The centerpiece of the church year is the season of Lent and the events of Holy Week. We invite you to be part of our revisiting of these core events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Click over to our Lent & Holy Week Schedule to find out more. It is all listed on our recently updated main church page: Here is the Link.
Adapted by Pr. David Tinker, from an original article by Pr. Thomas L. Weitzel
The Ash Wednesday service at Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine will be on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.
This day is something of a slap in the face, especially when one hears the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The original name – “Day of Ashes” – was a reference to the ancient Christian practice of sprinkling or rubbing ashes on the head or forehead as a sign of one’s mortality. The same ancient gesture appears in the baptismal liturgy: a cross is traced with oil on the forehead of the person being baptized. In this simple gesture the person is claimed by Christ.
There can be no more solemn and appropriate action on this day than to distribute ashes to all who gather for the beginning of the Lenten season. Here the young and old, men and women, rich and poor, learned and simple. Here the cross is the sign of salvation that all believers share. It is the sign of death and resurrection.
What is Ash Wednesday?
On Ash Wednesday, the community of faith comes face to face with two realities. First, we confront our own mortality. None of us lives in this life forever. Secondly, all of us are sinners and need to confess our sin to God. These two themes (death and sin) are brought together in light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ. As the Apostle John says in 1 John 1:9b, “…(God) who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The confession of sin on Sundays reminds us, “In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins.” The Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) confession also included, “To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.”
What are the ashes for?
The “ashes” of Ash Wednesday are rooted in the ancient worship of both the Jewish and Christian communities. They are a sign of mortality and penance. Even though we have used the imposition of ashes in our Ash Wednesday worship for many years, they still may seem new or uncomfortable to us. What we should remember about the ashes is they are a visible sign of our cleansing and rebirth, a recognition of our daily dependence on God for life and a promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Should I receive the ashes?
The ashes are not compulsory by any means. You may choose, if you wish, to remain in your seat during the imposition of ashes. But remember that they are a powerful way and a visible way to participate in the call to repentance and reconciliation. If you choose to participate, come forward at the appropriate time in the liturgy with others desiring the ashes. The pastor will did his thumb in the ashes and trace the sign of the cross on your forehead. Afterwards, return to your seat and the liturgy will continue.
Pr. Thomas L. Weitzel’s excellent liturgy site is: http://liturgybytlw.com/
The 2015 Ash Wednesday service will be on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.
We are looking forward to our journey through Lent and into the celebration of the Great Truth that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead.
Our Lent Schedule is posted on our main church page. Click here to see this schedule.
During January the three oldest members of MLLC died. As they have entered the Church Triumphant we give thanks for their life and ministry among us.
A loving and caring woman, Mrs. Schmidt always put her family’s needs above her own. She worked hard alongside her husband, managing the family ranch. A talented seamstress, she also enjoyed cooking for her family. Peach coffee cake and oatmeal cookies were family favorites. Playing dominoes was a favorite pastime, as was traveling with family and friends.
Survivors include her daughter, Marlene Waak and husband Conway Jr. of Carmine; daughter-in-law Kay Schmidt of Giddings; grandchildren Sheryl and Steve Campbell of Tomball, Chance and Naomi Waak of California, and Amelia (Mia) and James (Buck) Williams of Carmine; great-grandchildren: Carson Campbell and Katie Campbell of Tomball; Wyatt, Nolan and Drake Waak, all of Atascadero, California; Reagan, Morgan and Bowen Williams, all of Carmine; sisters Pearlie Jaster of Dallas, Idell Kraus of Giddings, and sister and brother-in-law Willie Mae and Odell Lueckemeyer of Brenham, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Marvin and Mary Schmidt of Houston. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Nolan Schmidt, and her son, Jerry Schmidt. Also preceding her in death were sister and brother-in-law Janette and Ruben Schmidt, and brothers-in-law E. W. “Pete” Kraus and Elvis Jaster.
Serving as pallbearers are Chance Waak, Steve Campbell, Buck Williams, Carson Campbell, Gary Mueller, and Lane Jacob.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine.
Funeral arrangements for Mabel Schmidt are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main.
Bernice is survived by her sons Jimmy and his wife Marie Loewe of Carmine and Wilbert Loewe of Carmine . Grandchildren Glenda and J D Rhodes, Gina and David Fischer, of Giddings. Gentry and Jeff Albrecht, Gregg and Brooke Loewe, of Carmine. Jamie and Mark Odom, Joanie Loewe, Melonie and Dane Rau all of Brenham, and Laurie and Joe Gurka of Carmine and one sister LeVerne Hinze of Burton.
Great-grandchildren Logan Rhodes, Alivia and Brian Moerbe, Amanda and Emily Fischer, Daylon and Reyce Drews, Trypp and Pyper Albrecht, Carter Loewe, Jacob Northrup, Weston Els, Madeleine, Mark, Mia, and Meredith Odom, Kade, Brady, and Nate Rau, and Coy and Tucker Gurka. And one Great Great grandson, Klein Rhodes, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bernice was preceded in death by her husband J.R. Loewe, one son Glenn Loewe, sister Berdie and husband Max Siegmund, brother in law Roger Hinze and sister in law Ora Nell and husband Henry Kipp.
Serving as pallbearers are; Gregg Loewe, J.D. Rhodes, David Fischer, Jeff Albrecht, Mark Odom II, Dane Rau, Joe Gurka and Logan Rhodes.
Memorial may be given to Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine or Hospice Brazos Valley Brenham.
February is enrollment month for our current students.
To our current school families: Please turn in your enrollment papers and registration fee to reserve a place for your child for the 2015-16 school year.
The February Menus for Lunch and Snack menus have been posted. Click this link.
We welcomed two new members at the beginning of 2015. These both entered our fellowship through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on two different Sundays. Each were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. At MLLC we always baptize in this name, following the direct instructions of Jesus Christ himself. See the Trinity symbol above.
Quinly Shawn was baptized on January 4.
Bowen Emanuel Warren was baptized on January 11.
We are beginning a new short Bible Study class at MLLC. The Bible’s Big Story – Our Story, with materials from Crossways International (click the link to find out more). Above is a photo of the two sides of the Telltale Time-line which will be the heart of this class. You are also encouraged to bring your Bible. If you do not have a Bible, we have Bibles you can use.
The photo of the timeline is used with permission of Crossways International, and is copyright H. N. Wendt.
You do not need to know much about the Bible to attend. Simply come to listen if that is all you wish to do. Or, come to discuss and interact as much as you feel comfortable.
Wednesdays – January 7, 14, 21, February 4 and 11 – come to as many as you are able, even if you miss the first one, or another one. We will review what has been done in previous weeks.
The class will meet each week: 7-8 p.m.
In the Parlor – the room between the sanctuary and the church offices.
The class will be taught by Pastor David Tinker. He has more than a decade of experience teaching this class and using this time-line. You can contact him for more information: office phone: 979-278-3388, email: pastordjt@industryinet.com
There have already been requests to offer this class at another time of day or another day of the week. We will offer this class again as the year goes along. Keep watch of this web site and other MLLC announcements for future dates.
“People are amazed at how much they learn about the Bible in (a few) hours! The Bible’s Big Story, Our Story provides this opportunity. Rev. Paul Jagoe, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Orlando, FL
“After eight years of trying to get adult education beyond the small Sunday morning class, The Bible’s Big Story provided the breakthrough! We now have over one-third of our worshipping congregation involved in two Crossways classes and one The Divine Drama®. What a thrill to see this kind of interest! This material provides a way to build interest in the Word which changes lives and congregations.”
Rev. Thomas McCurdy, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Castle, PA
“Participants were excited and thrilled with the wealth of information in The Bible’s Big Story: Our Story and the Biblical Tell Tale Time Line. [The CI visuals] are very easy to follow, but most profound in content.”
Ms. Rose Stegman, Faith Formation Office, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church & School, Glenshaw, PA
“I have taught this terrific material since 1979! It is like a breath of fresh air; it gives interpretation and perspective of the total Bible. TBBS is one of the best things I’ve used. I have taught it to busy people in today’s busy world who appreciate the overview of the biblical narrative in a concise and Bible-focused manner.”
Rev. Walter Steinbach, Bethany Lutheran Church, Kaukauna, WI
“Crossways International has made a tremendous impact in my outreach in the community. Due to my position, I have many people who stop and inquire about the Bible. Here is where the CI material has been most helpful. The Biblical Tell-Tale Time-Line has become a standard instrument to present the Gospel Message. With it’s detailed graphics and easy-to-identify and remember icons, I lead people through the entire time line and offer them a panoramic view of God’s divine plan that was fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ.”
Raymond Rossell, Bible Teacher – Baptist, Flushing, MI
“It is an exciting way to teach and share the Bible’s big picture. I use this study to whet the appetites of high school students and adults in a study of God’s Word – with hopes of them signing up for the next class that digs even deeper into Scripture.”
Pastor Jan Campbell, Peace Lutheran Church, Rockdale, TX
We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are led by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. It is an annual tradition that our presiding bishop presents a Christmas Message of some sort. This year it was a video message which connects the manger of Jesus to the cross of Jesus. Click here for the link to this video.
We are a congregation of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. We are led by Bishop Michael Rinehart. In some way each year he presents a Christmas Message for the church. This year he offers a video message for us. Click here for a link to this Christmas Message video.
We are in the 12 Days of Christmas, and this is a wonderful time to reflect on God’s goodness and his message of hope in the midst of darkness and sin.
Why is Christmas on December 25th?
It is a special day, and has been for many centuries. The Church has some good reasons for choosing this date. Over time some skeptics have asserted that this date was chosen because of a connection to pagan religious festivals.
Some years ago William J. Tighe wrote an article which was published in Touchstone Magazine. In this article he challenged the premise that December 25 is forcing a Christian celebration on top of a pagan festival. He presents strong evidence that December 25 was chosen for purely Christian reasons.
Here is the link to the article: click here for article
As we celebrate these 12 Days of Christmas we pray that you will be drawn closer to the Christ Child who gave himself for us.
Martin Luther Lutheran Church 
