Category Archives: Pastor’s Ponderings

Devotion and Readings for July 15

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Good Friday nails crown thorns

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for July 15, 2020

 

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

 

Mark 8:27-30

Acts 14:1-7

Psalm 37

2 Samuel 13

 

Devotion for July 15, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

I heard a person say once, “If you just live the Ten Commandments, you will get to go to heaven when you die.”  He was wrong, at least from a Biblical and Christian understanding.  For if this were true, then it would be all of up to us.  We would be judge, jury, and executioner.  We would be a wildly subjective arbiter of all.  We would be in the place of God.  Remember, God is God, and we are not.

Our reading today from Psalm 37 is an Old Testament reminder that true life and hope and salvation are a gift which only God can offer and provide.  We read in verse 39, “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.”  The powerful work which rescues us from the chasm of sin, death and evil is what Jesus has first done for us.  He meets us in death and sin, and the power of our sin is killed on the cross.  He leads us to life with God as he is raised from the dead.  This is from God.

We cannot do what is necessary to overcome that which holds us down.  We cannot do what is necessary to be raised out of the death which comes from our sin.  As we learn from God’s Word, it is the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and his rising from the dead, which provide God’s power and way to save us.  This is all by the work and strength of God.  Remember, God is God and we are not.

As we move through this life we are given what we need to live.  We are given God’s righteousness.  This is brought to us by God’s gift of the, “Great Exchange.” or the, “Sweet Swap.”  At the cross our sin is given to, is put upon, Jesus.  In exchange, our sin is swapped out with God’s powerful and abundant righteousness.  God imparts righteousness to us, and we are then made righteous.

Our righteousness is from God.  So, God gives us a right relationship with himself, and this saves us from the final power which sin, death, and evil holdover us.  It is all a gift of God, or as St. Paul taught, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.”   (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Our righteousness is not from living the Ten Commandments perfectly.

 

Prayer

Merciful God, you give us the grace that helps in time of need. Surround us with your steadfast love and lighten our burden. By the power of your Spirit, free us from distress and give us a new mind and heart made whole in the name of the risen Christ. Amen

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion and Readings July 12 & 13

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Earth nasa

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for July 12 & 13, 2020

 

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

 

July 12

Mark 8:1-10

Acts 13:13-24

Psalm 29, 30, 33 

2 Samuel 10

 

July 13

Mark 8:11-21

Acts 13:26-41

Psalm 34-35

2 Samuel 11

Devotion for July 12 & 13, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

The feeding of the 5,000 with the fishes and loaves is the one ministry miracle which is noted in all four Gospel books.  Two common ideas which come out of this are:

  1. Jesus has miraculous power, and this show who he is – the Messiah and God the Son.
  2. We are encouraged to share our resources of food so that all may be fed, so that nobody goes hungry.

 

These are both good and wonderful things.  There is another teaching which comes from this which is less often noted.

There are actually two miraculous feedings shown in the Gospels.  The most well-known is the feeding of the 5,000.  The other is the feeding of the 4,000, which is in our reading from Mark 8.

The two miraculous feedings take place in different locations.  The feeding of the 5,000 takes place in a Jewish territory.  The feeding of the 4,000 takes place in a Gentile, or non-Jewish, territory.

The leftovers are different amounts.  With the feeding of the 5,000, the leftovers are 12 baskets full of fishes and loaves.  With the feeding of the 4,000, the leftovers are 7 baskets of fishes and loaves.

Faithful Christian teachers have worked through the meaning of this, beyond what I note at the beginning of this devotion.  The interpretation of God’s meaning in these locations and leftovers is as follows:

The feeding of the 5,000 was in a Jewish territory. The 12 baskets are to remind us of the 12 Tribes of Israel.  The ministry of Jesus is for the Jews, the ones through whom the promises, prophecies, and the family line of David has been brought to us.

The feeding of the 4,000 was in a Gentile territory. The 7 baskets are to remind us of the 7 neighboring nations to the 12 Tribes of Israel.  The ministry of Jesus is also for those outside the Jewish community.

There were many ideas about the Messiah, the Christ, throughout the time leading up to Jesus.  Often there were debates about whether or not God’s Messiah was just for the Jews, or for all people.  The message of the actions of Jesus in these two feedings is that God loves all the world, both Jews and Gentiles.  This is wonderful news, for that mean that most, if not all, of those reading this get to be part of God’s saving work in Jesus Christ.  God loves the whole world.

 

Prayer

Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself. We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants call upon your name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

The 6th Sunday after Pentecost

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings, Sermons

Penteocost fire bw

 

Readings, Devotion, and Prayers for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 12, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

We resumed in-person services on the weekend of June 6-7, following the normal schedule for both MLLC and Waldeck.  The Facebook Live services will be offered on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. from Waldeck, and at 10:00 a.m. from MLLC.

Below are the readings, prayers, and various announcements for this Sunday and this week.  The Sunday devotion is at the end of the readings.

 

Remember Your Regular Offerings

D09AB349-5597-49D3-A89C-247C239329E1_1_201_a

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.

 

JULY 12, 2020

THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

 

First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13

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

God’s word to Israel’s exiles is as sure and effective as never-failing precipitation. Their return to the Holy Land in a new exodus is cheered on by singing mountains and by trees that clap their hands.  And now the reading.

10For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12For you shall go out in joy,
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm 65:1-13

R:  Psalm 65, portions read responsively by verse.

1You are to be praised, O God, in Zion;
to you shall vows be fulfilled.
2To you, the one who answers prayer,
to you all flesh shall come.
3Our sins are stronger than we are,
but you blot out our transgressions.
4Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there!
They will be satisfied by the beauty of your house, by the holiness of your temple. 
5Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness, O God of our salvation,
O hope of all the ends of the earth and of the oceans far away.
6You make firm the mountains by your power;
you are girded about with might.
7You still the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples.
8Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs;
you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy. 
9You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous; the river of God is full of water.
You prepare the grain, for so you provide for the earth.
10You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges;
with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase.
11You crown the year with your goodness,
and your paths overflow with plenty.
12May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing,
and the hills be clothed with joy.
13May the meadows cover themselves with flocks, and the valleys cloak themselves with grain;
let them shout for joy and sing. 

 

Second Reading: Romans 8:1-11

R:  A reading from Romans, the 8th chapter.

There is no condemnation for those who live in Christ. God sent Christ to accomplish what the law was unable to do: condemn sin and free us from its death-dealing ways. The Spirit now empowers proper actions and values in our lives and gives us the promise of resurrected life.     And now the reading.

1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 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: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

P:  The holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 13th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

In Matthew’s gospel, both Jesus and his disciples “sow the seed” of God’s word by proclaiming the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is near.” Now, in a memorable parable, Jesus explains why this good news produces different results in those who hear. And now the reading.

1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly,

since they had no depth of soil. 6But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!”

18“Hear then the parable of the sower. 19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

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

 

Devotion

“In Christ – in the Spirit”

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

My biggest early victory in life was in 5th grade.  I was the States and Capitals champion of Miss Gostesnic’s class.  I beat out every others student in my class.  In the end I was up against the teacher for some reason.  I was doing well until one moment.  The teacher asked me, “Virginia.”  Somehow in that moment of stress I forgot, “Richmond.”  44 years later, I have never forgotten, “Richmond.”  Still, I was victorious among my peers.  And I am victorious in remembering, “Richmond,” all these years later.

In our relationship with God, victory is of absolute importance.  Our personal victory is not at stake.  Rather, it is God’s power and grace which win over sin and death.  In our reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 8, we have a portion of a joyful chapter which expresses where the true victory is.    That victory is in God’s power.  What God has done is always greater than that of sin, death, evil, and as Paul calls it, “the flesh”.

It is interesting to note something about our passage.  There is a subtle message in this passage of scripture.  If one counts the occurrences of the words ‘flesh’ and ‘spirit’ one will see an interesting reality. Paul uses the word ‘flesh’ 10 times in the passage.  He uses the word ‘spirit’ 11 times. So is Paul saying that the ‘spirit’ beats out ‘flesh’ by a score of 11 to 10?  Yes, in a sense.  His use of these words helps to illustrate God’s victory over the flesh, over sin and over death. No matter how much wrong and sin is in our lives, God’s loving goodness is always more abundant.

The image of “my cup runneth over” shows this. Consider the cup to be a measure of the negative influence of the Flesh.  The water is the Spirit and God’s goodness for us.  No matter how big the cup becomes, there is always more than enough water, or the Spirit, to fill the cup to overflowing.

It is very important to note that Paul is not saying that our flesh and bodies are something bad or in need of destruction.  Rather, the consistent witness of God’s Word is that our bodies are good, and these are part of the very good creation of humanity.  Flesh, in the context of Paul’s writings, is an image for the destructive influence of sin in our lives.

The Spirit and God’s loving forgiveness have a very important role.  These are there to comfort us in our distress and sin.  These also work to transform our lives so that we can more fully follow the way of Christ.  Who we are, what we are, and how we live, all become different.  We are moved away from living a life of sin, death, and evil.  We leave a life guided by “the flesh”. The Spirit moves us into the new life of victory over the destructive spiritual forces in our lives.  All of this is made possible and founded in the upside-down victory of God through Jesus Christ.  Out of his love for us God came to be with us in the person of Jesus Christ.  By God’s love, God the Son became flesh and lived among us.  Even though he was totally innocent of any crime, Jesus was arrested by his enemies.  He was beaten, ridiculed, and executed on a Roman torture cross.  The ruling authorities felt they had the victory over this problematic leader, but they were wrong.

Our victory over the flesh is founded in the work of Jesus Christ.  Through his death and his rising from the dead, we are given the power of new life.  Our whole selves, our flesh included, are made new because of the faith that is given to us.  We get to live lives founded in his forgiveness of our sin.  By God’s grace we get to live out this victory.

God’s victory is for us no matter what.  Remember, as Paul says, “There is therefore, now no condemnation, for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  God’s loving victory is lived out in many and various ways.  It is lived out as our lives our guided by the spirit, rather than the flesh.  God’s Victory is shown as we are living by the Spirit.

Living by the Spirit is shown when:

*a person confesses sin to God

*a person shows a simple kindness to a stranger

*a person steps out of an immoral relationship

Living by the Spirit is shown when:

*a father leads his family in the faith through prayer, service and life in the Church.

*a mother prays for her family

*siblings of any age work to resolve conflicts between each other.

Living by the Spirit is shown when:

*God’s people feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit those who are sick and in prison

*a local congregation seeks to address the needs of the least of these in their community.

*a student in school supports those who are pushed aside, bullied or lonely.

Living by the Spirit is shown when:

*Disciples gather for study

*Disciples faithfully receive the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion

*Disciples are joyfully generous with their God given resources.

Living by the Spirit is shown when:

*a person is at the end of the rope in despair, and realizes he or she always has God’s grace.

*a person has a true change of mind about sin, and seeks to make the changes necessary for faithfulness

*a person tells another about the hope he or she has in Jesus Christ.

The ways in which God’s victory is lived out in our lives can go on and on.

Remember, God is victorious in our lives. God has won so that we can live by the Holy Spirit.  Because of what God has done for us life is different, better and truly victorious both now and forever.

Let us pray – Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, source of all life and victory.  Help us to live by your Spirit.  Help us to live in Christ.  As we respond to your mercy, guide us toward works of love and generosity for the sake of the Good News.  We pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

 

 

*Prayers of Intercession

A:  Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence.

Loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We pray that the Church be empowered to grow in grace and the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray that the Church be given the wisdom and guidance of the Spirit so that your mission will be done through our work. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We remember in prayer those members of our armed forces.  Strengthen them in their service that they may be protected from every danger of body and soul, and that they may not lose heart in the midst of ongoing turmoil and strife. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Other petitions may be added here.

We pray for all in this congregation that we may be strengthened through the gifts of Word and Sacrament.  Help those suffering great temptation, that they might put away fear and live in confident faith in the rock of our salvation.  Lord, in your mercy,  Hear our prayer.

We ask that you hear the prayers of the elderly, those in nursing homes, and those needing care for chronic illness.  We pray that in their weakness you would hear them and bring them peace.  We pray that you would give comfort and strength to those who are lonely, sick, or dying especially to…  and those whom we now name aloud or in quiet prayer…  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the saints who have gone before us and who know fully what for us is yet to be, (especially…).  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

P:  Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

 

LORD’S PRAYER 

 

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

 

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Devotion and Readings for July 11

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Barnabas and Saul

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for July 11, 2020

 

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

 

Mark 7:31-37 

Acts 13:1-12

Psalm 26, 28, 31

2 Samuel 9

 

Devotion for July 11, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

Christianity is not a solo sport.  It is not something we must do on our own.  Yes, there are extreme situations in which a person must live out his or her faith alone, but that is the very rare exception.  In general, life as a follower of Jesus is about doing life and ministry together.

In our reading from Acts we have a scene in which a ministry partnership is set up.  It is to be, as we see, a working mission partnership with both Saul (later known as Paul) and Barnabas.  After a time of prayer and fasting, Barnabas was chosen among four faithful servants of the church.  The church commissioned them for ministry, and to be sent on their way.

It was a stroke of Godly wisdom that this action was taken.  God knows that we need community and partnership to do his work in the world.  God created us to be with other people.  The community, even one other person, provides friendship, accountability, encouragement, safety, and opportunities for reflection.

One of the things I have observed over the decades has been that working along-side others builds up life.  Working side by side on a project or in service to others helps us grow closer to God and to one another.  It builds up our faith.  It builds stronger bonds between people.  It builds a set of common experiences.  It spreads joy in serving God.  Saul and Barnabas would have these good things as they traveled to spread the Gospel of Jesus.  We can grow these good things in our lives as we serve God, neighbor and church, side by side.  These good things come through Christianity being a team sport, not a solo sport.

 

Prayer

Draw your church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our teacher Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving in Christ’s mission to the world, and together witnessing to your love wherever you will send us; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion and Readings for July 10

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Joseph of Arimathea Icon cross

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for July 10, 2020

 

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

 

John 19:38-42

Acts 4:13-22

Psalms 99-102

2 Samuel 8

 

Devotion for July 10, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

Everybody is at a different place in their faith life. Some are firm and confident.  Others are working through doubts.  A number are in what is often called a, “dry spell,” in their faith, for they do not feel much at all about their faith.  Several are gaining renewed joy in Christ.  Many are moving along slow and steady, staying faithful every day.  Some feel they are at a point of atheism (no belief in a god) or agnosticism (unsure whether or not there is a god) in their connection with the faith.  Some are bold in proclaiming their trust in Jesus.  Some are afraid to let anybody know they are interested in knowing Jesus.  The list can go on and on.

Our reading today from John 19 shows us what happened just after Jesus has died on the cross.  There are two, prominent, Jewish men who are moving into a new zone of their faith.  Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were on the edges of the company of followers of Jesus.  Joseph was afraid of how his fellow Jews would treat him, so he was a secret disciple.  Nicodemus would visit with Jesus by the darkness of night, so as to avoid being seen. We have record of one of these visits in John 3:1-17.  These two had been on the edges, but at this point, having seen Jesus die for the sin of the world, they were moved to a new expression of faith.  Joseph was given the boldness to ask Pilate for the dead body of Jesus.  Nicodemus was moved to help by providing the spices and supplies for preparing Jesus’ body for entombment.

As we look ahead in John and also in Matthew, remember that even the Apostles had doubts about Jesus.  The famous scene in John 20:24-29 shows, “Doubting Thomas,” who asked for greater proof of Jesus’ resurrection.  In Matthew 28:16-20, we read that some doubted what was happening.

Today we are in all sorts of places with our faith.  Remember that there is always God’s love for you.  There is always a place for you in the community of faith.  If you have been away, yet feel a calling to regather, know you are not along, and know you are loved.  If you are struggling with your faith, know you are not alone, and that you are loved.  If you are bold and joyful in your faith, know you are not alone, and that you are loved.  God loves each and every one of us right where we are.  God’s love draws us to him and it helps us to love others.  Wherever you are in relationship with God and his people, know that you are not alone, and that you are loved.

 

Prayer

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion and Readings July 9

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Good Shepherd Jesus

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for July 9, 2020

 

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

 

Mark 7:14-23 

Acts 12:12-19

Psalm 22-24

2 Samuel 7

 

Devotion for July 9, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

Today we have the 23rd Psalm as one of our readings.  It has been meaningful for Jews and Christians for many centuries.

I shared this story several years ago, and I may share it again someday, for it is a good story.

I met Jim in 1994 at the first congregation I served.  This was in the town of Otterbein, Indiana.  As a youth Jim Morgan had grown up in the Lutheran Church in that community. As part of his faith development he memorized parts of the Bible for personal devotion and spiritual growth.

He knew various things well, but he especially appreciated the 23rd Psalm from the King James Version of the Holy Bible:

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.

Good Shepherd Icon

 

As a young man, Jim Morgan was called upon to be a soldier in World War Two.  He was a paratrooper in the D-Day invasion in 1944. His plane went down before their target for jumping, and he was the only survivor.  Jim was behind enemy lines for many weeks, alone, hiding in barns, haystacks, and anywhere else he could stay.  He often saw Nazi German soldiers, but, thankfully, they didn’t see him.

His parents were told he was missing in action. I saw the actual telegram which stated this. His survival training as a soldier was important. He was able to stay hidden, find food, and the like.  What Jim noted to me was that it was God’s Word and God’s strength which carried him through this time.  This is where the 23rd Psalm comes in to the story.

As a youth he would recite this psalm quietly each night as he went to sleep, and he kept it through the rest of his life.  This scripture was a core piece of God’s Word of comfort and help while he was in hiding from the Nazi soldiers.  He was in the Valley of the Shadow of death, and God carried him through.  When Jim was able to get some food or water, he, in a sense, had a table prepared before him in the presence of his enemies.  As Jim hid on farms, in haystacks, in the woods, or wherever he could keep cover in those green pastures and was near the still waters.   By the goodness and mercy of God in Jesus Christ, Jim had his soul restored through this challenging situation.

Around 1996 I led the funeral service for Jim Morgan.  In the years and then weeks leading up to his death he could point to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, as the core of his life.  He gave thanks to God for the saving work of Jesus Christ.  We give thanks, that by God’s grace, Jim will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.  We get to live by this same grace and word of God now and for ever.

 

Prayer

Good Shepherd of the Church, you guide us through all of life’s mountains and valleys.  Meet us this day through your Word, your Spirit and the Sacraments.  Continue to join with us through your death and resurrection.  This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Devotion and Readings for July 8

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

David music Saul

Young David, before he was king, playing music for King Saul.

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for July 8, 2020

 

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

 

Mark 7:1-13

Acts 12:5-11

Psalms 19-21

2 Samuel 6

 

Devotion for July 8, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

Many preachers have used this as a prayer as they begin their sermon:  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14. It is an appropriate prayer for this context, for sure, but it is not the only context for it.

This is quite appropriate for all people of faith in Christ.  Our words, aloud, to ourselves, written, typed, etc. matter.  Our words in any context can build up or cause harm.  Sure, there are a few people who can brush off everything which others say and they truly receive no harm or edification.  That is the exception.

Our word in prayer, conversation, teaching, online, joking, work, commerce, in our minds, etc. are all in the realm of God’s care.  These are all contexts which can also affect us individually and affect those with whom we interact.  The teaching of King David, by the Spirit, in this psalm is that we are better off when we seek God’s help and guidance in our use and expression of words.  This prayer can be a daily prayer for our internal ponderings and our expressed communication.

St. James, the Bishop of Jerusalem, and brother of our Lord, taught about this James 3:1-12.  His core message is that our words, our tongue as he notes, are out of control.  We need God’s help to control our tongues.

St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians 5:22-23b, notes the fruit of the Spirit.  Among this is self-control. As we are drawn closer to the Lord the Holy Spirit fills our lives and brings forth good things from our lives.  One of these is self-control.  Self-control leads us to have words which build up rather than tear down.  Self-control leads us to have the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts to be acceptable to our Lord.

 

Here is a song which I have loved since it was first released almost 30 years ago, 1991.  It is performed by Kim Hill.  It is about the effect of words on one another.  The song seems to be out of print, and not on music services such as iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon Music.  Some used CDs of the album, Brave Heart, are available used on Amazon and eBay.

 

Here is a Video Link to listen to the song.

 

Lyrics for your reading:

Words

Lyrics by Kim Hill, Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick

 

Careful what you’re saying
Someone could get burned
There’s a fatal fire in words
Careful when you’re talking
Think before you’re heard
There’s a deadly poison in words

‘Cause once you say it
You can never change it
And you can’t really take it back, oh, no

Like a shooting arrow
Hurling through the dark
Words are piercing when they hit their mark
Sticks and stones will break you
But the bruise can heal
While those words are cutting deeper still

‘Cause once you say it
You can never change it
And you can’t really take it back
(Ooh-ooh…)

Once the heart is stung
The pain can be eternal
Oh, to curb the tongue
You know, weapons can be verbal

Careful what you’re saying
Someone could get burned
There’s a fatal fire in words

‘Cause once you say it
You can never change it
And you can’t really take it back

Once the heart is stung
The pain can be eternal
Oh, to curb the tongue
You know, weapons can be verbal

Once the heart is stung
The pain can be eternal
Oh, to curb the tongue
You know, weapons can be verbal

Oh…

 

 

 

Prayer

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion and Readings for July 7

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Lutherhill-Logo

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for July 7, 2020

 

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

 

Mark 6:53-56 

Acts 11:27 – 12:4

Psalm 18:1-52

2 Samuel 5

 

Devotion for July 7, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

Christian camping ministry is wonderful blessing to many.  We are thankful every day that we have an excellent Lutheran Christian camp in our county, Fayette County, Texas.  Lutherhill is a wonderful place for all ages.  The core of their ministry is the Summer Camp weeks.  Sadly these had to be cancelled this year due to COVID19 pandemic concerns.

One of the fun and worshipful aspects of Christian Camping Ministries are the songs.  A few are simply fun songs for the moment.  Most are songs which gather the campers together around the praise of God.  From my days as a camp counsellor (summer 1991 at Lutheran Memorial Camp in Ohio), to my years bridging youth to camp, to these days when my son attends camp with other youth from our churches, there is one song which always brings back all my that time and place.  It is this song:  I Will Call Upon the Lord

 

I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised
So shall I be saved from my enemies

The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock
And may the God of my salvation be exalted
The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock
And may the God of my salvation be exalted

Here is a video on YouTube which presents this song as I frequently hear it at camps.

 

The message of this song is simple, yet profound.  We get to call on the Lord in the midst of life’s struggles and joys.  He is the one thing or person or being who is always consistent throughout our lives.  Our God is alive forever.  Our God is strong.  Our God is to be given worship, to be exalted.  That means to be lifted up, at least figuratively.  In worship we are recognizing that God is greater than we are.  God is God, and we are not.  In worship we give thanks that the God who is high and lifted up is also the one who has humbled himself.  He humbled himself by taking on human form. He humbled himself, who knew no sin, by becoming sin for us.  He humbled himself by taking on death, even death on a cross.  His death and resurrection breaks the power of our final enemies, sin, death and the devil.

Our response to his great humiliation is to exalt him in worship.  To celebrate his goodness and mercy.  Because he cares for us, we can call upon him in prayer.  We will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.

 

Prayer

God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Devotion and Readings July 5 & 6

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings

Peter acts animals

 

Bible Readings and Devotion for July 5 & 6, 2020

 

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

 

July 5

Mark 6:30-44 

Acts 10:34-48

Psalms 8, 11, 15, 16

2 Samuel 3

 

July 6

Mark 6:45-52 

Acts 11:1-18

Psalm 12-14, 17

2 Samuel 4

 

Devotion for July 5 & 6, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

As long as I can remember I have had Jewish friends and relatives.  Here are a few examples:

*As a little boy our neighbors across the street were Jewish.

*For many years now one of my best friends in the world has been married to a Jewish man.

*I had a number of friends and acquaintances in college who were Jewish.

*One of my closest workmates at KUHT, channel 8 in Houston, was a Jewish woman about my age.

*Most prominent among my Jewish associates has been my Aunt Karen and Uncle Jerry, and their family.

 

We never made a big deal about our close relatives being Jewish.  My parents taught me to respect them and to love them.  One small thing I would note was at mealtimes.  Whenever my aunt and uncle were visiting my mother would make sure there were appropriate choices with respect to a moderate version of a Kosher diet for our relatives at meals.  Sometime this would simply include two kinds of meat for a large family dinner.  I remember one Christmas dinner when they were at our home.  The meal would typically have ham.  My mother also prepared a turkey.  I gently observed my uncle quietly pass on helping himself to the ham.  Had I not been watching at that moment I would not have seen it happen at all.  Everybody had plenty to eat, so it was not an issue.  My aunt and uncle have always been gentle and courteous in all interactions, and we treated them likewise. These various interactions with my beloved aunt and uncle and cousins gave me an introduction to the dietary rules of Judaism.

In our readings from Acts on both days for this devotion we have a discussion among the church leaders regarding allowing non-Jews, or Gentiles, into the body of believers.  The conclusion is that yes, Gentiles can become Christians.  In the overall view of the New Testament it is concluded that Gentiles do not have to become Jews first, and then become Christians.  This is a prominent part of the teachings in the book of Galatians.

In our readings God uses a vision given to St. Peter regarding Kosher and non-Kosher food to make this point.  Here is how St. Peter explained the vision:  ““I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6 As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 10 This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11 At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.” Acts 11:5-12.

The point here is not just about Kosher food and non-Kosher food.  This revelation does allow Christians to eat a non-Kosher died.  In this context, though, it is also about God’s abundant grace and his will to include people of all backgrounds in the Body of Christ.  The Lord tells St. Peter, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”  This is a powerful statement about what God does for us in Jesus. By God’s merciful goodness and the forgiveness of our sin, people are made and announced as clean.  God’s Word is powerful and good. It supersedes our opinions and prejudices. All people are invited to be followers of Jesus, no matter what we humans say about it.

This was a change for many in the church.  This started as a group of Jewish people who followed a Jewish teacher.  His life and ministry were all about fulfilling the prophetic Word in the Hebrew Bible of the Jews.  For those who paid attention to what Jesus said, this was not a new idea, for he said his message both for the Jews and the world.  For those who had diligently studied the Old Testament, this was not new idea, for the prophets told of God’s will to include the Gentiles, or the “Nations,” in his saving work.  Ultimately, we understand this vision given to St. Peter to be the continuation of God’s plan for bringing the Good News to the whole of humanity.  This Good News is for you as well, no matter what your background may be, Jew or Gentile.

Prayer

A prayer of Catherine of Siena

Power of the eternal Father, help me. Wisdom of the Son, enlighten the eye of my understanding. Tender mercy of the Holy Spirit, unite my heart to yourself. Eternal God, restore health to the sick and life to the dead. Give us a voice, your own voice, to cry out to you for mercy for the world. You, light, give us light. You, wisdom, give us wisdom. You, supreme strength, strengthen us.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Pastor's Ponderings, Sermons

jesus-christ-crucifixion-395

Readings, Devotion, and Prayers for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 5, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

Please note that we have had some issues with the mllccarmine.com web site.  Things are working better now.  We are sorry for any delays and changes in typical patterns with the devotions and sharing of information.

We resumed in-person services on the weekend of June 6-7, following the normal schedule for both MLLC and Waldeck.  The Facebook Live services will be offered on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. from Waldeck, and at 10:00 a.m. from MLLC.

Below are the readings, prayers, and various announcements for this Sunday and this week.  The Sunday devotion is at the end of the readings.

 

Remember Your Regular Offerings

D09AB349-5597-49D3-A89C-247C239329E1_1_201_a

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.

 

July 5, 2020

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

 

First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-12

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

The coming messianic king will inaugurate an era of disarmament and prosperity. Because of God’s covenant with Israel, the people are designated as “prisoners of hope.” And now the reading.

9Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the war-horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
and he shall command peace to the nations;
his dominion shall be from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
11As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
12Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
today I declare that I will restore to you double.

 

Psalm: Psalm 145:8-14

R:  Psalm 145, portions read responsively by verse.

8The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9Lord, you are good to all,
and your compassion is over all your works. 
10All your works shall praise you, O Lord,
and your faithful ones shall bless you.
11They shall tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your power,
12that all people may know of your power
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages.
You, Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in all your works.
14The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up those who are bowed down. 

 

Second Reading: Romans 7:15-25a

R:  A reading from Romans, the 7th chapter.

Life captive to sin is a catch-22 existence in which we know good but do not do it and do things we know to be wrong. Through Jesus Christ, God has set us free from such a futile existence. And now the reading.

15I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25aThanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

*Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

P:  The holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 11th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus chides people who find fault with both his ministry and that of John the Baptist. He thanks God that wisdom and intelligence are not needed to receive what God has to offer. And now the reading.

[Jesus spoke to the crowd saying:] 16“To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
17‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
25At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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

 

Devotion

“Release, by Victor Hugo”

By Pastor David Tinker

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

In the Victor Hugo’s book, Les Misérables, we meet the lead character, Jean Valjean.  Jean was on parole from prison.  He was soon arrested on suspicion of stealing silver candlesticks from the local Roman Catholic bishop.  Jean had stolen the items when he stayed at the bishop’s house the night before.  Rather than pressing charges, the Bishop tells the police that the items were gifts from the bishop. The bishop forgives Jean Valjean, gives him more silver items and sends him on his way.  Through this interaction the bishop offers Jean a new relationship with God.  The bishop helps Jean understand forgiveness of sin.  Jean Valjean carries this truth and goodness with him as he goes his way.  With this new start he hopes to live a good life and to follow God’s ways.  There is one problem, along the way, Jean needs some more money.  So, as he is traveling through the countryside he robs a young chimney sweep.

For many years following this, Jean struggles with his inner debate. Should he do God’s will or sin against God and others.  In many ways he does do the right thing.  He uses his skills and wealth to help many people by providing jobs and assistance.  He also struggles with sin, wrong actions, and that he is always under suspicion as a convicted felon.  Who will rescue him from this struggle?  Who alone, but God.

Looking at our lives we know the right thing to do, but we don’t always do it.  We are hypocrites and are inconsistent in how we live our faith. Even St. Paul had struggled with knowing the right, but not always doing the right.   We want to follow the way of Jesus, yet we struggle each day to do so.  We see in today’s reading that Paul needed rescuing just as much as we do today.  Thankfully Jesus Christ does rescue us.  He does this by pulling alongside us in faith, taking on our burden of sin, forgiving our sin, and showing us the way to go.

The struggle of saying one thing and doing another creates a great burden in our lives.  We try to be good.  We want others to see God’s goodness.  In our reality of sin we are often inconsistent at best.  Luther spoke of this reality in this way: “Simul Iustus et Peccator”. In English, this means:  We are at the same time Saint and Sinner.  We are forgiven of our sin by God, yet we sometimes do the very things we know are wrong.  There is a struggle inside of us.  Even though we struggle between the two, God provides both faith and hope.

We are blessed with faith in the work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who suffered on the cross for the forgiveness of our Sin.  By God’s grace and the Holy Spirit, we trust in that work of God for our future in this life.

There is hope for us as well.  Two sources of hope include:  the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and the sure promises of Jesus for our future with him.  Together these provide hope that God will lead us into the future as loved and forgiven people.  We have hope that our life now and tomorrow is in God’s care.  In sure and certain hope we look to Jesus Christ, God the Son, to rescue us from our sinful struggle.

The solution to our struggle is resting in the saving power of God in Jesus Christ.  We see this as St. Paul notes in our reading from Romans.  “Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  The Lord knows we are powerless to solve this problem.  It takes daily power and goodness from the Lord for us to work through this struggle in our lives.  We give thanks that God has stepped in with his power for us.  God has granted us faith in him, and has sent his Holy Spirit into our lives so we can trust in him.   We get to strive to live faithfully because of what God has first done for us.  We move forward seeking to know God, and to follow in the way of Jesus.

When Jesus rescues us, helps us, and guides us, we are no longer separated from God.  This is true even when we struggle with wanting to do God’s will, while turning back and doing the very opposite. God knows that we struggle to do the right thing, yet we all too often do the wrong.  To address this and to assure us, St. Paul makes the following statement just after our reading from Romans ends.  In the first verse of chapter 8 Paul writes, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Who will rescue us?  Who in heaven or on earth will pull us out of the rubbish pile of life?  Who will call us to himself when we have turned against God, even though we say we are his followers?

Who else but Jesus Christ himself?  He calls us out of our inconsistent, burdensome and broken ways and into a new relationship with himself.  Each and every day he is there for us, guiding us, assuring us of his forgiveness, and stirring us toward his most excellent way.  Luther talks about this in the Small Catechism when he teaches us about baptism.  He writes, “(Baptism) signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other hand that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”

All this is to bring us more fully “into Christ”.  All of us who are “In Christ”, are in a friendship with Jesus where we know him as our rescuer, Lord and friend.  He says again and again, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Let us pray – Loving God, you are full of patience and understanding.  We pray that your Holy Spirit will enable us to understand all that you have done for us.  We give thanks that, no matter what our struggles and burdens may be, you are there to take the full brunt of these things for us.  This we pray in the holy name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

 

*Prayers of Intercession

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence.

Eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are the founder of our faith and the giver of all good gifts.  We come before you with thankful hearts and worshipful spirits.  Draw us to yourself and receive our praise.  Lord, in your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who suffer in mind, body or spirit, and for those facing difficult decisions, especially…  and also those whom we name before you…  Bring comfort and healing, strength and hope, and faithful discernment to all for whom we pray.  Lord, in your mercy,           Hear our prayer.

Grant our president and governor wisdom in their leadership.  Guide them to seek the benefit of those they serve over benefits for themselves.  Lord, in your mercy,  Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the blessings of this nation.  Help us to strive together as one people toward liberty and justice for all in this land.  We give thanks for those who have risked their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for our freedom.  Lord, in your mercy,         Hear our prayer.

We entrust to you all who have entered their rest in you, (especially…  ) .  Help us to care for those who are bereaved.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Other petitions may be added here.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #27061.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Announcements:

 

Vacation Bible School at MLLC for 2020 has been cancelled.  This is due to concerns regarding the COVID19 pandemic.