Tag Archives: Holy Communion

Dedication of our New Chalice

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Pastor's Ponderings and tagged with , , , ,

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Celebrating Communion with a New Chalice

During the weekend worship services on February 18-19, we will dedicate our new Holy Communion Chalice.   This replaces the one we have used for a number of decades.  After consultation with the church council, the worship committee selected and purchased a new chalice.  This was paid for with memorial funds which were set aside for items such as this.

We invite you to attend worship on this weekend, Saturday, February 18, 6 p.m., or  Sunday, February 19, 10 a.m., as we dedicate this new chalice to service in God’s House and to the Glory of God.

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Why a New Chalice?

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After decades of faithful use the old chalice was wearing out.  This was especially evident in the bowl part of the chalice.  The gold and silver finish was worn through.  Corrosion was forming.  This corrosion was reacting with the wine and was becoming dangerous for the pastor to use.  Do note, there is always a small amount of wine in the chalice at worship.  As a practical and piety based matter, the pastor receives the wine, the Blood of Christ, via the chalice. It is not our current practice to offer common cup communion, so we simply use a small amount of wine for the consecration of the elements of the Holy Communion at each Eucharistic service (Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m.).

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The worship committee consulted with multiple companies which service church ware and chalices.  There were two common items of note in their responses:

1) the cost would be $300-600 to repair and refinish the chalice

2) the companies were unsure if the chalice was even fixable enough to use normally.IMG_1160

Instead of paying for expensive repairs which may not even work, the Worship Committee chose to seek out a new chalice and to put the old chalice in our history display case in the Narthex.

A notable value in choosing a chalice was that it be easy to clean and would look right with our other communion ware.  The committee looked at the chalice being used at our partner church, Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ledbetter.  Their chalice is stainless steel, easy to clean, and matches our other communion ware.  The committee found a similar chalice to what Waldeck uses, and that is what was chosen.

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The Tabgha Loaves and Fishes Chalice and Paten

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During the past few months, since the discovery of the declining condition of the old chalice, we have been using the ceramic, Tabgha Loaves and Fishes Chalice and Paten (bread serving plate).  This set will continue to be used on occasion as the situations warrant.   Here is an article from our web site from several years ago about this communion set.  Click this link.

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Thank You

We thank the various families who have designated memorial gifts over the years to Martin Luther Lutheran Church.  These gifts provided the funds needed to purchase this new chalice.  The congregation and community are generous in giving memorial gifts, and this is immensely appreciated.

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The inside of the bowl of the new chalice.

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Devotion and Readings May 1

Posted by mllccarmine in Pastor's Ponderings and tagged with , , , , , ,

Tabgha Baptismal Bowl

Bible Readings and Devotion for May 1, 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 6:1-14

1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Psalm 146, 147

Ezekiel 21

 

Devotion for May 1, 2020

By Pastor David Tinker

 

There is one ministry miracle account which is presented in all four of the Gospel Books:  Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  It is the account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand.  Our reading from John 6 tells this story in John’s Gospel book.  This event shows the people, and us, that God is powerful and provides us what we need.  This miracle also points us to the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  This Sacrament points us to the most important thing of all:  the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sin.

In August 2014 MLLC acquired a communion set which shows an ancient depiction of the Feeding of the Five Thousand.  The article about this tells more about the special communion set as well as information about the miracle and the historic location of this miracle.

Click this the link to that article on our web site from several years ago.

 

Prayer

Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you love us beyond measure. Help us to know you and to understand the depth of your love for us.  Enliven our faith, and guide us to trust in you as the bread of life for the world.  We pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Vigil of Easter – April 15

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , , , , ,

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The Great Vigil of Easter

Saturday, April 15, 7 p.m.

Click this link to view a blog post from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) regarding this service and its connections with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Click this link to view a blog post by our own Jennifer Clark Tinker which tells about her experience and joy related to attending the Great Vigil of Easter each year.

 

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter

Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.

First, we must break the darkness of the night.   Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.

When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.

After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the Church family, known as the Bride of Christ.  Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us reaffirms our faith through the Apostles Creed. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.

We are nearly ready. The time is close.  We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory!  In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

Our Celebrations of the Resurrection of Jesus

The Great Vigil of Easter – 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 – see the introduction below. Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Sunrise – 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 16, at the Carmine Cemetery. Bring a lawn or folding chair for seating.  Shared with Waldeck Lutheran Church.

Easter Festival – Sunday April 16.  Opportunities at both MLLC and Waldeck

MLLC Schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School

10:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~11:15 a.m. – Easter Egg Hunt

 

Waldeck Schedule:

8:00 a.m. – Festival Worship

~9:00 a.m. – Pot-luck Easter Breakfast – bring an item to share

9:30 a.m./After Breakfast – Easter Egg Hunt

 

First Holy Communion Class 2017

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements, Youth and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1st Holy Communion Group 2016

First Holy Communion Class begins this month

By Pastor David Tinker

pastordjt@industryinet.com     979-278-3388

 

The First Holy Communion Class will be held over three Sundays in late March and early April.  Each class will be held in the Mission & Ministry Building (New Building behind Parsonage).  See the photo above which shows the 2016 class group with the bread they baked for their First Communion.

Class Dates:  March 26, April 2 and 9 – after worship – starting about 11:00 a.m.

 

First Holy Communion at MLLC is most often offered to students in 5th grade.  There are numerous cases in which there are exceptions to this.  If you and your student, who is not yet in 5th grade, wish to participate in this class please speak with me to make arrangements.  The 5th grade tradition does not prevent younger students from attending the class and receiving Holy Communion.

Students are encouraged to bring a Bible for use in class, as well as paper/pen for any notes they might want to write.  If students don’t have access to a Bible we have one for their use.  Note that each student will be presented with a Bible on First Communion Thursday – April 13 – for his or her personal study and for use in Sunday School, Confirmation and Worship.  Parents/Grandparents are welcome and encouraged to be present at this class time.  We will meet at a table in the Mission and Ministry Building, but will also move to other places in the church facilities for parts of the lessons.

The class will include instruction, discussion, videos, mini-field trips in the building, etc.

We are working to avoid Spring Break weekends for this class, therefore all sessions are after Spring Break.  Please consult with me if you have special needs about family schedules, vacations, parental custody issues, etc.  which could conflict with the posted schedule. I want this opportunity to work for your student.

Notes that one of the Sunday classes will include bread baking by the students.  This bread will be used at their First Communion service.

We will Celebrate our First Holy Communion on:

Thursday, April 13        7:30 p.m.

Maundy Thursday Service, First Holy Communion Day

Presentation of Bible to students during worship – the Church gives to Parent/Grandparent, and then the parent/grandparent presents Bible to student. We will go over this before Thursday so all are ready.

 

Students please arrive by 7:00 p.m. to make sure all our plans are in order for what we will be doing at worship.  Also, families may wish to take photos before worship, and this is the best time to do this.  The altar area will be bare of all decorations, candles, banners, etc. after worship due to the “Stripping of the Altar”.

 

I look forward to exploring this wonderful sacrament with your child.  This is a very exciting time of growth for these young people and for their families.  If you have any questions or needs please feel free to contact me.  Please see the article below about discerning your child’s interest and readiness to receive the sacrament.

 

 

 

How do I know my child is ready to attend First Communion Class?

He or She may. . .

*have expressed interest in participating in Holy Communion during worship, perhaps copying your movements at the altar

*have begun to ask questions about why we take Holy Communion

*have begun to reach for the Holy Communion elements which are offered to you

*have a foundation in Christ through attendance in Christian education or worship, or through family conversations, devotions or prayer

*be able to speak about God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) as loving and trustworthy

*pray the Lord’s Prayer and be able to say other simple prayers (such as at bedtime and meals)

 

The following questions can help you determine the readiness of your child to receive her or his first Holy Communion.

 

The most important question is about God’s gift of Grace for your child:

***** Has your child been baptized?

If your child is not yet baptized, please speak with a pastor to set a date for your child to receive this Sacrament. It is understood that Holy Communion is for the baptized children of God.

 

Other questions to consider:

*Is your child comfortable in various locations around the church, like the altar?

*Does your child have a basic, age-appropriate awareness that God loves him or her?

*Does your child understand the idea of “right” and “wrong”, and can grasp the basic notion of “forgiveness”?

*Will your child extend his or her hands when asked to do so?

*Will your child be able to understand the basic concept that Holy Communion is a gift from God to each person?

*Does your child seem to have a basic trust that they are a child of God?

*Does your child seem interested in what goes on in church during Communion?

*Does your child interact enough with others to receive the bread and wine?

*Is your child aware enough of others in the congregation and their needs to show respect for the communion experience?

*Are you prepared to help make the process positive?

*Are you prepared to continue to fulfill the promises you made at your child’s baptism to bring him or her regularly to the Lord’s Table?

 

 

Only the first question (Has your child been baptized?) requires a “Yes” before your child can be considered ready to receive his or her first communion. Use the others to generate discussion and to plan, in consultation with Pastor David Tinker, for your child’s preparation to begin receiving the sacrament and the gifts it brings.

Contact Pastor David Tinker if you have any questions about Holy Communion. He would be happy to help answer your questions.

Ash Wednesday is March 1, 2017

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , , , , , ,

 

Ash_Wednesday with ashes

 

Lent Begins March 1, 2017

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

Worship at MLLC at 7:30 p.m.

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

Waldeck Lutheran Church is in a shared ministry with MLLC.  The Church is located at 6915 Waldeck Church Lane, Ledbetter, TX 78946 – this is about 6 miles south of Ledbetter at the corner of FM 2145 and FM 1291.

The Exhortation on Ash Wednesday invites us into the season of Lent.  Here is that Exhortation as presented in Lutheran Book of Worship – the book used at Waldeck Lutheran Church:

Brothers and sisters: God created us to experience joy in communion with him, to love all humanity, and to live in harmony with all of his creation. But sin separates us from God, our neighbors, and creation, and so we do not enjoy the life our Creator intended for us. Also, by our sin we grieve our Father, who does not desire us to come under his judgment, but to turn to him and live.

As disciples of the Lord Jesus we are called to struggle against everything that leads us away from love of God and neighbor. Repentance, fasting, prayer, and works of love—the discipline of Lent—help us to wage our spiritual warfare. I invite you, therefore, to commit yourselves to this struggle and confess your sins, asking our Father for strength to persevere in your Lenten discipline.

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

Worship on Firemen’s Feast Sunday

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with , , , , , ,

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Celebrating God’s Love in our Community

The people of Carmine pull together in service to their neighbors throughout the year.  One of the main events of the year in Carmine is the annual Firemen’s Feast (Click link for more information).  This fundraising event helps cover the cost of providing a fire department for this community.

There are large numbers of people who give of their time, energy and resources to make this event happen each year.  In order to provide a time of worship on Sunday morning for these faithful servants MLLC brings church to them.

A brief worship service with Holy Communion will be offered this Sunday, July 17, at about 7:30 a.m. at the Carmine VFD fire house. (We will also gather at MLLC for our usual time of worship at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.)  All people who will be serving at the Firemen’s Feast Sunday morning are especially invited to participate in this time of prayer, Word and Sacrament.  We are expecting 50+ participants this year.  Most of the people at this service are the cooks for the chicken, but the service is not limited to those at the firehouse.  If you are going to be working at the dinner at Carmine Hall, please feel free to attend this 7:30 a.m. service at the Fire Station before you head over to prepare the hall for serving. The photo above is from a previous year’s service.

Maundy Thursday – March 24

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with , , , ,

 

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Maundy Thursday is March 24

We will gather for the observance of Maundy Thursday on March 24, at 7 p.m.  You are invited to this first of the Three Holy Days of Holy Week.

An Introduction to Maundy Thursday

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

 

First Holy Communion

At this special service there will be 7 young people who will be receiving their First Holy Communion.  In preparation for this day they made the bread for use at the service on Maundy Thursday.

1st Holy Communion Group 2016

 

Holy Week Schedule 2016

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with , , , , , ,

Holy Week Schedule

We invite you to Holy Week 2016

 

Maundy Thursday, March 24

Maundy bread wine
Worship at 7:00 p.m.
Remembering the Last Supper,
Washing of Feet and Hands, First Holy Communion, Presentation of Bibles to First Communion Candidates

 

Good Friday, March 25

Good Friday nails crown thorns

7:00 p.m.
Prayer and Readings, Tenebrae,
Remembering Jesus’ death on the cross.
Reflections by the Apostle John

 

Note the Three Options for attending Worship on Easter:

A grand celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
Details below:

 

The Resurrection of Our Lord: The Vigil of Easter, March 26

Vigil cross symbols

Worship at 7:00 p.m. (will last until about 8:20-8:30 p.m.)
Service of Light, Service of Readings,
Baptisms or Remembrance of Baptism, Initial Holy Communion of Easter
Entry of Easter Flowers into Sanctuary

 

The Resurrection of our Lord:  Resurrection Sunday, March 27

Resurrection Easter cross flowers
Sunrise Service 7:30 a.m. – Carmine Cemetery – bring a lawn or folding chair for seating.  The service will be held at the covered pavilion at the cemetery in the event of rain.

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Easter Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – in Fellowship Hall

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Festival Worship 9:00 a.m. – Sanctuary

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Sunday School Resurrection Celebration and Egg Hunt ~10:15 a.m.

Worship on July 19 – Firemen’s Feast Sunday

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with , , , , ,

IMG_3852The people of Carmine pull together in service to their neighbors throughout the year.  One of the main events of the year in Carmine is the annual Firemen’s Feast.  This fundraising event helps cover the cost of providing a fire department for this community.

There are large numbers of people who give of their time, energy and resources to make this event happen each year.  In order to provide a time of worship on Sunday morning for these faithful servants MLLC brings church to them.

A brief worship service with Holy Communion will be offered this Sunday, July 19, at about 7:30 a.m. at the Carmine VFD fire house. (We will also gather at MLLC for our usual time of worship at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday.)  All people who will be serving at the Firemen’s Feast Sunday morning are especially invited to participate in this time of prayer, Word and Sacrament.  We are expecting 50+ participants this year.  Most of the people at this service are the cooks for the chicken, but the service is not limited to those at the firehouse.  If you are going to be working at the dinner at Carmine Hall, please feel free to attend this 7:30 a.m. service at the Fire Station before you head over to prepare the hall for serving. The photo above is from last year’s service.

Carmine Firemen’s Feast is Coming

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with , , ,

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The Annual Carmine Volunteer Fire Department’s Firemen’s Feast is coming soon.  This is a wonderful event which brings our community together to support the men and women who serve us.

Sunday, July 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carmine Hall.

Click this link for more information on the Firemen’s Feast 2015

The photo above is from a very special part of the event.  In recent years MLLC has sponsored a brief worship service with Holy Communion early on Sunday morning.  This provides the opportunity for the cooks to pause for prayer, God’s Word, Holy Communion and a time of thanksgiving.  The rest of the day after this is very busy for the cooks and other volunteers.

Click this link to see the report from last year’s Firemen’s Feast worship service.