Tag Archives: Lent

Introduction to Maundy Thursday 2024

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

Maundy bread wine

Introduction to Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Worship Services for 2024

March 28, 2024

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

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

The Maundy Thursday service is one of endings and beginnings. What was begun on Ash Wednesday is brought to a close here today. What begins today does not end until the resurrection of Easter. It is the ancient Triduum, “The Three Sacred Days,” which lead us to Easter: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

The theme is love, our Savior’s love for us, expressed in the washing of the disciples’ feet, in giving himself in bread and wine, and in dying upon the cross. An invitation to confession is given. The focus is on forgiveness. On Ash Wednesday, we began Lent with a major act of confession and ashes, but we did not receive forgiveness in the absolution. That forgiveness comes now, “in the name and by the command of our Lord,” at the service celebrating Christ’s love. The peace is shared after absolution and seals that forgiveness in a loving embrace, as if embraced by Christ himself.

The lessons of love are read. A new command derives from it: “Love one another.” A new command derives from it: “Love one another.” The name, “Maundy,” comes from the first word of the Latin form of John 13:34: “mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos ut et vos diligatis invicem,” (“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”).  At Martin Luther in Carmine we will offer the washing of feet (and hands, for those who prefer it) as part of worship on this holy day.

The prayers are said. The table is made ready. The time of the Lord’s Supper arrives, and our Lord is revealed in bread and wine as once he, “revealed himself to his disciples.” It is a solemn moment, but we cannot linger here. Nor could the Lord. His betrayal was imminent.

Before we know it, the markings of betrayal are seen before us. The symbol of Christ in our midst, the altar, is stripped bare. Christ is stripped of his power and glory. Good Friday is inescapable. The powers of darkness work upon him.

In silence, we depart without benediction. The Three Sacred Days continue with the Good Friday service.  This will be held at 7 p.m. at Martin Luther in Carmine.

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

Good Friday Tenebrae Service – March 29, 2024

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

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

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

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The Great Vigil of Easter – Saturday, March 30, 2024

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

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

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The Resurrection of Our Lord – Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024

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

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

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

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

After worship – Easter Egg Hunt for the children

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

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

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

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

Holy Week 2024

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

Holy-Week-Worship-Art

You Are Invited to Holy Week 2024

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

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Palm Sunday Weekend – March 23-24

Worship on Saturday at Carmine at 6:00 p.m.

Worship on Sunday at Waldeck at 8:00 a.m. – includes the procession of Palms with the whole congregation.

Worship  on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. – includes the Procession of Palms led by the children of the church.

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

Maundy Thursday – March 28

Click this link for an introduction to Maundy Thursday.

Remembering the Last Supper.

Holy Communion at both churches.

Foot and Hand Washing in Carmine.

First Holy Communion Youth at Carmine

Worship at Waldeck:  5:45 p.m.

Worship at Carmine:  7:30 p.m.

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Good Friday – March 29

Remembering the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Reading of the Passion Account from John.

Worship at Carmine:  7:00 p.m.

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Saturday – The Resurrection of Our Lord – The Great Vigil of Easter – March 30

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

Worship at Carmine at 7:00 p.m.  (note that we will not have worship at 6 p.m. that night)

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The Resurrection of our Lord. – Easter Sunday – March 31

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

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

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

Egg Hunt to follow worship.

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For those who are interested: Resurrection Sunday in Waldeck

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

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

Egg Hunt to follow worship.

Ash Wednesday 2024

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

Ash_Wednesday with ashes

Lent Begins February 14, 2024

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

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

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The Ash Wednesday Services this year are as follows:

Worship at MLLC at 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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ashwednesday03_abc

From the Introduction to our Ash Wednesday Services

What is Ash Wednesday?

On Ash Wednesday, the community of faith comes face to face with two realities.  First, we confront our own mortality.  None of us lives in this life forever. Secondly, all of us are sinners and need to confess our sin to God.  These two themes (death and sin) are brought together in light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ.  As the Apostle John says in 1 John 1:9b, “…(God) who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  The confession of sin on Sundays reminds us, “In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins.”  The Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) confession also included, “To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.”

 

What are the ashes for?

The “ashes” of Ash Wednesday are rooted in the ancient worship of both the Jewish and Christian communities.  They are a sign of mortality and penance.  Even though we have used the imposition of ashes in our Ash Wednesday worship for many years, they still may seem new or uncomfortable to some of us.  What we should remember about the ashes is they are a visible sign of our cleansing and rebirth, both a recognition of our daily dependence on God for life and a promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

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Should I receive the ashes?

The ashes are not compulsory by any means.  You may choose, if you wish, to remain in your seat during the imposition of ashes.  But remember that they are a powerful and visible way to participate in the call to repentance and reconciliation.  If you choose to participate, come forward at the appropriate time in the liturgy with others desiring the ashes.  The pastor will dip his thumb in the ashes and trace the sign of the cross on your forehead.  Afterwards, return to your seat and the liturgy will continue.

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

Ash Wednesday 2023

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

Ash_Wednesday with ashes

Lent Begins February 22, 2023

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

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

.

The Ash Wednesday Services this year are as follows:

Worship at MLLC at 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.

From the Introduction to our Ash Wednesday Services

What is Ash Wednesday?

On Ash Wednesday, the community of faith comes face to face with two realities.  First, we confront our own mortality.  None of us lives in this life forever. Secondly, all of us are sinners and need to confess our sin to God.  These two themes (death and sin) are brought together in light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ.  As the Apostle John says in 1 John 1:9b, “…(God) who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  The confession of sin on Sundays reminds us, “In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins.”  The Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) confession also included, “To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.”

 

What are the ashes for?

The “ashes” of Ash Wednesday are rooted in the ancient worship of both the Jewish and Christian communities.  They are a sign of mortality and penance.  Even though we have used the imposition of ashes in our Ash Wednesday worship for many years, they still may seem new or uncomfortable to some of us.  What we should remember about the ashes is they are a visible sign of our cleansing and rebirth, both a recognition of our daily dependence on God for life and a promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

.

Should I receive the ashes?

The ashes are not compulsory by any means.  You may choose, if you wish, to remain in your seat during the imposition of ashes.  But remember that they are a powerful and visible way to participate in the call to repentance and reconciliation.  If you choose to participate, come forward at the appropriate time in the liturgy with others desiring the ashes.  The pastor will dip his thumb in the ashes and trace the sign of the cross on your forehead.  Afterwards, return to your seat and the liturgy will continue.

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

Ash Wednesday 2022

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

Ash_Wednesday with ashes

Lent Begins March 2, 2022

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

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

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

Worship at MLLC at 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.

From the Introduction to our Ash Wednesday Services

What is Ash Wednesday?

On Ash Wednesday, the community of faith comes face to face with two realities.  First, we confront our own mortality.  None of us lives in this life forever. Secondly, all of us are sinners and need to confess our sin to God.  These two themes (death and sin) are brought together in light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ.  As the Apostle John says in 1 John 1:9b, “…(God) who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  The confession of sin on Sundays reminds us, “In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins.”  The Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) confession also included, “To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.”

 

What are the ashes for?

The “ashes” of Ash Wednesday are rooted in the ancient worship of both the Jewish and Christian communities.  They are a sign of mortality and penance.  Even though we have used the imposition of ashes in our Ash Wednesday worship for many years, they still may seem new or uncomfortable to some of us.  What we should remember about the ashes is they are a visible sign of our cleansing and rebirth, both a recognition of our daily dependence on God for life and a promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

 

Should I receive the ashes?

The ashes are not compulsory by any means.  You may choose, if you wish, to remain in your seat during the imposition of ashes.  But remember that they are a powerful and visible way to participate in the call to repentance and reconciliation.  If you choose to participate, come forward at the appropriate time in the liturgy with others desiring the ashes.  The pastor will dip his thumb in the ashes and trace the sign of the cross on your forehead.  Afterwards, return to your seat and the liturgy will continue.

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

Ash Wednesday 2019

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , ,

Ash_Wednesday with ashes

 

Lent Begins March 6, 2019

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

Worship at MLLC at 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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 Evangelical 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  Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Together we are glorifying God, loving our neighbors and loving one another.

Wednesday Lent Services 2018

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Leonardo da Vinci - Last Supper

Wednesday Lent Services 2018

Our Wednesday Lenten Series this year presents a series of teachings of Jesus from the Last Supper in the Gospel of John.  This is referred to as “The Farewell Discourse”. The most familiar scene in John’s account of the Last Supper is the Washing of Feet, but there is much more to what Jesus taught that night. The services will be held at the noted locations.  Worship at 6:30 p.m., with a meal to follow at about 7:15 p.m.  Worship at Carmine will be in the Fellowship Hall.  Worship at Waldeck will be in the sanctuary.

Our partner church, Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church, is located at 6915 Waldeck Church Ln; Ledbetter, TX 78946.  This is at the intersection of FM 1291 and FM 2145, about 6.5 miles south of Ledbetter.

 

February 21 at MLLC in Carmine:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled” John 14:1-14; 16:16-24

 

February 28 at Waldeck:

“I am the vine, you are the branches” John 15:1-17

 

March 7 at MLLC in Carmine:

“If the world hates you” John 15:18-25; 16:25-33

 

March 14 at Waldeck:

“When the Spirit of Truth Comes” John 14:15-31; 15:26 – 16:24

 

March 21 at MLLC in Carmine:

“Father, the hour has come” John 17:1-26

Ash Wednesday is February 14, 2018

Posted by mllccarmine in Announcements and tagged with , , ,

Ash_Wednesday with ashes

Lent Begins February 14, 2018

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

Worship at MLLC at 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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 Evangelical 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.

Reflecting on Ash Wednesday 2017

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ashwednesday03_abc

Ash Wednesday

Adapted by Pastor David Tinker, from the writings of Pr. Thomas L. Weitzel – in some form these items will be part of the bulletin used for the Ash Wednesday liturgy.

 

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 are gathered together both the young and old, men and women, rich and poor, as well as the 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 includes, “To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.”

 

What are the ashes for?

The “ashes” of Ash Wednesday are rooted in the ancient worship of both the Jewish and Christian communities.  They are a sign of mortality and penance.  Even though we have used the imposition of ashes in our Ash Wednesday worship for many years, they still may seem new or uncomfortable to some of us.  What we should remember about the ashes is they are a visible sign of our cleansing and rebirth, both a recognition of our daily dependence on God for life and a promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Should I receive the ashes?

The ashes are not compulsory by any means.  You may choose, if you wish, to remain in your seat during the imposition of ashes.  But remember that they are a powerful and visible way to participate in the call to repentance and reconciliation.  If you choose to participate, come forward at the appropriate time in the liturgy with others desiring the ashes.  The pastor will dip his thumb in the ashes and trace the sign of the cross on your forehead.  Afterwards, return to your seat and the liturgy will continue.

The Invitation to Lent

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

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

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to a discipline that contends against evil and resists whatever leads us away from love of God and neighbor. I invite you, therefore, to the discipline of Lent—self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love—strengthened by the gifts of word and sacrament. Let us continue our journey through these forty days to the great Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

–From “Evangelical Lutheran Worship” – Ash Wednesday Liturgy (2006)

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.