Ash Wednesday starts our Lenten journey. Many churches offer the imposition of ashes this day. We are reminded that we are from dust and to dust we will return. This is a beautiful outward symbol of our repentance and ultimately our mortality.Yet, God does not desire only outward changes in our lives. God desires sincerity … Read more
This video has samples of the music from Evening Prayer, the worship order we’ll be following for our Lenten Midweek services.
Water, Wilderness, Kingdom Mark 1: 9-15 In Lent, we tend to focus on Jesus’ work and suffering during Holy Week. But our lessons this morning remind us to consider more broadly what it meant for Jesus to enter human flesh and walk through this world of ours. Jesus would walk a familiar path through the … Read more
Consider how God has blessed you, not just for your own sake, but for how he may bless others through your service. This is a part of fearing, loving, and trusting in God above all things.
Perhaps the most unique and useful lesson the Psalms teach us is how to lament. Life does not always go well for us. Often it is quite the opposite. Jesus did not promise us great earthly blessings and treasures. Rather, he taught us that to follow him is to take up our own cross and … Read more
Our Lenten Midweek theme, Return From Exile, will have a series of images for us to consider each evening service. Each set of images will have an Old Testament image compared to a New Testament or eternal image. This series was written by one of my Old Testament teachers at the seminary, and he wrote … Read more
Text: Lisa M. Clark TTune: Public Domain 1 We are exiles from the garden, banished by our sinful choice Terrified to seek His pardon, hiding from our Father’s voice Underneath the branches swaying, sweat and blood fall to the ground In the darkness Christ is praying; He comes forward to be bound.
Beginning with Ash Wednesday (2/17/20), we will be having Lenten Midweek services at 4:00 & 7:00 PM. We intend to livestream the 7:00 PM service Our Sunday morning and Monday evening services will remain the same Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will also have services at 4:00 & 7:00 PM Easter Morning Services – 7:00, … Read more
A Little Book on Joy: The Secret of Living a Good News Life in a Bad News World is a cumbersome title, however the book is not. It is written by Matthew Harrison, current president of the LCMS. I appreciate that the chapters aren’t very long. Most of the chapters can be read in 10-20 minutes. … Read more
I’ve been thinking about in vitro fertilization (IVF) lately. IVF is where fertilization of an egg is done in the lab. I’ve had friends grow up in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and continue to proclaim the LCMS faith who have either gone through IVF or lamented the health plans of the LCMS don’t cover … Read more