Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 18 September 6, 2009

Lessons for Proper 18 (Lutheran Service Book)

Isaiah 35:4–7a ~ Miraculous restoration of health, in body and in nature, will signal the messianic day.
Psalm 146 (antiphon: v. 2)
James 2:1–10, 14–18 ~ Living faith calls forth caring actions for the poor and justice for the oppressed.
Mark 7:(24–30) 31–37 ~ The faith of a mother and of a deaf man’s friends moved them to seek Jesus’ help.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: "Signs of the Times"
In Babylon the captive Jews saw their condition and imagined that God had given up on them. Isaiah's message is filled with comfort: "God will restore Israel to Zion; you will see it in the restoration of health and the new life of joy." Jesus brought not only signs of healing, but even the waters of salvation and new life by his death on the cross. James tells us that we Christians are to be signs of the times with our lives, so that others may believe in our good and gracious God.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord God, You create all things new and good again by Your presence in Word and Sacrament. In Your Son, Jesus Christ, You have given Your answer of redemption and healing for the world. Help me make things better around me by the words I speak and the gifts of love I give. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: Through Christ, God has healed our hearts, broken by sin, and given us new life in His redeeming love; He calls us in faith, to respond to the poor who are crushed by the injustices of society and inequities of life, using our resources of body and spirit to demonstrate God’s love to our neighbors.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, You brought healing in Your Word; You make all things new and good.
We dedicate these gifts to You; Help us use them as we should
To bring new life in word and deed for all who suffer want and pain.
Let our faith be shown in love, as we witness Jesus’ name. Amen.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We can certainly identify with burning sand and thirsty ground! But we may resist when we realize Isaiah is describing the condition of our hearts when we make our religion a practice of partiality and preferences. God reached out to the people of Isaiah’s day who felt abandoned and deserted, promising to restore them to Zion and make them signs of God’s redeeming love. In Christ we are also restored in God’s mercy and readily become signs of healing and help to the poor and displaced around us.

This Week at Mt. Olive

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:10-11, 13

These words from St. Paul are a favorite of mine. The come in the larger context of Ephesians 6:10-20, but I fear they are often misunderstood and misquoted. The weaponry is all defensive, save the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The goal is not the offensive "building a bigger heaven" that some would say. Rather, it is standing firm in the evil and, "having done all, to stand firm." The goal is standing firm in the one true faith until the day when our Lord calls us home.

I think one other thought bears stating, as it is near and dear to me. As you read Ephesians 6:10-20, notice the weaponry and those who bear it. In many circles, there is a lot of talk about church leadership. One gets the idea that Christian leaders=2 0are like generals in a war room, hashing out plans. In service to our Lord, let's make no mistake. The weaponry of which Paul speaks in Ephesians 6 is that of the infantry. Bearing the full armor of God, we are all infantry “ foot soldiers, ground pounders, grunts. Even Christian leaders are grunts. The plan of war has already been established by our Lord Jesus. Bearing the full armor of God, we stand firm as we stand under the cross, standing on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Satan is a worthy opponent; he would love nothing more than to topple Christ's soldiers. Stand firm, then, Paul says, in the might of Christ, fitted with the armor our Lord provides, sustained by His promises.

Events at Mt. Olive
Rally Day is always one of my favorite events. It's an opportunity to hear children singing and to embark on another great year of Bible instruction. Today's celebration was a great opportunity to rejoice in the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are given to share with generation after generation. In the coming months, please make it a point to pray for Mt. Olive's great corps of Sunday School teachers by name, as well as all Sunday School teachers throughout the Church.

Guitar worship this morning was a real treat - singing hymns with some different instruments. Look for coming opportunities for guitar worship, about once per month.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study has begun again at 9:30 a.m. Currently, the study is called "The Unexplainable" and comes from Concordia Publishing House's "Faith on the Edge" series. Trust me when I say after the first class that this is generating a whole bunch of great discussion! Don't worry if you want to join us--it's not too late!

Choir begins again Wednesday evening, September 2, at 6:30 p.m. No experience is necessary to sing in the choir at Mt. Olive. If you have any questions about the choir, the music, when we sing, etc., please give the director, Kathy Jennings, a call.

Confirmation Instruction is just around the corner. Beginning September 13, confirmands will meet for class from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. This year, instruction will have an online component, as well as the classroom components.

Prayer Concerns:
Those who serve in our armed forces, including Michael Baker (Iraq), Andrew Epley (nearing deployment), and Richard Rhode (North Carolina).
The pastors of our circuit and their wives: Pastor Sturgis (Aransas Pass), Pastor Wagstaff (Rockport), Pastor Strimple (Trinity), Pastor Brynestad (Messiah), Pastor Seaman (Our Savior), Pastor Schubert (Lord of Life), P astor Franke (Bishop), Pastor Eckert (Kingsville), Deacon Autry (West Sinton), as well as the retired pastors (Pastor Childs, Pastor Schubert, Pastor Kirk, and Pastor Flores)
The teachers in the Lutheran schools and care programs in our area (Portland, West Sinton, Messiah, Bishop, Lord of Life, Mt. Olive, and Trinity) and those who are committed to their care
Our national, state, and local leaders

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, August 31
6:30 p.m. Zumba Aerobics

Wednesday, September 2
8: 30 a.m. School Chapel in the Sanctuary
9:30 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study in the overflow
6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

Bokenkamp Children's Shelter

Bokenkamp Children’s Shelter serves the needs of unaccompanied refugee minors in the hopes that with access to educational opportunities, shelter and legal resources, these children can be empowered to make their own way in life, whether that means returning to their home countries, being reunified with their families, or seeking asylum in the United States.

Bokenkamp provides dormitory-style living, bilingual educational opportunities, computer instruction, outdoor recreation, crafts and hobbies, spiritual care and a number of activities that strive to foster a sense of normalcy for children who may never have enjoyed such stability in their very young lives before this.

Here there is hope for a bright future for these children, either in the USA or in their home countries. If you have a craft, a talent, a hobby, some spare time, or a big heart, there is a place for you as a volunteer at Bokenkamp Children’s Shelter. While fluency in Spanish is certainly a big help, it is not a necessity for volunteers. Contact Sarah Hill (361 994 1214), email sarah.hill@lsss.org or go to www.bokenkampchildrenscenter.org .

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 17

Lessons for Proper 17 (Lutheran Service Book)

Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9 ~ When God’s people obey His commands, others will be attracted to our great God.
Psalm 119:129–36 (antiphon: v. 132)
Ephesians 6:10–20 ~ God provides spiritual armor to protect His people from the powers of the devil.
Mark 7:14–23 ~ Jesus declared that all foods are clean, but evil thoughts from our hearts make us unclean.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: A Way That Only Appears to be Right
Some things are done just for show. The Lord God of Israel gave commandments to His people so they would look good to their neighbors and His name would be glorified, but it was to go more than just "skin deep." Jesus taught the Pharisees and teachers of the Law that only appearing to be right on the outside was not the same as being clean within. St. Paul explained that the full armor of one of the Lord's soldiers must include the breastplate of God's righteousness that changes the heart through the blood of Christ.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: O Holy Spirit, nourish me by Your holy Word that I may not be contaminated with the false teachings of this world. Guide me in living by the wisdom of Your righteousness so that my life will be an example of Your great love and I may always be ready to speak the Gospel of Your peace. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: God has given us great resources and commandments on how to use them in relationship with others so that we bring glory to His name. When we use His gifts to show off the love of God, He will bring many people to know His grace.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, when we bring these gifts to You
Don’t let them just be brought for show.
Bless them – and us in all we do,
To show Your grace for all to know. Amen.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: God demonstrates His loving care for all people through the caring love of those who keep His commandments. When we put on a good front but carry on selfish and hurtful practices in secret, we deny the relationship to which God has called us. We have been given the breastplate of Christ’s righteousness to make us clean in God’s sight, inside and out. We now stand ready to share the good news in loving ways that will bring people to declare how wonderful God is.

Back to School!

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

It has always struck me as odd that dedicated parents will insist that their children brush their teeth before going to bed but will allow them to “choose” whether or not they will go to Sunday School—that we will insist on 30 minutes or an hour of reading a day, but never worry that our child hasn’t heard or read a portion of God’s Word that day—that we will make sure that our children are at school on time and yet come late to church Sunday after Sunday—that we will make sure our child has money for lunch or a field trip but never see to it that they have money for an offering to the Lord.
What is being taught and modeled by these kinds of actions? We are teaching our children that physical health is more important that spiritual health—that feeding their mind is more important than feeding their soul—that the principal who monitors school attendance is more real than the God who waits to be worshiped—that having money for one’s own necessities and pleasures comes before giving to the work of the Lord.
One hour of worship on Sunday or even a week of church camp is not enough to offset this kind of teaching by example that comes in the home. Kids aren’t stupid—they see what their parents really believe to be true and how much is just talk.
It is time for us as parents to take a step back, reflect on what God’s Word says is truly important, and re-prioritize our activities and attitudes. There is nothing more important than our child’s spiritual life. Not their health or education or future.
This “Back to School” month offers us a great opportunity to recognize and repent of our failure to be the kind of Christian parent that God desires that we be, receive the forgiveness of Christ’s shed blood on the cross, and begin again the important work of raising Christian children whose first priority is the Lord.

This Week at Mt. Olive

Greetings, fellow redeemed!

Have you ever noticed how Christ-centered worship really is? To be honest, the liturgy in worship takes us completely out of the equation, making the entire service about Christ! Listening a particular radio show I frequent, the host mentioned that he had been accused by a popular Christian pastor of preaching too much Christ, or linking Christ where He isn’t specifically mentioned in Holy Scripture. Like, say, Proverbs. So, why the big emphasis on Christ?

The Forgiveness of Sins! That’s a good place to start. Sometimes we talk as if “forgiveness of sins” is a commodity, something that kind of tangible that’s handed out. “Here, have a bowl of forgiveness of sins,” some illustrations might indicate. But the forgiveness of sins isn’t a thing; the forgiveness of sins is a promise! In forgiving us, God says, “I promise I’m not going to get even over this, because I punished My Son, Jesus Christ, for it.” Notice Christ again? That means that, on that first Good Friday, every blow of the hammer, every time Jesus’ flesh ripped from nails or thorns or wood or spear, every drop of blood, every torrent of sweat, every groan and cry from our Lord’s mouth, was brought about by God the Father on account of our sinfulness.

The grace of God! Again, another great place either to start or end is here. Sometimes, like forgiveness, we think grace is a commodity. If the Christian life is a struggle, God might need to add a quart of grace in our spiritual filler tube. Again, grace is not a thing that’s like an engine additive. Rather, grace, again, is a promise! The old Lutheran guys taught that grace is favor Dei propter Christum – God’s favor on account of Christ. Grace is God the Father’s attitude toward us on account of, you guessed it, Jesus Christ and what He has done as our substitute.

I mentioned before that the liturgy takes us out of the equation and centers everything on Christ. I’m reminded of Luther’s Sacristy Prayer: But do not forsake me, for if ever I should be on my own, I would easily wreck it all.

In preparation for Rally Day this next Sunday, there are quite a few happenings this week. Sunday School lessons are in! Kim has asked all Sunday School teachers to meet at the Church tomorrow evening (Monday) at 6 p.m. to receive and go over lessons. If you haven’t taught before, this is really a valuable time to learn from some experienced folks about teaching Sunday School – tips for the lessons, how to do memorizations, and the like.

Monday evening is also the night for a special planning meeting. If you have some dates and times from a committee, board, or a special area of ministry, please come to the meeting. My goal is to spend an hour (maybe less) constructing a calendar from September through December. If you have dates and times and activities for the calendar and you cannot make the meeting, please give me a call BEFORE the planning meeting.

Tuesday evening is a meeting of the Board of Elders at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Morning Bible study reconvenes this Wednesday after the two months. Class starts at 9:30 a. m. and lasts for 1 hour. The topic will be ready Wednesday morning.

Also in preparation for Rally Day, those interested in participating in a guitar worship service are invited to a rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Songs have been chosen and a few instrumentalists have been identified. Particularly needed are singers – those who can help lead the congregation, especially at late service.

Finally, if you attended Camp Lone Star this summer, there will be a rehearsal on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. for the late service on Sunday.

Next Sunday is Rally Day! This is an excellent opportunity to invite friends and neighbors who may or may not have a church home. The main Rally Day festivities will be at the Sunday School hour, late service, and after late service.

God bless!
PKJ

Prayer Needs:
Sunday School teachers here at Mt. Olive and throughout the Church, that God would bless them with His wisdom and compassion.
Confirmands who will begin classes on September 13.
All pastors and teachers of the Church who begin teaching another year of Jr. Confirmation.
Students and teachers, both those who begin school tomorrow, those who are already in the thick of instruction, and those who home school, that God would bless those who teach and those who learn.
Those who serve in our armed forces, including Michael Baker (Iraq), Edwin Rodriguez (Afghanistan), and Richard Rhode (North Carolina).

This Week at Mt. Olive:
Monday, 24 AUG 09
8 a.m. School begins!
7 p.m. Planning Meeting

Tuesday, 25 AUG 09
6:30 p.m. Elders Meeting
6 p.m. Sunday School Teachers Meeting
Wednesday, 26 AUG 09
9:30 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study
6:30 p.m. Zumba Aerobics in the Fellowship Hall
Guitar Worship Rehearsal in the sanctuary

Saturday, 29 AUG 09
10 a.m. Camp Song practice
4 p.m. Guitar Worship rehearsal and set up

Sunday, 30 AUG 09
Rally Day!

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Lessons for Proper 16 (Lutheran Service Book) (Christian Education Emphasis)
Isaiah 29:11–19 ~ When people think they have all the answers, God will surprise them with His plans.
Psalm 14 (antiphon: v. 7a)
Ephesians 5:21–33 ~ Marriage is not a human tradition; it is modeled on Christ’s relationship to the Church.
Mark 7:1–13 ~ Jesus called the Pharisees to task for putting rules taught by men in place of God’s Word.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: Learn the Rules, but Trust the Ruler!
In Isaiah’s day, rules taught by men allowed the people to feel secure even while they ignored God. They sealed up the scroll of God’s Word by pretending they knew all of God’s plans. Jesus taught the Pharisees that their obsessive attention to rules prevented them from following God’s commands. Even in a marriage, keeping all the rules is not what makes it strong, but the love and trust between husband and wife. That’s the way it is in the church: we can learn all the rules, but we can only trust the Lord when we know His sacrifice of love for us. Christian Education includes the rules for Christian living, but if it doesn’t teach us to know the steadfast love of God, it doesn’t really teach us what we have to know.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord, I have not always trusted You; sometimes I have thought Your teachings -- and Your commands -- were too hard for me. Touch me again with the power of Your Spirit that I may serve You in word and deed always. Help me lead others to Your Word of Life through my loving deeds. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: Rules for living are “a dime a dozen,” even adjusted for inflation, but the steadfast love of God that presents us to Himself holy and blameless, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, cannot be bought at any price, other than the blood of Christ who gave Himself up for us to make us His for all eternity.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, it is good to know You and know that we can trust You. Thanks for those who have been in our lives to teach us, not just Your rules, but Your love. Use these gifts to teach us more – and to teach more of us – to know and trust and love You. Amen.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: It is easier to keep the traditions we have become accustomed to, than to obey God’s commands. Outward forms fit us comfortably, but the spirit of the law requires commitment from our hearts. When we are just keeping the rules, but don’t care what the rules are for, it is time to unseal the Word of God and rediscover that Christ gave himself up for us to make us clean by the washing of the water and the word. When we know the One who has claimed us, we will give ourselves, not just our actions, to God.