Devotion and Readings for August 25

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings August 25, 2020

Jesus christs-temptation-in-the-wilderness-montreal1-902x1024

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 25, 2020

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

Devotion for August 25, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Distractions from our main focus can cause problems. Several years ago I discovered an old time radio program called, “I Love a Mystery.” The main characters of this program are three private investigators named Jack Packard, Doc Long, and Reggie York. Doc always liked action and was easily distracted.

In one story line they had received a $25,000 reward for solving a big crime. That is about $270,000 today. While they were carefully in waiting for their next case, Doc got tired of waiting. He was distracted by the opportunity for a high stakes poker game. In the game he lost the entire $25,000, and then robbed the winners of the money they had won. Then Jack, Doc and Reggie had to escape town fast. The first distraction led to more distraction.

In today’s Gospel reading we hear the account of the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. While in the wilderness he was tempted with three things which could have diverted him away from his mission in the world. Let’s briefly look at each of these.

*The First Temptation. He was tempted to turn stones into bread. His ability to provide free food could have made him very popular with the crowds. But all this would have been a distraction to his mission. He came to announce the Good News, and to live this Good News through his suffering, death and rising from the dead. People would have worshiped the food, and would miss out on being reconciled to God through the forgiveness of their sins.

*The Second Temptation. Jesus was tempted to set aside his role as God and savior. He was offered a role as a powerful political leader, if he would just worship the devil. This would have distracted his mission. The mission of Jesus was to reorient our lives toward our loving creation. Our response to the work of Jesus is to love our neighbor and to love our God.

*The Third Temptation. Jesus was tempted to turn his ministry into a stage show of signs and wonders. This would have diverted his mission toward trying to attract a big crowd through entertainment. Remember, the miracle ministry of Jesus had two purposes. 1 – to show people that he was the Messiah. And 2 – to help people in their times of difficulty.

Jesus resisted all these temptations. Being fully human, he had the ability to be tempted to sin. Being fully God, he faced the temptations for our benefit. We see that he has gone through this ahead of us. Out of his great love for us, Jesus lived out his mission on earth. He taught us how to live. He served others. He suffered and died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin. Through his rising from the dead he defeated the final power which sin, death and evil held over our lives. He now leads us to follow in his way of faith and service.

Had Jesus fallen for these temptations he would have been distracted from these actions for the human race. The great benefit of God’s gracious plan for humanity would have been cast aside. Thankfully Jesus had no intentions of letting temptation distract him from his mission.

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 August 24

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings August 24, 2020

Gordon Tinker, father of Pastor David Tinker, age 80 and then age 17.

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 24, 2020

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

Devotion for August 24, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Many years ago my father was traveling for business from Houston to Alaska. He worked for an oil company with fields and offices in that far northern state. Sitting next to him was another man. This man had black hair, and a dark, brown skin tone. He noted that he was from a certain tribe of first nations peoples in North America.

After a few minutes of conversation, he turned to my father and asked, “What tribe are you from?”

My father replied, “I am not from any tribe.”

The many replied, “No, you are an Indian. I can see it in your face. You look like an Indian.”

My father replied, “I don’t have any known Indian ancestry.”

The man finish, “I know an Indian when I see one.”

I have had a man from China insist that I am Chinese, so there is something in our DNA which highlights Asian, and eventually Native American, appearance.

Several years ago, my family did some of those ancestry genetic analysis kits. We checked for what was for my mother’s side and my father’s side. Some of what we found out was expected, while other aspects were surprising.

What was not surprising were the things we already knew. We have ancestry going back to England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, and Norway. What was surprising, based on the story above, was that the DNA analysis showed no American Indian or First Nations ancestry. The other surprise was that there was ancestry from Afghanistan. We do not have enough record of how that got in there, but it is part of who we are.

Today we have a genealogy of Jesus’ family listed. This list legitimately ties Jesus in through adoption to the family of his step-father Joseph. This family line listed leads back to three major people of the Biblical Narrative. These three connect Jesus to the great work and promises of God for the world.

*David – verse 31 – He is the greatest King of Israel. God promised a king in David’s family line forever. Jesus is the ultimate and eternal king in that line.

*Abraham – verse 34 – He is the great patriarch of Israel, leading from Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob/Israel. God made the covenant for Abraham and his family to be blessed to be a blessing for the whole world. Jesus is the centerpiece of that great blessing to the world.

*Adam – verse 38 – He is the first of the human family. Jesus is the one who brings life, forgiveness, and redemption to the human family through his death on the cross and his rising from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

This genealogy of Jesus is also, in a sense, our genealogy. We are linked to Jesus both through creation, and through the work of God. By faith and baptism our story gets linked to the story of God’s work in Jesus.

These genealogy texts in the Bible seem to be secondary to some readers, but they are quite important to getting us connected to the saving work of Jesus Christ. That is why the Holy Spirit put these into the scriptures.

Prayer

Sovereign of the universe, your first covenant of mercy was with every living creature. When your beloved Son came among us, the waters of the river welcomed him, the heavens opened to greet his arrival, the animals of the wilderness drew near as his companions. With all the world’s people, may we who are washed into new life through baptism seek the way of your new creation, the way of justice and care, mercy and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

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

12th Sunday after Pentecost

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings, Sermons August 23, 2020

Against the Flow shirt image

An artist’s depiction of Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…” This image has been used on things such as posters and t-shirts.

Readings, Devotion, and Prayers for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 23, 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 Sunday sermon.

Remember Your Regular Offerings

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

For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:

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

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

For MLLC in Carmine:

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

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

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

The 12th Sunday after Pentecost

First Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6

R: A reading from Isaiah, the 51^st chapter.

Just as God had called Abraham and Sarah and given them many descendants, so now God offers comfort to Zion. God’s deliverance will come soon and will never end. And now the reading.

¹Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
you that seek the Lord.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug.
²Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah who bore you;
for he was but one when I called him,
but I blessed him and made him many.
³For the Lord will comfort Zion;
he will comfort all her waste places,
and will make her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.
⁴Listen to me, my people,
and give heed to me, my nation;
for a teaching will go out from me,
and my justice for a light to the peoples.
⁵I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,
my salvation has gone out
and my arms will rule the peoples;
the coastlands wait for me,
and for my arm they hope.

⁶Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and those who live on it will die like gnats;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my deliverance will never be ended.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm 138

R: Psalm 138, read responsively by verse.

¹I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I will sing your praise.
²I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name, because of your steadfast love and faithfulness;
for you have glorified your name and your word above all things.
³When I called, you answered me;
you increased my strength within me.
⁴All the rulers of the earth will praise you, O Lord,
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
⁵They will sing of the ways of the Lord,
that great is the glory of the Lord.
⁶The Lord is high, yet cares for the lowly,
perceiving the haughty from afar.
⁷Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand shall save me.
⁸You will make good your purpose for me;
O Lord, your steadfast love endures forever; do not abandon the works of your hands.R

Second Reading: Romans 12:1-8

R: A reading from Romans, the 12^th chapter.

In response to God’s merciful activity, we are to worship by living holistic, God-pleasing lives. Our values and viewpoints are not molded by the time in which we live but are transformed by the Spirit’s renewing work. God’s grace empowers different forms of service among Christians, but all forms of ministry function to build up the body of Christ.

And now the reading.

¹I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
³For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, ⁵so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. ⁶We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ⁷ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; ⁸the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

P: The holy gospel according to St. Matthew the 16^th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

At a climactic point in Jesus’ ministry, God reveals to Peter that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus responds with the promise of a church that will overcome the very gates of Hades. And now the reading.

¹³Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

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

Devotion August 23, 2020

“A Living Sacrifice”

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

After 3^rd grade I gave Little League baseball a try. Throughout that season I confirmed that I was not a baseball player. I couldn’t field the ball very well. Even more so, I couldn’t hit. My batting average was Zero. That means I made no hits during the entire season. In regard to baseball, my entire life was conformed to this concept: I can not hit the ball. For decades after that I went through life assuming that I could not hit the ball.

Some time ago I was visiting with some relatives over near Cleveland, Ohio. After supper we went outside for some recreation. We decided to toss a baseball around. Our cousins picked out 2 baseballs, a bat and 4 ball gloves and we headed out to their large back yard. One person hit a few balls and we did our best to catch them. Finally, I decided to give it a try. Our relatives didn’t know my past record, and I don’t think it really mattered to them anyway. They certainly did not ask for my previous batting average. So, I tossed the ball into the air and “Bang!” I hit a grounder. I tried again and this time I connected perfectly. I hit a line drive way across their large yard. Wow! I could hit the ball. I had spent decades thinking I couldn’t hit and that I was a failure at baseball. Now I had a renewed understanding of myself. I could hit the ball. With the freedom of this new understanding I was able to put myself more fully into the game.

In Romans chapter 12 we have a similar situation. In this section we are reminded that we are given grace and freedom to live God’s new way. St. Paul has spent the first 11 chapters talking about how God gives us the ultimate second chance, the forgiveness of our sin through Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection. In these various chapters he has told us that we can do nothing to earn or gain God’s favor. He says in chapter 3, verse 23, that “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” In this Paul gives us the good news that God came to us in Jesus who gave himself to die on the cross for our sin. From this we can be raised to a new life through faith and Baptism. Through his message we discover the truth that we are a mess, but that God loves us so much that he joyfully gives us what is needed to have new life with him. The past is the past, and we are invited and empowered to live a new life with God in the here and now.

Romans chapter 12 is the beginning of Paul’s description of how we live in response to the forgiveness of our sin. In my life with baseball I was given a clean slate by my relatives in Cleveland. You see, they didn’t seem to care about my previous ZERO batting average. So, that day I put off the ZERO batting average, and put myself into the game.

God, through Paul’s teachings, invites us to put of our sin and to put ourselves fully “into the game” as disciples of Jesus. He writes in chapter 12, verse 1: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Here we see that God wants us to put our entire selves into our relationship with him. We are to present our selves to God, but not as mere sinners. Rather, we are called to God as forgiven and acceptable to him. We are transformed in God’s eyes by receiving his mercy and goodness. In this we are invited to be in his merciful care for eternity. Our Lord takes us just as we are, with all our bruised lives, our sin, and our corrupted minds.

Once we place ourselves in the arms of God’s mercy, we are called by God to be a “living sacrifice” as our Spiritual Worship of the Lord. As living sacrifices, we strive to live God’s better way. We are invited to give up some things and to start doing other things. We are invited to sacrifice sinful ways and to strive toward God’s better way. The great Church Father, John Chrysostom, from around the year AD 400, said, in his Homilies on Romans: “How does the body become a sacrifice? Let the eye look on no evil thing, and it has already become a sacrifice. Let the tongue say nothing filthy, and it has become an offering. Let your hand do nothing evil, and it has become a whole burnt offering. But even this is not enough, for we must have good works also. The hand must do alms, the mouth must bless those who curse it, and the ears must find time to listen to the reading of Scripture. Sacrifice allows of no unclean thing. It is the first fruits of all other actions.”

As living sacrifices our lives are transformed by the renewing of our minds. The Apostle Paul goes on to teach us that when we give ourselves to God, life changes for us. Our passage tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…” When we present ourselves to God, we are putting something into our past. That which is put behind us is our life under the power of this world. By his grace God wants to transform us and empower us from the inside by renewing our minds. This is founded in our relationship with him. He invites us into an eternal and life changing relationship with himself and with his people. God takes us where we are in life, no matter where that might be, and then works to transform us into his faithful people. In our relationship with Christ he works to renew our minds. We look to his better way, we look to his Word, and we seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for action and understanding. This is what Paul was talking about when he says in verse 2, “…so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” That means God will enable you to understand his calling for your life.

All of these changes are founded in what Jesus has first done for us. The calling to follow his ways, to be living sacrifices, and be transformed, is always about how we respond to what God has first done for us. Because of God’s love for us in Jesus, we are granted the guidance of the Holy Spirit to ponder the question, “How now shall I live?” The Answer: we are called to receive God’s grace which renews our minds and transforms of our lives. We are called to put ourselves more fully into the game as Disciple of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray – Loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we come to you seeking your perfect love and guidance for our lives. Help us to resist the temptations all around us, and help us to be conformed to your good, excellent and perfect will. This we pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Prayers of Intercession

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

A brief silence.

Faithful God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: we pray for the church. Lead it always to proclaim its faith in you. Give your church the gifts of truth and righteousness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray in thanksgiving for this wonderful world. Renew our sense of wonder at what you have made. Guide us in our care for your creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the leaders of the world. Equip them to serve with justice and to dispel the forces of evil. Inspire the citizens of every country to love wisdom and mercy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Other intercessions may be added here.

We pray for the brokenhearted, those who are ill or dying, and those whose spirits are crushed. Wrap them in the warm embrace of your love. Restore them to wholeness, especially… and those whom we name aloud or in quiet prayer… . Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We celebrate our partnership with Lutherhill Ministries. Guide their leaders and staff toward faithfulness in their work. Enliven the faith of all who participate in their programs. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We give thanks for all who have gone before us, (especially…) . Give us wisdom to follow their example of faithful living and to stay true to the path of peace. 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

The Lord’s Prayer

Devotion and Readings for August 20-23

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings August 23, 2020

Transformers Optimus Prime forms

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 20-23, 2020

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

August 20

August 21

August 22

Psalm 118, 120, 121

August 23

Devotion for August 20-23, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

When we look at something, we often think we have seen all there is of it. Often we miss something. Some things are intentionally vague or work to disguise what is really shown. One item which has become part of our culture has been that of the toys called, “Transformers.” The promotional line for these toys is, “More than Meets the Eye.” As seen in the image above, a Transformer toy can be either a vehicle or a fighting robot. The vehicle is the form in which the robot hides. That is when we are told that there is, “more than meets the eye.” With a few pushes, pulls, and twists, the vehicle is transformed into a fighting robot.

Our reading from Luke 3 presents more than meets the eye. While not a transformer toy, it does need some more explanation for improve understanding. The core of this is what God the Father notes at the Baptism of Jesus. Upon being baptized, God announces, “And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”” Luke 3:22b

The deeper thing, which is the “more than meets the eye,” is that God the Father is quoting Holy Scripture. The first part is from Psalm 2:7b, which reads, “You are my son; today I have begotten you.” This is a psalm used at the coronation of a king in the Family Line of David. This psalm points to Jesus being announced as the new king in that long-promised family line. This is the Messiah, the anointed king of Israel.

The second Bible verse noted is from Isaiah 42:1a, which reads, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him…” This is one of the four, “Servant Songs.” These poems in Isaiah’s prophetic book point to a great servant who will honor the Lord and serve in God’s way. Part of what these point to is Jesus Christ, the great a loving servant.

Together these teach us that Jesus is the Servant King. We are shown that God the Father proclaims him as the Messiah, the King. This was already announced at the conception and the later birth of Jesus, so this is a reaffirmation of a previously announced truth.

For us, we get to know, love, and server a very unique God and King. Our king is one who is not about self, but about serving others. Our king came not to lead armies to defeat other nations, but to give himself as a sacrifice for our sin. In response to his action for us, we are invited to serve one another following the way of Jesus, the Servant King. By God’s abundant grace we get to know, worship, and serve, the savior who is more than meets the eye.

Prayer

Almighty God, by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, you turn us from the old life of sin. Grant that we who are reborn to new life in him may live in righteousness and holiness all our days, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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

Devotion and Readings for August 18 & 19

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

PIRATES-4

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 18 & 19, 2020

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

August 18

August 19

Devotion for August 18, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

In the early 1970s my family lived in the city of Fullerton, in Orange County, California. Our home was about 5 miles from Disneyland. Being a family of four kids we took full advantage of living so close to the theme park. One benefit was that we could see the Disney fireworks from our front yard. My favorite attractions at the park were: The Enchanted Tiki Room, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

The Pirates sing this song as part of the attraction:

“Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)”
Lyrics by Xavier X. Atencio, and music by George Bruns

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don’t give a hoot,
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we’re really a fright,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
We’re rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
We’re devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We’re beggars and blighters, ne’er-do-well cads,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we’re loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up, me ‘earties, yo ho.

Here is a video link for the song. The singing starts at about 2:25 into the video.

Why I mention this silly song from Disneyland is because pirates like treasure. Their treasure is cash, gold, jewels, ships, etc. What they treasure directs their actions. They treasure these things so much that they will, as the song says, “We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot…”

In a much more godly and good way, the Lord guides us by his Spirit to treasure something greater and eternal. In Psalm 119:11, we read, “I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.” We get to treasure and celebrate the Word of God. The Word of God is also Jesus Christ, God the Son. This psalm points us to that even great Word, the God who has come among us and has given us his all so that we might have life, and have it abundantly.

The work of Jesus brings us forgiveness. The work of Jesus, the message of the Word of God, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit help us move from this forgiveness to living God’s way. As the psalm notes, when we treasure the Word it helps us avoid sinning against the Lord. Whatever we treasure most of all will affect how we live. If we treasure God and his Word most, then this treasure will help us live God’s most excellent way. If we treasure above all in the world the things such as the pirates do in the song, or anything which is not God, it will draw us away from godly ways.

Prayer

A Prayer of Martin Luther:

Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give. Amen

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

Devotion and Readings for August 16 & 17

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings August 17, 2020

Adam and Eve expelled from the Garden, but with God’s provision of animal skins for clothing. Woodcut illustration from Gustave Doré (1832-1883).

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 16 & 17, 2020

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

August 16

August 17

Devotion for August 16 & 17, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

We are at the start of a new school year. A common ritual for many families at this time of year is to acquire new clothes for school. This points to another school ritual regarding clothes. Near the end of the school year for high school students is prom time. During the rest of the year students wear all sorts of different things which are acceptable for the classroom. Students generally wear clothes at the prom which give them a totally different look. The dresses, shirts, vests, suits, and tuxedos which are worn give the youth a dramatically different look.

In our reading from Mark we have one of the more surprising scenes in all of scripture. We read in Mark 14:51-52, “A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.” There is no name give for who this young man was, nor do any of the other three Gospel accounts have this scene. Church tradition suggests that this might have been Mark himself. It is suggested that he included this unique interaction because he personally experienced it.

This brief interaction points to two truths of our life with Jesus.

1 – The Work of Jesus. As noted in The Lutheran Study Bible, from Concordia, “Jesus is abandoned by His disciples, including a young man (possibly Mark) who has witness the arrest. We cannot count on our own courage or strength in the face of Satan and his forces. Jesus accomplishes the plan of salvation without aid from any human ally.”

2 – God’s clothes us. In various places in the New Testament the image of being clothed is a sign of God’s mercy and grace for us. God’s grace is the final word on our lives. It is an important aspect of being restored to God. Here are some examples:

*In teaching about God’s gift of the new life we have in Jesus, Paul writes these things: “But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:8-10)

*And also in Galatians 3:27, “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

*After Jesus heals the naked, demon possessed man at the Gerasenes (Luke 8:26-39), “Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.”

*In the Old Testament we read of God’s grace being expressed for Adam and Eve through the gift of clothing. They had sinned against God, and they realized they were naked. In this fall from God’s will they were facing death away from the Lord. Out of loving grace God restores them to fellowship with himself. They had tried to cover themselves with fig leaves, which left a lot to be desired. In Genesis 3:21 we read, “And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them.”

In all this, we come before God with nothing. We are beggars before him, seeking relief from the burden of sin and shame. By his merciful goodness he clothes us with the garment of salvation, the life and forgiveness we need from final power of sin, death and evil in our lives.

Prayer

As our prayer I give you the text of the great hymn, Rock of Ages. Pay special attention to verse 3.

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee;

let the water and the blood,

from thy riven side which flowed,

be of sin the double cure;

cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.

2 Not the labors of my hands

can fulfill thy law’s demands;

could my zeal no respite know,

could my tears forever flow,

all for sin could not atone;

thou must save, and thou alone.

3 Nothing in my hand I bring;

simply to thy cross I cling.

Naked, come to thee for dress;

helpless, look to thee for grace;

foul, I to the fountain fly;

wash me, Savior, or I die.

4 While I draw this fleeting breath,

when mine eyelids close in death,

when I soar to worlds unknown,

see thee on thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee.

Text: Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778

Amen

The 11th Sunday after Pentecost

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Pastor's Ponderings, Synod August 15, 2020

Readings, Devotion, and Prayers for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 16, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

Below are the readings, prayers, and Sunday sermon.

Remember Your Regular Offerings

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For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:

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

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

For MLLC in Carmine:

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

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

AUGUST 16, 2020

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

First Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8

R: A reading from Isaiah, the 56^th chapter.

The prophet calls upon Israel to do justice in view of God’s imminent intervention to save. Righteousness and obedience define who belongs to the Israelite community—not race, nationality, or any other category. And now the reading.

¹Thus says the Lord:
Maintain justice, and do what is right,
for soon my salvation will come,
and my deliverance be revealed.

⁶And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it,
and hold fast my covenant—
⁷these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.
⁸Thus says the Lord God,
who gathers the outcasts of Israel,
I will gather others to them
besides those already gathered.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm 67

R: Psalm 67, read responsively by verse.

¹May God be merciful to us and bless us;
may the light of God’s face shine upon us.
²Let your way be known upon earth,
your saving health among all nations.
³Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
⁴Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations on earth.
⁵Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
⁶The earth has brought forth its increase;
God, our own God, has blessed us.
⁷May God give us blessing,
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.

Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

R: A reading from Romans, the 11^th chapter.

God has not rejected Israel. Rather, the call and gifts of God are irrevocable so that, while all have been disobedient, God has mercy upon all. And now the reading.

[Paul writes:] ¹I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. ^2aGod has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

²⁹For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, ³¹so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. ³²For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel: Matthew 15:10-28

P: The holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 15^th chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus teaches his disciples that true purity is a matter of the heart rather than outward religious observances. Almost immediately, this teaching is tested when a woman considered to be a religious outsider approaches him for help.

¹⁰[Jesus] called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand:¹¹it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” ¹²Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the

Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” ¹³He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. ¹⁴Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” ¹⁵But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” ¹⁶Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? ¹⁸But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. ²⁰These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”]
²¹Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. ²²Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” ²³But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” ²⁴He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

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

Devotion

“God’s Goodness for Us”

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

Calculators are great tools. These tiny computers help us deal with our various simple and complicated math needs. With just a few taps on the keys you can balance your checkbook, figure percentages, compare prices, or do some quite complicated calculations.

Over the years I have heard school aged youth make some statement like this: “I don’t need to learn this math, I’ve got a calculator.” Whenever I hear that I have to laugh. I’ve learned that one cannot rely upon the answer of a calculator. Sure, they device is doing the math correctly, but operator error is common and frequent. If the source material was in error, then the results will be in error.

In today’s reading we have a teaching of Jesus about what truly defiles a person. Many were concerned about the purity laws of Judaism, especially in regard to food and hand washing. Jesus basically states that these are secondary considerations. What really matters is what our internal and spiritual life is about and how that expresses itself in what we say and do.

As we reflect on this story, we can see that the connection between who we are and what we do is important. If we are in bondage to sin and death, then that will come out in our lives. If we are more connected to God and his way, that will also show in our lives.

Jesus’ teaching invites us to a consider some things:

1) that our inner thoughts and motives need to be godly;

2) that our actions matter;

3) that we have the greatest resource to make it possible to live in God’s most excellent way.

And, finally 4), that we are all people who need God’s help and forgiveness.

Our account in Matthew is in the context of an argument regarding purity laws in the Jewish religion and culture. The Pharisees, or teachers of the law, made a big deal about proper purity and cleanliness before eating. The general idea of cleanliness is not challenged by Jesus. Jesus, in his typical way, broadens the discussion to regard the way that God wills his people to live. I believe Jesus is saying that life is about a connection with God which leads to us to express sacrificial love, compassion and forgiveness.

At issue here is that we need to focus on our faith connection with the Lord. The Lord is concerned about what is happening in our spiritual heart. As that is healed and redirected, we begin to live and speak in ways which honor the Lord and are a blessing to others.

The only way we can truly have any faithful connection with God’s healing and forgiveness is through the saving work of Jesus Christ. God knew that inside our spiritual hearts we are broken, foul and filled with mixed motivations. What is inside us is not pure or holy. Through Jesus’ suffering and death, he meets us in the depths of our souls. He enters our lives and meets us at the cross. What is lost and wrong and unclean inside us is brought to the cross. All of this is forgiven by Jesus. All of what is tainting our action and faith dies with Jesus on the cross. Through his rising from the dead he grants to us a new and right spirit.

St. Paul writes about this in Romans chapter 6. We read: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” God has acted for us, and we get a fresh start on life. From that wonderful new start we get to live the new and most excellent way of Jesus.

There is system of thought which helps connect the work and Word of God with how we live. It uses the phrase, “Because; therefore.” This teaches us that Because God has done such great things for us, therefore we are called to live according to his ways. Because Jesus served others and gave himself on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin, we are called to serve others and to give of ourselves for their benefit.

As we study God’s Word more deeply we come to see this pattern. We see that God has done great things for us. The logical response to what God has done is to worship God and serve others. With our reconnection with God through Jesus Christ we get to have our internal faith and motivation purified by the Spirit. We then go forward in life spurred on and guided to action by what God has first done for us.

As we receive God’s goodness, we are given the opportunity to follow his most excellent way. We are invited to receive the goodness of God in Jesus Christ, and then to express this goodness in thought, word and deed. We are invited to respond to what God has first done for us in our spiritual life by expressing our lives with worship of God and serve to others.

Let us pray – Loving God, your Good News is for us and for of humanity. Help us to receive the good news of Jesus Christ more fully in our lives. By your Spirit transform our knowledge of this message into action which is blessing to others. We pray this in your most holy Name. Amen

*Prayers of Intercession

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

A brief silence.

Loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, your grace is sufficient for us, your mercy is everlasting. Receive our prayers, our praise, and our heartfelt thanksgivings. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

In the midst of our brokenness and sin we come to you seeking your forgiveness. Graciously restore us to fellowship with you and one another. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We lift in prayer the martyrs and persecuted Christians of all ages in Syria and Iraq. Be with all who follow the Way of Jesus Christ. Help us to stand firm in faith. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We pray for your strength and presence for those who face difficult grief. Help us to offer care and support for those who remember those who rest in you. (We especially remember…) Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray that you would bring healing, strength and hope to those who struggle in mind, body, or spirit, especially . . . and those we now name aloud or in quiet prayer… Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Other petitions may be added here.

We look to you in the midst of the heat of summer. We pray that you will provide refreshing rain and favorable weather for all. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray that you would help us to grow in our joy in giving. By your Spirit open our spiritual hearts for the joy of generous giving. Receive our tithes and offerings for your glory and service in the world. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

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

Amen

LORD’S PRAYER

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

BLOOD DRIVE is scheduled for next Sunday, August 23 from 9:30 – 2 in the Fellowship Hall at Martin Luther in Carmine. Appointments will be required to donate. This is to keep group sizes small. It is in conjunction with Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Round Top.

Go to the MLLC website to make an appointment:

https://mllccarmine.com/2020/08/06/blood-drive-august-23/

Or, you may contact Kelly Hardin at 832-212-2799 or email her at khardin@giveblood.org

There is a great need for blood, so please consider giving the Gift of Life.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF Three 40-foot shipping containers with LWR items were lost in the Beirut, Lebanon port explosion. Lost were: 22,000 quilts; 100 cartons of school kits; 300 cartons of personal care kits; and 125 cartons of baby care kits. They are in need of donations. To make a monetary contribution go to the MLLC website with the following link:

https://mllccarmine.com/2020/08/10/beirut-explosion-and-lutheran-world-relief/

Devotion and Readings for August 13-15

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings August 15, 2020

Leonardo da Vinci - Last Supper

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 13-15, 2020

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

August 13

August 14

August 15

Devotion for August 13-15, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Decades ago I heard this story. There was a young man who made very specific promises about when he would arrive at a location. This could be for a meeting, a party, a date with a girl, or any number of other things. He would say something like, “I will be at the park at 7:15 to pick you up.” There is another thing about this young man. He would often be running late from one thing to the next. His solution was to drive his car at speeds way above the speed limit to get to a location. He would tell his friends that specific time, but he really needed more time to get there. They would see him driving toward them like a maniac doing all he could to beat the clock. So, rather than adjust his plan to be more realistic, he would endanger himself and others to get to the location as promised.

In our reading from Mark, Peter and the various Apostles heard the difficult news that Peter would soon deny that he knew Jesus. Peter’s bold response was, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” The others affirm their same belief. This seems to come from their sense of commitment to Jesus. As we know a few hours later Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, just as the Lord predicted. It also appears that all the others, except John, abandoned Jesus in his most difficult hour. Thankfully, later, Jesus restored the Apostles to the fellowship.

This enthusiastic promise of the Apostle was not the first time, nor would it be the last time, a person of faith has made a promise such as this. It is not the last time that a person could not or would not fulfill the promise. This is regrettable, but it is also real.

This is the struggle of knowing the right but doing the wrong. It is the struggle of sensing the call to faithfulness, yet sometimes being unfaithful to the Lord. It is the struggle of promising great things, yet sometimes falling quite short of the goal. It is a bit like that young man who over promised on his schedule and risked his life and the lives of others to get there in time.

It is important to note a couple of things in this:

1) God is good. We are reminded many times in Holy Scripture that the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

2) Living out our Commitment to God and striving to live according to his will are both good and holy things to do.

3) We sometimes are inconsistent, but God loves us anyway.

4) Even when we seem to fail in our faith, it is not the end for us. By the grace of God we can revisit God’s love for us and our commitments to him. These commitments may need to change, to be adjusted, or, in some instances, be abandoned. Once adjustments are made, we get to continue our connection with the Lord, both now and forever.

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Devotion and Readings for August 12

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings August 12, 2020

Mr. and Mrs. Tinker on their wedding day in 1954.

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 12, 2020

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

Devotion for August 12, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Stories of our lives help us understand and remember who we are. My late father would tell certain stories to us throughout our lives to remind us of these things. One of these he told was about how my parents met.

It starts out in high school. My father struggled with English grammar. Then he decided to approach it as an engineering problem. With this new approach he finally got it, and he did well. As he approached college planning, he looked to pay for his studies with an Navy ROTC scholarship. This included taking a placement test for various subjects. He did exceptionally well in the English and Grammar text. At the University of Minnesota, he majored in Petroleum Engineering. The college engineering magazine editor was looking for good writers, so he got ahold of the list of students who had done well in the various English placement exams. He saw my father’s score, and he invited my father to write for this student publication. Some months later there was a need to hire a new typist for the articles. Only one person applied, and that was my mother. The editor told my father, “We have hired a new typist. Her name is Elaine. I think you will like her.” And the rest is history.

We continue to review this story over the years because it tells us what has gone before us, and help us clarify our identity as a family.

In our psalm today we have a grand review of the history of the people of Israel. They are reminded of God’s work, the Covenants, and so much more. They get to see again and again who they are and what the Lord has done for them. The final response to hearing this the people conclude the psalm with a resounding, “Praise the Lord!” or “Hallelujah!” depending on which translation you read. Hallelujah or Alleluia mean “Praise the Lord.”

As we review the saving work of God in Jesus Christ, we get to see everything which is noted in the psalm, plus so much more. We mostly focus on the distinct action of God in Jesus. His Incarnation, Birth, Baptism, Temptation, Teachings, Miracles, and then the events of Holy Week. We especially review the action and purpose of his suffering, death on the cross, placement in a tomb, and his rising from the dead. Our lives especially intersect with his at the point of his greatest love for us – his death on the cross and his rising from the dead.

The story of my parents meeting intersects in many and various ways with the work of Jesus. Most importantly is that they both had saving faith in Jesus, even before they met. They raised their children to know the Lord, and each of them had their own lives intersect with Jesus by faith and baptism.
Your stories of life and faith get to intersect with that of Jesus. All of us are invited to respond to God’s love by connecting with the greatest story ever told, that of Jesus and his love for us.

Prayer

Devotion and readings for August 11

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings August 11, 2020

Mileage Texas to El Paso

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 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:

Devotion for August 11, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Texas is big. (Yes, I know Alaska is bigger). One of the ways we measure things in Texas is by exit numbers and mileage markers on highways. The highway which I hear the most about is Interstate Highway 10. This is the longest Interstate highway in Texas. From East to West is runs about 880 miles. The immense distance of the east to west of this road is marked dramatically by a sign at the Texas-Louisiana border – see photo above. It tells the traveler the distance from that point to the city of El Paso, the westernmost major city in Texas. We see it is 857 miles.

In today’s reading from Psalm 103 we read in verse 12: “…as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.” This is a powerful image. It also needs context to make sense. In one way, if one would travel east or west in a straight line across the surface of the earth, then one would come back to the exact spot again. If two travelers would set out in opposite directions, east and west, then these two would come across each other on the other side of the world.

So, what do we do with this? We enter the context of the King David as he wrote this prayer song. There was no way for him to travel around the globe. He lived in the Holy Land. If he headed west, he would hit the ocean and stop. If he headed east, then he would eventually hit the desert and stop or get a camel. Eventually he would hit more desert, ocean, or high mountains and have to stop at one of these. Even if he just traveled from the Mediterranean Sea to the desert, he would still travel a great distance.

It is a distance such as this which he is talking about. As far as one can travel in opposite directions is the figurative distance God places between us and the damage and cruelty of our sin. God’s forgiveness is what does this. Our loving Lord continues to forgive and to put aside what we have done wrong which harms our relationship with God, others or ourselves individually.

In a sense, the Lord is removing from us the final and negative effect of sin on our lives. Think about it this way: we are standing on the border between Texas and Louisiana, and the bad thing, sin, is at the western edge of El Paso. That bad thing is not going to have any effect on us at that distance. Our amazing Lord is saying that, by his abundant love and forgiveness, the final power of sin over us is removed so far that it is no longer a consequence in our lives. This is all brought about by the power expressed by the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us. For this we can give thanks daily for God’s great love for us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we humbly thank you for your goodness to us and to all that you have made. We praise you for your creation, for keeping us and all things in your care, and for all the blessings of life. Above all we bless you for your immeasurable love in redeeming the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies that with thankful hearts we praise you, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving ourselves to your service and by living in your gifts of holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all worship and praise, now and forever. Amen

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 25, 2020

Devotion for August 25, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Prayer

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

Gordon Tinker, father of Pastor David Tinker, age 80 and then age 17.

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 24, 2020

Devotion for August 24, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Prayer

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

An artist’s depiction of Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…” This image has been used on things such as posters and t-shirts.

Readings, Devotion, and Prayers for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 23, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

Remember Your Regular Offerings

For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:

For MLLC in Carmine:

The 12th Sunday after Pentecost

Devotion August 23, 2020

“A Living Sacrifice”

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 20-23, 2020

Devotion for August 20-23, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Prayer

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

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 18 & 19, 2020

Devotion for August 18, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

“Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” Lyrics by Xavier X. Atencio, and music by George Bruns

Prayer

A Prayer of Martin Luther:

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

Adam and Eve expelled from the Garden, but with God’s provision of animal skins for clothing. Woodcut illustration from Gustave Doré (1832-1883).

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 16 & 17, 2020

Devotion for August 16 & 17, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Prayer

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

Readings, Devotion, and Prayers for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 16, 2020, for both MLLC and Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church

Remember Your Regular Offerings

For Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ledbetter:

For MLLC in Carmine:

AUGUST 16, 2020

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Devotion

“God’s Goodness for Us”

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 13-15, 2020

Devotion for August 13-15, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Prayer

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

Mr. and Mrs. Tinker on their wedding day in 1954.

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 12, 2020

Devotion for August 12, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Prayer

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

Bible Readings and Devotion for August 11, 2020

Devotion for August 11, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

Prayer

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

“Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)”
Lyrics by Xavier X. Atencio, and music by George Bruns