace, forgiveness and love of God are ever-present for us.  We read in Lamentations 3:22-23, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

The Gift of Holy Baptism joins us to the saving work of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death on the cross and rising from the dead have been given so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.  By baptism we are enlightened so that we can see God’s Goodness.  We celebrate this weekend with all who remember their March Baptisms.

The Gift of Holy Communion continually reminds us that the love of God is for us.  Each time we receive this sacrament it announces to us that God cares deeply for each one of us.

We give thanks in all this that God helps us to see our sin. Even more so, he enables us to see the great things he has done for us.  Let us go out today with renewed sight, knowing how good God has been to each of us.  In this, we revisit that great hymn:

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

Let us pray –   Almighty Lord, source of light and life and hope.  As broken and sinful people we receive your offer of forgiveness.  We pray that your Holy Spirit will enable us to understand what you have done for us.  We pray this 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.

Lord God Almighty, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we thank you for your abundant mercy.  Help us to listen to your Word and to respond to you with worship which is to the praise of your glory.  Lord, in your mercy,      Hear our prayer.

 

Guide and protect all medical professionals, as well as all who work in emergency services.  During this time of uncertainty and fear, help us all work together for the building up of health and safety for our community, nation, and world.   Lord, in your mercy,        Hear our prayer.

 

During this season of Lent help us to give of ourselves to you through self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love.  Renew our faith during these forty days. Lord, in your mercy,  Hear our prayer.

 

Other petitions may be added here.

 

We lift in prayer the ministry Lutheran Disaster Response.  Help us to share the resources entrusted to us to care for the victims of disasters.  Lord, in your mercy,  Hear our prayer.

 

You comfort all who struggle in body, mind or spirit.  Bring healing, strength and hope to all for whom we pray.  We lift in prayer… , and also those whom we name aloud or in quiet prayer…   Lord, in your mercy,  Hear our prayer.

 

You are the source of all mercy and consolation.  We pray for all who mourn (especially the family and friends of…).  Lord, in your mercy,    Hear our prayer.

 

You call us to be your disciples.  Help us to be faithful in our daily time of prayer.  Stir us to greater joy in our ongoing and eternal relationship with you.  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 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRAYER REQUEST LIST FOR WALDECK EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF LEDBETTER

Phillip Procell, Brian Shaffer, Sandra Gest, James Smith, Barbara Spence, April Weyand, Fritz Schoenst, Alicia McQuaig, Diana Garik Poentisch, Sally Beettner, Carrie Oltmann, Robin Hardin, Beverly Drescher

 

 

HOLY WEEK schedule: – All these services are subject to change in the event that we must continue the suspension of services.

Palm Sunday weekend – April 4-5

6:00 p.m. on Saturday             Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

8:00 a.m. on Sunday               Worship at Waldeck

10:00 a.m. on Sunday             Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

 

Maundy Thursday – April 9   5:45 pm Worship at Waldeck

7:30 p.m. at Martin Luther in Carmine

Good Friday – April 10          7:00 pm Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

Saturday Easter Vigil with Holy Communion – April 11 – 7:00 p.m. at Martin Luther in Carmine

Easter Sunday – April 12

6:45 a.m. – Sunrise at Carmine Cemetery

8:00 a.m. – Worship at Waldeck

9:00 a.m. – Easter Brunch at Waldeck, followed by an egg hunt

Easter Reception in Parlor in Carmine – 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Festival Worship with Holy Communion in Carmine – 10:00 a.m.

Egg hunt in Carmine –11:30 a.m.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MARTIN LUTHER LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CARMINE

 

REMEMBER IN PRAYER:  Ricky Eckert (brother of Ronnie Eckert, health concerns); Jeannie Johnson (grandmother of Matthew & Nick Colpetzer, Joshua Aranzolo, and Emily Ortiz, chronic pain); Eugene Muehlbrad (health concerns); J. C. Pohl (health concerns); Carol Carmean (thyroid surgery last Monday); Kalisa Pomykal (Paula Barrick’s sister, medical concerns); Jacquelyn Mercado (JoLynn Schoenbeg’s daughter, severe broken wrist); Elisabeth McDaniel (mother of R.W. Crawford, friend of Alvis Mueller, cancer); Kenny Lorenz (former member Robert Hinze’s relative, serious burns); Nancy Pietsch (former RT-C teacher, health concerns); Johnny Dunham (health concerns); LaVerne Krumrey (friend from Brenham, cancer); Joyce Kelley (friend, health concerns); Jack Walsh (friend of Wade Eilers, recurring melanoma); Bill Clarke (friend of Daryl & Susan Ray, stage 4 cancer); Robert Vaughn (at Texas Neurology, thankful for extended stay for rehab); Carrie Bozarth (friend of Sedalia Ullrich, cancer); Edna Mae Krivacka (friend of Ed and Carol, back home, health concerns)

 

Sympathy to the families of Eugene Muehlbrad; The Rev. August M. Hannemann (former MLLC pastor); Genie Fuhrman (Ruby Renck’s niece); Edna Krause (mother of former organist Susan Michael); Charles Rudy Weigelt (brother-in-law of Kay Schmidt, JoLynn Schoenberg, and Darrel & Vickie Neutzler); Ricky Ebner (friend from Ledbetter)

 

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

THIS WEEK at MLLC

Today              5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)

Tuesday          5:30 pm-Yoga class

March 29         5:00 pm-AA Meeting (subject to change)

 

BAPTISM REMEMBRANCE  Those remembering their baptism during the month of March are Tiffani Brooks, Carol Carmean, Levi Carmean, Liam Diehl, Jill Eilers, Tess Eilers, Berrie Etzel, Floyd Etzel, Dianna Gerland, Thelma Hinze, Kyler Jacob, Seth Kelley, Randall Kohring, Linda Kovar, Autumn Lehmann, Brock Marburger, Michelle Marburger, Susie Markwardt, Linda Mattocks, Aaron Moore, Eugene Muehlbrad, Gaylon Mueller, Debby Peele, Carsyn Pratt, Michelle Pratt, Hannah Roemer, Dianne Sager, Brayden Scheffer, Colter Siptak, Wyatt Waak, Janette Weidemann, Reagan Williams, Gwen Woelfel, and Raylon Zwernemann

 

DATE CHANGE FOR CONFIRMATION The new date is Sunday, May 17.  This has been changed due to the MS150 Bike Ride which will come through Carmine on May 3.

2020 FLOWER CHART:  Four dates are open on the flower chart.  They are September 20 & 27 and November 1 & 22.

 

LENTEN MEALS AND SERVICES are cancelled.

 

SPECIAL LENTEN ENVELOPES this year are designated for Lutheran Disaster Response of the ELCA.  These envelopes are in the pews marked “Lenten Offering.”  The envelopes for Lent that you receive in the mail go to the general fund.  The other envelopes in the pews will go to the general fund or where noted.

 

EASTER EGG HUNT Monetary and candy donations would be appreciated for the egg hunt following worship on April 12.  Please bring them to the church by Palm Sunday, April 5.  They will be filled that day.  Goody bags will be provided for the treats, but children may bring their Easter baskets if they wish.

(This may be subject to change.)

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be at MLLC June 14-18, 2020 with the theme Rocky Railway.  See the codes on p. 2 of the March newsletter to register your child and volunteer.

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 will be June 1-4 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. with the theme “Anchored.”  There are registration forms in the narthex and church office.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBER A person is needed to serve as chairperson of the Outreach/Care Committee.  Please consider serving in this role.

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS March 31 is the deadline for members to call Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to direct your 2019 Choice Dollars.  Call 1-800-847-4836 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time and say “Thrivent Choice.”  Have your member ID ready.  Martin Luther Lutheran Church is a choice.

You may also go online to direct the Choice Dollars.  If you do not give them your choice, they will designate your money where they think best.  If you need help, contact Nancy Eilers.  Thanks to those who have directed their Choice Dollars to MLLC.

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES will possibly be offered April 5 starting at 11:15 a.m. in the Mission and Ministry Building.  More information is in the March newsletter. Contact Pastor Tinker to sign up.  This may be subject to change due to the stay at home order and cancellation of gatherings at the church.

 

EASTER LILIES may be ordered through the church office.  The Nesting Company is offering 6” potted lilies with gold pot covers for $14.50.  Make the check payable to MLLC.  Deadline is April 5.   Let the office know and if it is in memory or honor of someone.  A form is in the March newsletter.

 

EASTER EGG HUNT sponsored by the Carmine Lions Club and (EDC) will not be held on Saturday, April 11 at the Carmine City Park.

 

HOLY WEEK schedule: – All these services are subject to change in the even that we must continue the suspension of services.

Palm Sunday weekend – April 4-5

6:00 p.m. on Saturday             Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

8:00 a.m. on Sunday               Worship at Waldeck

10:00 a.m. on Sunday             Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

 

Maundy Thursday – April 9   5:45 pm Worship at Waldeck

7:30 p.m. at Martin Luther in Carmine

Good Friday – April 10          7:00 pm Worship at Martin Luther in Carmine

Saturday Easter Vigil with Holy Communion – April 11 – 7:00 p.m. at Martin Luther in Carmine

Easter Sunday – April 12

6:45 a.m. – Sunrise at Carmine Cemetery

8:00 a.m. – Worship at Waldeck

9:00 a.m. – Easter Brunch at Waldeck, followed by an egg hunt

Easter Reception in Parlor in Carmine – 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Festival Worship with Holy Communion in Carmine – 10:00 a.m.

Egg hunt in Carmine –11:30 a.m.