Take Heart, Your Faith Has Made You Well!

Matthew 9:18-26 Two weeks ago we saw a picture of the saints in heaven at the end of their faith journey and we talked about how they got there—that despite their differences of language and culture and tribe, all of them shared a common faith in Jesus Christ.

Last week we heard the Apostle Paul call us to follow his example when it comes to our life with God and put our faith in Jesus alone.  What is common to these lessons and the lesson that we have today is faith—faith in Jesus. 

We talk a lot about faith in the church but we don’t always talk about faith itself:  what it is and how we come by it and what it accomplishes in our life.  That’s what we are going to talk about today.

To set the stage for our lesson, we are going to look at what came before the events of our text and so if you want to open your bibles to Matthew chapter 9 you can follow along as I briefly recount what happened before the events of our Gospel lesson today.

Chapter 9 begins with Jesus healing a man who was paralyzed and not only did Jesus heal him he forgave his sins.  If you remember how all this happened you know that some of the Jewish religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy, recognizing correctly that he was putting himself in the place of God. 

As chapter 9 continues we see Jesus calling Matthew to be his disciple—a man who was hated by his countrymen, a man with a poor reputation.  Not only did he call Matthew to be his disciple, Jesus made a point of seeking out sinners and calling them to himself.  “Jesus eats with sinners” was the charge against him.

Then we hear a question from the disciples of John the Baptist, wondering why Jesus’ disciples weren’t fasting.  And Jesus told them that this wasn’t a time for fasting and mourning but a time for rejoicing because the bridegroom had come.

What you have in those days leading up to our text is diseases healed and sins forgiven.  Life with God for all people no matter what their sins.  A day of rejoicing because God’s promised deliverance was at hand. 

That is the context for our meditation today about what faith is and how it comes to us and what it gives.  St. Matthew writes that:  A ruler came in and knelt before Jesus saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 

            This scene shows us what faith is: a confident trust that Jesus is who he says he is and can be counted on to do what he has promised to do.  But many people in the church today are confused about this biblical definition of faith.

People talk about faith as if it were merely head-knowledge that agrees that yes, there was a man named Jesus who lived long ago and went about doing good and died on a cross and rose again.  But this is simply knowledge of information and the devil knows these same things.  True and saving faith is something different—something more.

Faith is a confident trust in Jesus that moves us to rely on him and count on him and order our life around his words.  That is the kind of faith that Jairus had—a confident trust that counted on Jesus even in the darkest of times.

And so how did he get that faith that trusted in Jesus even when something as terrible as the death of his child had taken place?  He got it from what he had heard about Jesus.

People were being healed by Jesus.  Sins were being forgiven.  Outcasts were finding a place in God’s kingdom.  And these stories of what Jesus was doing and the kind of man he was were being told and retold and people who heard this Good News —believed.

That is how faith came to Jairus and that is how faith comes to us.  The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  John says that the Bible was written so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and have life in his name.  Jairus heard the Good News about Jesus and believed in him.

His faith was not misplaced.  Jairus came to Jesus in his need and Jesus responded and went with him to his house.  But as they traveled along they met another person in need, another person who trusted in Jesus and we learn from her how faith works to receive God’s blessings. 

St. Matthew writes that:  A woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”  Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

            Not only are people confused about what faith is they are also confused about how faith actually works in their lives.  They see faith as an action on their own part that causes something to happen rather than a gift God gives so that we can simply receive what he has already accomplished for us. 

It’s like the way that people talk about prayer, saying “I believe in the power of prayer”.  But the power in prayer is not our asking—the power of prayer is the God who one answers!

Faith comes from hearing the Gospel and faith receives what God has given in Jesus.  The woman with the flow of blood had heard the same stories about Jesus as did Jairus.  She too had come to faith in Jesus by hearing these stories.  She trusted in him for help. 

Her situation was almost as desperate as Jairus’ daughter—not only did she have a terrible physical ailment—but because of the laws of that day, she was cut her off from even those closest to her.  And yet she knew that this Jesus who healed and this Jesus who didn’t keep anyone at arm’s length was able to help even her-- and so trusting in Jesus, confident that he could help, she reached out to him in faith and received healing.  Now, please understand…

Her faith didn’t make Jesus who he was.  Her faith did not give him power.  Her faith did cause her healing.  Her faith came from who Jesus was and received what he had come to give. 

So it is for us.  Our faith comes from hearing the Good News of Jesus.  For most of us that came when we were baptized and heard the words about Jesus inviting children to have a life with him and the kingdom of heaven belonging to little children and Jesus wanting us to be his disciples through baptism. 

And believing in Jesus we have received the forgiveness and new life he earned for us on the cross.  Our faith is sustained by that same message in Word and Sacrament. 

Just like the woman that day, our faith has made us well—not because faith in any old thing matters—not because it is a work that deserves God’s reward--but our faith has made us well because it has laid hold of Jesus just like that woman laid hold of his garment.

So that there is no confusion about this, or any doubt in our mind about how faith works to receive rather than create, Jesus shows us just exactly where the power lies as he raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead. 

St. Matthew writes that:  When Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

            So who was right?  Were the mourners right or was Jesus.  Was the girl really only asleep or was she dead?  Jairus knew that she had died and that is why he came to Jesus.  Her friends and family knew she died, that is why they were mourning.  They knew what they could see—that the girl was dead.

But Jesus knew that, in his presence, death is transformed into a peaceful rest from which we will waken just as surely as we got up for church this morning.  With Jesus there, there was no need for the professional mourners—no need for the tears—no need for the grief—for his powerful life is greater than death. 

Jairus had sought out Jesus by faith.  The woman with the flow of blood reached out to Jesus by faith.  And  just so that there was no confusion then or now about what faith is (whether it is power we exercise to get what we want or whether it is a gift of God that receives what Jesus gives) Jesus took the girl by the hand and she  rose from the dead

The little girl did not do this—Jesus did it.  It was not her fervent prayers that raised her from the dead-- but the Savior’s touch.  She did not reach out to him—he reached out to her. 

That’s the power of Jesus.  Death has to give way to life.  Uncleanness has to give way to holiness.  Stormy seas are calmed.  Devils are defeated.  Sins are forgiven.  So it is for us.

Our faith has made us well not because it is the act of believing that is praiseworthy in God’s sight—that simply turns faith into a work must we do. 

Our faith has made us well not because it is some power in us that enables to create the reality we want—that is heresy that makes us into God. 

But rather our faith has made us well because of who and what it lays hold of—the person and work of Jesus Christ.  May the Holy Spirit grant us an ever deeper faith in him as we hear his words and receive him in Holy Communion!  Amen.

Let Us Walk in the Footsteps of St. Paul!

 

Philippians 3:17-21 When a congregation is organized, one of the first things that the founding members do is choose a name for their congregation.  This may be one of the first real challenges too because, as you can well imagine, there will be all kinds of good ideas for their church’s name.There are names that capture their prominence in the community—like First Baptist.  There are names that capture some part of our of Lord’s life like Epiphany Episcopal.  There are names that indicate a location like Weber Road Church of Christ.  All of these are perfectly fine names for churches.

One hundred years ago the Lutherans who founded this congregation chose St. Paul for the name of this congregation as so many Lutheran churches do.  Why St. Paul?  Was it just to honor a faithful man of God who lived two thousand years ago or was there something more?

The Lutherans who founded this congregation chose St. Paul as the name because it was their hope that the clear teaching about the way of salvation that is so beautifully taught in Paul’s epistles would also be clearly taught in their midst and in this community—that they and their children and all who followed them in this place would always hold to the biblical way of salvation:  that we are justified by God’s grace, apart from the deeds of the Law, on account of Jesus’ atoning death on the cross.

This was the clear, unwavering teaching of Paul and the Lutherans who founded this congregation wanted it to be so and remain so in their midst and in this community and so when they named this congregation it was in hope that they and all who followed them would walk in the footsteps of Paul and trust nothing but the cross of Christ for their salvation.  St. Paul writes:

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.   Several years ago I saw an advertisement for a trip to the Holy Land along with Greece and Turkey and the trip was named:  “In the Footsteps of Paul” because the travelers would go to all the places that Paul went on his apostolic journeys.  That is one way to walk in the footsteps of Paul- and I’m sure there is value in that- but there is a more important way and that is to follow his lead when it comes to the things of God.

And so as we walk along with Paul by faith, guided by the words of the Bible, what do we see?  We see a young man who was zealous for Judaism—whose background and training and temperament had equipped him to be a great defender of salvation by works of the law—eating the right foods and worshiping the right way and going through the right rituals and being scrupulous about the details of the law so that he could make his own way to God. 

By virtue of who he was and what he did Paul had every reason to have confidence in his flesh—that is in his own works—so that he persecuted the early Christians who taught that salvation was not by works but by faith in Jesus.

Paul’s persecution of Christ and his people continued right up until the moment that Jesus met him on the Road to Damascus and changed his heart forever.  He learned that as zealous as he was for religious rules and as confident as he was of his own holiness--he was completely wrong about his life with God. 

He may have been going to Damascus but he was headed to hell and the One who he was persecuting was the only one who could save him—not by something that Paul would do-- but by something that someone else had already done and that was Jesus’ death on the cross.

Jesus taught him that salvation and a life with God did not come because of what Paul did but because of what Jesus had already done and desired to give him as a gift. 

When Paul learned that and believed it he was a man reborn.  He went from being a persecutor of Christ to a preacher of Christ and his own life was a living, breathing witness that what God really wants for us is to simply receive the forgiveness Jesus won for us on the cross.

He could look back upon his life and know that he had failed miserably—that he was the chief of sinners-- but because of what Christ had done for him and the difference it made in his life-- he could also call upon every Christian to follow him in receiving Christ’s forgiveness and trusting in Christ’s cross. 

Paul wasn’t alone in this message and he wasn’t the only example of the height and breadth and depth of God’s redeeming grace.  Every apostle could recount and remember their own failures to be all that God wanted them to be and yet rejoice that there was full and free forgiveness that flowed from Jesus ’cross. 

That was the message of the apostles and the message of Luther and the message of the faithful Christians who founded this congregation.  But almost from the beginning there was opposition to the Good News of Jesus.  Paul writes:

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

For every time the Good News of full and free forgiveness in Christ was proclaimed by Paul or one of the other apostles—there was someone else saying “yes, but”. 

You are forgiven and set free from the guilt and shame of the past—yes, but you still have to be circumcised.  Your sins are washed away forever by the blood of Christ—yes, but you have to make sure that you obey God from now on.  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus—yes, but you must never forget the past.

What does Paul say about those who attach a “yes, but” to the finished work of Jesus?  He says that they are enemies of the cross of Christ.  Enemies of the cross of Christ!  Can there be a more terrible judgment than this?!  Why are they enemies of the cross? 

Because they dare—in their spiritual pride and self-righteousness--to substitute their own voices and opinions about what happened there at the cross in place of the words of Jesus which were:  “Father, forgive them”—and—“It is finished”.  Sins forgiven and salvation finished.  That is life with God!  That is our hope and peace!  That is the content of our faith and the faith of the founders of this congregation and the faith of Paul! 

Now, I will tell you that the “yes, but” appeals to our flesh.  Until the day that we die we will struggle to believe that God’s grace can be so great- and Christ’s forgiveness so complete -that we do not need to add even the slightest thing to it. 

That is why we hear these strong words from Paul that those who add some condition to God’s forgiveness and demand some work besides that of Jesus are enemies of the cross.  Their self-chosen obedience and holiness and conditions do not give God the glory for his work of salvation-- but themselves.  And believing this they go to their eternal destruction because they are not serving God but themselves.

But for those who simply put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ—who know that their salvation is a gift that has been given to them at the cost of Christ’s blood—these folks can be confident that they are right with God, forgiven of their sins, and are going to heaven. 

Paul writes:  Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Our citizenship in heaven is not just one of these days—our citizenship is heaven right now-- because we are God’s children and he has redeemed us to live with him while we wait for Christ’s return in glory and the renewal of all things.

These are some incredibly comforting words!  Last week we elected a new president and while half the country is glad the other half is heartbroken.  Whether we are glad or sad about the election, there is a reality that is true about us that is greater than our political party and greater even than our national identity-- and that truth is that we ultimately are part of God’s kingdom and no matter what happens in our country we can be confident that we have a perfect heavenly home because of Jesus’s power over death and the grave.

No matter which man was elected, they were going to struggle to make right everything that is wrong with our nation.  But Jesus Christ has the power to subject all things to himself—in other words, he has the power to make right everything that is wrong-- not just in our nation and economy-- but everything that is wrong in our world.

Our national and world wide problems are much deeper than what can be fixed with some political solution or the right leadership—our problems cut right to the heart of a world that has been turned off its course by sin.

But the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection has moved the world back in the right direction.  Once more we can have a life with God.  Once more we can look forward to the future without fear because we know that God is in control.  Once more we can count on a life with God that even death cannot end and a world that will be made new on the last day.

Paul looked out upon a world where the greatest empire that ever existed was his enemy.  He faced death time and time again until he was martyred for his faith.  He experienced division and discord in the church. 

But he knew that Jesus Christ was greater than all of it and would raise him from the dead and restore the goodness of the world and so he faced the future with a confident faith.  As a congregation that is called by his name, let us walk in his footsteps and know the same.  Amen.

Salvation Belongs to Our God and to the Lamb

Revelation 7:9-17 All of us have experienced saying goodbye to a loved one:  a child going off to college—a family member returning home after the holidays—a friend moving to a new city.  We watch them drive down the street until we can’t see them anymore.  Then they’re gone.  Not gone forever—just separated from us for a time.

We realize that just because we can’t see them, it doesn’t mean that they have ceased to exist.  Their life goes on and ours does too and we look forward to that day when we will see them again.

So it is when we say goodbye to a loved one who dies in Christ.  We are parted from them for a time—but they have not left us forever.  We can’t see them anymore but that doesn’t mean that their life does not continue on.  As we observe All Saints Day, God pulls back the curtain that hides our departed loved ones from our sight and lets us view their life in heaven—and our life to come.  St. John writes:

I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

            When we say goodbye to a child who goes off to college or a loved one who returns home after a holiday or a friend who moves to a new town, we may be lonely—but they are not all alone.  There is a hole in our life, but they have more friends. 

So it is when our loved ones die.  They are not all alone—they are with fellow believers.  They are welcomed into heaven by a great multitude of people who have shared the same faith and worshiped the same God and gone through the same earthly difficulties and trials.

While we are sad to see them go—they are filled with joy as they add their voices to that great hymn of praise to their Savior God. 

When we say our final goodbye to a loved one, our thoughts are often turned to them—we look back at the life we had with them—we are lonely for them and mourn for them—but the focus of their lives is not what is past, but the Lamb who shed his blood for them and brought them safely home just- as- he- promised.

When sin and death entered into the world, God promised that he would restore what man had destroyed—that he would send a Savior who would conquer the devil and death.  Over salvation history, God renewed this promise again and again.  He told the patriarchs that their descendants would be so great that no one could number them.

God kept his promise.  He sent his Son as a sacrificial Lamb whose blood set us free from sin and death and as St. John looked upon that great multitude of saved sinners he could not count them all.  But because they cannot be counted-- that does not mean that they cannot be recognized. 

In that great multitude are your loved ones who trusted in Jesus and now stand in his presence giving him thanks and praise for their salvation.  And not only do they give him their thanks and praise, they are joined in that song of praise by the whole company of heaven.  St. John writes that:

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 

            The sad story of mankind’s fall into sin and death is not just the story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience—it is also the story of an angelic rebellion—a war in heaven.  The Bible does not go into great detail about this rebellion but what we know is that before the creation of man, God created the angels and some of those angels rebelled against him and made the destruction of man their goal so that Satan tempted Adam and Eve to sin against God and evil entered into the world.

Though the devil won that battle, God promised that Satan would not win the war—but that God would send the Seed of the Woman, Mary’s Son Jesus, to destroy the devil and have the final victory.

From that moment on in salvation history we see the heavenly angels doing their part to bring about God’s saving purpose.  They visited God’s people to comfort them.  They waged war against God’s enemies.  They served as God’s messengers to announce his salvation. 

That salvation was accomplished when Jesus rose up from the dead and the angels were right there to tell the world that God had kept his promise and destroyed the power of death and the devil.

We have to be careful not to go beyond the Bible but I think it is fair to say that it must have been crushing to the good angels to know that some of their fellow angels had destroyed all the good God had created.  They must have yearned for Christ’s victory!

What we can say with certainty. is that all of the heavenly host—angels and archangels, seraphim and cherubim, the elders and the four living creatures have joined with all of God’s redeemed people around the throne of the Lamb to thank and praise God for his mighty work of salvation.

Can you just imagine the joy of our loved ones in heaven being in the presence of these heavenly beings, who though unseen, were beside them each step of the way on life’s journey, fighting on their behalf, so that they would reach their heavenly home paid for by the blood of the Lamb?  St. John writes that:

One of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.”

            In our sermon hymn we sang these words about our departed loved ones who stand around the throne of the Lamb:  Despised and scorned they sojourned here-but now how glorious they appear.  Despised and scorned.

The fall into sin has made life on this earth a hardship that God never intended.  Earthly toil is a hardship rather than a joy.  Bringing forth new life involves suffering.  There is conflict with those closest to us.  And finally there is death.  We go through life with trials and tribulation.  It seems that sin and defeat are the last word about us.

But our departed loved ones in heaven are depicted with palm branches in their hands and are clothed in white robes.  Waving palm branches was an ancient custom to welcome a conquering king and the white robes a sign of holiness and purity.  And so…

How do our loved ones come to possess this sign of righteousness and what victorious King do they praise?  St. John tells us:  They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  That is one of the most powerful images in the Bible and it is meant to be because it portrays the greatest truth of the Bible! 

Those who are delivered from earthly tribulation into the joys of heaven—those who can stand unashamed before the throne of the true and living God—those who can celebrate their King’s victory—are those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. 

In other words, it is those who have put their faith and trust in Christ’s death on the cross for their salvation, who are there in heaven with God.

St. John tells us about that heavenly life that our departed loved ones are enjoying right now-- and the life that we too will live in heaven.

“They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

            When we say goodbye to a loved one, whether it is a loved one moving to a new place or when we say our last goodbyes, there are tears that we shed.  There is no shame in that and neither is it a sign of a lack of faith.  Jesus wept at the graveside of Lazarus and the Bible says that we grieve—but not as though who have no hope—because the tears that we shed, ARE NOT shed, by our departed loved ones.

When they depart from us they enter into the joys of heaven and God wipes away their tears and they never experience hardship or sorrow again.  Life for them is the way that God meant it to be—a life in his presence where there is only peace and plenty.

That is so important for us to remember!  Often times our last moments with a loved one are painful—illness or an accident or just the frailty of old age has done its ugly work and that thought burdens us and stays with us. 

But God pulls back the curtain to heaven on this All Saints Sunday because he wants us to lift up our eyes from that sorrowful scene and feast our eyes on what is really true for those we love who have gone home to heaven:  no more sorrow—no more suffering—no more trial or tribulation of any kind-- for they are safely home.

Unless the Lord comes first, all of us will one day say goodbye to this earthly life and goodbye to our loved ones we leave behind.  But that is not the last word for us and it is nothing to fear because salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb and he has given it to us as a free gift of his grace so that we would live with him in heaven forever.  

All Saints Prayer (adapted from TLH agenda)

We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, that in Your goodness you have not only preserved our earthly life, but have also called us, through the Gospel of your Son, into life eternal.

On this observance of All Saints Day, when we remember all of those who have departed this life in faith, let us not sorrow as those who have no hope, but trust in the words of Your Son that whoever believers in him shall never die.

Remind us that here on earth we have no eternal home and so lead us to make the right use of our time and teach us to yearn for our eternal home with You. 

Empower us by your Spirit to follow in the steps of those men and women, who through patience and faith, have inherited the eternal joys of heaven.  Help us amid the trials and temptations of this world to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. 

When the days of our brief journey on earth are done and we pass through the valley of the shadow of death, abide with us, and comfort us with the innocent death and all sufficient merit of our Redeemer so that we may fall asleep in Jesus and awaken in the glory of Your presence.

Keep our graves under the shadow of Your wings that they may be peaceful resting places until You raise up our mortal bodies and clothe them with immortality. 

We give You thanks that your mercy and kindness extends not only to our eternal future but to our earthly lives in this moment.  And so we pray that You would bless our nation and guide our fellow citizens as we choose new leaders—that You would help all of those affected by Hurricane Sandy—that You would grant healing to those who are ill, especially Kathleen and Barbara—and that You would give Bailey every good gift of body and soul as he celebrates a birthday.

May we today, and at all times, take Your Word to heart so that when we join the redeemed that have gone before us, we may begin eternity with joy and add our voice to the whole company of heaven in giving all blessing and honor and glory to You and the Lamb, forever and ever.  Amen

This Week at Mt. Olive

Good evening, fellow redeemed!

Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

With these words from John, our Lord Jesus tells us of His all sufficient work at the cross.

The Jews who questioned Jesus didn't understand their slavery to sin and their need for freedom.  Their claim of the freedom through the line of Abraham actually revealed their idolatry in which they held to their own favorite subject:  themselves.

Only Jesus brings us into the house of the Father.  This great work He does at the cross, shedding His innocent blood to redeem lost and condemned creatures like you and me.  Only through Jesus, as we cling to Him by faith, are we freed from the power of sin, death, and the devil, and brought into the household of God.

Prayer Concerns:

Jan Wilson and her family, at the death of her brother-in-law, Roy

Pat Walker and her family at the death of her father

Jackie Steele, Sue Catherman

Those who serve in our armed forces and their families:  Rob Vadney (Ft. Campbell, KY)

Ruby Rieder, Ann Cleveland, Burt and Doris Nelson, Ellie Reiners, Walter and Pearly Theiss

The whole Church, both in heaven and on earth, as she rejoices and confesses Jesus Christ and Him crucified

This Week at Mt. Olive:

Things return to a bit of normalcy this week.

Trunk - Treat returns to Mt. Olive on Wednesday evening.  Bring your candy, decorations, and join us in having a bit of fun and sharing with the community around us.  Trunk-Treat begins at 6:30 p.m.

This Week at Mt. Olive:

Monday, October 29

6 p.m.

Zumb-ahhh Aerobics (Fellowship Hall)

Tuesday, October 30

4:30 p.m.

Adult Information

6 p.m.

Jr. Confirmation Instruction (Commandments 7-10)

Wednesday, October 31

A Blessed Reformationtide to all!

8:30 a.m.

School Chapel - 8th Commandment

9:30 a.m.

Bible Class - Job

6:30 p.m.

Trunk - Treat in the Parking Lot!

Thursday, November 1

A blessed All Saints Day!

6 p.m.

Zumb-ahhh aerobics (Fellowship Hall)

God bless!

PKJ

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

All Saints’ Day                                                                                                                                                    November 1

                                                               

Lessons for ALL SAINTS

       

Revelation 7:(2-8) 9-17 ~ John saw the multitude of saints in glory serving the Lamb at His throne.

Psalm 31:1-5 (antiphon Rev. 7:14)

1 John 3:1-3 ~ God loves us so much that He called us to be His children, and made us His for eternity!

        Matthew 5:1-12 ~ Jesus revealed the true nature of blessings in the Kingdom of God.

GATHERING THE TEXTS:  From Death to Life

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!"  (Isaiah 43:1)  With these words, God reminds us that we and those believers who have gone before us are saints (that is "holy ones") because of His action.  No other truth brings as much comfort.  If sainthood were up to us by good works, our hope would be uncertain at best and futile at worst.  We would be lost for sure and there would be no celebration today.  Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ.  (1 Cor. 15:57)

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE:  Gracious and eternal God, be with me in suffering and in death to strengthen and comfort me by your Holy Spirit.  Keep me in the true faith and give me peace and joy in the assurance of the resurrection of the dead and the glory of life everlasting through Jesus Christ, your Son, my risen Lord.  Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT:  Because we know that our citizenship is in heaven where we have an everlasting inheritance, we are free to be generous with the earthly goods God places in our care.  Our use of these blessings should bring eternal blessing to the lives of the poor, the meek, the mournful, and those who seek justice.

OFFERING PRAYER:      Blessings abound in the power of Your Word;

                                                Blessed are we in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

                                                Grant that these offerings we bring may secure

                                                Blessings eternal for meek and for poor.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT:  We do not recognize the saints of God because we see things from earth’s perspective and our point of view, where joy and wealth and power and fame are the blessings we seek.  Surely the Lord knows who His saints are because He has clothed them with the robe of Christ’s righteousness.  When we are known by Him, we are called children of God – and called to be His children.  Then opportunities to serve become blessings, and even persecution becomes a sign of our identity as a saint of God’s grace