This is Good Friday

The area near the Altar is bare of decoration. This a result of the “Stripping of the Altar” on Maundy Thursday. Candles for Good Friday are added, as well as a simple, wooden cross.

An Introduction to Good Friday – Tenebrae

We begin our liturgy as we ended the Maundy Thursday Liturgy: in silence. What was begun then continues this day as we journey with our Savior from the Last Supper, the stripping and humiliation, to the cross and tomb. Good Friday is the second day of the Triduum, the “Three Sacred Days” of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday with its Vigil of Easter.

The Good Friday Liturgy is marked with austerity, silence and reflection. The chancel itself is bare from the Maundy Thursday stripping. There is no organ music except to accompany the hymns. Everything focuses on our adoration of the crucified Christ, reigning from the throne of the cross.
The service of Tenebrae is an ancient Holy Week devotion which began in the 7th or 8th century, or possibly earlier. The name “Tenebrae” means shadows. The service takes its name from the ceremony of extinguishing in succession all the lights in the sanctuary, casting it into total darkness which is symbolic of the disciples’ desertion of our Lord, and of his death and burial.

The purpose of the Tenebrae Service is to aid us in realizing the total impact of the darkest day in the history of the world, the day Jesus died on the cross.
The opening portion of the liturgy includes no praise. It proceeds directly to the Invocation and Prayer of the Day. It is a simplified version of our Sunday Liturgy of the Word. The chief acts are the reading of the Passion of St. John and the Bidding Prayer for the needs of our world.

Following the final hymn is a meditation on the Seven Last Words of our Lord which he spoke from the cross. After each word is read, there will be a prayer and silent meditation. Lights and one candle will be extinguished after each meditation until the sanctuary is in darkness.
After the lights are all extinguished, the congregation will stand as the Paschal Candle is carried from the sanctuary reminding us of the burial of Jesus. A loud noise, made by the closing of a Bible, will remind us of the closing of the tomb. This announces the fulfilling of the Scriptures and the completion of our Lord’s work on the cross for us.
The Paschal Candle (called the Christ Candle during Advent/Christmas) will not return until the beginning of the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. On Good Friday we recognize that Jesus was fully dead and was placed in the borrowed tomb.

Note: The return of the Paschal Candle moments after the loud noise is a form of the Good Friday service designed to be used in those congregations which do not have the Great Vigil of Easter.
All will leave in silence to return tomorrow as we wait in vigil and then celebrate our Lord’s resurrection at the Great Vigil of Easter. At the Vigil tomorrow evening we will have the first Holy Communion in celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Schedule for the rest of Holy Week:
Easter Vigil – Saturday – 7:00 p.m. – in sanctuary
Resurrection Sunrise service at 7:30 a.m. at the Carmine Cemetery.
(Bring your own chairs for seating at the cemetery)
Breakfast in the fellowship hall at 8 a.m.
Festival Resurrection Service at 9:00 a.m.
Egg hunt and party for the children. ~10:15 a.m.

Preparing for Maundy Thursday

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with First Holy Communion, Good Friday, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Vigil of Easter April 2, 2015

Thursday, April 2 is our Maundy Thursday service. We invite you to gather with the people of God at MLLC at 7:00 p.m.

We believe it is an important and faith enriching experience to be part of these special days. Worship will be each night at 7:00 p.m. These Three Days together are called the Great Triduum.

*Maundy Thursday – April 2 – We connect with the events of the Last Supper of Jesus with his Apostles. We also remember his betrayal and arrest.

*Good Friday – April 3 – We connect with the suffering, death and entombment of Jesus Christ.

*The Great Vigil of Easter – April 4 – We remember the waiting of the followers of Jesus when he was in the tomb and before he was raised from the dead. We celebrate the victory of the Resurrection from the dead of Jesus.

Here is the introduction we use for Maundy Thursday:

The Maundy Thursday service is one of endings and beginnings. What was begun on Ash Wednesday is brought to a close here today. What begins today does not end until the Day of Resurrection. It is the ancient Triduum, “The Three Sacred Days,” which lead us to the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
The theme is love, our Savior’s love for us, expressed in the washing of the disciples’ feet, in giving himself in bread and wine, in dying upon the cross. An invitation to confession is given. The focus is on forgiveness. On Ash Wednesday, we began Lent with a major act of confession and ashes, but we did not receive a strong statement of forgiveness in the absolution. That bold announcement of forgiveness comes now, “In the mercy of almighty God,” and “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” at the service celebrating Christ’s love.
The lessons of love are read. A new command derives from it: “Love one another.” The name “Maundy” comes from the first word of the Latin form of John 13:34: “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” (“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”). This self-giving love is demonstrated in the washing of feet. The prayers are said. The table is made ready. The time of the Lord’s Supper arrives, and our Lord is revealed in bread and wine as once he “revealed himself to his disciples.” It is a solemn moment, but we cannot linger here. Nor could the Lord, for His betrayal was imminent.
Before we know it, the markings of betrayal are seen before us. The symbol of Christ in our midst, the altar, is stripped bare. Christ is stripped of his power and glory. Good Friday is inescapable. The powers of darkness work upon him.
In silence, we depart without benediction. The Three Sacred Days continue with the Good Friday service on April 3 at 7:00 p.m. We will also gather on Saturday evening, April 4 at 7 p.m. for the Vigil of Easter.

Palms and Quilts for the Glory of God

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements, Women's Ministry and tagged with children, Holy Week, Lent, Lutheran World Relief, Palm Sunday, quilting, quilts March 29, 2015

As always we celebrated a joyful Palm Sunday at MLLC. It was great to have a wonderful crowd for our Saturday evening and Sunday morning worship services. Together we remembered the work of Jesus Christ as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. This entry began the week of dramatic events which provided for the salvation from the final power of sin, death and evil for all who would believe in him.

Our young people were joyful leaders in the Palm Procession. The group circled the sanctuary while we sang the traditional “All Glory, Laud and Honor”. The Palms were then placed before the altar to remember that the people covered the road with palms over which Jesus rode the donkey.

Some of the children also gathered up front for the Children’s Time. As part of this time the youth learned about the quilts and where these are sent around the world.

Later during worship we dedicated the quilts and kits for Lutheran World Relief.

Our numbers are not quite final, but here is a general tally:

22 Quilts

2 Fabric Kits

70 School Kits

7 Baby Care Kits

and we are in the process of completing a great number of Personal Care Kits

Here are how the quilts were displayed. Note the palms before the altar.

There is a wonderful article on the Lutheran World Relief web page about the Mission Quilts. You are encouraged to click over to this page to read more about this wonderful ministry.

The quilts displayed in the sanctuary on Palm Sunday were the ones for Lutheran World Relief. Many more are prepared and sent to two other ministries. Several are made for Camp for All in Burton. A set are also made for Krause Children’s Center in Katy.

More on Palm Sunday

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with Holy Week, love your neighbor, Lutheran World Relief, Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Palm Sunday, Palm Sunday 2015, procession of Palms, quilting, quilts, Sunday of the Passion, worship March 26, 2015

We are looking forward to a joyful Palm Sunday 2015. There is always much to do to get ready for this special event. This is the beginning of Holy Week – click here for our schedule.

Some things of note regarding worship this weekend:

1. We will dedicate the quilts for Lutheran World Relief. See the photo above which was taken right after our quilts were placed for this dedication. Photo Credit: Melissa Wickel.

2. We invite children to participate in the Procession of Palms on Sunday. We gather in the Narthex for this joyful celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Plan now to participate.

3. We will have worship on both Saturday night at 6:00 p.m., and on Sunday at 9:00 a.m., on Palm Sunday weekend.

Palm Sunday 2015

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with First Holy Communion, Holy Week, Lutheran World Relief, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, Palm Sunday 2015, quilts, worship March 24, 2015

Palm Sunday 2015 is this weekend. We will have worship on both Saturday night at 6 p.m. and Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. Plan your weekend around making sure you are at worship this week for the beginning of Holy Week.

At both services we will do the following things:

*Remember the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We will wave palm branches as they did nearly 2000 years ago. We will give thanks to God for the fulfillment of his prophecy about the coming Messiah and eternal King of Israel.

*We will begin our Holy Week observance. Click here for the full schedule.

*We will dedicate the Lutheran World Relief quilts and kits. See the photo above for an image of what we did last year at this time.

You are invited to make this the beginning of a very special week as we relive and experience the joys and sorrows of this most important week in human history.

Holy Week is Coming Soon

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with child, children, Easter Sunday, Egg Hunt, First Holy Communion, Good Friday, Holy Week, Lutheran World Relief, Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday, readings, Resurrection of our Lord, Vigil of Easter, youth March 16, 2015

The centerpiece of the church year is the season of Lent and the events of Holy Week. We invite you to be part of our revisiting of these core events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Click over to our Lent & Holy Week Schedule to find out more. It is all listed on our recently updated main church page: Here is the Link.

Getting Ready for Ash Wednesday

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with Ash Wednesday, ashes, Baptism, cross, faith, Jesus Christ, Lent, Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, repent, repentance, what is ash wednesday February 17, 2015

Adapted by Pr. David Tinker, from an original article by Pr. Thomas L. Weitzel

The Ash Wednesday service at Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine will be on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.

This day is something of a slap in the face, especially when one hears the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The original name – “Day of Ashes” – was a reference to the ancient Christian practice of sprinkling or rubbing ashes on the head or forehead as a sign of one’s mortality. The same ancient gesture appears in the baptismal liturgy: a cross is traced with oil on the forehead of the person being baptized. In this simple gesture the person is claimed by Christ.

There can be no more solemn and appropriate action on this day than to distribute ashes to all who gather for the beginning of the Lenten season. Here the young and old, men and women, rich and poor, learned and simple. Here the cross is the sign of salvation that all believers share. It is the sign of death and resurrection.

What is Ash Wednesday?

On Ash Wednesday, the community of faith comes face to face with two realities. First, we confront our own mortality. None of us lives in this life forever. Secondly, all of us are sinners and need to confess our sin to God. These two themes (death and sin) are brought together in light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ. As the Apostle John says in 1 John 1:9b, “…(God) who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The confession of sin on Sundays reminds us, “In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins.” The Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) confession also included, “To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.”

What are the ashes for?

The “ashes” of Ash Wednesday are rooted in the ancient worship of both the Jewish and Christian communities. They are a sign of mortality and penance. Even though we have used the imposition of ashes in our Ash Wednesday worship for many years, they still may seem new or uncomfortable to us. What we should remember about the ashes is they are a visible sign of our cleansing and rebirth, a recognition of our daily dependence on God for life and a promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Should I receive the ashes?

The ashes are not compulsory by any means. You may choose, if you wish, to remain in your seat during the imposition of ashes. But remember that they are a powerful way and a visible way to participate in the call to repentance and reconciliation. If you choose to participate, come forward at the appropriate time in the liturgy with others desiring the ashes. The pastor will did his thumb in the ashes and trace the sign of the cross on your forehead. Afterwards, return to your seat and the liturgy will continue.

Pr. Thomas L. Weitzel’s excellent liturgy site is: http://liturgybytlw.com/

Lent Schedule Now Available

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with Ash Wednesday, Gospel of Mark, Lent, Passion Account, schedule February 9, 2015

The 2015 Ash Wednesday service will be on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.

We are looking forward to our journey through Lent and into the celebration of the Great Truth that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead.

Our Lent Schedule is posted on our main church page. Click here to see this schedule.

Recent Funerals – Our Three Oldest Members

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with church triumphant, death, obit, obituary February 9, 2015

During January the three oldest members of MLLC died. As they have entered the Church Triumphant we give thanks for their life and ministry among us.

Mabel Schmidt

Mabel Minnie Martha Schmidt, 95, of Brenham, died January 10, 2015 at Kruse Village in Brenham. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, with Pastor David Tinker officiating. Burial will follow in the Carmine Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel.Mabel Schmidt was born July 22, 1919 in Carmine to Will and Ida Kieke Schoenberg. She was baptized May 2, 1920 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, and confirmed there April 9, 1933. On August 20, 1938, she was married to Nolan Schmidt at Trinity Lutheran Church in Houston.

A loving and caring woman, Mrs. Schmidt always put her family’s needs above her own. She worked hard alongside her husband, managing the family ranch. A talented seamstress, she also enjoyed cooking for her family. Peach coffee cake and oatmeal cookies were family favorites. Playing dominoes was a favorite pastime, as was traveling with family and friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Marlene Waak and husband Conway Jr. of Carmine; daughter-in-law Kay Schmidt of Giddings; grandchildren Sheryl and Steve Campbell of Tomball, Chance and Naomi Waak of California, and Amelia (Mia) and James (Buck) Williams of Carmine; great-grandchildren: Carson Campbell and Katie Campbell of Tomball; Wyatt, Nolan and Drake Waak, all of Atascadero, California; Reagan, Morgan and Bowen Williams, all of Carmine; sisters Pearlie Jaster of Dallas, Idell Kraus of Giddings, and sister and brother-in-law Willie Mae and Odell Lueckemeyer of Brenham, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Marvin and Mary Schmidt of Houston. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Nolan Schmidt, and her son, Jerry Schmidt. Also preceding her in death were sister and brother-in-law Janette and Ruben Schmidt, and brothers-in-law E. W. “Pete” Kraus and Elvis Jaster.

Serving as pallbearers are Chance Waak, Steve Campbell, Buck Williams, Carson Campbell, Gary Mueller, and Lane Jacob.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine.

Funeral arrangements for Mabel Schmidt are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main.

Lloyd “Leon” Twiford

Lloyd “Leon” Twiford, 97, died Jan. 11, 2015 at the Texas State Veteran Home in Temple. He was born on Jan. 1, 1918 in Alvin to James Larimore Twiford and Cecil Webster Parker Twiford and moved to Houston in 1920. He graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1936. He served in the United States Army from 1941-1946, attained the rank of Sgt. on

an antiaircraft gun crew in the Pacific Theatre including Pearl Harbor, in the Leyte Gulf battle in the Philippines and the battle of Okinawa. After his discharge from the Army in 1946, he and his father formed Twiford Printing Company. Retiring in 1973 at the age of 55, he and his wife Dorothy moved to Winedale to enjoy their golden years together and enjoy them they did. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy (Lemke) Twiford. He is survived by his daughter

Teryl Rozell of Austin; his son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Sue Twiford of Denver, Colo.; granddaughter, Karly Cruz of Aurora, Colo.; two great-grandchildren, Ricky and Juliana Cruz of Aurora, Colo., numerous nieces and nephews

also survive. He was a past President of the Houston Craftsmen Club and the Carmine Lions Club. Leon and Dorothy were members of the Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, beginning at 10 a.m. at Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange. Interment will follow in the Richter Cemetery near Round Top. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Capital of Texas Chapter, 3429 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78731. Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangements

Bernice Loewe

Bernice Mae Loewe 92, of Carmine went home to her Heavenly Father on January 31, 2015. Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine with Pastor David Tinker officiating. Burial will be in the Loewe Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. With prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Monday at Foehner Funeral Home in Burton. Bernice will lie instate at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home until 3:00 p.m. Monday.Bernice was the first born twin of Gus and Ella Jaeger, born on February 18, 1922 in Carmine, Texas. She was confirmed in her Lutheran faith on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1936 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine where she remained a life member of the church. Her confirmation verse was Psalm 103:13, “Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” She was educated in the Carmine schools and then graduated from Lagrange High School. Bernice married J.R. Loewe on December 26, 1945. They were blessed with three sons and lived on their farm together until his passing after 55 years of marriage. Bernice enjoyed cooking, canning, making quilts and crocheting. She was a loving mother to her sons and a precious grandmother and great grandmother to her grandchildren . Each grandchild has fond memories of countless hours at Granny’s and most of all her cooking whether it be her brown gravy, coffeecake, or good ol’ boiled potatoes. Easter and Christmas were special holidays where she enjoyed her family being together.

Bernice is survived by her sons Jimmy and his wife Marie Loewe of Carmine and Wilbert Loewe of Carmine . Grandchildren Glenda and J D Rhodes, Gina and David Fischer, of Giddings. Gentry and Jeff Albrecht, Gregg and Brooke Loewe, of Carmine. Jamie and Mark Odom, Joanie Loewe, Melonie and Dane Rau all of Brenham, and Laurie and Joe Gurka of Carmine and one sister LeVerne Hinze of Burton.
Great-grandchildren Logan Rhodes, Alivia and Brian Moerbe, Amanda and Emily Fischer, Daylon and Reyce Drews, Trypp and Pyper Albrecht, Carter Loewe, Jacob Northrup, Weston Els, Madeleine, Mark, Mia, and Meredith Odom, Kade, Brady, and Nate Rau, and Coy and Tucker Gurka. And one Great Great grandson, Klein Rhodes, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband J.R. Loewe, one son Glenn Loewe, sister Berdie and husband Max Siegmund, brother in law Roger Hinze and sister in law Ora Nell and husband Henry Kipp.

Serving as pallbearers are; Gregg Loewe, J.D. Rhodes, David Fischer, Jeff Albrecht, Mark Odom II, Dane Rau, Joe Gurka and Logan Rhodes.

Memorial may be given to Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine or Hospice Brazos Valley Brenham.

Recent New Members

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements, Youth and tagged with Baptism, baptized, child, Holy Spirit, new members, sacrament, youth January 11, 2015

We welcomed two new members at the beginning of 2015. These both entered our fellowship through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on two different Sundays. Each were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. At MLLC we always baptize in this name, following the direct instructions of Jesus Christ himself. See the Trinity symbol above.

Quinly Shawn was baptized on January 4.

Bowen Emanuel Warren was baptized on January 11.