Category Archives: Announcements

Introduction to Good Friday 2022

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Good Friday Bare Chancel

We will gather together on Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m. to remember the events of Good Friday.  This is our annual remembrance of the dramatic sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin.

Introduction to Good Friday

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

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Resurrection Sunday:

Resurrection Sunrise service at 6:45 a.m. at the Carmine Cemetery.

   (Bring your own chairs for seating at the cemetery)

Easter Reception in Parlor, near the sanctuary – 9:30-10:00 a.m.

Festival Resurrection Service at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary

Egg hunt and party for the children. ~11:15 a.m

jesus-christ-crucifixion-395

Introduction to Maundy Thursday 2022

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with ,

Maundy bread wine

Introduction to Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Worship Services for 2022

April 14, 2022

5:45 p.m. at Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6915 Waldeck Church Lane, Ledbetter, TX 78946, about 6.5 miles south of Ledbetter.

7:30 p.m. at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine MLLC

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 resurrection of Easter. It is the ancient Triduum, “The Three Sacred Days,” which lead us to Easter: 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, and 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 forgiveness in the absolution. That forgiveness comes now, “in the name and by the command of our Lord,” at the service celebrating Christ’s love. The peace is shared after absolution and seals that forgiveness in a loving embrace, as if embraced by Christ himself.

The lessons of love are read. A new command derives from it: “Love one another.” 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 ut et vos diligatis invicem,” (“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”).  At Martin Luther in Carmine we will offer the washing of feet (and hands, for those who prefer it) as part of worship on this holy day.

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. 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.  This will be held at 7 p.m. at Martin Luther in Carmine.

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Here is the schedule for the rest of Holy Week after Maundy Thursday:

Good Friday Tenebrae Service – April 15, 2022

Worship at MLLC at 7:00 p.m. – a joint event for both churches (Waldeck and MLLC)

We will be remembering the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reading of the St. John Passion account.  The Seven Last Words of Christ.

The Great Vigil of Easter – Saturday, April 16, 2022

Worship at MLLC at 7:00 p.m. – a joint event for both churches (Waldeck and MLLC)

Service of Light, Sharing Old Testament Stories, Remembrance of Baptism, First Holy Communion in celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This is the first of our three worship services celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Resurrection of Our Lord – Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022

6:45 a.m. – Sunrise Service at Carmine Cemetery – a joint event for both churches (Waldeck and MLLC)

Bring a lawn or folding chair for seating at the cemetery.  A shorter service, no communion.

9:30 a.m. – Easter Reception in Parlor/Narthex

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

After worship – Easter Egg Hunt for the children

For those who are interested, the schedule for Easter Sunday for our partner church in Waldeck:

Festival Worship at 8:00 a.m. in the outdoor pavilion.

Easter Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in the Annex

Easter Egg Hunt at about 9:15/9:30 a.m.  Listen for announcements of the time.

Holy Week Schedule 2022

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements

Holy-Week-Worship-Art

You Are Invited to Holy Week 2022

Here are the various events and worship services for our annual celebration of Holy Week.

The Holy Triduum – the Three Holy Day (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

Maundy Thursday – April 14

Remembering the Last Supper.

Holy Communion at both churches.

Foot and Hand Washing in Carmine.

Worship at Waldeck:  5:45 p.m.

Worship at Carmine:  7:30 p.m.

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Good Friday – April 15

Remembering the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Reading of the Passion Account from John.

Worship at Carmine:  7:00 p.m.

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Saturday – The Resurrection of Our Lord – The Great Vigil of Easter – April 16

The most ancient special service of the Church.  Service of Light.  Sharing of Old Testament Stories.  Remembrance of Baptism.  Initial Holy Communion of the Resurrection Day.

Worship at 7:00 p.m.

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The Resurrection of our Lord. – Easter Sunday – April 17

Sunrise Service at the Carmine Cemetery:  6:45 a.m.  Bring a lawn chair or folding chair for seating on the cemetery lawn.

Easter Reception in Parlor at Carmine: 9:30 – 10:00 a.m.  Enjoy the fellowship and some delicious food together.

Festival Service with Holy Communion at Carmine: 10:00 a.m.

Egg Hunt to follow worship.

For those who are interested: Resurrection Sunday in Waldeck

Festival Service at Waldeck with Holy Communion:  8:00 a.m.

Pot-luck Easter Breakfast after worship ~9:00 a.m.

Egg Hunt to follow worship.

Ash Wednesday 2022

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Ash_Wednesday with ashes

Lent Begins March 2, 2022

Ash Wednesday services will be at both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church.  You are invited to choose which one best suits your situation.  Both services will offer Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes as we begin our Lenten Season.

See the end of this article for more about the ashes of Ash Wednesday.

The Ash Wednesday Service this year serves as the beginning of our Lenten Sermon Series on the Disciplines of Lent.  On Ash Wednesday we will hear about the Biblical, Christian discipline of Fasting.

Worship at MLLC at 7:30 p.m.

Worship at Waldeck Lutheran Church at 5:45 p.m.

Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church is in a shared ministry with MLLC.  The Church is located at 6915 Waldeck Church Lane, Ledbetter, TX 78946 – this is about 6.5 miles south of Ledbetter at the corner of FM 2145 and FM 1291.  Click here for a map for the church in Waldeck.

The Exhortation on Ash Wednesday invites us into the season of Lent.  Here is that Exhortation as presented in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) – the book used at Martin Luther Lutheran Church:

Friends in Christ, today with the whole church we enter the time of remembering Jesus’ passover from death to life, and our life in Christ is renewed.

We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance and for God’s mercy. We are created to experience joy in communion with God, to love one another, and to live in harmony with creation. But our sinful rebellion separates us from God, our neighbors, and creation, so that we do not enjoy the life our creator intended.

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to a discipline that contends against evil and resists whatever leads us away from love of God and neighbor. I invite you, therefore, to the discipline of Lent—

self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love—strengthened by the gifts of word and sacrament.

Let us continue our journey through these forty days to the great Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

We are very blessed by the opportunity to work side by side with the people of Waldeck  Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Together we are glorifying God, loving our neighbors and loving one another.

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From the Introduction to our Ash Wednesday Services

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 some of us.  What we should remember about the ashes is they are a visible sign of our cleansing and rebirth, both 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 and 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 dip 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.

Ash Wednesday Questions adapted from the work of Pastor Thomas Weitzel.  He served at a neighboring church to Pastor David Tinker when they were both serving congregations in western Indiana.

Special Notice: Winter Weather

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements

Snow MLLC

Winter Weather and the Weekend Bulletins

In anticipation of the upcoming winter weather, the MLLC Office will be printing the Saturday and Sunday bulletins on Wednesday, February 2nd.  This will ensure all worship materials are ready for services on Saturday and Sunday, February 5th & 6th respectively.

If you have any information that needs to be included in this weekend’s bulletins, please contact the office prior to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 2.  The church office phone number is 979-278-3388.

Thank you and stay safe and warm!

Obituary for Elvera Limmer

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Obituary

limmer large edited

We Remember Elvera Limmer

Elvera Limmer died on Thursday, January 6th, 2022.  Up to the time of her death she was the oldest woman in the congregation and the 2nd oldest person in the congregation.  This was by just a matter of months.  We give thanks for her life and ministry among us.

See the bottom of this page for information regarding memorial gifts.

Obituary

Elvera Bertha (Rust) Limmer

June 18, 1926 – January 6, 2022

 

Elvera Limmer, of Burton, TX, passed away on January 5, 2022 at the age of 95.

Elvera was born on June 18, 1926 in Burton, TX to Ed and Elsie Kokemor Rust. She was baptized July 25, 1926 at Frieden’s United Church of Christ and confirmed September 22, 1940 at St. John’s United Church of Christ.

She married Paul Limmer on October 30, 1949 in St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Elvera’s pride and joy were her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was known for those wonderful homemade sugar cookies.  She loved the outdoors and looked after her cattle as long as she could.

She is survived by her son, Jim Limmer of Ellinger, TX; daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Glenwood Hinze of Burton, TX; grandchildren, Brian and Kristi Hinze, Julie and Wade Tiemann, Judson and Morgan Limmer, and Josh and Meghan Limmer; great-grandchildren, Weston and Waylon Hinze, McKenzie and Ali Tiemann, and Jenna Limmer; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Limmer, parents, sister, Doris Rinn; and brother, Wilfred Rust.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Brian Hinze, Josh Limmer, Judson Limmer, Wade Tiemann, Waylon Hinze, and Weston Hinze.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Bradley Rinn, Darrell Kieke, Ricky Kieke, and Dustyn Tiemann.

Special thanks to the care given by the staff of Baylor Scott & White Hospital-Brenham, nurses and staff at Brenham Nursing & Rehabilitation and Hospice Brazos Valley.

Memorials may be directed to Martin Luther Lutheran Church Rebecca Group or La Bahia Cemetery Association.

Please mail MLLC memorials to:

Rebecca Group

Martin Luther Lutheran Church

P O Box 362

Carmine TX 78932-0362

You can also use the online giving.  Select the Memorials category on the secure web page, and note Elvera Limmer in the memo section.

Online Giving

La Bahia Cemetery Association

Please mail La Bahia Cemetery Association memorials to:
Sandra Beettner
2025 S Hinze  Rd.
Carmine TX 78932

Celebrating Epiphany

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Visit of Magi Icon

Celebrating the Epiphany Day and Season

By Pastor David Tinker

The Epiphany of our Lord is on January 6.  We will celebrate this on the weekend of January 1 and 2, 2022, at our regular weekend services: Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.  For Christians around the world Christmas gets to be celebrated into January.  It is a great joy to participate in these special events in the days after the Festival of Christmas.

An important Bible Verse to help us understand this festival is: ‘The People who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.’ – Isaiah 9:2

The Epiphany of our Lord is mostly known as the celebration of the arrival of the Magi for their visit to bring their gifts of Jesus.  It is much more.  When we celebrate the Epiphany, we are celebrating the spreading of the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The Epiphany reminds us about the growing glory of God in the Son of God, the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.

Epiphany is the manifestation or showing of Jesus to the world.  The Magi were non-Jewish foreigners who came to worship Jesus, and they are thus representatives of who would eventually benefit from the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.  This visit, from Matthew chapter 2, foreshadows the mission which Jesus grants to his followers.  In the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20, our Lord commands us to make disciples of all nations, not just of the Jews.

Celebrating the Epiphany of our Lord

– Attend worship on Saturday, January 1 at 6 p.m. or Sunday, January 2, at 10:00 a.m. as we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine.

– Read the story of the Magi in Matthew chapter 2

– Pray for Christian missionaries as they spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

– Pray for the Church around the world.

– Host an Epiphany Party, sort of like a Christmas party, but in January.

– Give generously to people in need. Remember, as Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

– Sing songs about the events of the Epiphany.  The most familiar are: “We Three Kings” and, “The First Noel.”

– Attend worship on all or most every weekend in the season after the Epiphany.

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

The gifts of the Magi to Jesus point us to who Jesus really is. The Magi offer gold, a possession of kings; frankincense, used in ritual and prayer to indicate the presence of God; and myrrh, an oil used at the time of death as well as for anointing priests. By their gifts, the wise men reveal the identity of this child: the king before whom nations will bow down, the anointed High Priest of God, and the suffering servant who will die for the ones he has come to serve.

Children’s Christmas Program – December 12

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Youth

Come Celebrate Jesus coming into the world

Our annual Children’s Christmas Program will be on Sunday, December 12, at our normal 10:00 a.m worship service.

During worship on Sunday, December 12, 10:00 a.m.

Followed by an all church fellowship meal as we hold our annual, “Birthday Party for Jesus.”  A soup and cake meal will be served for all.  Please plan on attending.  There will be plenty of food for all ages.

Decorate the Christmas Tree – November 28

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Join the Fun and Joy

We will gather after worship on Sunday, November 28, to decorate the MLLC Sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas Seasons.  This will take place about 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.  We need plenty of workers of all ages to help with this fun and joyful event.  Our old tree has been retired.  This year we will be using two, brand new Christmas Trees.  We will need plenty of volunteers to make sure the work gets done.

As always, we gather for worship at 10 a.m. on Sunday.  This is the beginning of Advent, and it is a special and meaningful time to gather with fellow Christians. Come for worship.  Then stay to decorate.

We also offer worship every Saturday at 6 p.m. (except when Christmas Day is on a Saturday, such as 2021).

One of the joys of our decorating is the use of Chrismons.  As part of our decorating we will hang the Chrismons for the tree.  These were made following patterns suggested and offered by the originators of Chrismons (click this link for more information from the official web site of Chrismons).

Here are some of the Chrismons which were carefully wrapped for storage since last year.

Christmas Tree 2014 set up Crismon detail

Here are some photos of our crew setting up the tree and preparing the lights in previous years.

Christmas Tree 2014 set up lights on tree

Christmas Tree 2014 set up tree top

Our Olive Wood Nativity Set will be ready for set up as well.

Christmas Tree 2014 set up olive wood box

Christmas Tree 2014 set up olive wood inside

Our pulpit will be moved to a back corner to make room for the tree and Nativity scene.

Christmas Tree 2014 set up pulpit

Community Christmas Events

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Nativity Sacred Art NatShepherdMurillo

Christmas Joy in Carmine 2021

We live and minister in a wonderful community.  Our little town of Carmine has many excellent opportunities for community fellowship.  Here are two Christmas events coming soon.

Christmas in the Park

Sunday, November 28

5-6:30 p.m.  at the Carmine City Park

See the flier below for more information.

39F45161-48C1-4BCE-9DDD-832355833D84_1_201_a

Carmine Christmas Fest

Sunday, December  5

10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Carmine Hall, 300 Hauptstrasse, in Carmine.

See flier below for more details.

Chamber Flyer Christmas 2021

All are welcome at these special, annual events here in Carmine.