tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81047806706222916212024-03-14T10:53:04.050-07:00Bethany Lutheran WorshipTraditional Lutheran worship, using The Lutheran Hymnal and the King James Version of the BibleIchabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.comBlogger708125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-85597495657986518662024-03-03T06:34:00.000-08:002024-03-03T06:34:32.908-08:00Oculi - Third Sunday in Lent<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNK98SLbnGhNfBNaaqSahKxg5DPU1Ie9XMzy9mGSNDqmxjZwm3LJlqlbmd_WbnCPtHvfDySsVrw6Zz0Nk_6cApLNKpEaTTntdXXDYp6iGaCsji6f1a00sRAJEPR3QdP9JKMWEN6h0RzddrFQjZj6JJpQTKyjDMpKdxQmBVcI0_b7TiyArfgmKTIEW7DwC/s1200/isaiah_46-9f_remember_the_former_things.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNK98SLbnGhNfBNaaqSahKxg5DPU1Ie9XMzy9mGSNDqmxjZwm3LJlqlbmd_WbnCPtHvfDySsVrw6Zz0Nk_6cApLNKpEaTTntdXXDYp6iGaCsji6f1a00sRAJEPR3QdP9JKMWEN6h0RzddrFQjZj6JJpQTKyjDMpKdxQmBVcI0_b7TiyArfgmKTIEW7DwC/w640-h360/isaiah_46-9f_remember_the_former_things.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/when-i-survey-wondrous-cross-175.html" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>The Hymn #175</b></a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/175.mp3" style="color: #dd5d2a; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>When I Survey the Wondrous Cross</b></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <b>Introit</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Turn Thee unto me and have mercy upon me: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">for I am desolate and afflicted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Psalm. Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">O my God, I trust in Thee; let me not be ashamed.</span></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Collect</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">of Thy humble servants and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Epistle and Gradual Ephesians 5:1-9<br />The Gospel Luke 11:14-28<br />Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22<br /><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/rock-of-ages-cleft-for-me-376.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration-line: none;">The Sermon Hymn #</span>376</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/376.mp3" target="_blank">Rock of Ages</a></span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> </b><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The End Game</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-come-o-savior-to-thy-table-315.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #335d6e;">The Hymn #</span>315:1-5</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/315.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> I Come O Savior To Thy Table</a></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="color: #335d6e;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/we-praise-thee-o-god-our-redeemer.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #568 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/568.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">We Praise Thee O God</a></span></b></span><span style="color: #204063;"> </span></span><span style="color: #204063; font-size: 18px;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #204063; font-size: 18px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vAf4HD_69GXKdwUBJIAhY5QOITSONwb8UUJRa-mmKTb4uolERd339NsCjo9rVJZD1BDitZlho40Ax87gdPJO2t9ABmRJagywGaL-3NisMhMuojlsqUpTDJe1aQhTaxQIhYLsCK8i-ZY1/s1493/In-Thee-Lord-Have-I-Put-My-Trust-Hymn-524+copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vAf4HD_69GXKdwUBJIAhY5QOITSONwb8UUJRa-mmKTb4uolERd339NsCjo9rVJZD1BDitZlho40Ax87gdPJO2t9ABmRJagywGaL-3NisMhMuojlsqUpTDJe1aQhTaxQIhYLsCK8i-ZY1/w480-h640/In-Thee-Lord-Have-I-Put-My-Trust-Hymn-524+copy.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.08px; text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="color: #204063; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></div><ul style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Treatment and recovery - Randy Anderson - hospital, Pastor Jim Shrader, Lori Howell, Sarah Buck, Kermit Way.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If Zoom "recording" still does not work, another expert will be brought in.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Wednesday - Vespers at 7 PM. <b><i> </i></b></li></ul></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZqQUeRXD3ubtJDz3wMIxzT3hPQJsvRRvTozjpj3ooAfQ1dAKE_JgtpaxEN6PKGoCusm4GTWXjc4kFbbbfYkt2j2Bfd4b8vDPF7FssvNP0PpE2RUWrc_6_U5AQiYAoZQPhzBaxzdYmigo/s1600/luke12considerlilies.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="814" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZqQUeRXD3ubtJDz3wMIxzT3hPQJsvRRvTozjpj3ooAfQ1dAKE_JgtpaxEN6PKGoCusm4GTWXjc4kFbbbfYkt2j2Bfd4b8vDPF7FssvNP0PpE2RUWrc_6_U5AQiYAoZQPhzBaxzdYmigo/s640/luke12considerlilies.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="542" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.08px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/norma-boeckler.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">Norma A. Boeckler</a></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>KJV Ephesians 5:1</b> Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now <i>are ye </i>light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit <i>is </i>in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>KJV Luke 11:14</b> And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting <i>him</i>, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast <i>them </i>out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth <i>it </i>swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh <i>to him </i>seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last <i>state </i>of that man is worse than the first.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed <i>is </i>the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed <i>are </i>they that hear the word of God, and keep it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUEwaNaWF_RaLCmdjALHq9Xw_s9ztI912wFVJ9HQPJCKoCTMpyxzt5GR-AkCZhz6Ke_v66nHdNTbeEAuqlgOi3S-Tr_SP6b-JFSmwOPxt-I1Cw-9k7SZb2t3u1hKWN5NveFniFuzvazEW/s1600/O-Sacreed-Head+Now-Wounded+copy.jpg" style="color: #5c2add; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1120" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUEwaNaWF_RaLCmdjALHq9Xw_s9ztI912wFVJ9HQPJCKoCTMpyxzt5GR-AkCZhz6Ke_v66nHdNTbeEAuqlgOi3S-Tr_SP6b-JFSmwOPxt-I1Cw-9k7SZb2t3u1hKWN5NveFniFuzvazEW/s640/O-Sacreed-Head+Now-Wounded+copy.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.08px;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.64px;"><h3 style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Third Sunday in Lent</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lord God, heavenly Father, who hast sent Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh, that He might overcome the devil, and defend us poor sinners against the adversary: We give thanks unto Thee for Thy merciful help, and we beseech Thee to attend us with Thy grace in all temptations, to preserve us from carnal security, and by Thy Holy Spirit to keep us in Thy word and Thy fear, that unto the end we may be delivered from the enemy, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>The End Game</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b style="font-family: arial;">KJV Luke 11:14</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b>And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><blockquote><b>KJV Matthew </b><b>12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.</b></blockquote></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Being unable to speak is not rare. Medicine can cause a stroke; our area has a regional center for strokes. He had multiple problems, and Jesus, the Great Physician, healed this man. The crowd was filled with wonder. Wherever there is faith in the Savior, there is also opposition. Some in the crowd said, Satan's power is behind this healing!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">16 And others, tempting </span><i style="font-family: arial;">him</i><span style="font-family: arial;">, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is like the miraculous feeding of the multitude, where one great miracle of feeding led people to demand another miracle from heaven, as if their own feeding in the desert was not the great wonder they experienced for themselves. "A sign" is not meant to be a hint or a nudge, but we have watered down that phrase "a sign" to make it almost meaningless. Example - "A postcard came - it was a sign from heaven, I'm sure." Jesus knew the thoughts of people, as He does today, and that led to His warning - A kingdom divided is ruined, and a house divided falls.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-luke-1114-23-oculi.html" target="_blank">Luther wrote:</a></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">By this act Christ draws us to himself, leads us to look to him for every blessing, and to go to him in every time of need. He does this that we also, according to the nature of love, should do unto others as he does unto us.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">If someone wants to observe Satanic hatred, only a nudge toward the Scriptures or basic Christian doctrine is needed. The extreme liberal ELCA pastors and bishops found that out when an even more extreme group united against them to take away the clout of the not-extreme-enough radicals. But there must be a far more extreme faction, because the demands continue. It is no good to mark off a stopping point, because that has been done many times already.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">The beauty of the King James Version is its steadfast language. A few words are ancient but easily looked up - leasing means "</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">lying, false witness, deceit, hypocrisy, artifice, empty talk, frivolity, laxity.” What we really know comes from the context of the language, so the mischief-makers are always changing the meaning. Even worse, they challenge any traditional meaning of those words, which hearken back to their original use. Some of us began in a Biblical age, when the US Constitution reflected the divine origins and the meaning of law. The 10 Commandments could be framed on the teacher's wall, and Christmas carols were sung to a packed audience of teachers and parents.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">So Jesus challenged the critics to make sense out of their claims. If He was possessed by Satan, how could He as Satan cast out Satan? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">them </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">Rabbis were known to be healers, so Jesus challenged them about whether their sons would be Satanic. Jesus was addressing whether the next generation would be godly or divided. Jesus' claim is very clear - and often ridiculed - The Kingdom of God has come upon you, because I cast out demons through the power of God. Verse 20 is saying - You are all going to be part of the revealed Kingdom of God, whether you believe it or not.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-luke-1114-23-oculi.html" target="_blank">Luther:</a></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">What then were these blasphemers able to say to such clear arguments? </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">They were put to silence, but their hearts were hardened, so that they did not heed his words. A hardened heart will not be instructed, no matter how plainly and clearly the truth is presented; but the faith of the righteous is strengthened when they see that the ground of their faith is right and good. </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">And for the sake of such we must answer those whose hearts are hardened, and put them to silence.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">At first this little parable seems to be confusing, but that is the point. Jesus did not teach for every single one, but for the believers. The strong man is Satan. His power and authority continued until the public ministry of Jesus began. The Son of God was stronger and overcame Satan by the cross and resurrection. The tiny band of apostles became the earthly ambassadors of the Gospel and continued in the miracle working of Jesus and His Gospel.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">There is no middle ground. Many ministers find an easy way to live and by being so accommodating to fashion or movements, they end up being against Christ. Neutrality is not possible - a person is on one side or the other, Satan or the Messiah.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">it </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">to him </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">state </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">of that man is worse than the first.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">I have seen this take place, more than once. Someone gets away from the grip of gambling, or drugs, or alcohol abuse, and more. He is happy and goes back to work. This parable gives the perspective of the unclean spirit, so it is puzzling at first, but with renewed study, it is ironic that the unclean spirit goes back home to haunt someone's life. The unclean spirit finds the repentant tidied up and in good shape again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">And this applies to whole world. As Luther says, the unclean spirits latched onto the Vatican and its fake, unhealthy dogma -</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-luke-1114-23-oculi.html" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">When Christ had become known in the world and the devil’s former kingdom with its idol worship had been destroyed, he adopted another plan and attacked us with heresy and introduced and established <u>the papacy</u>, in which Christ was entirely forgotten, and men became worse heathen under the name of Christ than before he was preached, as we can see now with our own eyes.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">is </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, <u>Yea rather, blessed </u></span><u><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">are </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">they that hear the word of God, and keep it.</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">The Word of Jesus, spoken about His mother, shows the highest respect, but He did not promote the elevation of Mary into a divine. I found two things in working through these issues at a Vatican owned library, near our parsonage in Columbus. One was the beautifully written passages about Roman Catholic doctrine, page after page - nothing wrong at all. But two - there were inevitable landmines planted here and there, so the Gospel was destroyed entirely. I find dreamy ex-Lutheran pastors trying to feast on what is generously offered by Rome, for good reasons. When Lutherans began to be ashamed of Reformation doctrine, they found themselves easy targets for propagandists.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">When LCMS-AELC-LCA Pastor Richard Neuhaus had lunch with the Pope, he was a Roman Catholic priest. I captioned it "Neuhaus has lunch with the Antichrist." He found that amusing. When I talked to him at the Ad Fontes gathering, I mentioned to him that I heard his very conservative father preach on Easter Sunday in Canada. Ad Fontes was organized to gather Lutherans to Rome. I told him, "We are already Fontes (at the Font - the Gospel) and not on the way to your font."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">There should be no confusion and no compromise. There is only one Truth, the revealed Truth of the apostolic Scriptures (KJV). Compromising is the easy way, but sticking to God's Truth is the eternal Way, Truth, and the Life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigZt2_YRPNM_37Ywua65vf8RSg-amWjy2n_r_BF96e2vwTxQ2ITzSDRCSXghFP5GVvBuuZDUmP6NuL5jjfKvn5ZoWjLkJeff65sXLC1F4V65rtL7uWaNx0l5qFl5eo8fl3YWbpfMeM2ku8_Er-_23WeqYDs1l9u2n-vDwbI8UE9Qq2mhM3R0mF0An_ZJJ/s1050/before_abraham_was_I_AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1050" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigZt2_YRPNM_37Ywua65vf8RSg-amWjy2n_r_BF96e2vwTxQ2ITzSDRCSXghFP5GVvBuuZDUmP6NuL5jjfKvn5ZoWjLkJeff65sXLC1F4V65rtL7uWaNx0l5qFl5eo8fl3YWbpfMeM2ku8_Er-_23WeqYDs1l9u2n-vDwbI8UE9Qq2mhM3R0mF0An_ZJJ/w640-h426/before_abraham_was_I_AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The end</span></div></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-61723779911350915832024-02-14T15:50:00.000-08:002024-02-14T15:50:23.666-08:00Ash Wednesday 2024.<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw88ZjAtOc5bEUtOVLTeaMEH0Zv86YvsbKb-4J1CuANLqetUS5dPd-mczM-i3rrEKs-mYkPc361uWZZH19umcPoBr2vXHqKZvtPrG4NbbJ6j3GFp4yO3JZqoC_bTI1TLcYnLPM3kvZWv7-KT01r08624a75Eig8193yLjywkylQqlZkZ4xgUPffKJNbvr/s960/Ash-Wednesday-2024%20copy2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="960" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw88ZjAtOc5bEUtOVLTeaMEH0Zv86YvsbKb-4J1CuANLqetUS5dPd-mczM-i3rrEKs-mYkPc361uWZZH19umcPoBr2vXHqKZvtPrG4NbbJ6j3GFp4yO3JZqoC_bTI1TLcYnLPM3kvZWv7-KT01r08624a75Eig8193yLjywkylQqlZkZ4xgUPffKJNbvr/w640-h402/Ash-Wednesday-2024%20copy2.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bethany Lutheran Church </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: large;">7 PM Central Time</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/" style="color: #dd2aaa; font-size: 17.6px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Lyrics from the Bethany Hymn Blog are embedded</a><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> in the hymn numbers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;">The melody is linked in the hymn title.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/alas-and-did-my-savior-bleed-154-isaac.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration-line: none;">The Hymn #</span>154</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/154.mp3" target="_blank">Alas and Did My Savior Bleed</a></b></span></span><b style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/154.mp3" target="_blank"> </a> </b><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b>Introit</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 19.712px;"><p class="FirstParagraph">I will cry unto God Most High: unto God that performeth all things for me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText">Yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge: until these calamities be overpast.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><i>Psalm.</i> Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><br /></div>The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b>Collect</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><p class="FirstParagraph">Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that Thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent, create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.<o:p></o:p></p>The Epistle and Gradual </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b>Gradual</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><p class="FirstParagraph">Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText">V. He shall send from heaven: and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><i>Tract</i>. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins: nor reward us according to our iniquities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText">V. O Lord, remember not against us former iniquities: let Thy tender mercies speedily come to us, for we are brought very low.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText"></p><p class="MsoBodyText">V. Help us, O God of our salvation: for the glory of Thy name.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;">The Gospel <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22<br /><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/my-hope-is-built-on-nothing-less-370.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #335d6e;">The Sermon Hymn #</span>370 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/370.mp3" target="_blank">My Hope Is Built</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Treasures in Heaven</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-christ-our-blessed-savior-311.html" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #311</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/311.mp3" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration-line: none;">Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior</a> </b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/beautiful-savior-657.html" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #657</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/657.mp3" style="color: #335d6e; text-decoration-line: none;">Beautiful Savior</a> </b><o:p style="font-size: 17.6px;"></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOBgSSlzOBGCFBFi-DZ55qUpGOzc486W1B3Y18GDAQ1P3daJhKSrBLJpqWUvK_XpRq95wx9-qDt8bZlVFeMyo5zwXRrNKz0O9Qpl_zNFOWd3w28zASHY8JwTIzel6EZpTzfoRKPGJzRg7ataRxnJhZUPNRhpxkAI9jaZRPs4v9dyALdBgSjRZd1AX1hw=s900" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="900" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOBgSSlzOBGCFBFi-DZ55qUpGOzc486W1B3Y18GDAQ1P3daJhKSrBLJpqWUvK_XpRq95wx9-qDt8bZlVFeMyo5zwXRrNKz0O9Qpl_zNFOWd3w28zASHY8JwTIzel6EZpTzfoRKPGJzRg7ataRxnJhZUPNRhpxkAI9jaZRPs4v9dyALdBgSjRZd1AX1hw=w640-h462" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><ul style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Treatment and recovery - Pastor Jim Shrader (surgery), Randy Anderson, Lori Howell, Kermit Way, Sarah Buck.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">The Zoom computers work now, perhaps due to a mike & even more "upgrades." Zach Engleman and Glen Kotten spent hours going over the sound issue.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UFHXvHGpJvKFobhyphenhyphengD3wmH290ST5K5rUjyGAv2fschvBal1nyimFL8gigckszyrO_cpNZn1Vee_m002QYF6etUb4Z-lYolnkgD-u1H5Pvx3Mk-ixSp2IqCdbnnGSwGolOFqf0u5S1Bs/s1600/huss_communion_montstmichel_fog+copy.jpg" style="color: #5c2add; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UFHXvHGpJvKFobhyphenhyphengD3wmH290ST5K5rUjyGAv2fschvBal1nyimFL8gigckszyrO_cpNZn1Vee_m002QYF6etUb4Z-lYolnkgD-u1H5Pvx3Mk-ixSp2IqCdbnnGSwGolOFqf0u5S1Bs/s640/huss_communion_montstmichel_fog+copy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></li></ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 19.712px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Epistle</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Joel 2:12-19</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-12" id="en-KJV-22324"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>Therefore also now, saith the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-13" id="en-KJV-22325"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">13 </span>And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-14" id="en-KJV-22326"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">14 </span>Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> your God?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-15" id="en-KJV-22327"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">15 </span>Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-16" id="en-KJV-22328"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">16 </span>Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-17" id="en-KJV-22329"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>Let the priests, the ministers of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-18" id="en-KJV-22330"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>Then will the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> be jealous for his land, and pity his people.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Joel-2-19" id="en-KJV-22331"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>Yea, the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:</span></p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Gospel</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.712px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-16" id="en-KJV-23299"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">Matthew 6:16 </span>Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-18" id="en-KJV-23301"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-19" id="en-KJV-23302"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-20" id="en-KJV-23303"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-21" id="en-KJV-23304"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-21"><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"> Treasures in Heaven</span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-21"><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span class="versenum" style="color: black; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; position: relative; text-align: left; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">Matthew 6:16 </span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; text-align: left;">Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"> </span></span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-21"><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"> This is a wonderful statement about pretending to be pious as a display for everyone else, as if such works really meant much. Everything begins with faith in Jesus Christ, not appearances. Jesus' response if funny - they have their reward.</span></span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><b><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; </b><b><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.</b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"> Some people like to fast, but to do that as sanctification is bogus. One bishop said fasting was mandatory and I questioned that. People can make up new religions by going against the Savior and savoring the Law. </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><b><span class="text Matt-6-19" id="en-KJV-23302"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: </span><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:</b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"> People have taught me that we should give to people rather than sell to people. I have written about a friend in grade school whose clothes were secretly gathered among mothers so he could have enough to ware. When I asked why my clothes were being removed from my modest pile, my mother said, "None of your business." When I pressed for a answer in situations like that, she said. "You're not old enough." That meant so much to the family that the grade school boy wrote about it and said people should mention his name to encourage others and themselves. He ended up the head of our high school class, a star athlete, and a full scholarship winner to attend Yale University. My other grade school friend said, "We don't have garage sales but give aways. No questions, no prices." That is a great way to help others and clean up the house.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"> Treasures in heaven are the key statement in this passage. The true treasures in life are intangible, based on faith, generosity, helping and delighting others. We obtain those treasures through faith bearing - like the Grape Vine, John 15 - the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Or, we could say, bearing treasures through the Means of Grace - The Word of God and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.<br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-20" id="en-KJV-23303"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span><b>But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-21" id="en-KJV-23304"><b><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Matt-6-21"> That is the great storehouse, Scrooge McDuck but with the tangibles. Some people are so caring that they act upon the needs of others and strengthen others by what they say. Luther commented too that the cranky, difficult people who oppose the Gospel - not all of them are clergy - are energizing the faithful to be serious about the treasures in the KJV. That has more gems that all the jewelry stores in LA. Nobody can steal the treasures in heaven. Most importantly, our hearts are with our treasures. If they are are material things, the hearts will go there, often forever. If they hearts are with the blessings of God's Word, they will keep those treasures and God's Word will keep them.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIIOQAuE8mP3q-pLlFPsd2K2jhdf-kuqoamv77kJg-NSMr8k5vXSvRBM2eHl_wcu-Ydbq9wK52jt7plUQtrOAUlfG4gAN_zXrTTUNohM1gZKJdkb91DssZlIEPE7wlY5OyThVooYy07QtadNPDLmDvCIQ8eITCbLrjQKPejGgplvc9nTeLZQF3N0dRtXY/s703/treasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIIOQAuE8mP3q-pLlFPsd2K2jhdf-kuqoamv77kJg-NSMr8k5vXSvRBM2eHl_wcu-Ydbq9wK52jt7plUQtrOAUlfG4gAN_zXrTTUNohM1gZKJdkb91DssZlIEPE7wlY5OyThVooYy07QtadNPDLmDvCIQ8eITCbLrjQKPejGgplvc9nTeLZQF3N0dRtXY/w582-h640/treasure.jpg" width="582" /></a></div><br /><p></p></span></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-45272541925012840122024-02-04T07:20:00.000-08:002024-02-04T07:20:52.607-08:00Epiphany 5 2024<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM-qA0Nyw8k3Ba605WjGvn3XeXV765eRjVNDetRyh_AM2b19rrRxjWukXFkRYYDBdW8PqfLosnU3rLETW8yYhaSPqxWRE6u6JsLp-gEQjqR_fK1xBh09PMR4KZTOL0oHPezuJLzWYRoAruVt5IAqFHm9jfPlmIbqMY28MnTvIc54mYiDUmLUwiLLlWf8G/s1120/john-3-16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM-qA0Nyw8k3Ba605WjGvn3XeXV765eRjVNDetRyh_AM2b19rrRxjWukXFkRYYDBdW8PqfLosnU3rLETW8yYhaSPqxWRE6u6JsLp-gEQjqR_fK1xBh09PMR4KZTOL0oHPezuJLzWYRoAruVt5IAqFHm9jfPlmIbqMY28MnTvIc54mYiDUmLUwiLLlWf8G/w640-h426/john-3-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, 2024</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bethany Lutheran Worship, 10 AM Central </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><div><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/christ-is-our-cornerstone-465.html" target="_blank">The Hymn #465 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/465.mp3" target="_blank">Christ Is Our Cornerstone</a></b><br />The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Introit</span></b></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Worship Him, all ye His angels: Zion heard and was glad.<br /><br />The daughters of Judah rejoiced: because of Thy judgments, O Lord.<br /><br /><i>Psalm.</i> The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice: let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19<br />The Epistle and Gradual Colossians 3:12-17</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Gradual</b></span></div><div><p class="FirstParagraph"><span style="font-size: medium;">The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord: and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: medium;">V. When the Lord shall build up Zion: He shall appear in His glory. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: medium;">V. The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice: let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Hallelujah!</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel Matthew 13:24-30</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Praise be to Thee, O Christ!</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Nicene Creed p. 22</span><br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/almighty-god-thy-word-is-cast-49.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Sermon Hymn #</span>49 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/049.mp3" target="_blank">Almighty God, Thy Word Is Cast</a></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">A Forest of Weeds</span></b></div><br /><b><a href="http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh311.htm" style="font-size: large;">The Hymn #311</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> Huss - </span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/311.mp3" style="font-size: large;">Jesus Christ Our Blessed Savior</a></b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/307.mp3" style="font-size: large;"></a><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Preface p. 24</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Sanctus p. 26</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lord's Prayer p. 27</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Words of Institution</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Agnus Dei p. 28</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Nunc Dimittis p. 29</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><b><a href="http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh050.htm" style="font-size: large;">The Hymn #50</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/050.mp3" style="font-size: large;">Lord Dismiss Us</a></b><br /><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtB-zMagd1Ss17vNzlw_WpuqFqggsMDsoRqDpvY1E5k9GfO8H5IzApu5Op-Vkv_YKey1Ywxy1awGP5aOE5wZHAY_t8f57-qdwzE_UmAM2Kyid1PYWgiOjc_Mh4jwejilRLY-Lg72YPNuS/s1600/huss_communion_montstmichel_fog+copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtB-zMagd1Ss17vNzlw_WpuqFqggsMDsoRqDpvY1E5k9GfO8H5IzApu5Op-Vkv_YKey1Ywxy1awGP5aOE5wZHAY_t8f57-qdwzE_UmAM2Kyid1PYWgiOjc_Mh4jwejilRLY-Lg72YPNuS/s640/huss_communion_montstmichel_fog+copy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"></div><p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>Fifth Sunday after Epiphany</b></span></div><p><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that Thou hast sown the good seed, Thy holy word, in our hearts: We pray Thee that by Thy Holy Spirit Thou wilt cause this seed to grow and bring forth fruit, and defend us from the enemy, that he may not sow tares therein. Keep us from carnal security, help us in all temptations, and give us at last eternal salvation; through Thy beloved Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.</span></p><p><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlXyVpeUz2cOnPQ9xBB8NNfH0Ky-rYLOiYj6RloGmzmj_gGNZBrlu_bVIu2XKtepS4VsRMBH1wWEgqD3kGbEikXuenkG6_L7sEZmgFZ-uupA0VxClWC09AmP_S0Ga1JKbT-a0X4699SbYrkEyKPW_xWrAAt8dwAjO91ySMpb7rqllEEb5tyJwJoWgsBVz/s1120/isaiah_60_arise_shine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1120" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlXyVpeUz2cOnPQ9xBB8NNfH0Ky-rYLOiYj6RloGmzmj_gGNZBrlu_bVIu2XKtepS4VsRMBH1wWEgqD3kGbEikXuenkG6_L7sEZmgFZ-uupA0VxClWC09AmP_S0Ga1JKbT-a0X4699SbYrkEyKPW_xWrAAt8dwAjO91ySMpb7rqllEEb5tyJwJoWgsBVz/w640-h466/isaiah_60_arise_shine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /><b style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> A Forest of Weeds</span></span></b></span></p><p></p><div><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: </span></b></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">This section, which we call Matthew 13, begins with the well known parable of The Sower and the Seed. This parable follows and perhaps confuses people. Tares are weed seeds, using the older English. This sort of thing happens easily and with stealth, because good, new seeds are just starting to germinate when an enemy tosses the weed seeds across the newly prepared wheat field.</span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">People probably remember that I used buckwheat to improve the soil in the rose garden. The supposedly short buckwheat plants grew so tall and thickly that the roses could not be seen. My Laotian neighbor and her son pointed at the Weed Garden and laughed. Our helpers weed-whacked the buckwheat plants at the perfect time, but the buckwheat seeds were mature and started the cycle all over again. I could have made buckwheat pancakes for weeks.</span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">The main parable in Mark 13 is the Sower and the Seed, starting Matthew 13's chapter. There the emphasis is upon the efficacious Word of God as the seed. The Word has equal power but it falls on different types of soil with different results. The two parables have similar results because the Word energized by the Holy Spirit accomplishes God's will. But in this parable, the seed represents faithful believers rather than the Word.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">This chapter is what gives away so many pastors, who do not know the meaning of the Word - efficacious - and do not understand God's Creation at work. This word-group in Greek (and English) relates to the English word energy and is found many places throughout the New Testament. The same is true in Hebrew using different expressions of God acting through His Word.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Besides that, the Lord of Creation fills His sermons and parables with the Creation perspective since He is the creating Word of Genesis 1 and John 1, plus many other passages.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Let's compare the effective Word with the Church Growth approach.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Teaching children Bible stories - effective.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Giving children soft drinks and food during the service - not effective.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Preaching a sermon based on a Biblical passage - effective.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Telling a string of funny stories about nothing in particular - not effective.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Giving away KJV Bibles for a prison ministry - effective.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Raising money to hire a growth consultant from Pasadena - not effective. LCMS did that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These two concepts go together - the efficacy of the Word and God's Creation, which is clearly established by the Word. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.</span></b></div><div><b><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">The enemy is Satan and the tares are false doctrine mixed with sound doctrine, which is not obvious at first. Most gardeners will admit that they planted good seed and thought the new plants coming up were the crop. The weeds are almost always vigorous, fast growing, and responsive to rain. But alas, when someone tries to pull a weed away from a nearby seedling, both are dislodged and the good plant is weakened if not ruined altogether.</span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">People denounce weeds because they grow so fast and so easily, especially when the conditions are not good for the desired crop of food. But that is also part of God's plan. Exposed soil always welcomes the weeds that arrive from the wind and the birds. They can build up poor soil by growing and dying in the same field that could not support ordinary crops, or demanding crops like corn. The Midwest has topsoil that can be 20 feet deep, which happened by God's plan with prairie grass growing and rotting, buffalos eating the grass and fertilizing the result.</span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">So here we see the Word of God growing but the tares growing along side of the Word. The intended crop of wheat is fruitful, bearing good seeds, but the tares grow up along side it.</span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?</span></b></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">The servants are eager to get rid of the tares. The householder had the good seeds planted so how did all the weeds spring up? The household said, "An enemy has done this," so the servants want to go out into the fields and rip up the weeds. I tried to grow corn in Columbus and a tall grass grew up instead. People said, "I told you - gardens don't work well here. The birds got the corn and the weeds fooled you for a time." </span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">I saw no corn there, but the weeds grew to six feet.</span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><b>29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.</b> </span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">I should have known that about the corn versus the weeds. And it is true. Food plants are almost always tender and easily harmed. But God provides all kinds of insect and soil life - plus the birds - to help the crops grow and thrive.</span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">The tares are false prophets and their followers. Anything new and different is appealing. False teachers show up at the door and provide an attractive sales pitch, which works well when people lonely and misinformed.</span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Jesus is teaching that this mix of sound and false doctrine should continue since so many can be harmed by rigorous prosecution. In fact, opposition to the Christian Faith is encouraged and enlivened by opposition. Many of us were baptized in denominations that became tares. I was baptized at a Congregational church which merged into the radical United Church of Christ. My parents took us to the Disciples of Christ church in town, and that denomination is racing into oblivion with radicalism. And now we have so-called Lutherans who do not know or appreciate the Reformation created by the teaching of Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz.</span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.</b></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">This describes the ultimate destruction of those who die without faith in Christ, while the believers are gathered into heaven.</span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-matthew-1324-30-fifth.html" target="_blank"><b>Luther wrote</b>:</a></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">For the sower of the good seed says again, they should not uproot it, that is, they should have patience, and suffer such blasphemy, and commend all to God; for although the tares hinder the wheat, yet they make it the more beautiful to behold, compared with the tares, as St. Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 11:19: “For there must be false factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.” This is sufficient on today’s text.</span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzZ4tSFZxZM7YBtEbSP1Iz3hsglA2EDvRiWSVxQAs2slr6AIzxrUAPt_ENItDJvrlUNTHOJq9Y5uHxVA9eTFma0fhuWukMtOkHuFgmt5D2pV4Ptclu3lBzcTGlatU9rTArMV1SHssLpLF/s1600/Green-Background-Hymn-Lord-Dismiss-Us-50-TLH+copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1120" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzZ4tSFZxZM7YBtEbSP1Iz3hsglA2EDvRiWSVxQAs2slr6AIzxrUAPt_ENItDJvrlUNTHOJq9Y5uHxVA9eTFma0fhuWukMtOkHuFgmt5D2pV4Ptclu3lBzcTGlatU9rTArMV1SHssLpLF/s640/Green-Background-Hymn-Lord-Dismiss-Us-50-TLH+copy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div></div></div><p> </p>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-74734881429004337442024-01-28T06:33:00.000-08:002024-01-28T06:33:07.728-08:00Epiphany 4 2024<p> </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_7vJ4wDPx1LHSr9xO9c1lB_PWT5e0UBXViNsZZwBEUkhj5D1EFojwx7UyLbZAfPB-nNsefyeHaI0bVotjtn0jCtNd_nLPUoFcITl3_89orjrrYyDrUBpkdMKgTSmiWZJz12o8q6JFBFdVK29zapIRY6UUpAyw0BNiuYeraaf_KMVEIBa6AyjhTzcBZQ-I" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="480" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_7vJ4wDPx1LHSr9xO9c1lB_PWT5e0UBXViNsZZwBEUkhj5D1EFojwx7UyLbZAfPB-nNsefyeHaI0bVotjtn0jCtNd_nLPUoFcITl3_89orjrrYyDrUBpkdMKgTSmiWZJz12o8q6JFBFdVK29zapIRY6UUpAyw0BNiuYeraaf_KMVEIBa6AyjhTzcBZQ-I=w640-h553" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 8:23-27</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /></span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-am-jesus-little-lamb-648.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Hymn #648 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/648.mp3" target="_blank">I Am Jesus Little Lamb</a></span></b> <span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Confession of Sins</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Absolution</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Introit p. 16</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Gloria Patri</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Kyrie p. 17</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Gloria in Excelsis</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Epistle and Gradual Romans 13:8-10</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Gospel Matthew 8:23-27</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">Praise be to Thee, O Christ!</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Nicene Creed p. 22</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 24.64px;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-savior-pilot-me-649.html" target="_blank">Sermon <span style="color: #5c2add;">Hymn #</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #5c2add; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-savior-pilot-me-649.html" target="_blank">649</a></span><b> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/649.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>Jesus Savior Pilot Me</b></a></span></span><br /><br style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px;" /></p><div style="font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b style="color: blue; font-size: xx-large;">Asleep in the Storm</b></div><br style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/draw-nigh-and-take-body-of-lord-307.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Hymn #307</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/307.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">Draw Nigh </a></span></b> <span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span></span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Preface p. 24</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Sanctus p. 26</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Lord's Prayer p. 27</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Words of Institution</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Agnus Dei p. 28</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Nunc Dimittis p. 29</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><b><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/341.mp3" style="font-size: 17.6px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">Hymn #</span>341</a><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/crown-him-with-many-crowns-341.html" target="_blank">Crown Him With Many Crowns</a></span></span></b><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/crown-him-with-many-crowns-341.html" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> </span></span></span><br /><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Prayers and Announcements</span></b></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Zoom tests will start this week, via emails which are the link. Let me know if you do not get them. </li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Medical care - Pastor Jim Shrader, Lori Howell, Randy Anderson, Kermit Way, Sarah Buck.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Avelin Anderson, 8 pounds, 1 ounce, was born January 24th one year ago.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGAgdbQSx3k-EQW-63sIdJ4SsNBhflNUdP7ulgGGjRnpD_fkYJAcVatVkqy73FWq2Opq0E9xhOxQOF3WcYVS3pqgZXPl6qKcBt8AKwt7jeeJNHQi49vjDsMFlkK-jjULWROGanVBHevPf3YHCYz5IGlww5rYBychjluljrPO9OJxkqrUVW1HSeb0UGwyVn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="727" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGAgdbQSx3k-EQW-63sIdJ4SsNBhflNUdP7ulgGGjRnpD_fkYJAcVatVkqy73FWq2Opq0E9xhOxQOF3WcYVS3pqgZXPl6qKcBt8AKwt7jeeJNHQi49vjDsMFlkK-jjULWROGanVBHevPf3YHCYz5IGlww5rYBychjluljrPO9OJxkqrUVW1HSeb0UGwyVn" width="182" /></a></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MxO6WsvTu_IdLgayiUFWKy8UbEDQZm3lUr2rGLKuvLdX69hO8JrrfJSfMH2LS0Zbqk5cpZrfvijuxKzchKNnzpSeWtImQDbk3nFqFMMuHRiLos4_OjPT5og2JAarVMhoOBQM1OkWBa4-/s1600/lordofmylife_24.jpg" style="color: #335d6e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MxO6WsvTu_IdLgayiUFWKy8UbEDQZm3lUr2rGLKuvLdX69hO8JrrfJSfMH2LS0Zbqk5cpZrfvijuxKzchKNnzpSeWtImQDbk3nFqFMMuHRiLos4_OjPT5og2JAarVMhoOBQM1OkWBa4-/s1600/lordofmylife_24.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">KJV Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.</span><br /><br style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">KJV Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!</span><br /><br style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;" /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany</b></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">Lord God, heavenly Father, who in Thy divine wisdom and fatherly goodness makest Thy children to bear the cross, and sendest divers afflictions upon us to subdue the flesh, and quicken our hearts unto faith, hope and unceasing prayer: We beseech Thee to have mercy upon us, and graciously deliver us out of our trials and afflictions, so that we may perceive Thy grace and fatherly help, and with all saints forever praise and worship Thee; through Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen. </span><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; line-height: 24.64px;"><b>Asleep in the Boat</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">KJV Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. </span>24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2024/01/complete-sermon-epiphany-4-asleep-in.html" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This Gospel, as a narrative, gives us an example of faith and unbelief, in order that we may learn how mighty <b>the power of faith</b> is, and that it of necessity has to do with great and terrible things and that it accomplishes nothing but wonders; and that on the other hand <b>unbelief is so fainthearted, shamefaced and trembling with fear</b> that it can do nothing whatever.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">KJV John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else <b>believe me for the very works' sake</b>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Epiphany - Jesus Seen by the Wise Men</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Epiphany 1- Jesus Talking with the Elders</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Epiphany 2 - Jesus Turned Water into Wine</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Epiphany 3 - Jesus Cured the Centurion's Servant </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Epiphany 4 - Jesus Is Asleep in the Storm.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The word epiphany is used for the divine power of the Son of God revealed to others, and miracles are the visible sign of Jesus' work. People fall prey to doubts and fears, even when their knowledge includes a lot of Biblical evidence. This season leads to Lent, where faith was tested and the faith of Jesus strengthened the disciples in their fears and doubts.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This miracle is especially memorable because the disciples left with Jesus after the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5 - 7, and were in the boat with Him when a fierce storm struck. They were in a state of terror, yet Jesus was asleep.</p><p style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"></span></p><blockquote><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">KJV Mark 4:</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, <b>Master, carest thou not that we perish?</b></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This is the great battle, between faith and fear, one working wonders of the highest rank, fear doing the opposite - making us weak, shameful, quivering in fear, crying that there is no hope.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How many students have stormed out of the classroom because the test was too great? Or quit because everything seemed overwhelming? Previous difficulties can foster fear and create an almost instant response to the problem because it is happening again. The ship was swamped with the waves crashing over the hull. We often say we are swamped at work, but this was life-threatening.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We are very courageous when nothing is happening, but even the fear of something can make reason and faith fly out the window.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.</b></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">The disciples were especially upset because of Jesus! They were alive, but wet, and cold, and they fear the next blast from the storm. "Lord, save us. We are perishing!" As Luther observed, fear makes faith fly out the window.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2024/01/complete-sermon-epiphany-4-asleep-in.html">Luther:</a></b></span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For it is the great characteristic and power of faith to see what is not visible, and not to see what is visible, yea, that which at the time drives and oppresses us; just as unbelief can see only what is visible and can not in the least cleave to what is invisible.</span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.</b></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">The great pity is we have overwhelming numbers of clergy, professors, and synodical managers - who are followers of the fads, not leaders of faith. Two recent fads are Refuge and Unstuck. Both are contrary to the Scriptures, which is their desire. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Faith begins with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is the One who explains God the Father to us, and the Holy Spirit is source of that spiritual knowledge. Where would we be without the comfort and inspiration of the Savior. The managers, professors, and clergy are too overwhelmed with doubt to teach the truth about Jesus Christ. In the echo chamber of the Now, these sayings build up in their minds and the congregations are deprived of the Gospel.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Seminary students are not taught the Truth, but the status quo of loving and obeying Holy Mother Synod. Try to prove Walther was less than divine - the hatred and scorn will be the waves crashing on your little boat. Fellow students will laugh at someone who takes the Scriptures seriously, especially in Hebrew and Greek. The Greek New Testament they are given (Unfaith Bible Society and/or Apostate Bible Society) is a joke borrowed from Tischendorf (Codex Sinaiticus hoax) and Westcott/Hort (the secret Greek New Testament behind the Revised KJV that flopped). The CPH Gospel of Mark two-volume set uses the Vatican Codex as its model, as if Rome protected it from error. It is very common today to have these great scholars - <i>ahem</i> - say Mark ends with Mark 16:8, so there is no empty tomb, no risen Christ. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">We should follow Luther's example in faithfulness and note that the unseen things are the most powerful, coming from God, and following their own schedule, not ours. The things we see or anticipate seeing are fearful to us. That is why we should end the day with prayer to God through Jesus Christ. The first part should be thankfulness to God for family, friends, fellow believers, blessings from God, etc. Asking forgiveness is another part. Addressing needs and fears are also an important part of prayers. Even Jesus said, "If it is Your will, take this cup from Me."</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Fears come upon us but they are vanquished by faith in the Savior. The false teachers are victims of their own fears. They do not want to be scolded by their peers or lose choice benefits, so they take the easy way which leads the fear-mongers to say, "Atta-boy, atta-girl." That is how the radical unbelievers took over the denominations. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">But no matter how bad things are - that which we see - the blessings and eternal life are invisible and yet the surest thing in life itself, through Christ.</span></p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"></span><p></p>The end.Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-65979476237649124772024-01-21T06:46:00.000-08:002024-01-28T06:32:42.377-08:00Epiphany 3 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwsonSuwqajjHwN_mtYhI86yluw5Y0CR3HVjpzTdDcagUZ5OdBWqiTYZWEVzhcyJBDYrbr9qGTXPC5z8DySAEAGbXo8UWM11VdAZUMCKUktdJpITzjJoM0Dd2XiXi31Uw0btQLSMbdhnM1d8xANKCXeRaEXtfYvz_sAemSHAB4Rsz88VICSLPoVFn4N2B/s1565/My%20Good-Shepherd-Cover-2%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwsonSuwqajjHwN_mtYhI86yluw5Y0CR3HVjpzTdDcagUZ5OdBWqiTYZWEVzhcyJBDYrbr9qGTXPC5z8DySAEAGbXo8UWM11VdAZUMCKUktdJpITzjJoM0Dd2XiXi31Uw0btQLSMbdhnM1d8xANKCXeRaEXtfYvz_sAemSHAB4Rsz88VICSLPoVFn4N2B/w490-h640/My%20Good-Shepherd-Cover-2%20copy.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bethany Lutheran Church - Springdale</b></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10 AM Central Time</b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></span></div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/soldiers-of-christ-arise-450-charles.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn #</span>450</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/341.mp3" target="_blank">Soldiers of Christ Arise!</a> - Wesley, Tune - Crown Him</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>The Introit</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">Worship Him, all ye His angels: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">Zion heard and was glad.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">The daughters of Judah rejoiced: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">because of Thy judgments, O Lord.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">Psalm. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.</div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>The Collect</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><p class="FirstParagraph"><o:p></o:p></p>The Epistle </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Gradual</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">V. When the Lord shall build up Zion: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He shall appear in His glory. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">V. The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Hallelujah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Gospel <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br /><b>The Nicene Creed p. 22</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-know-my-faith-is-founded-381.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Sermon Hymn #381 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/381.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">I Know My Faith Is Founded</a> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Faith and Reason</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/as-pants-hart-for-cooling-streams-525.html" target="_blank">The Hymn #525 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/525.mp3" target="_blank">As Pants the Hart</a></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-pilgrim-and-stranger-586-paul-gerhardt.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn #5</span>86</b></a><b> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/586.mp3" target="_blank">A Pilgrim and a Stranger</a></b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/586.mp3" target="_blank"> </a> - <b>Gehrhardt</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C3vhtpRB0v4hDH3coNn05E_tNG0I5-Og6NXwAktg0k1hlQMc58UK6QOUFO32yDde0o4QWlGkf9So3RuQfvNg9bmQYc4c6PSmGIitiwUuG528ve3zetcLEzidJde3GuiCk0icObHzCSXv/s600/butterfly_1john_tryspirits.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C3vhtpRB0v4hDH3coNn05E_tNG0I5-Og6NXwAktg0k1hlQMc58UK6QOUFO32yDde0o4QWlGkf9So3RuQfvNg9bmQYc4c6PSmGIitiwUuG528ve3zetcLEzidJde3GuiCk0icObHzCSXv/w640-h640/butterfly_1john_tryspirits.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063; font-size: large;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></div><ul style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">Aveline's (Aby's) first birthday is this week. Ivy is completing her US citizen's qualification.</span></span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">Gary and Alicia's wedding anniversary is January 27th.</span></span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">Chris Shrader just had a birthday (January 19), and so did Pastor Shrader (January 15).</span></span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">Doctor's care - Randy Anderson's CT scan, Pastor Jim Shrader's operation, Lori Howell, Sarah Buck, Kermit Way.</span></span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pray for the Bill of Rights, our </span><b style="font-size: medium;">elected</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> President and his supporters, our military justice system.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Norma Boeckler's book, <i>My Good Shepherd, Jesus' Titles of Majesty</i>, edited by Pastor Jackson, is in its final stage of production. </span></li></ul></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xwjmM5wgoJdqToaVfwEAgqQnU9QVFRV9lQjuh2hPjzrnbLfGfj7oNxj_EkGRdSUrAFrVltBTrcCnVGCeCKfIunF4q5WCQ6JQIC-fDcNBsteS3Pnt6zE3wrKer5qJMdRQlWassOil9F0q/s1600/The+Nicene-Creed-TLH+copy.jpg" style="color: #5c2add; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xwjmM5wgoJdqToaVfwEAgqQnU9QVFRV9lQjuh2hPjzrnbLfGfj7oNxj_EkGRdSUrAFrVltBTrcCnVGCeCKfIunF4q5WCQ6JQIC-fDcNBsteS3Pnt6zE3wrKer5qJMdRQlWassOil9F0q/s640/The+Nicene-Creed-TLH+copy.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="494" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.08px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b><a href="https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/norma-boeckler.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">Graphic by Norma A. Boeckler</a></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">KJV Romans 12:16 <i>Be </i>of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but <i>rather </i>give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance <i>is </i>mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">KJV Matthew 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><h3 style="font-size: 17.6px; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Third Sunday After Epiphany</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">O almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all dangers and necessities stretch forth Thy mighty hand, to defend us against our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXs-iAkAlJH6F0_wA4gmnQTF2nWU4Ei8e8mEg7Eca4crzclCpWoGh7_dcUWlZWR2vFGsFU6HH6TyEfbYKQ3H3SfaVb67WKo51hpMM2pFwJVpH-8m0rJzb9BgVIwHorGlqZTPGABZFiLxn/s640/bee_on_beebalm.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXs-iAkAlJH6F0_wA4gmnQTF2nWU4Ei8e8mEg7Eca4crzclCpWoGh7_dcUWlZWR2vFGsFU6HH6TyEfbYKQ3H3SfaVb67WKo51hpMM2pFwJVpH-8m0rJzb9BgVIwHorGlqZTPGABZFiLxn/w640-h480/bee_on_beebalm.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14.08px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;">Faith and Reason</span><br /><br /><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>KJV Matthew 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.</b></span></div><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I happened upon a lecture by a Harvard professor teaching Gibbon's <i>Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire</i>. He pointed out that Gibbon was a skeptic about Christianity and continued by lecturing the audience about the Christian Faith. Professor Leo Damrosch dismissed all the miracles in the Bible because he saw no evidence of them. He also claimed, like my Harvard Biblical scholar (deceased) at Augustana College - "The Trinity is not found in the New Testament." I said, "What about the ending of Matthew?" He said, "Others put that on the lips of Jesus." </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">That is why I enjoy the Epiphany season, which is all about the miracles of Jesus. People continue to confuse faith and reason, as if one's reasoning can explain and reject the miraculous acts of God. The reason argument is used against infant baptism, because they say, "The baby is not old enough to decide," which alarms me. When I hold a baby for the first time, that tiny creature immediately looks for his mother and gets a squall going to get matters straightened out. Being held by his mother or someone he knows will immediately calm the baby. He has faith in his mother and uses his newborn reason to indicate something has gone wrong. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The true background of baptism is the power of God's Gospel Word. The purpose of Holy Baptism is to impart faith through the Spirit of God in His Word and to seal God's Promises. This is effective or efficacious. Moreover, in the Greek, the Word is energon/energy. Engineers do not turn on electrical lines - they energize them. That is a current pun, but an important one to remember always. Whenever the Word of God is heard, read, or remembered, the Holy Spirit is at work in the Word. Spirit and Word are never separated.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">This leper believed in Jesus Christ. He was part of the multitude that listened to the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7. He politely and humbly said, "If You will, You can make me whole."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. </b></span><span style="text-align: center;"><b>4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.</b> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: center;">The leper came to the Sermon on the Mount with hope and faith, doubtless from hearing about the miracles from other lepers. He was cleansed of this horrible disease. Jesus instructed the healed leper to tell no one but go directly to the priest. Why? Because it would be natural for the crowd to gather around him and listen to the story. In fact, they saw the transformation. Jesus wanted the priest to hear this Gospel in the flesh, and the healed man took the Gospel to that priest, not unlike the Presentation of Jesus and His talking with the elders in the Synagogue.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.</b></span></div><div style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">A centurion was a very powerful and respected person, a full-time soldier and leader of men. They were so organized that they won all their battles, including the destruction of Jerusalem. He came to Jesus aware of His healing powers and Jesus was willing to come to his home, knowing what He would do next. This elicited a very important response to the soldier.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The centurion's power was life and death, and he knew without doubt that any of his own commands would be followed. He was humble and unwilling to have such an honor as the visitation of Christ. But he also recognized that the Word of Jesus Christ alone was enough to heal his servant, stating that the Lord's power was parallel to his but much greater.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The centurion caused Jesus to express His wonder at this supposed pagan, who definitely believed in the divine power of the Savior. Jesus knew what was in this soldier's mind, and He compared it to all the rest. He also stated that many would come from all over the globe to be part of the Kingdom of God, which was predicted to Abraham. However, those who merely claimed to belong to Abraham (John 8) were enemies of Jesus, who clearly said to Jewish elders, "Before Abraham was, I AM."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This is one of the great healing miracles in the Bible, one that strikes us directly. Jesus did not make conditions, but it was the soldier that said, "Only speak the Word." There are many healings in the Gospels, and they have different messages, including the Canaanite woman who seemed to be having no results with the Savior. Once that miracle is carefully read, it is clear that Jesus led the pagan woman into a contrite plea for mercy for her daughter, who was accomplished without Jesus going there. That discussion, which exasperated the disciples, brought to light the faith of the mother, which has been an example ever since.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-78987832762123634392024-01-14T06:39:00.000-08:002024-01-14T06:39:28.014-08:00The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, 2024<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqpqx-DBgoTkIYgyxrOKfPxV7MUr_29Y3jFq0MExiVUot2HVjj6_sPdufZ7-3ZLmVQhVqfmtLxwPNTTJHBrSCNDk3IkIYE6FP9gb8jbflVDc5EYabAejat7vOnPn6PFpzhdcisBgZUq4QlpYvM84OL691Lce2CQHDcWNZqlMY9IZgpiRCuHCK-oTIXCsJ/s640/water_into_wine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="640" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqpqx-DBgoTkIYgyxrOKfPxV7MUr_29Y3jFq0MExiVUot2HVjj6_sPdufZ7-3ZLmVQhVqfmtLxwPNTTJHBrSCNDk3IkIYE6FP9gb8jbflVDc5EYabAejat7vOnPn6PFpzhdcisBgZUq4QlpYvM84OL691Lce2CQHDcWNZqlMY9IZgpiRCuHCK-oTIXCsJ/w640-h548/water_into_wine.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Bethany Lutheran Church, Springdale, Arkansas</span></b></div><p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/brightest-and-best-of-sons-of-morning.html" target="_blank">Hymn #</a></span><span style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/brightest-and-best-of-sons-of-morning.html" target="_blank">128 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/128.mp3" target="_blank">Brightest and Best - Bishop Heber</a></span></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 18px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></div><blockquote style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Introit</b></span></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;">All the earth shall worship Thee: and shall sing unto Thee, O God.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;">They shall sing to Thy name: O Thou Most High.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><i>Psalm</i>. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;">sing forth the honor of His name, make His praise glorious.</div><div><br /></div>The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Collect</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people and grant us Thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><p class="FirstParagraph"><o:p></o:p></p>The Epistle and Gradual </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gradual</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Lord sent His Word and healed them: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and delivered them from their destructions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">V. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">V. Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Hallelujah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Gospel <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22<br /><b><span><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/praise-to-lord-almighty-39-neander.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">Hymn #39</span> </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/039.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Praise to the Lord the Almighty</a></span></b><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: x-large;">The Better Wine Last</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/approach-my-soul-mercy-seat-456-newton.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">Hymn #</span>456</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/456.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Approach My Soul the Mercy Seat</a></span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> </span><o:p style="font-size: 17.6px;"></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /><b><span style="color: #5c2add;"><span style="color: #dd2aaa;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/savior-again-to-thy-dear-name-we-raise.html" target="_blank">Hymn #</a></span></span><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/savior-again-to-thy-dear-name-we-raise.html" target="_blank"> 47</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/047.mp3" target="_blank">Savior Again To Thy Dear Name</a> </span></b><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> </span><o:p style="font-size: 17.6px;"></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063; font-size: large;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></div><ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Doctor's care - Pastor Shrader, Sarah Buck, Lori Howell, Randy Anderson, Kermit Way, Dr. Lito Cruz, Alicia Meyer.</span></span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Some problems were solved with Zoom last week.</li></ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdrCrkG9vF2IdWJigTiY27gYelXGONBCC6XSbCwMsGh44BGwpRAPU7LwfnDT5Zw5c7nZ87LDZKkH1mHYlOSFNK1W2yzICGOIfnMMsyzoE7izOjhBHNIyvLtk70mux2GK-tLengKL4KJIl/s1600/gerhardt_a_lamb_goes_yea+copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdrCrkG9vF2IdWJigTiY27gYelXGONBCC6XSbCwMsGh44BGwpRAPU7LwfnDT5Zw5c7nZ87LDZKkH1mHYlOSFNK1W2yzICGOIfnMMsyzoE7izOjhBHNIyvLtk70mux2GK-tLengKL4KJIl/s640/gerhardt_a_lamb_goes_yea+copy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="358" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, <i>let us prophesy </i>according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, <i>let us wait </i>on <i>our </i>ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, <i>let him do it </i>with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 <i>Let </i>love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 <i>Be </i>kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 <i>Be </i>of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">KJV John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do <i>it</i>. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins [GJ -10 gallons per firkin] apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare <i>it</i>. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: <i>but </i>thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.<span style="font-size: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;">The Better Wine Last</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>KJV John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Sceptics (aka seminary professors) enjoy their removal of anything divine, whether miracles or anything beyond human. Their other target is faith, because they do not understand or teach faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This miracle begins with a precise location and setting. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">The mother of Jesus was there, most likely to manage the wedding of the couple. Jesus and His discipled were invited (called) to attend, which means the Savior did not despise marriage. Not being married was a corruption of God's Creation, which came from paganism. That notion corrupted the Medieval Church and corrupts people today. Where marriage is scorned, the priestly ones make themselves holy and above all women and marriage itself. Jesus' presence at the wedding, with all His disciples, honors marriage, and the miracle was the first one, seen by all of them. They began the public ministry of Christ with faith in Him, because of this remarkable event.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Wedding remain the same over the centuries. The manager-in-chief is the mother of the bride. Mary is the substitute for parents and takes charge of the event. The couple must have been poor - They ran out of wine. Mary was the key person, and she trusted in Him.</span></span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">it</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">.</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">Jesus' response is the key to this miracle, a sign not only for His disciples but also for us. People who make fun of miracles and reject them are often anxious to experience one when they are in a crisis. Isaiah 7:14 teaches us that Ahaz refused any miracle - in his arrogance - and had one anyway, a direct sign from God - a virgin would conceive a son, not just any son, but one born of a virgin, and the Name would God-with-us, Immanuel.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Luther:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">For this is the reason there is so much care and unpleasantness in marriage to the outward man, because everything that is God’s Word and work, if it is to be blessed at all, must be distasteful, bitter and burdensome to the outward man. </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">On this account marriage is a state that cultivates and exercises faith in God and love to our neighbor by means of manifold cares, labors, unpleasantnesses, crosses and all kinds of adversities, that are to follow everything that is God’s Word and work. All this the <b>chaste whoremongers, saintly effeminates and Sodomites</b> nicely escape, serving God outside of God’s ordinance by doings of their own.</span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Luther himself was a celibate and did not marry until he was 38 years old. The nun Katy had escaped from the convent and was lined up to marry Glatz, an older man. She did not want to but suggested Luther himself. He laughed at this idea but his father approved. And so Luther married Katy and the Church of Rome was horrified! - even though priestly marriage was allowed by Rome and paid for with a tax, so Luther's virtue in following God was mocked by those who rejected marriage, an institution created by God. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">This miracle has three parts. <b>The first</b> is Mary telling Jesus they had no wine. She did not tell Him what to do, but she knew what God could do. Telling the Son of God what to do is the same as demanding marshmellows growing on trees and rivers full of bottled water from France.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>The second</b> is Jesus being very short with His mother. There is no escape, even if He says "dear" mother, which He does not. One translator wrote in a note - "Woman is a sign of respect." That word alone, not matter how it is spun, continues with "Is that my fault? This is not my time."</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>The third part of the miracle</b> is in the order of spoken words - "Whatever He says, do it." We get our order of words from Greek. For emphasis - Whatever He says. That is first in order. It is her faith and the emphasis on Him... and ... whatever follows. Not a frantic, DO SOMETHING! to the servants, because the emphasis is on Jesus' Word.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Luther emphasized what the Bible clearly teaches - the bitter comes first, the sweetness later. That is true of grief, when someone can endure thousands of pains based on loss, but then the peace and blessings of memories. We see it in children, who have special needs that seem to be an enormous burden, and yet the unique qualities what makes them special, much stronger than the typical child in other ways, much more a miracle in many ways.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">If the bitter brings on sweetness from God, then we should not berate God for the first step - they have no wine. If our country flounders for another year, could that be the signal that the evil ones will collapse from their own evil?</span></span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins [GJ -10 gallons per firkin] apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">it</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">.</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">We can easily recall Gospel miracles that involved touching, but this one has servants doing the work (not the disciples), the pots filled with 20-30 gallons of water, which the servants saw, and then Jesus commanded them to draw the liquid to the toastmaster. This makes unbelievers realize the power of God's Word, unless they harden themselves against it.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">Denial of the water turned into wine is a parallel to the bread and wine as the body of Christ. The miracles caused by the Word are plentiful and should cause us to consider the power of God.</span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">but </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">thou hast kept the good wine until now.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">The ruler - also called governor of the feast - was invited to do his job at checking out the food and drink. When he tasted the water turned into wine <b>(</b></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"><b>το υδωρ οινον γεγενημενον)</b> not knowing its origin, he promptly called the bridegroom. The best wine is always served first, but this rule was violated. The toastmaster did not know anything about the water miraculously made wine, so he was upset that the best wine came last.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">This is a metaphor for how God works at all times. He knows in advance and lets us go through many kinds of difficulties. The worst students I ever had in class were those whose tuition or new cars or gigantic phones or apartments were paid instead of being the fruit of their labors. Parallel to that was a student who did not have any more paper at home to print his paper (in olden days when dinosaurs still roamed the earth), so he printed his paper on the back of 5 pages of cell phone use. I said, "No wonder you cannot afford typing paper.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">The lesson is very clear for marriage and children. There are many bad times for various reason. However, God transforms so that even when things remain the same or worse, life is transformed and blessed. </span></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.</b><span style="font-size: 18px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The disciples are good examples of facing the worst kind of distress and opposition, with only the Apostle John living a long time, according to tradition. He was the one who took care of the mother of Jesus. Mary perhaps suffered more than anyone else, but she also had great faith from God's own messenger.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">John 19:19:26<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, <b>Woman</b>, behold thy son!<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, <b>Behold thy mother!</b> And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> This faith came from God's Word -</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">KJV Luke 1:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">The end.</span></p>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-65614816261194310202024-01-07T06:59:00.000-08:002024-01-07T06:59:27.389-08:00The First Sunday after the Epiphany 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QaE5lVz0CsUe8CWmg9RE0VxS5hv8DsPZPWK1EiBPYBPUixs6-9xkMKmZFR4Ay-KYqRgnsDHEypwt93JwNIuzIwRysFEdbCoG9w4Am1p6Js_1EFIH3QEU8l59CpQ4lx6DZIWSA53ThL0ShHoLvH0CplqAoRc_SDVaFlwkPH_iot9P5H4-BLau3rCEgoqt/s960/jesusinthetemple_large_template.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="723" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QaE5lVz0CsUe8CWmg9RE0VxS5hv8DsPZPWK1EiBPYBPUixs6-9xkMKmZFR4Ay-KYqRgnsDHEypwt93JwNIuzIwRysFEdbCoG9w4Am1p6Js_1EFIH3QEU8l59CpQ4lx6DZIWSA53ThL0ShHoLvH0CplqAoRc_SDVaFlwkPH_iot9P5H4-BLau3rCEgoqt/w482-h640/jesusinthetemple_large_template.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The First Sunday after the</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> Epiphany,</b></span><b style="font-family: arial;"> 2024</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-am-content-my-jesus-liveth-still-196.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #<span> 196 </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></a><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/196.mp3" target="_blank">I Am Content<span style="color: #5c2add;"> </span></a> </b> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b>Introit</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne: high and lifted up.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">And I heard the voice of a great multitude, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><i>Psalm.</i> Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div>The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b>Collect</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;">O Lord, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people who call upon Thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br />The Epistle and Gradual Romans 12:1-5</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b>Gradual</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">The Lord sent His Word and healed them: and delivered them from their destructions.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">V. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness: and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">V. Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Hallelujah!</div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br />The Gospel Luke 2:41-52<br />Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22<br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/im-but-stranger-here-660.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Sermon Hymn #660</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/660.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">Heaven Is My Home</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b> The Divinity of Christ</b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #204063; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-lay-my-sins-on-jesus-652-bonar.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn #</span>652</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/652.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> I Lay My Sins on Jesus</a></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/be-still-my-soul-651.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn #</span>651</a></b> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/651.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Be Still My Soul</b></a><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/267.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;"> </a> </span></div><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e-Mieb8OWYhIxwKdFOsjkPPYWV3ifzIRhhKweTUlHXLh71xmPBQcyMaf0fVQnuTEeUZJbQV9MBu1EeDLo-aYISO64SgOClXYRPyiky__4Neu6ThmZ6oSQvbVNS3Efkz8Flu18rwjToz9Ehsg8X91Dlx82c7P7QtmOuRPyhm_OH5eoRBsnkDnAotBWQ/s700/boeckler_The%20Good%20Shepherd700Clr.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="700" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e-Mieb8OWYhIxwKdFOsjkPPYWV3ifzIRhhKweTUlHXLh71xmPBQcyMaf0fVQnuTEeUZJbQV9MBu1EeDLo-aYISO64SgOClXYRPyiky__4Neu6ThmZ6oSQvbVNS3Efkz8Flu18rwjToz9Ehsg8X91Dlx82c7P7QtmOuRPyhm_OH5eoRBsnkDnAotBWQ/w640-h430/boeckler_The%20Good%20Shepherd700Clr.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></div><ul style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Hymn suggestions are always welcome.</li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">Dealing with cancer - Lori Howell, Randy Anderson, Sarah Buck, Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader. </li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Our media ministries - Alec Satin, Norma Boeckler. </li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Parsonage reading list - <i>Zoom for Dummies</i>, <i>Zoom Beginner's Guide</i>.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsWKaXy8xkdjacDRaNzZoa4xYF_oKHJ3ZUKuLafaQuXnv-BbmTcj4a1jlfI36ebMjH0-Tw_5-7k_P9oWi67er6T7255C0EZCAumoE1vcYXnod5DVLu4vkC-kgjdeU0OrlmUULbpVXfj7z/s1600/Heaven-Im-But-A+Stranger-Here-Hymn+copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1120" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsWKaXy8xkdjacDRaNzZoa4xYF_oKHJ3ZUKuLafaQuXnv-BbmTcj4a1jlfI36ebMjH0-Tw_5-7k_P9oWi67er6T7255C0EZCAumoE1vcYXnod5DVLu4vkC-kgjdeU0OrlmUULbpVXfj7z/s640/Heaven-Im-But-A+Stranger-Here-Hymn+copy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">KJV Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, <i>which is </i>your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what <i>is </i>that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think <i>of himself </i>more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, <i>being </i>many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">KJV Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not <i>of it</i>. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among <i>their </i>kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Prayer - Viet Dietrich</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">Lord God, heavenly Father, who in mercy hast established the Christian home among us: We beseech Thee so to rule and direct our hearts, that we may be good examples to children and servants, and not offend them by word or deed, but faithfully teach them to love Thy Church and hear Thy blessed word. Give them Thy Spirit and grace, that this seed may bring forth good fruit, so that our homelife may conduce to Thy glory, honor and praise, to our own improvement and welfare, and give offense to no one; through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.</div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Divinity of Christ</b></span><br style="color: black; font-size: medium;" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Epiphany began yesterday. The Wise Men came from the East because they saw the Star, as everyone did, appearing and then disappearing. Experts made fun of Kepler for saying there really was a Star of Bethlehem, something he verified by math. Now the planetariums show Christmas crowds the guest-stars, as the Chinese called them. A guest-star could be a comet or the temporary conjunction of planets and stars. "Scholars are divided," but they no longer mock the Star of Bethlehem. Jupiter and Saturn were in conjunction in the sky and some observers add the star Regulus. The wise men could have become discouraged about the heavenly changes, but they kept believing and saw the baby Jesus and His parents.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>KJV Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Every Sunday we have been reading the Exodus together, the escape from Egypt that took place roughly 1200 years before Christ. Exodus is filled with references to Christ, from the Burning Bush in chapter 3 to the spotless lamb in the Passover to the miracles which come up again in the Gospel of John - the living water, the supernatural bread. The Gospel of John is a series of sermons about the Exodus, so we should always be aware of both books, so closely linked together.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">This passover became a terrible trial for Joseph and Mary. Everything seemed normal, a tradition they observed every year. This was annual for them, so that should have been routine. However, they had the worst kind of sorrow.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-matthew-21-12-epiphany.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-matthew-21-12-epiphany.html" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Although the holy mother Mary, who was highly blessed and upon whom many favors were bestowed, had undoubtedly the greatest delight in her child, yet the Lord so ruled that her joy was not without sorrow and like all others she did not attain complete blessedness until she entered heaven. For this reason she had to suffer so much sorrow, pain and anguish on earth. It was her first great sorrow that she had to give birth to her child in Bethlehem, in a strange town, where she found no room with her babe except in a stable. Then her second sad experience was that soon after the six weeks of her purification she was compelled to flee with her child into Egypt, a strange country, which was indeed a poor consolation. She undoubtedly experienced many more like trials, which have not been recorded.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That is not unlike what many parents experience, from the difficulties at birth to growing into adults. Being a parent has many trials, sudden misfortunes, and also great joy.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">of it</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">their </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">kinsfolk and acquaintance.</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Routine matters do not stir up alarm, so how this developed is common to many parents. Apparently, they always went with a group going to same way back home. They had friends and relatives with them. Jesus was old enough to follow the people they knew, so there was no need to be anxious until...</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Any parent can identify with this. Anxiety rises to peak level and provokes all kinds of emotion, from sorrow to anger to bewilderment. The imagination is very powerful when things like this go wrong. One day of tracing back to Jerusalem would have been bad enough because there would probably be a string of people going back home, people they knew or Jesus knew. But this was heart-rendering sorrow, looking-search-asking, getting no positive responses from anyone.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-luke-241-52-first_22.html" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">She undoubtedly experienced many more like trials, which have not been recorded.</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">3. One of them is related here, when her son caused her so much anxiety, by tarrying behind in the temple and letting her seek him so long, and she could not find him. This alarmed and grieved her so that she almost despaired, as her words indicate: “Behold, thy father and I, sought thee sorrowing.” For we may well imagine that thoughts like these may have passed through her mind: “Behold this child is only mine, this I know very well, and I know that God has entrusted him to me and commanded me to take care of him; why is it then that he is taken from me? It is my fault, for I have not sufficiently taken care of him and guarded him. Perhaps God does not deem me worthy to watch over this child and will take him from me again.” She was undoubtedly greatly frightened and her heart trembled and was filled with grief.</span></span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">This was only the second visit by Jesus to the Temple. The previous one was His circumcision, 12 years before. This event captured the attention of the doctors, Jesus both asking them questions and listening to their responses. Like the Star of Bethlehem and the preaching of John the Baptist, God was establishing the fulfillment of the Messianic Promises. Even though Joseph and Mary would suffer greatly from their special role, the destiny of Jesus was even more painful.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-luke-241-52-first_22.html" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">For this reason God sometimes permits their faith to grow weak and to be prostrated, so that they might see who they are and be forced to confess: Even if I would believe, I cannot. Thus the omnipotent God humbles his saints and keeps them in their true knowledge. For nature and reason will always boast of the gifts of God and depend upon them. Therefore God must lead us to a recognition of the fact that it is he who puts faith in our heart and that we cannot produce it ourselves. Thus the fear of God and trust in him must not be separated from one another, for we need them both, in order that we may not become presumptuous and overconfident, depending upon ourselves. This is one of the reasons why God leads his saints through such great trials.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Here we see an example of the vast gulf between our understanding and God's wisdom. "They understood not..." No matter what we predict for the future, there will be great areas of mystery. If we trust on our own understanding, we will always be baffled. That is why God builds us up slowly and also teaches us to rely on His benevolent attitude and His miracles. We have to learn, again and again, that our Good Shepherd not only guards us but also gives us His everlasting love. He teaches us faith in Him because He is only grace, forgiveness, peace, love, and eternal life. </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">He was preparing Joseph and Mary for their trials in the future. No parent has known more more anguish, and yet they also earn the glory, through faith in Him.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yxKyFTt6QvheZjNfwCllui0ZOUyCqG5zFJBgvvRsYSPu0cDUuDLAWR24fIwM9U8dYS6fg2PHVh1WbrEkWR0fYhLRhi6Hr4UKNiXRMxQgpIoQgTAw9m038RVegk8GkNfSd_9-pLfIk1XTCp-Yz61zUMfubhTCGWKBnvgycbla65ed3AFVS-o-NMZa54-v/s1120/john_17_world_hated.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1120" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yxKyFTt6QvheZjNfwCllui0ZOUyCqG5zFJBgvvRsYSPu0cDUuDLAWR24fIwM9U8dYS6fg2PHVh1WbrEkWR0fYhLRhi6Hr4UKNiXRMxQgpIoQgTAw9m038RVegk8GkNfSd_9-pLfIk1XTCp-Yz61zUMfubhTCGWKBnvgycbla65ed3AFVS-o-NMZa54-v/w640-h366/john_17_world_hated.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-2695161534157184072024-01-04T10:37:00.000-08:002024-01-04T10:38:08.255-08:00A Member Asked about Daily Prayer<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdaP3GIYJivqCC-syB3-0npEE7ydr3-rYi3TkPrx5Obzenz-dVTXLhM8Bh_hh96_NpZs40etEtCU8YvP7MQ0ySIhlPcJ4icMuuSKK82uCgf4K4GARMVvWV01fDTm_nsOPcdHeyrF-t08ioElgitdL1ZbsBOJ5GgFVya7WtugQXY6g9GHI6x5Cl9GYNNxo/s1291/matthew28_Making-Disciples-2%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdaP3GIYJivqCC-syB3-0npEE7ydr3-rYi3TkPrx5Obzenz-dVTXLhM8Bh_hh96_NpZs40etEtCU8YvP7MQ0ySIhlPcJ4icMuuSKK82uCgf4K4GARMVvWV01fDTm_nsOPcdHeyrF-t08ioElgitdL1ZbsBOJ5GgFVya7WtugQXY6g9GHI6x5Cl9GYNNxo/w594-h640/matthew28_Making-Disciples-2%20copy.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Many decades have passed with the invented term "making disciples," leading to catastrophic decline in those foolish enough to grasp more gimmicks and fewer Biblical insights. Lutheran clergy, who should know better, abandoned the efficacy of the Word and pursued the latest thing. The power of the Holy Spirit through the Word is energy for our prayers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Pastor Gregory L. Jackson<br /><p></p>A member asked about daily prayer, so this is a basic outline, not the only one, to be followed up with a video.<div><br /></div><div>Jesus was not busy enough.</div><div><br /></div><blockquote><div>KJV Mark 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.</b></span> 38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.</div><div><br /></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;">Too Busy</p><p>My graduate students have insisted there is no such event in Mark, Jesus being told they have <b><span style="color: red;">work to do</span></b> when the disciples found Him praying. I point toward Mark 1, even Mark 1:37 to make sure they see the irony. </p><p>People find a quiet time to pray in the morning or at the end of the day, which is more favorable for prayer and not being rushed to get things done.</p><p style="text-align: center;">1.</p><p>Make the time for prayer every day, because of its many benefits and the example of Jesus Christ.</p><p style="text-align: center;">2.</p><p>Concentrate on the Savior, because the entire Bible is the Book of the Holy Spirit (Luther) about Jesus Christ and His Father. Addressing the Savior is a good way to concentrate on Him, Who is our closest friend. </p><p style="text-align: center;">3.</p><p>One way to begin is addressing the titles of Jesus, which are often ignored today - My Good Shepherd, the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, both man and God, Teacher, miracle worker, healing the deaf and lepers and raising the dead, dying on the cross for our sins, rising from the dead, ascending to Heaven to guide us.</p><p style="text-align: center;">4.</p><p>Expressing thanks to our Good Shepherd could include Isaiah 40, Psalm 23, and New Testament references to His work - such as John 10. Starting with thanksgiving to Him emphasizes the many blessings which are poured out on us. We should be especially thankful for His protection and for the ways in which He turns hurtful people and events into small and large miracles.</p><p style="text-align: center;">5.</p><p>Our prayers should always include a confession of sin through faith in Jesus Christ, our only access to grace. </p><p style="text-align: center;">6.</p><p>Our emotions are weak because there are so many ways in which we experience pain, sorrow, grief, and hatefulness. Prayer is an excellent way to ask for help from our Good Shepherd. As Luther said about the lost sheep, "He is as anxious for me as I am for Him." (graphic)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Exdi-FtMj1tnZjqJIaMameFRW1JEtfbGv530Z5zEcqxSRcu5VdwtX3lWkXxi-rT8Kb9WK8lF8B4clxlT6oFimttOywPl8L9pvpLj7ikx0xKFvtihDdaJe2Fq00OZPsuszUBbJ9R8nKlYXWQ1PoEZqrPwha568udg1GxYAJTq1X-VSj0pci7pkYPCQXOZ/s500/jesus_shepherd4boeckler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Exdi-FtMj1tnZjqJIaMameFRW1JEtfbGv530Z5zEcqxSRcu5VdwtX3lWkXxi-rT8Kb9WK8lF8B4clxlT6oFimttOywPl8L9pvpLj7ikx0xKFvtihDdaJe2Fq00OZPsuszUBbJ9R8nKlYXWQ1PoEZqrPwha568udg1GxYAJTq1X-VSj0pci7pkYPCQXOZ/w640-h640/jesus_shepherd4boeckler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-10425061940981732062023-12-31T15:43:00.000-08:002023-12-31T15:43:11.710-08:00New Year's Holy Communion, 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcUMybN_gFiacephDQ8tot7TLpmiILpgZNYiO5ikckhSsx8EFpQyfF94xPtJi9nwZyVpC15wGEdsGyrInuIxexU4BPMSXQKwkr0pr1MvmzuGa2YABdId6EVQL6J6iSG8bNbwteM57UWCpukVKslaXZnqhorX3YlXzUdJk7PL2Ni7ibGTsuZlozLcfcoU5F" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="640" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcUMybN_gFiacephDQ8tot7TLpmiILpgZNYiO5ikckhSsx8EFpQyfF94xPtJi9nwZyVpC15wGEdsGyrInuIxexU4BPMSXQKwkr0pr1MvmzuGa2YABdId6EVQL6J6iSG8bNbwteM57UWCpukVKslaXZnqhorX3YlXzUdJk7PL2Ni7ibGTsuZlozLcfcoU5F=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">New Year's Eve, 7 PM, Holy Communion</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><a href="http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh110.htm" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn # </span>110</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/110.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> Across the Sky the Shades of Night</a></b></span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Confession of Sins</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Absolution</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Introit p. 16</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Introit</span></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth: who hast set Thy glory above the heavens. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">What is man that Thou art mindful of him: </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">and the Son of Man that Thou visitest Him? </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><i>Psalm</i>. Thou, O Lord, art our Father and our Redeemer: Thy name is from everlasting.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"></span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Gloria Patri</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Kyrie p. 17</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Gloria in Excelsis</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b>Collect</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift, we give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, temporal and spiritual, bestowed upon us in the year past, and we beseech Thee of Thy goodness, grant us a favorable and joyful year, defend us from all dangers and adversities, and send upon us the fullness of Thy blessing; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Epistle and Gradual </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b>Gradual</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God: make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">V. The Lord hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">V. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets: hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son. Hallelujah!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Gospel </span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">Praise be to Thee, O Christ!</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Nicene Creed p. 22</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh123.htm" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Sermon Hymn # </span>123</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/123.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Our God, Our Help</a></span></b></span><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Law - Our Schoolmaster Until...</span></b></div><br style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh126.htm" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn #</span> 126</a><span style="color: #5c2add;"> </span> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/126.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Arise and Shine in Splendor</a></span></b></span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Preface p. 24</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Sanctus p. 26</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Lord's Prayer p. 27</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Words of Institution</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Agnus Dei p. 28</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Nunc Dimittis p. 29</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh552.htm" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn #</span> 552</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/552.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Abide with Me</a></span></b></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Announcements and Prayers</span></b></p><ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">Christmas Day - Parsonage wedding - Larrisa and Cody Boyd. God's blessings to the whole extended family.</li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Ongoing medical care - Lori Howell, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Kermit and Maria Way, Doc Lito, Alicia Meyer.</span></span></span></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b>The Epistle</b></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">KJV Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. </span><b>24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. </b>25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b>The Gospel</b></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>KJV Luke 2:21</b> And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b>St. Stephen's Day, December 26th</b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>KJV TEXT: ACTS 6:8-14, AND ACTS 7:54-60.</b> </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,13 and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: 14 for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. 54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56 and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Law - Our Schoolmaster Until...</span></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>KJV Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.</b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;">Galatians should be read and studied because it is short and also the most abused book in the Bible, if we count it by words. No other book has so much Gospel and yet is so brief. That should make Galatians especially powerful to people, but the opposite seems to be true. Nothing else in the Bible is opposed with such force. </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">There are many ways to oppose Galatians - all of them wrong, of course. The central message is </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Justification by Faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">, which is the essence of the Gospel. Grace comes to us only through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5), so it is not a vague concept but a very clear one. Through faith in Jesus our sins are forgiven daily - completely. That is a constant effect of the Gospel. The Spirit is at work teaching us and showing us what we need to know.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">The Church of Rome repudiated </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Justification by Faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> at its Council of Trent, which was organized to oppose the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox agree with Rome. It is easy to find non-Lutheran Protestants who avoid this central, Biblical doctrine, and many supposed Lutherans who also hate </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Justification by Faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">. One error is constantly repeated on a daily basis - "Everyone in the world is already forgiven, without faith, without Christ." If that is not repugnant enough, "Everyone in Hell is a forgiven saint."</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">Christina struck up a conversation with a nun, about grace, and the nun seemed quite agreeable. That is the strange thing about the use of grace - everyone is for it, nobody is against it. However, the nun meant grace plus works. "Faith alone" means that grace comes to us without earning bonus points. Grace requiring works - that is a never ending pursuit of works unto death and even beyond death (Purgatory).</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">When there is no faith, which is often the problem, there can only be the Law. People have many variations in the Law, so they like to think their Law is sufficient. When we are children, the Law is imposed so that in time we learn to do what is right because of the Gospel.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">The Antinomians (anti-Law) say "There is no Law. It is abolished." That is a very popular poison today. I have seen several pastors repudiate the Faith because they slipped more and more against the Scripture.</span></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: 17.6px;">24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. </b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">The Law is not bad or evil, but brings us to Christ so we are forgiven through faith in Him. Grace is never going to arrive through works, though billions have tried. The only access to grace is faith in Jesus the Savior, not Buddha or Confucius. The difference with the Gospel is that - through the Law - we no longer think of "have to" but "want to." That makes all the difference. </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">How could the Law of God be obsolete when it is the result of God's Creation? As Luther wrote, Moses borrowed the Ten Commandments from Adam. They were there at the beginning and observed. The stone tablets codified all of human behavior in 10 Commandments. My 4th grade teacher challenged us to find a single law that was not a reflection of the 10 Commandments, which she had on the wall of her classroom.</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">The child asks "Do I have to?" and grows into "I want to." Mothers look at their little children crying and pooping and puking and say, "Aww. I will clean you up." The babyfood is wiped from the tiny face and the baby grins. Big rewards from ceaseless labor and love.</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><b>25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.</b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b></b></span></span><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">KJV Galatians 2:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, <u>but by the faith of Jesus Christ</u>, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.</span></span></b></span></blockquote><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"></span></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Galatians 2:16 is one of three very clear passages about the faith belonging to Jesus Christ. The KJV is correct and the others glide past this clear phrase. The Incarnation means He has Two Natures, divine and human, never one without the other. So yes, He believed. So He is our example of living and acting by faith. He knew what He was facing and He trusted in God - "not My will but Thine."</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">That has been the great motivator of good works done in the Name of Christ - wanting to do whatever helps others and teaches the Gospel.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><b>27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.</b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">Putting on Christ means the symbolic robe of righteousness. Just as wedding guests put on their best clothes for a great feast, so do Christians put on the robe of </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Justification by Faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">Notice that Paul invoked Abraham faith in this passage. Too many shorten the impact of his trust in having his own son. Abraham's trust was not just in having a son or even a tribe and kingdom. Even with countries of a billion or more today, there is nothing equal to the stars of the sky in number or the sands of ocean. Abraham's trust in God made him the beginning of an almost endless stream of believers like him, and his son was just the beginning.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmkYAERpoxqO9OUEhStdsTZBTQaxSGcl9mvNBFLmFHCZjBFegeLV-T12WbcNmIGIiVX5mzT_bZX_3VThdTCgKoh4lWSGJZYGAaulpg5YGdZVnkP01R6YbunqBENorQeaShJHGXUshRK82NxPc__tQu1bRlx3LNiAxTTEM69luXsd1iFVi9bjSk4r2R1mn/s290/abraham_believed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmkYAERpoxqO9OUEhStdsTZBTQaxSGcl9mvNBFLmFHCZjBFegeLV-T12WbcNmIGIiVX5mzT_bZX_3VThdTCgKoh4lWSGJZYGAaulpg5YGdZVnkP01R6YbunqBENorQeaShJHGXUshRK82NxPc__tQu1bRlx3LNiAxTTEM69luXsd1iFVi9bjSk4r2R1mn/w640-h384/abraham_believed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-36080051512479446272023-12-31T07:21:00.000-08:002023-12-31T07:21:48.500-08:00The Sunday after Christmas 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NByTCVzAGae4-gK7akJyJdAj1IkjnjsVmWcLwsKqSK-O0gjrQxmki27OwUjNWY49ad1WhYlrlpokD1TDzAmweifa5jLZadmxcT_FdZH8qskElzjyVAkDcqxNLJG9qMKkzPDVRjvtSSoZQwCCmaI8kIs4BbN7-VMvo_MhW7GT1fhsD2vLVVn3K46S0kmW/s614/angels_singing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="614" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NByTCVzAGae4-gK7akJyJdAj1IkjnjsVmWcLwsKqSK-O0gjrQxmki27OwUjNWY49ad1WhYlrlpokD1TDzAmweifa5jLZadmxcT_FdZH8qskElzjyVAkDcqxNLJG9qMKkzPDVRjvtSSoZQwCCmaI8kIs4BbN7-VMvo_MhW7GT1fhsD2vLVVn3K46S0kmW/w640-h510/angels_singing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/we-christians-may-rejoice-today-107.html" target="_blank">Hymn #107 </a>- <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/107.mp3" target="_blank">We Christians May Rejoice This Day</a></b></p><p>Order for Matins, p. 32</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Invitatory and the Venite, p. 33</p><p>1. O come let us sing unto the Lord</p><p>1. Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation</p><p>2. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving</p><p>2. And make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.</p><p>3. For the Lord is a great God:</p><p>3. And a great King above all gods.</p><p>4. In His hands are the deep places of the earth</p><p>4. The strength of the hills are His also.</p><p>5. The seas is His and He made it.</p><p>5. And His hands formed the dry land.</p><p>6. Oh, come let us worship and bow down.</p><p>6. Let us knew before the Lord our Maker.</p><p>7. For He is our God</p><p>7. And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.</p><p>As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.</p><p><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/o-little-town-of-bethlehem-647.html" target="_blank">The Hymn #647</a> - <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/647.mp3" target="_blank">O Little Town of Bethlehem</a></b></p><p>The Psalm - Psalm 2 - p. 123</p><p>The Reading Galatians 4:1-7</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQnqzAOWi2Af85GKeFNGS64KODMRuNsrMRsNjn309hFKb_jMiK_jdWZHult258sP59ir1i-o1zz2TLoulr6v1MY50EGvlLSJY7NubkBFsH-2l7s8IjD7_RcKR1wTVXUbNnwS8VpZH5LsKNntaykDuiP9eVVuVZYG_lFHBEO7rby3eM1ZNtKfk5Z9-5Zg0/s1000/john_1_14_full_of_grace_truth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="890" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQnqzAOWi2Af85GKeFNGS64KODMRuNsrMRsNjn309hFKb_jMiK_jdWZHult258sP59ir1i-o1zz2TLoulr6v1MY50EGvlLSJY7NubkBFsH-2l7s8IjD7_RcKR1wTVXUbNnwS8VpZH5LsKNntaykDuiP9eVVuVZYG_lFHBEO7rby3eM1ZNtKfk5Z9-5Zg0/w570-h640/john_1_14_full_of_grace_truth.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The Sermon Luke 2:21</p><div><br /></div><p>The Prayers and Lord's Prayer</p><p>The Collect for Grace p. 40</p><p>The Benediction p. 40</p><p><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/joy-to-world-lord-is-come-87-watts.html" target="_blank">The Hymn 87</a> - <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/087.mp3" target="_blank">Joy to the World</a></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>Announcements and Prayers</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><ul style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em; text-align: left;"><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">Christmas Day - Parsonage wedding - Larrisa and Cody Boyd. God's blessings to the whole extended family.</li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Ongoing medical care - Lori Howell, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Kermit and Maria Way, Doc Lito, Alicia Meyer.</span></span></span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Holy Communion service, tonight at 7 PM.</span></span></span></li></ul></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3henySq7guUlDQCJpfFWy5Cxp1JG-mPdG25ibu1qwmpem9ridAseGWwyHFdrYfYouskR8xUHLzYUx09gQ5b5PrvBgfo1qX1lZbzmaJ-4ePcacPO-EwZ5rYM13zhc0ONctrhwiYWmH9WdLDZ_ArF2bgsnab4Y4_cmM95mBwpSvw1gMjnGx2oVuVikRIteg/s1120/joytotheworld.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1120" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3henySq7guUlDQCJpfFWy5Cxp1JG-mPdG25ibu1qwmpem9ridAseGWwyHFdrYfYouskR8xUHLzYUx09gQ5b5PrvBgfo1qX1lZbzmaJ-4ePcacPO-EwZ5rYM13zhc0ONctrhwiYWmH9WdLDZ_ArF2bgsnab4Y4_cmM95mBwpSvw1gMjnGx2oVuVikRIteg/w640-h482/joytotheworld.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Sermon</b></div></span><p>KJV Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.</p><p>At the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus noted how He was like a hen protecting its young from danger. Hens - very fragile and vulnerable - are like mother rabbits. They immediately protect their little ones from danger. Luther points out that Jesus protects His flock the same way. </p><p>Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!</p><p>The anger and violence of the world is especially aimed at believers, but the Savior blocks this, offering peace and comfort to the Christians. He continues to intercede for us. Just as the little ones lack the strength to oppose the enemy, so do the believers use the shelter of the Lord from the storm.</p><p>This is a humorous thought from Luther. The shepherds did shave their beards or put on special clothing.</p><p>They rejoiced in the angels' message, went to see the baby Messiah, and returned to work and homes. </p><p>The unbelieving world wants to trust in their works, whatever those merits might be. The one foundation is Christ the Lord, faith in Him. Simeon and Anna rejoiced to hear their time had come. Everyone else seemed to be very active, but they saw the Promised Messiah and were filled with joy.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp-ZENjyHssHwEifvdTIxChOItxRUDjnWfRJc70yr3pg7keaQdD3Iu-BPQyB2E6fBo31Zzm0Pc_7MCIHRhEelziIfry3fJnMi2TDp96kMQNeOrb5fpZ06unqkLM3ypR9dfBE8mQV09VcDknHSADIH3sWSGJQQar3UsekkWOzAcmWL7hECWKjX_w2tPCg1/s480/abidewithme_tlh552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="480" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp-ZENjyHssHwEifvdTIxChOItxRUDjnWfRJc70yr3pg7keaQdD3Iu-BPQyB2E6fBo31Zzm0Pc_7MCIHRhEelziIfry3fJnMi2TDp96kMQNeOrb5fpZ06unqkLM3ypR9dfBE8mQV09VcDknHSADIH3sWSGJQQar3UsekkWOzAcmWL7hECWKjX_w2tPCg1/w640-h498/abidewithme_tlh552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-69678587589107332382023-12-24T16:17:00.000-08:002023-12-24T16:17:19.086-08:00Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Revised<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMjdrAVnREwz54iYKPpx7UCzzY5nxOXqEU7XoI8tPd3Tr-6QsfDT8IUlSnRr_IjCgCBcB8m-Kzh0kV4uUAza2DUNzc2vYejDEJtePvgQpNgqVDlj8KQtKPGI_P878lTJKiOdafewEnD4X1bi4ZWpeIZr1d_Sj3OrNYdi4zTboRXs_638kzAnM7YSdkw/w530-h640/angels_shepherds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="530" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><b>11 AM for the Early Service Today</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</span></b></p><div style="padding: 378.594px 0px 0px; position: relative;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" src="https://vimeo.com/event/3968139/embed/interaction" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/all-my-heart-this-night-rejoices-paul.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #</span>77<span style="color: #dd2aaa;">:1-7</span></a><span style="color: #204063;"> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/077.mp3" target="_blank">All My Heart This Night</a></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Introit<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder.</span></b></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God: the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.</span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i>Psalm.</i> Oh, sing unto the Lord a new song: for He hath done marvelous things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Kyrie p. 17</span><br /><span style="color: #204063;">The Gloria in Excelsis</span><br /><span style="color: #204063;">The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">Collect</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth of Thine only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free, who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Epistle and Gradual </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Titus 3:</span></b>4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Gradual</span></b></span></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: God is the Lord which hath showed us light.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">V. This is the Lord’s doing: it is marvelous in our eyes. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">V. The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty: the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself. Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Luke 2:1-20 </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;"><b>1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">Praise be to Thee, O Christ!</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><br />The Nicene Creed p. 22</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><br /></span><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/all-my-heart-this-night-rejoices-paul.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Sermon Hymn #</span><span style="color: #dd2aaa;">77:8-15</span></a><span style="color: #204063;"> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/077.mp3" target="_blank">All My Heart This Night</a></span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/077.mp3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #204063;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></span></b><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">The Complete Gospel</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many speak of the Gospel but</span><span style="font-size: large;"> only favor one part of the Gospel. The ministry of Jesus began with His baptism, but baptism is downgraded. Jesus established the Lord's Supper, but that is reduced to symbols or laws to follow. Jesus always taught faith in Him, and He came to us in human form so we could understand Him. In fact, the "faith of Jesus" is taught in three Epistles - and that means the faith belonging to Jesus. That is true to His incarnation. He was and is both God and man, so He had faith in all that would happen to Him because of His mission. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The basics are a marvel in this example. God became man and was born of a Virgin. There is no escape from this miracle, though many apostates have tried to manufacture one. Likewise, the unbelievers turn their antagonism into their new religion. But there is nothing really new about that Jesus was largely ignored and openly persecuted for healing the sick, raising the dead, and teaching His mission of faith in Him. The ultimate test could be the Empty Tomb. If the opponents had a case, they could have proven it there, one way or another. But all of this began with God the Father sending His Son to teach the everlasting Gospel. John 3:16 summarizes this perfectly:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">God so loved the world</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That He gave His only-begotten Son</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So whoever believed in Him</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Might not perish</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But have everlasting life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This well known verse is based on an obscure event, more like a bookmark, of bronze serpents healing the stricken. People ignore that. But it means this earlier event many centuries before was destined by God to be the key to the Little Gospel. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: medium;">John 3:</span><span style="font-size: large;">14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:</span><span style="font-size: large;">15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.</span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Gospel of John is a commentary on the Books of Moses. As Luther wrote, the New Testament is a series of sermons on the Old Testament.</span></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><br /></span><span style="color: #204063;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-christ-our-blessed-savior-311.html" target="_blank">Communion Hymn #311</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/311.mp3" target="_blank">Jesus Christ Our Blessed Savior</a> - John Huss the Martyr </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/silent-night-holy-night.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #</span><span style="color: #dd2aaa;">646</span></a><span style="color: #204063;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/silent-night-holy-night.html" target="_blank"> </a> </span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/646.mp3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">Silent Night</span><span style="color: #204063;"> </span></a></span></b><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #800180;">Announcements and Prayers</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br /></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtL7VQbU8ZPGg53kCyg0SgONBdkloGv6zMmskCZwuKfwmkno8zD5BqxWePAUseuKNxEODrp8pC_iknFgAK_ApH6kgQ_UrveNt8n7LoJdOVapSo45jEBofwbuCj0waLlKMso1wXNLJXPw-iBgE2xn3CV3Ntgac4UmLSmpp9jZu5WMIMlTsEOIU_tdm9g/s588/manger1.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtL7VQbU8ZPGg53kCyg0SgONBdkloGv6zMmskCZwuKfwmkno8zD5BqxWePAUseuKNxEODrp8pC_iknFgAK_ApH6kgQ_UrveNt8n7LoJdOVapSo45jEBofwbuCj0waLlKMso1wXNLJXPw-iBgE2xn3CV3Ntgac4UmLSmpp9jZu5WMIMlTsEOIU_tdm9g/w566-h640/manger1.PNG" width="566" /></a></span></b></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Luke 2:</span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, </span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. </span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The Jewish people, widely scattered by the time of Christ, and the Gentiles, who had access to the Old Testament - longed for the Savior of the World. The Greeks had philosophy, engineering, and all the departments of a modern university. But only the Old Testament had the history and the Promises of the Gospel.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Even today, a university may talk about religion but it is impossible to have a religion department taught by believing Christians. As one insider told me about the community colleges in Phoenix - "They will never let a Christian teach religion, not even part-time. They need you but they will never hire you."</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Everything seems impossible until it happens. Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem because of the Roman tax being tied to their census. America does the same thing. </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">When the birth of the Savior was predicted by the Old Testament prophets, the Roman Empire was not even an empire. It grew to be a Republic (which America copied) and degenerated into a shaky empire, much like ours. So the great and powerful in Jerusalem were on edge but the census doubtless engaged them - big family reunions and gossip about the Star of Bethlehem.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #222222;">We are so engaged in the celebrations that evasions give away </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christmas itself</span><span style="color: #222222;">. When people say "Happy Holidays" I point out the obvious meaning - Happy Holy Days." When they are more evasive (typical of schools today) and note the Winter Break, I ask about whether to say Merry Winter and to shop for Winter Presents.</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Of course, Christ-mas is the Mass - Holy Communion - recognizing the Birth of Christ.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: trebuchet;"><b>The best, greatest, richest, most powerful people ignored Mary and Joseph - so the angel recruited the shepherds watching their flocks. This is important. They did not delay or make excuses about the great event.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">16 And they came <u>with haste</u>, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">The order of salvation is clear. The angel (messenger) revealed the truth about the great event, truly the unique miracle, the Savior born.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">God's good news sows faith in our hearts. Even those who have been fooled and taught false doctrine can rely on the truth revealed in a trustworthy Bible.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">God gave them good news through His angels (messengers) and the shepherds made sure everyone possible learned about it. Faith comes from the Holy Spirit teaching us the Gospel, and this faith grows like yeast in dough, like mustard seed. That is God's work and we nurture and treasure what God has given us.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">Those who heard (faith comes from hearing the Gospel Word, Romans 10) - were full of wonder. The faith of a few grew to many, and that is what led up to multitudes following Jesus.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQDyxTpudChcSjAnfRHkTbWgUiiZttgLxP17NdC0DDZepWK3qRlHe2fKXFzb55cOcIGyjypbXkUA8NfenzvZms_DP1Utj54D_EVaGJCuWitfEEH_DrM1Ip5_2vPTckMhG19jWI9eABmoS0pk8DfMMkQVyOqhCivu1y4CInd8ZkIMbzJ8wLlHmt5KmXQ/s833/comfort-jesus-is-our.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQDyxTpudChcSjAnfRHkTbWgUiiZttgLxP17NdC0DDZepWK3qRlHe2fKXFzb55cOcIGyjypbXkUA8NfenzvZms_DP1Utj54D_EVaGJCuWitfEEH_DrM1Ip5_2vPTckMhG19jWI9eABmoS0pk8DfMMkQVyOqhCivu1y4CInd8ZkIMbzJ8wLlHmt5KmXQ/w460-h640/comfort-jesus-is-our.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Christmas - Sunday Evening Service - 2023</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7 PM</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEUu67b1bND21ji9L_s4c2OlVFCKSl25JES3UVJEE6odxG5ofDJANHHV32D3yJPwnFSgYrpCrxdPkRFG_t6pEDvcEKl1YZixzZSmAfotVUpuas3g8Uj9pOTQGcilVP4Y449nvUgvWBE2tlw_NuQxuJUdeqt4oUC4DggHm53bnDqNc5qNzF-BAJztwIg/s1280/luke_2_7_swaddling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEUu67b1bND21ji9L_s4c2OlVFCKSl25JES3UVJEE6odxG5ofDJANHHV32D3yJPwnFSgYrpCrxdPkRFG_t6pEDvcEKl1YZixzZSmAfotVUpuas3g8Uj9pOTQGcilVP4Y449nvUgvWBE2tlw_NuQxuJUdeqt4oUC4DggHm53bnDqNc5qNzF-BAJztwIg/w480-h640/luke_2_7_swaddling.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>Christmas Eve Service, 7 PM Central Time, 2023<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>Springdale, Arkansas<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>Christmas Day Holy Communion - 10 AM</b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>New Year's Eve Communion - 7 PM</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/o-jesus-christ-thy-manger-is-81-gerhardt.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">Hymn #81</span></b></a><b> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/081.mp3" style="color: #dd5d2a; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>The Place of Jesus’ Birth </b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">KJV Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/oh-come-all-ye-faithful-102.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">Hymn </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;"># 102</span></b></a><b> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/102.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">O Come All Ye Faithful</span></b></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">KJV Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Virgin Birth</b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">KJV Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Incarnation</b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">KJV Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/while-shepherds-watched-their-flocks-by.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">Hymn </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">#109</span></b></a><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/while-shepherds-watched-their-flocks-by.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> </a> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/109.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">KJV Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWpSQF17jViVc2AvnBBSdkOe4L782RFHktiZbwiQlAgRtKDvQ_hHwzG00jGXzZe7J-Yv0DYMvej7alvqR4zY5mglfhsTzHj9l4VFXO4WYK_hN340FqeYgSeGXbtEzMwm0KHUehjssow_tWqP9p6C0W6L1bYIn1TdHENGmn-0N8Osw4xovWVIyr5LC8g/s1120/O-Word-of%20God-Incarnate-TLH-294%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1120" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWpSQF17jViVc2AvnBBSdkOe4L782RFHktiZbwiQlAgRtKDvQ_hHwzG00jGXzZe7J-Yv0DYMvej7alvqR4zY5mglfhsTzHj9l4VFXO4WYK_hN340FqeYgSeGXbtEzMwm0KHUehjssow_tWqP9p6C0W6L1bYIn1TdHENGmn-0N8Osw4xovWVIyr5LC8g/w640-h458/O-Word-of%20God-Incarnate-TLH-294%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God and the World Have Different Values</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>KJV Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The haughty sceptics like to deny this happened, but it is recorded in Gospel, when Jesus was challenged about the coin for taxing, and He said, "Whose image is on this?" And then said, "Pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar." The tax was collected after this time and was being collected before Jesus was crucified.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The tax brought Jesus to Bethlehem, as everyone knows, and that would have been completely different without the requiring the family to come at that time to the City of Bethlehem. As we know today, that was where David grew up, and became the model of the Savior - the Son of David. That also made the journey difficult, with Mary ready to give birth and the cities crowded. We tend to forget that was an uphill journey - from the north they passed down through Jerusalem - the fortress on the hill and then a little further to Bethlehem.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2017/12/luthers-sermon-on-virgin-birth-of.html?fbclid=IwAR0-TvQoyV8zbH6TLTQC0tK30N_ONtZFU3jC4e0H5M_Y-gJFRvWIVLS1r9I" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">1. It is written in Haggai 2:6-7, that God says: “I will shake the heavens; and the precious things of all nations shall come.” This is fulfilled today, for the heavens were shaken, that is, the angels in the heavens sang praises to God. And the earth was shaken, that is, the people on the earth were agitated; one journeying to this city, another to that throughout the whole land, as the Gospel tells us. It was not a violent, bloody uprising, but rather a peaceable one awakened by God who is the God of peace.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Nothing but difficulties were before them, and the greatest event of all time, God becoming man and being born of a Virgin, gave no one any pause - and they offered no help for this family. Doubtless the great and powerful were taken care of, but no one did anything for the family. What is a big deal for mankind is pitifully small for God, and what is great for God is of no consequence for most people.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">This must be understood only through faith. The great and wise despise Christmas and what it truly means. I always tell my students, "Merry Christmas!" because no one says Merry Winter! and no one shops for Winter Presents. The rich and pampered church officials today sidestep the meaning of God becoming man. Their passion is for institutional wealth and changing society for the better - without faith.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2017/12/luthers-sermon-on-virgin-birth-of.html?fbclid=IwAR0-TvQoyV8zbH6TLTQC0tK30N_ONtZFU3jC4e0H5M_Y-gJFRvWIVLS1r9I" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Luther:</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">See how God shows that he utterly disregards what the world is, has or desires; and furthermore, that the world shows how little it knows or notices what God is, has and does.<br /><br />9. See, this is the first picture with which Christ puts the world to shame and exposes all it does and knows. It shows that the world’s greatest wisdom is foolishness, her best actions are wrong and her greatest treasures are misfortunes. What had Bethlehem when it did not have Christ? What have they now who at that time had enough? What do Joseph and Mary lack now, although at that time they had no room to sleep comfortably?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Luther points out that Mary had an easy labor - if such a thing can be said - but one without fanfare. The manger was a feeding trough for animals, not the place we would put newborns, especially one with so little to claim for his own. One phrase says it all - there was no room for them at the inn, so the birthing room, bed room, and kitchen were a stall for the animals. Doubtless the angels watched over them, as they do for us. But this was the humblest surroundings for the King of Kings.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The best and the brightest were not there to offer any comfort, so the angels had to find some working shepherds to share this great story. The spectacle lit up the sky with angels and the angel of the Lord gave the solemn and comforting message.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The angelic message has always struck me as little catechism, memorized and passed down through the generations. It is like poetry, easily remembered by children and recited by them. The Word of God is everything thing, bringing faith and grace to us, always showing us how much God can do.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;">Our little church is mocked because it is so small, but almost 10 million views say otherwise. Every day a new set of lessons is provided, sometimes only 500 views - but that is a big classroom for daily information about the </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Chief Article, Justification by Faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">. Some days have 7,000 views. The blog drew people together and more blogs added more view, and hundreds of book titles -- The Lutheran Library.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;">And stained glass windows - Christian graphics.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;">And I have seen many miracles take place, beyond anyone's expectation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2017/12/luthers-sermon-on-virgin-birth-of.html?fbclid=IwAR0-TvQoyV8zbH6TLTQC0tK30N_ONtZFU3jC4e0H5M_Y-gJFRvWIVLS1r9I" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">12. Just imagine what kind of swaddling clothes they were in which she wrapped the child. Possibly her veil or some article of her clothing she could spare. But that she should have wrapped him in Joseph’s trousers, which are exhibited at Aix-la-Chapelle, appears entirely too false and frivolous. It is a fable, the like of which there are more in the world. Is it not strange that the birth of Christ occurs in cold winter, in a strange land, and in such a poor and despicable manner?<br /><br />13. Some argue as to how this birth took place, as if Jesus was born while Mary was praying and rejoicing, without any pain, and before she was conscious of it. While I do not altogether discard that pious supposition, it was evidently invented for the sake of simple minded people. But we must abide by the Gospel, that he was born of the virgin Mary. There is no deception here, for the Word clearly states that it was an actual birth.<br /><br />14. It is well known what is meant by giving birth. Mary’s experience was not different from that of other women, so that the birth of Christ was a real natural birth, Mary being his natural mother and he being her natural son. Therefore her body performed its functions of giving birth, which naturally belonged to it, except that she brought forth without sin, without shame, without pain and without injury, just as she had conceived without sin. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/silent-night-holy-night.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">Hymn </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;"># 646</span></b></a><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/silent-night-holy-night.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> </a> Candles Lit </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/646.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">Silent Night</span></b></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The Prayers and Benediction</b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/joy-to-world-lord-is-come-87-watts.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Hymn #87 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/087.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Joy to the World</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9cgYspkQhx6ld_WcZSjYbWmAtYacuAyVJfJf2pEM2FYYkJu6MsfASkCAAJWpzeGjpxOF9PD2uXmZKlL2YxkRaPT07LUezgUFewixJ3fG-olhYxEZY6U4pvjQYkPJBdS6tkP-TXRj9AE9j3WLHjyYOrpqW0UlfjZy7PTwctDGTuGHP4P74qUrviG_4Q/s1080/joy_to_the_world_new.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9cgYspkQhx6ld_WcZSjYbWmAtYacuAyVJfJf2pEM2FYYkJu6MsfASkCAAJWpzeGjpxOF9PD2uXmZKlL2YxkRaPT07LUezgUFewixJ3fG-olhYxEZY6U4pvjQYkPJBdS6tkP-TXRj9AE9j3WLHjyYOrpqW0UlfjZy7PTwctDGTuGHP4P74qUrviG_4Q/w640-h480/joy_to_the_world_new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></p></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-86047769364344439502023-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:002023-12-24T08:00:47.510-08:00Christmas at 11 AM and at 7 PM - December 24<p> </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMjdrAVnREwz54iYKPpx7UCzzY5nxOXqEU7XoI8tPd3Tr-6QsfDT8IUlSnRr_IjCgCBcB8m-Kzh0kV4uUAza2DUNzc2vYejDEJtePvgQpNgqVDlj8KQtKPGI_P878lTJKiOdafewEnD4X1bi4ZWpeIZr1d_Sj3OrNYdi4zTboRXs_638kzAnM7YSdkw/w530-h640/angels_shepherds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="530" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>The Shepherds and the Angels</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/all-my-heart-this-night-rejoices-paul.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #</span>77<span style="color: #dd2aaa;">:1-7</span></a><span style="color: #204063;"> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/077.mp3" target="_blank">All My Heart This Night</a></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Introit<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder.</span></b></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God: the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.</span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i>Psalm.</i> Oh, sing unto the Lord a new song: for He hath done marvelous things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Kyrie p. 17</span><br /><span style="color: #204063;">The Gloria in Excelsis</span><br /><span style="color: #204063;">The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">Collect</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth of Thine only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free, who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Epistle and Gradual </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Titus 3:</span></b>4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Gradual</span></b></span></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: God is the Lord which hath showed us light.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">V. This is the Lord’s doing: it is marvelous in our eyes. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">V. The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty: the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself. Hallelujah!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The Gospel<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Luke 2:1-20 </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;"><b>1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">Praise be to Thee, O Christ!</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><br />The Nicene Creed p. 22</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><br /></span><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/all-my-heart-this-night-rejoices-paul.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Sermon Hymn #</span><span style="color: #dd2aaa;">77:8-15</span></a><span style="color: #204063;"> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/077.mp3" target="_blank">All My Heart This Night</a></span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/077.mp3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #204063;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></span></b><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">The Complete Gospel</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Many speak of the Gospel but</span><span style="font-size: large;"> only favor one part of the Gospel. The ministry of Jesus began with His baptism, but baptism is downgraded. Jesus established the Lord's Supper, but that is reduced to symbols or laws to follow. Jesus always taught faith in Him, and He came to us in human form so we could understand Him. In fact, the "faith of Jesus" is taught in three Epistles - and that means the faith belonging to Jesus. That is true to His incarnation. He was and is both God and man, so He had faith in all that would happen to Him because of His mission. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The basics are a marvel in this example. God became man and was born of a Virgin. There is no escape from this miracle, though many apostates have tried to manufacture one. Likewise, the unbelievers turn their antagonism into their new religion. But there is nothing really new about that Jesus was largely ignored and openly persecuted for healing the sick, raising the dead, and teaching His mission of faith in Him. The ultimate test could be the Empty Tomb. If the opponents had a case, they could have proven it there, one way or another. But all of this began with God the Father sending His Son to teach the everlasting Gospel. John 3:16 summarizes this perfectly:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">God so loved the world</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That He gave His only-begotten Son</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">So whoever believed in Him</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Might not perish</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But have everlasting life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This well known verse is based on an obscure event, more like a bookmark, of bronze serpents healing the stricken. People ignore that. But it means this earlier event many centuries before was destined by God to be the key to the Little Gospel. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: medium;">John 3:</span><span style="font-size: large;">14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:</span><span style="font-size: large;">15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.</span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Gospel of John is a commentary on the Books of Moses. As Luther wrote, the New Testament is a series of sermons on the Old Testament.</span></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><br /></span><span style="color: #204063;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-christ-our-blessed-savior-311.html" target="_blank">Communion Hymn #311</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/311.mp3" target="_blank">Jesus Christ Our Blessed Savior</a> - John Huss the Martyr </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/silent-night-holy-night.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #</span><span style="color: #dd2aaa;">646</span></a><span style="color: #204063;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/silent-night-holy-night.html" target="_blank"> </a> </span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/646.mp3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">Silent Night</span><span style="color: #204063;"> </span></a></span></b><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #800180;">Announcements and Prayers</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br /></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtL7VQbU8ZPGg53kCyg0SgONBdkloGv6zMmskCZwuKfwmkno8zD5BqxWePAUseuKNxEODrp8pC_iknFgAK_ApH6kgQ_UrveNt8n7LoJdOVapSo45jEBofwbuCj0waLlKMso1wXNLJXPw-iBgE2xn3CV3Ntgac4UmLSmpp9jZu5WMIMlTsEOIU_tdm9g/s588/manger1.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtL7VQbU8ZPGg53kCyg0SgONBdkloGv6zMmskCZwuKfwmkno8zD5BqxWePAUseuKNxEODrp8pC_iknFgAK_ApH6kgQ_UrveNt8n7LoJdOVapSo45jEBofwbuCj0waLlKMso1wXNLJXPw-iBgE2xn3CV3Ntgac4UmLSmpp9jZu5WMIMlTsEOIU_tdm9g/w566-h640/manger1.PNG" width="566" /></a></span></b></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Luke 2:</span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, </span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. </span></b><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #204063;"><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The Jewish people, widely scattered by the time of Christ, and the Gentiles, who had access to the Old Testament - longed for the Savior of the World. The Greeks had philosophy, engineering, and all the departments of a modern university. But only the Old Testament had the history and the Promises of the Gospel.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Even today, a university may talk about religion but it is impossible to have a religion department taught by believing Christians. As one insider told me about the community colleges in Phoenix - "They will never let a Christian teach religion, not even part-time. They need you but they will never hire you."</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Everything seems impossible until it happens. Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem because of the Roman tax being tied to their census. America does the same thing. </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">When the birth of the Savior was predicted by the Old Testament prophets, the Roman Empire was not even an empire. It grew to be a Republic (which America copied) and degenerated into a shaky empire, much like ours. So the great and powerful in Jerusalem were on edge but the census doubtless engaged them - big family reunions and gossip about the Star of Bethlehem.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #222222;">We are so engaged in the celebrations that evasions give away </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christmas itself</span><span style="color: #222222;">. When people say "Happy Holidays" I point out the obvious meaning - Happy Holy Days." When they are more evasive (typical of schools today) and note the Winter Break, I ask about whether to say Merry Winter and to shop for Winter Presents.</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Of course, Christ-mas is the Mass - Holy Communion - recognizing the Birth of Christ.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: trebuchet;"><b>The best, greatest, richest, most powerful people ignored Mary and Joseph - so the angel recruited the shepherds watching their flocks. This is important. They did not delay or make excuses about the great event.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">16 And they came <u>with haste</u>, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">The order of salvation is clear. The angel (messenger) revealed the truth about the great event, truly the unique miracle, the Savior born.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">God's good news sows faith in our hearts. Even those who have been fooled and taught false doctrine can rely on the truth revealed in a trustworthy Bible.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">God gave them good news through His angels (messengers) and the shepherds made sure everyone possible learned about it. Faith comes from the Holy Spirit teaching us the Gospel, and this faith grows like yeast in dough, like mustard seed. That is God's work and we nurture and treasure what God has given us.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;">Those who heard (faith comes from hearing the Gospel Word, Romans 10) - were full of wonder. The faith of a few grew to many, and that is what led up to multitudes following Jesus.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="color: #204063; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.5pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQDyxTpudChcSjAnfRHkTbWgUiiZttgLxP17NdC0DDZepWK3qRlHe2fKXFzb55cOcIGyjypbXkUA8NfenzvZms_DP1Utj54D_EVaGJCuWitfEEH_DrM1Ip5_2vPTckMhG19jWI9eABmoS0pk8DfMMkQVyOqhCivu1y4CInd8ZkIMbzJ8wLlHmt5KmXQ/s833/comfort-jesus-is-our.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQDyxTpudChcSjAnfRHkTbWgUiiZttgLxP17NdC0DDZepWK3qRlHe2fKXFzb55cOcIGyjypbXkUA8NfenzvZms_DP1Utj54D_EVaGJCuWitfEEH_DrM1Ip5_2vPTckMhG19jWI9eABmoS0pk8DfMMkQVyOqhCivu1y4CInd8ZkIMbzJ8wLlHmt5KmXQ/w460-h640/comfort-jesus-is-our.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Christmas - Sunday Evening Service - 2023</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7 PM</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEUu67b1bND21ji9L_s4c2OlVFCKSl25JES3UVJEE6odxG5ofDJANHHV32D3yJPwnFSgYrpCrxdPkRFG_t6pEDvcEKl1YZixzZSmAfotVUpuas3g8Uj9pOTQGcilVP4Y449nvUgvWBE2tlw_NuQxuJUdeqt4oUC4DggHm53bnDqNc5qNzF-BAJztwIg/s1280/luke_2_7_swaddling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEUu67b1bND21ji9L_s4c2OlVFCKSl25JES3UVJEE6odxG5ofDJANHHV32D3yJPwnFSgYrpCrxdPkRFG_t6pEDvcEKl1YZixzZSmAfotVUpuas3g8Uj9pOTQGcilVP4Y449nvUgvWBE2tlw_NuQxuJUdeqt4oUC4DggHm53bnDqNc5qNzF-BAJztwIg/w480-h640/luke_2_7_swaddling.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>Christmas Eve Service, 7 PM Central Time, 2023<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>Springdale, Arkansas<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>Christmas Day Holy Communion - 10 AM</b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><b>New Year's Eve Communion - 7 PM</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/o-jesus-christ-thy-manger-is-81-gerhardt.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">Hymn #81</span></b></a><b> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/081.mp3" style="color: #dd5d2a; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>The Place of Jesus’ Birth </b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">KJV Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/oh-come-all-ye-faithful-102.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">Hymn </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;"># 102</span></b></a><b> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/102.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">O Come All Ye Faithful</span></b></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">KJV Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Virgin Birth</b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">KJV Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Incarnation</b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">KJV Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/while-shepherds-watched-their-flocks-by.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">Hymn </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">#109</span></b></a><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/while-shepherds-watched-their-flocks-by.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> </a> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/109.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">KJV Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWpSQF17jViVc2AvnBBSdkOe4L782RFHktiZbwiQlAgRtKDvQ_hHwzG00jGXzZe7J-Yv0DYMvej7alvqR4zY5mglfhsTzHj9l4VFXO4WYK_hN340FqeYgSeGXbtEzMwm0KHUehjssow_tWqP9p6C0W6L1bYIn1TdHENGmn-0N8Osw4xovWVIyr5LC8g/s1120/O-Word-of%20God-Incarnate-TLH-294%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1120" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWpSQF17jViVc2AvnBBSdkOe4L782RFHktiZbwiQlAgRtKDvQ_hHwzG00jGXzZe7J-Yv0DYMvej7alvqR4zY5mglfhsTzHj9l4VFXO4WYK_hN340FqeYgSeGXbtEzMwm0KHUehjssow_tWqP9p6C0W6L1bYIn1TdHENGmn-0N8Osw4xovWVIyr5LC8g/w640-h458/O-Word-of%20God-Incarnate-TLH-294%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God and the World Have Different Values</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>KJV Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The haughty sceptics like to deny this happened, but it is recorded in Gospel, when Jesus was challenged about the coin for taxing, and He said, "Whose image is on this?" And then said, "Pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar." The tax was collected after this time and was being collected before Jesus was crucified.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The tax brought Jesus to Bethlehem, as everyone knows, and that would have been completely different without the requiring the family to come at that time to the City of Bethlehem. As we know today, that was where David grew up, and became the model of the Savior - the Son of David. That also made the journey difficult, with Mary ready to give birth and the cities crowded. We tend to forget that was an uphill journey - from the north they passed down through Jerusalem - the fortress on the hill and then a little further to Bethlehem.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2017/12/luthers-sermon-on-virgin-birth-of.html?fbclid=IwAR0-TvQoyV8zbH6TLTQC0tK30N_ONtZFU3jC4e0H5M_Y-gJFRvWIVLS1r9I" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">1. It is written in Haggai 2:6-7, that God says: “I will shake the heavens; and the precious things of all nations shall come.” This is fulfilled today, for the heavens were shaken, that is, the angels in the heavens sang praises to God. And the earth was shaken, that is, the people on the earth were agitated; one journeying to this city, another to that throughout the whole land, as the Gospel tells us. It was not a violent, bloody uprising, but rather a peaceable one awakened by God who is the God of peace.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Nothing but difficulties were before them, and the greatest event of all time, God becoming man and being born of a Virgin, gave no one any pause - and they offered no help for this family. Doubtless the great and powerful were taken care of, but no one did anything for the family. What is a big deal for mankind is pitifully small for God, and what is great for God is of no consequence for most people.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">This must be understood only through faith. The great and wise despise Christmas and what it truly means. I always tell my students, "Merry Christmas!" because no one says Merry Winter! and no one shops for Winter Presents. The rich and pampered church officials today sidestep the meaning of God becoming man. Their passion is for institutional wealth and changing society for the better - without faith.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2017/12/luthers-sermon-on-virgin-birth-of.html?fbclid=IwAR0-TvQoyV8zbH6TLTQC0tK30N_ONtZFU3jC4e0H5M_Y-gJFRvWIVLS1r9I" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Luther:</b></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">See how God shows that he utterly disregards what the world is, has or desires; and furthermore, that the world shows how little it knows or notices what God is, has and does.<br /><br />9. See, this is the first picture with which Christ puts the world to shame and exposes all it does and knows. It shows that the world’s greatest wisdom is foolishness, her best actions are wrong and her greatest treasures are misfortunes. What had Bethlehem when it did not have Christ? What have they now who at that time had enough? What do Joseph and Mary lack now, although at that time they had no room to sleep comfortably?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Luther points out that Mary had an easy labor - if such a thing can be said - but one without fanfare. The manger was a feeding trough for animals, not the place we would put newborns, especially one with so little to claim for his own. One phrase says it all - there was no room for them at the inn, so the birthing room, bed room, and kitchen were a stall for the animals. Doubtless the angels watched over them, as they do for us. But this was the humblest surroundings for the King of Kings.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The best and the brightest were not there to offer any comfort, so the angels had to find some working shepherds to share this great story. The spectacle lit up the sky with angels and the angel of the Lord gave the solemn and comforting message.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The angelic message has always struck me as little catechism, memorized and passed down through the generations. It is like poetry, easily remembered by children and recited by them. The Word of God is everything thing, bringing faith and grace to us, always showing us how much God can do.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;">Our little church is mocked because it is so small, but almost 10 million views say otherwise. Every day a new set of lessons is provided, sometimes only 500 views - but that is a big classroom for daily information about the </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Chief Article, Justification by Faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">. Some days have 7,000 views. The blog drew people together and more blogs added more view, and hundreds of book titles -- The Lutheran Library.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;">And stained glass windows - Christian graphics.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222;">And I have seen many miracles take place, beyond anyone's expectation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2017/12/luthers-sermon-on-virgin-birth-of.html?fbclid=IwAR0-TvQoyV8zbH6TLTQC0tK30N_ONtZFU3jC4e0H5M_Y-gJFRvWIVLS1r9I" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">12. Just imagine what kind of swaddling clothes they were in which she wrapped the child. Possibly her veil or some article of her clothing she could spare. But that she should have wrapped him in Joseph’s trousers, which are exhibited at Aix-la-Chapelle, appears entirely too false and frivolous. It is a fable, the like of which there are more in the world. Is it not strange that the birth of Christ occurs in cold winter, in a strange land, and in such a poor and despicable manner?<br /><br />13. Some argue as to how this birth took place, as if Jesus was born while Mary was praying and rejoicing, without any pain, and before she was conscious of it. While I do not altogether discard that pious supposition, it was evidently invented for the sake of simple minded people. But we must abide by the Gospel, that he was born of the virgin Mary. There is no deception here, for the Word clearly states that it was an actual birth.<br /><br />14. It is well known what is meant by giving birth. Mary’s experience was not different from that of other women, so that the birth of Christ was a real natural birth, Mary being his natural mother and he being her natural son. Therefore her body performed its functions of giving birth, which naturally belonged to it, except that she brought forth without sin, without shame, without pain and without injury, just as she had conceived without sin. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/silent-night-holy-night.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222;">Hymn </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;"># 646</span></b></a><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/silent-night-holy-night.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> </a> Candles Lit </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/646.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5c2add;">Silent Night</span></b></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The Prayers and Benediction</b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/joy-to-world-lord-is-come-87-watts.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Hymn #87 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/087.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Joy to the World</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9cgYspkQhx6ld_WcZSjYbWmAtYacuAyVJfJf2pEM2FYYkJu6MsfASkCAAJWpzeGjpxOF9PD2uXmZKlL2YxkRaPT07LUezgUFewixJ3fG-olhYxEZY6U4pvjQYkPJBdS6tkP-TXRj9AE9j3WLHjyYOrpqW0UlfjZy7PTwctDGTuGHP4P74qUrviG_4Q/s1080/joy_to_the_world_new.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9cgYspkQhx6ld_WcZSjYbWmAtYacuAyVJfJf2pEM2FYYkJu6MsfASkCAAJWpzeGjpxOF9PD2uXmZKlL2YxkRaPT07LUezgUFewixJ3fG-olhYxEZY6U4pvjQYkPJBdS6tkP-TXRj9AE9j3WLHjyYOrpqW0UlfjZy7PTwctDGTuGHP4P74qUrviG_4Q/w640-h480/joy_to_the_world_new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></p></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-88192421588354473482023-12-20T16:09:00.000-08:002023-12-20T16:09:58.129-08:00Bethany Midweek - Advent 3<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vGUOjgOH9tBF_FcV5gVfIDkahvKHlzzpb_3dbp9kb-jf2AZg3HQa08NO7I8B33nPY7m9Bvt00HwlNb_ZS1UeG3JdgGoNayEqXI6YbGM-J3DpUwqwiycZnYM9CpTBTLJgBr8y0FIb56TsuV0MjNyOo3EHTomvJN_DxX5Lxtp388meNRK4cGEYEqVGsLSL/s1000/john_1_14_full_of_grace_truth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="890" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vGUOjgOH9tBF_FcV5gVfIDkahvKHlzzpb_3dbp9kb-jf2AZg3HQa08NO7I8B33nPY7m9Bvt00HwlNb_ZS1UeG3JdgGoNayEqXI6YbGM-J3DpUwqwiycZnYM9CpTBTLJgBr8y0FIb56TsuV0MjNyOo3EHTomvJN_DxX5Lxtp388meNRK4cGEYEqVGsLSL/w570-h640/john_1_14_full_of_grace_truth.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Midweek Advent Three, December 20, 2023</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: start;"><p style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Christmas Eve Sunday will be a complete Holy Communion service at 10 AM.</li><li>Sunday evening will be a Christmas hymn and Scriptures service at 7 PM.</li><li>New Year's Eve Sunday will be Matins at 10 AM.</li><li>Sunday Evening will be a complete Holy Communion service at 7 PM.</li></ol><p></p></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/come-your-hearts-and-voices-raising-90.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd2aaa;">The Hymn # </span>90</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/090.mp3" target="_blank">Come Your Hearts and Voices Raising </a></b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/090.mp3" target="_blank">- Gerhardt</a></span></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br />The Order of Vespers p. 41</span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Psalmody Psalm 1 p. 123<br />The Lection <br /> <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/angels-from-realms-of-glory-136.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>The Sermon Hymn #136</b></a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/136.mp3" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #dd2aaa;">Angels from the Realms of Glory</span></b> </a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">The Prophets Prepared Them - So Did the Stars</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer p. 44</span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Collect for Peace p. 45</span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Benediction p. 45</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/thee-will-i-love-my-strength-my-tower.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #dd2aaa;">The Hymn # 3</span>99</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/399.mp3" target="_blank">Thee Will I Love, My Strength My Tower</a></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">The Prophets Prepared Them - So Did the Stars</span></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span> </span>The prophets prepared so many ways for people to know about the coming of the Messiah. It goes back to Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:15 and example of the kings. The people wanted a king like the other nations, not just a prophet, though he was a direct contact with God. We discuss this often In Old Testament class. They wanted the prestige of a king, and the kings often disappointed them. </span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span> </span>No matter what, the title of king also suggested a concept that is central to the role of Jesus Christ, because the title Christ (anointed in Greek) or Messiah ( the same in Hebrew). These two terms in two different languages recall the tradition of using oil for the coronation, which is still used today (whale oil in England). The unique role of Jesus is recognized in the title - <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">King of Kings</span></b>. Nothing else is quite as noble and distinctive as that phrase.</span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span> I have been reading the history of the Bishop Hill colony, not far from my hometown, built through the efforts of a false prophet and his followers. Because they colonists were Swedish, the King and Queen of Sweden came to visit and honor their hard work in the past, not that long ago. They had a special insert in the booklet about the royal couple.</span><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span> Even today we acknowledge royalty, though not with the pomp and solemn ceremonies of kings, queens, princes, and princesses. Even now we have all kinds of ways to describe their homes (palaces), royal robes and jewels of uncanny size.</span><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span> Jesus as King and Lord was destined to rise above all titles and honors, because He came from Heaven to be our Savior and Redeemer. From one small area of the world, one tiny sliver of history came our Savior. The irony is that all the great warriors and kings have nothing in comparison with the baby born among the animals in a stable. Warfare and wealth never had the power of His kingship, because He came to us to show God's mercy and forgiveness, so that we would be fruitful - from believing in Him - instead of trying to earn forgiveness.</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span> As I have said before, some scientists are very annoyed that the Star of Bethlehem, scoffed by them, is conjured up with math and the right equipment. As one said, "How shameful to use the Star of Bethlehem to bring people into the planetarium! Science should be above all that." But nothing will change the reality of that heavenly object appearing when Jesus was born.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><span> Another part of this know-it-all attitude is the declaration that the Wise Men could not have been there in time, because it took so long to get there from "the East." No one has the roadmap they used, and they might have come from Petra, a kingdom only recently discovered - and very mysterious still. Unbelief is so powerful that even the most impressive evidence is hidden from their understanding.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><span> The most powerful message is the weakness and humility of the Holy Family being central to the arrival of the King of Kings. No rewards. No recognition, not even help from the relatives. They came because of the taxation, which was based on their home territory. One famous family from the entertainment industry caused a multi-million arts addition to be added to the Moline High School building because of the origins of their mother and consequently their father. I went by their Bartlett Insurance Company sign downtown Moline, never imagining that it was the plebian origin of a famous couple. (<a href="https://molinememories.blogspot.com/search/label/Bonnie%20Bartlett%20MHS%2047" target="_blank">Bonnie Bartlett</a>)<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkWVBhm9p2dFD1C-0iY5c0pmYwRzL_c6HaUqFUn2NdXLTFc0fwtICQCRRdarK0WmDXfS-Ur3kQwUyJz11hSi3VK1Zv9mHjExVNjdF27U0ObFP9q0LFQ4pzRtOKm4IS4fBljiE4yJkXlxahnQh6oTere6aQhyphenhyphenklJ4KxS7dCiAaLn1VTw6mio8EnHPTZ3OT/s646/Downtown_late_1950s.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="646" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkWVBhm9p2dFD1C-0iY5c0pmYwRzL_c6HaUqFUn2NdXLTFc0fwtICQCRRdarK0WmDXfS-Ur3kQwUyJz11hSi3VK1Zv9mHjExVNjdF27U0ObFP9q0LFQ4pzRtOKm4IS4fBljiE4yJkXlxahnQh6oTere6aQhyphenhyphenklJ4KxS7dCiAaLn1VTw6mio8EnHPTZ3OT/w400-h320/Downtown_late_1950s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <b>Bartlett Insurance sign - on the right.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span> Nobody thought much about the sign until <a href="https://www.legat.com/project/bartlett-performing-arts-center-at-moline-high-school/" target="_blank">everything was revealed many decades later</a>.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span>In comparison, the advent of our King was so minor, so brushed aside as one more family too insignificant to matter. And this event caused Christmas is honored all over the world.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGVLv8rkEJFOJInjBz0LGwGa0tRzUxG-MRMRZ1bfWT5gQXxMu5faTGVmKSnHVph5UlIaafkPSQ_3IETTqWBRg7aijwkY-4dynqDm8xkgNDOdqbagCIhmNA3hrY_0a79jle9Jl0HuR1_bLTrYE45maY4FsVqVMdDW9Id5DZzKjPY0LZSaD8r1sOG0cED0E/s1215/jesus_crucifix_ed_buck.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGVLv8rkEJFOJInjBz0LGwGa0tRzUxG-MRMRZ1bfWT5gQXxMu5faTGVmKSnHVph5UlIaafkPSQ_3IETTqWBRg7aijwkY-4dynqDm8xkgNDOdqbagCIhmNA3hrY_0a79jle9Jl0HuR1_bLTrYE45maY4FsVqVMdDW9Id5DZzKjPY0LZSaD8r1sOG0cED0E/w422-h640/jesus_crucifix_ed_buck.JPG" width="422" /></a></div><br /><span><span style="font-size: medium;">In our prayers -</span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Ongoing medical care - Lori Howell, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck, Kermit and Maria Way, Randy Anderson, Doc Lito.</span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">The end.</span></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-57354213552090169102023-12-17T06:37:00.000-08:002023-12-17T06:37:27.746-08:00Advent 3 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDF_cA5JtV_MyubawzQitLVfBkhnvLc8YD2-eRfX5e4IVQFlRLbvLlcELCKpanXcDBJSULbNBP9HHaqFJzwPOqrRHtF5txL3v-yG1eVWGPNIEVEDZ0zWlO5RPn259K0rNMorcs8D_f1Wd787rGjgMS-oPdqdvQ4IUxsAA8GfB3F61j6lry8LNpT8g4S7p/s1229/isaiah_9_6_mighty_God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDF_cA5JtV_MyubawzQitLVfBkhnvLc8YD2-eRfX5e4IVQFlRLbvLlcELCKpanXcDBJSULbNBP9HHaqFJzwPOqrRHtF5txL3v-yG1eVWGPNIEVEDZ0zWlO5RPn259K0rNMorcs8D_f1Wd787rGjgMS-oPdqdvQ4IUxsAA8GfB3F61j6lry8LNpT8g4S7p/w500-h640/isaiah_9_6_mighty_God.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Third Sunday in Advent, 2023</span></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Holy Communion, 10 AM</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-know-my-faith-is-founded-381.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #3</span>81</a></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/381.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">I Know My Faith Is Founded</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Introit</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Let your moderation be known unto all men: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">the Lord is at hand.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Be careful for nothing: but in everything, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">let your requests be made known unto God.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Psalm.</i> Lord, Thou hast been favorable unto Thy land: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Gloria Patri</span></div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Collect</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Lord, we beseech Thee, give ear to our prayers and lighten the darkness of our hearts by Thy gracious visitation; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Epistle and Gradual</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Gradual</b> </span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth: stir up Thy strength and come. V. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Gospel </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22</span><br /><b><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/on-jordans-bank-baptists-cry-63.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn # </span>63</a></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/063.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> On Jordan's Bank the Baptist Cries</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">The Calendar of Grace</span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/from-heaven-above-to-earth-i-come-85.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Hymn # </span>85:1-5</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/085.mp3" target="_blank">From Heaven Above</a></b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/085.mp3" target="_blank"> </a> - <b>Martin Luther</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/beautiful-savior-657.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #</span>657</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/657.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Beautiful Savior</a> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggtpCFdyeKvkqCiRNuc5_rAS8_Qcs535Xhadn8Auf9lrG6jJa4h7BygDrnLEZCBF8q5g0tprKag4bCUTtnEitlsJxcwGEMkprLe24k5LfqUTSsQHhC9UwdJk11dijxuBAVAhcjqdywCd4r-k0qKnA18hpAv-zkxqinwPK3mOIf3CXxkXUebDBtsvbOxg=s1120" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1120" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggtpCFdyeKvkqCiRNuc5_rAS8_Qcs535Xhadn8Auf9lrG6jJa4h7BygDrnLEZCBF8q5g0tprKag4bCUTtnEitlsJxcwGEMkprLe24k5LfqUTSsQHhC9UwdJk11dijxuBAVAhcjqdywCd4r-k0qKnA18hpAv-zkxqinwPK3mOIf3CXxkXUebDBtsvbOxg=w640-h480" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>Announcements and Prayers</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><ul style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em; text-align: left;"><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">December 18th - Ninth Wedding Anniversary of Corey and Abby Meyer Fagan.</span></span></span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Ongoing medical care - Lori Howell, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Kermit and Maria Way, Doc Lito.</span></span></span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Today is Zach Engleman's Birthday.</span></span></span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Christmas Day - conducting a wedding.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Epistle</b></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">KJV 1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Gospel</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">KJV Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is <i>he</i>, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft <i>clothing </i>are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is <i>he</i>, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b>Third Sunday In Advent<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">Lord God, heavenly Father, who didst suffer Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to become man, and to come into the world, that He might destroy the works of the devil, deliver us poor offenders from sin and death, and give us everlasting life: We beseech Thee so to rule and govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may seek no other refuge than His word, and thus avoid all offense to which, by nature, we are inclined, in order that we may always be found among the faithful followers of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, and by faith in Him obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpYf5znOulcEAz0FYk8tcqBsX4qp1Fvf7BxFMw9yPX4_7KZzlOVfzd0mhU2kx34_KKbfdx7zVCMEQHFMdhO0lmWLGW0HD7rQLe3QNXF-xf4xNAqQ3JZ9ABFp32HpS1a6ipiEj6vr4E3mymBZic3kfXtJn9UFJYMcxCyMBO-eOCNu57t4_l4MpSRrvAA/s1240/A%20Great-And-Mighty-Wonder-hymn%20copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1240" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpYf5znOulcEAz0FYk8tcqBsX4qp1Fvf7BxFMw9yPX4_7KZzlOVfzd0mhU2kx34_KKbfdx7zVCMEQHFMdhO0lmWLGW0HD7rQLe3QNXF-xf4xNAqQ3JZ9ABFp32HpS1a6ipiEj6vr4E3mymBZic3kfXtJn9UFJYMcxCyMBO-eOCNu57t4_l4MpSRrvAA/w640-h452/A%20Great-And-Mighty-Wonder-hymn%20copy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">The Calendar of Grace</span></b></div><p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>KJV Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?</b></span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Many Biblical events are shortened because it would require a truck to carry all the information in manuscripts. John the Baptist was in prison because he was a sincere prophet ordained by God. He declared the coming of the Messiah, quoting from Isaiah 40 - </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></span></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">KJV Isaiah 40:1</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.</span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This chapter is filled with blessings and foreshadowing the <b>Good Shepherd</b> -</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">KJV Isaiah 40:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. </b></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">John was in prison because of his faithful work, led by the Holy Spirit, predicting the Messiah and denouncing the immorality of Herod. This led to John's execution. The Baptist was the forerunner for Jesus and both suffered the consequences of the righteousness of God being attacked by the evil of mankind.</span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">he</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>, whosoever shall not be offended in me.</b> </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">"Show John again" - Jesus did not assume John's lack of faith in Him. Instead, this exchange allowed the disciples to see and understand the connection, directly from Jesus to John. The prophet was so overwhelming at this time that it was important for his followers to realize the forerunner was pointing them to the promised Savior.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">The issue is faith. Their initial understanding was John's power and his use of Isaiah 40. And that passage clearly teaches both the </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Forerunner</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> - "the Voice of one crying in the desert" - and its aim - "Prepare the way of the </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">LORD</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">." Who would not be dazzled by John the Baptist preaching the end times and promising the Messiah? We are all easily distracted, as proven by media coverage. When something must be forgotten, a big dramatic event overshadows the person and the effect. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The miracles recited by Jesus are the foundation of John's disciples faith in Him. The initial knowledge of Isaiah 40 led those disciples to Christ. Grace only comes to individuals through faith in Jesus Christ. These passages - Isaiah 40 and Matthew 11 increase our faith.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">I mention this often, because we have an audience of academics out there. These people have been snookered into thinking Jesus was a great man without being a miracle worker. They have been told, many different ways, that Jesus did not perform miracles, even though the smallest child confesses this truth. People get large doses of toxic certainties and they lose faith. Ministers get harsh treatment (forgetting John, Jesus, the prophets, and the disciples) and lose hope, and even lose faith completely. I can name 3 pastors who became atheists and 2 of them continued as pastors! I knew them well and saw them spiral out of faith for various reasons.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Jesus is the miracle worker and only seeks to have us trust completely in Him.</span></span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">6 And blessed is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">he</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>, whosoever shall not be offended in me.</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scandalized is not today's version of the word - all about one's shame or mistakes. The term comes from the trigger in the trap - the scandalon - that snares the animal. There are so many triggers - the Creation, the divinity of Jesus Christ, tragic events that seem to make God the villain. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At my reunion a once potential pastor introduced us to his wife, who was getting her seminary degree at a joint school for the Disciples of Christ and the Unitarians. She said it was great having both denominations together in classes. Christina said, "How can you tell them apart?" When I asked the bride about the <b>actual</b> Virgin Birth of Christ and His <b>actual </b>bodily resurrection from the dead, the lady said, "Those are not important questions." (I emphasized actual because many eggheads try to have it both ways, denying and yet using the language in some vague and dishonest way.) One of our members said, "The question covers everything. No more needs to be asked."</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Likewise, when Jesus explained the meaning of the Bread of Life in John 6, disciples (not the 12) were scandalized and no longer walked with Him. I thought that passage was especially important because the Growthers (actually Shrinkers) said everything depended on <b><span style="color: red;">"making disciples"</span></b> and not on the <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">efficacious Word</span></b>. One of my former students said they helped a VBS with a huge number of participants. In the Bible, numbers tend to fade because the superficial ones are scandalized.</span></span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">clothing </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">are in kings' houses.</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This is ironic humor, since John did not fit these two categories. It struck me as a puzzle when I was a young lad. Reeds would wave in the breezes out in the desert. John was not one of many prophets - there were false prophets, too, as there are today. They even wear soft garments and have 20,000 people in their stadiums and similar grand venues. </span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">he</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This is God's way of preparing people for the revelation of the Savior. Everything works together. The ancient writings established everything, long before anyone had a complete knowledge of what would happen. Chapters 7 and 9 of Isaiah teach about Jesus in the Virgin Birth (7) and His divinity (9). The Holy Spirit taught everything to the disciples, as Jesus promised in John 16, in perfect harmony with many details overlapping, either shortening passages or making them more detailed. No human editor could do this alone or with help - it is divinely captured in the New Testament, which Luther called sermons about the Scriptures (Old Testament).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>For Those Who Ignore the Bible And Become Indifferent</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">God became man, born of a Virgin so that we might understand and trust in the Holy Trinity. God does not change in any way because of what we think or imagine. Interpretation about Jesus has ranged from the bizarre to the absurd because we humans truly believe in our own feelings and praise ourselves for being subjective, correct because we think we are correct. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">All the excuses in the world do not change one particular and very special fact about the Scriptures. The Bible is not simply an ancient work, older than the empires we read about and see on the media. The Bible begins with the Trinity and Creation, always including what we need to know, alerting us to many dangers from unbelief and assuring us of our place within His flock. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">The Bible is an objective truth revealed by the Holy Spirit and preserved by the Spirit as well. "Heaven and earth will pass away but My Word will never pass away." (Matthew 24:35) </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">People long for grace and sing about grace, often without considering its </span><b style="color: #222222;">one and only source or access</b><span style="color: #222222;"> - </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">. </span></span></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Romans 5:</span><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">2 By whom also <u>we have access by faith into this grace</u> wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.</span></span></b></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Access is everything and has always been everything. I wanted to shake hands with an executive making $20 million a year. Otherwise I was just <b>a face in the crowd</b> (a famous movie, by the way). I walked up and introduced myself as a customer and shook his hand. I had access for a moment. People jam up a venue because someone famous is there. I saw a very famous person at the time, looking over the books on sale at Notre Dame. I knew his face from the books and went over to talk to him. We had a long, un-interrupted talk because no one else recognized him. He was one of the top speakers that day (Laurens van der Post), but spoke after the break. And after the break, the line stretched out to infinity. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">My favorite celebrity connection is Norma Boeckler. One LCMS pastor asked me, "How did YOU get to know Norma Boeckler." That is an ongoing quip, because he did not think I was worthy.</span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">I put these examples of access together because they are hints at what the Apostle Paul teaches - grace only comes from access to Jesus Christ, which is through faith. If there is no faith then no access and no grace. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The singular work of Jesus the Son of God is to pour out His grace on our trusting hearts. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7ohdTgartAwAACg1kJAFcBrGA7GQMAxtk1jKVUOmh7qwjz2Kui8sBduU_zcAGOkYAK7vjOJ4Vn87WRh5pam21rwJl6Y9FcgXCh4o8PHDfvcVtRv7mSSQYybajuc-AK-6gf6VJjVHHpZh9UNZyHevTr_nqQIwwlekwKm3fOSo5KeLp88VMFcK3-3NPuep/s1120/john.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7ohdTgartAwAACg1kJAFcBrGA7GQMAxtk1jKVUOmh7qwjz2Kui8sBduU_zcAGOkYAK7vjOJ4Vn87WRh5pam21rwJl6Y9FcgXCh4o8PHDfvcVtRv7mSSQYybajuc-AK-6gf6VJjVHHpZh9UNZyHevTr_nqQIwwlekwKm3fOSo5KeLp88VMFcK3-3NPuep/w640-h426/john.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The end.</span></span></span><p></p><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"></span></span></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-78493428612999142062023-12-17T06:36:00.000-08:002023-12-17T06:36:59.669-08:00Advent 3 2023, Extra Copy<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDF_cA5JtV_MyubawzQitLVfBkhnvLc8YD2-eRfX5e4IVQFlRLbvLlcELCKpanXcDBJSULbNBP9HHaqFJzwPOqrRHtF5txL3v-yG1eVWGPNIEVEDZ0zWlO5RPn259K0rNMorcs8D_f1Wd787rGjgMS-oPdqdvQ4IUxsAA8GfB3F61j6lry8LNpT8g4S7p/s1229/isaiah_9_6_mighty_God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDF_cA5JtV_MyubawzQitLVfBkhnvLc8YD2-eRfX5e4IVQFlRLbvLlcELCKpanXcDBJSULbNBP9HHaqFJzwPOqrRHtF5txL3v-yG1eVWGPNIEVEDZ0zWlO5RPn259K0rNMorcs8D_f1Wd787rGjgMS-oPdqdvQ4IUxsAA8GfB3F61j6lry8LNpT8g4S7p/w500-h640/isaiah_9_6_mighty_God.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Third Sunday in Advent, 2023</span></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Holy Communion, 10 AM</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-know-my-faith-is-founded-381.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #3</span>81</a></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/381.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">I Know My Faith Is Founded</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Introit</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Let your moderation be known unto all men: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">the Lord is at hand.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Be careful for nothing: but in everything, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">let your requests be made known unto God.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Psalm.</i> Lord, Thou hast been favorable unto Thy land: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Gloria Patri</span></div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Collect</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Lord, we beseech Thee, give ear to our prayers and lighten the darkness of our hearts by Thy gracious visitation; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Epistle and Gradual</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Gradual</b> </span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth: stir up Thy strength and come. V. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #204063;">The Gospel </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22</span><br /><b><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/on-jordans-bank-baptists-cry-63.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn # </span>63</a></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/063.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> On Jordan's Bank the Baptist Cries</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">The Calendar of Grace</span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/from-heaven-above-to-earth-i-come-85.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;">The Hymn # </span>85:1-5</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/085.mp3" target="_blank">From Heaven Above</a></b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/085.mp3" target="_blank"> </a> - <b>Martin Luther</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/beautiful-savior-657.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #</span>657</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/657.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Beautiful Savior</a> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggtpCFdyeKvkqCiRNuc5_rAS8_Qcs535Xhadn8Auf9lrG6jJa4h7BygDrnLEZCBF8q5g0tprKag4bCUTtnEitlsJxcwGEMkprLe24k5LfqUTSsQHhC9UwdJk11dijxuBAVAhcjqdywCd4r-k0qKnA18hpAv-zkxqinwPK3mOIf3CXxkXUebDBtsvbOxg=s1120" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1120" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggtpCFdyeKvkqCiRNuc5_rAS8_Qcs535Xhadn8Auf9lrG6jJa4h7BygDrnLEZCBF8q5g0tprKag4bCUTtnEitlsJxcwGEMkprLe24k5LfqUTSsQHhC9UwdJk11dijxuBAVAhcjqdywCd4r-k0qKnA18hpAv-zkxqinwPK3mOIf3CXxkXUebDBtsvbOxg=w640-h480" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>Announcements and Prayers</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><ul style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em; text-align: left;"><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">December 18th - Ninth Wedding Anniversary of Corey and Abby Meyer Fagan.</span></span></span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Ongoing medical care - Lori Howell, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Kermit and Maria Way, Doc Lito.</span></span></span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Today is Zach Engleman's Birthday.</span></span></span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Christmas Day - conducting a wedding.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Epistle</b></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">KJV 1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b>Gospel</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">KJV Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is <i>he</i>, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft <i>clothing </i>are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is <i>he</i>, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b>Third Sunday In Advent<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">Lord God, heavenly Father, who didst suffer Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to become man, and to come into the world, that He might destroy the works of the devil, deliver us poor offenders from sin and death, and give us everlasting life: We beseech Thee so to rule and govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may seek no other refuge than His word, and thus avoid all offense to which, by nature, we are inclined, in order that we may always be found among the faithful followers of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, and by faith in Him obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpYf5znOulcEAz0FYk8tcqBsX4qp1Fvf7BxFMw9yPX4_7KZzlOVfzd0mhU2kx34_KKbfdx7zVCMEQHFMdhO0lmWLGW0HD7rQLe3QNXF-xf4xNAqQ3JZ9ABFp32HpS1a6ipiEj6vr4E3mymBZic3kfXtJn9UFJYMcxCyMBO-eOCNu57t4_l4MpSRrvAA/s1240/A%20Great-And-Mighty-Wonder-hymn%20copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1240" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpYf5znOulcEAz0FYk8tcqBsX4qp1Fvf7BxFMw9yPX4_7KZzlOVfzd0mhU2kx34_KKbfdx7zVCMEQHFMdhO0lmWLGW0HD7rQLe3QNXF-xf4xNAqQ3JZ9ABFp32HpS1a6ipiEj6vr4E3mymBZic3kfXtJn9UFJYMcxCyMBO-eOCNu57t4_l4MpSRrvAA/w640-h452/A%20Great-And-Mighty-Wonder-hymn%20copy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">The Calendar of Grace</span></b></div><p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>KJV Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?</b></span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Many Biblical events are shortened because it would require a truck to carry all the information in manuscripts. John the Baptist was in prison because he was a sincere prophet ordained by God. He declared the coming of the Messiah, quoting from Isaiah 40 - </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></span></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">KJV Isaiah 40:1</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.</span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This chapter is filled with blessings and foreshadowing the <b>Good Shepherd</b> -</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">KJV Isaiah 40:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. </b></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">John was in prison because of his faithful work, led by the Holy Spirit, predicting the Messiah and denouncing the immorality of Herod. This led to John's execution. The Baptist was the forerunner for Jesus and both suffered the consequences of the righteousness of God being attacked by the evil of mankind.</span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">he</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>, whosoever shall not be offended in me.</b> </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">"Show John again" - Jesus did not assume John's lack of faith in Him. Instead, this exchange allowed the disciples to see and understand the connection, directly from Jesus to John. The prophet was so overwhelming at this time that it was important for his followers to realize the forerunner was pointing them to the promised Savior.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">The issue is faith. Their initial understanding was John's power and his use of Isaiah 40. And that passage clearly teaches both the </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Forerunner</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> - "the Voice of one crying in the desert" - and its aim - "Prepare the way of the </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">LORD</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">." Who would not be dazzled by John the Baptist preaching the end times and promising the Messiah? We are all easily distracted, as proven by media coverage. When something must be forgotten, a big dramatic event overshadows the person and the effect. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The miracles recited by Jesus are the foundation of John's disciples faith in Him. The initial knowledge of Isaiah 40 led those disciples to Christ. Grace only comes to individuals through faith in Jesus Christ. These passages - Isaiah 40 and Matthew 11 increase our faith.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">I mention this often, because we have an audience of academics out there. These people have been snookered into thinking Jesus was a great man without being a miracle worker. They have been told, many different ways, that Jesus did not perform miracles, even though the smallest child confesses this truth. People get large doses of toxic certainties and they lose faith. Ministers get harsh treatment (forgetting John, Jesus, the prophets, and the disciples) and lose hope, and even lose faith completely. I can name 3 pastors who became atheists and 2 of them continued as pastors! I knew them well and saw them spiral out of faith for various reasons.</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Jesus is the miracle worker and only seeks to have us trust completely in Him.</span></span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">6 And blessed is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">he</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>, whosoever shall not be offended in me.</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>μη σκανδαλισθη εν εμοι</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scandalized is not today's version of the word - all about one's shame or mistakes. The term comes from the trigger in the trap - the scandalon - that snares the animal. There are so many triggers - the Creation, the divinity of Jesus Christ, tragic events that seem to make God the villain. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At my reunion a once potential pastor introduced us to his wife, who was getting her seminary degree at a joint school for the Disciples of Christ and the Unitarians. She said it was great having both denominations together in classes. Christina said, "How can you tell them apart?" When I asked the bride about the <b>actual</b> Virgin Birth of Christ and His <b>actual </b>bodily resurrection from the dead, the lady said, "Those are not important questions." (I emphasized actual because many eggheads try to have it both ways, denying and yet using the language in some vague and dishonest way.) One of our members said, "The question covers everything. No more needs to be asked."</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Likewise, when Jesus explained the meaning of the Bread of Life in John 6, disciples (not the 12) were scandalized and no longer walked with Him. I thought that passage was especially important because the Growthers (actually Shrinkers) said everything depended on <b><span style="color: red;">"making disciples"</span></b> and not on the <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">efficacious Word</span></b>. One of my former students said they helped a VBS with a huge number of participants. In the Bible, numbers tend to fade because the superficial ones are scandalized.</span></span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">clothing </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">are in kings' houses.</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This is ironic humor, since John did not fit these two categories. It struck me as a puzzle when I was a young lad. Reeds would wave in the breezes out in the desert. John was not one of many prophets - there were false prophets, too, as there are today. They even wear soft garments and have 20,000 people in their stadiums and similar grand venues. </span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">he</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This is God's way of preparing people for the revelation of the Savior. Everything works together. The ancient writings established everything, long before anyone had a complete knowledge of what would happen. Chapters 7 and 9 of Isaiah teach about Jesus in the Virgin Birth (7) and His divinity (9). The Holy Spirit taught everything to the disciples, as Jesus promised in John 16, in perfect harmony with many details overlapping, either shortening passages or making them more detailed. No human editor could do this alone or with help - it is divinely captured in the New Testament, which Luther called sermons about the Scriptures (Old Testament).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>For Those Who Ignore the Bible And Become Indifferent</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">God became man, born of a Virgin so that we might understand and trust in the Holy Trinity. God does not change in any way because of what we think or imagine. Interpretation about Jesus has ranged from the bizarre to the absurd because we humans truly believe in our own feelings and praise ourselves for being subjective, correct because we think we are correct. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">All the excuses in the world do not change one particular and very special fact about the Scriptures. The Bible is not simply an ancient work, older than the empires we read about and see on the media. The Bible begins with the Trinity and Creation, always including what we need to know, alerting us to many dangers from unbelief and assuring us of our place within His flock. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">The Bible is an objective truth revealed by the Holy Spirit and preserved by the Spirit as well. "Heaven and earth will pass away but My Word will never pass away." (Matthew 24:35) </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">People long for grace and sing about grace, often without considering its </span><b style="color: #222222;">one and only source or access</b><span style="color: #222222;"> - </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">. </span></span></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Romans 5:</span><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">2 By whom also <u>we have access by faith into this grace</u> wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.</span></span></b></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Access is everything and has always been everything. I wanted to shake hands with an executive making $20 million a year. Otherwise I was just <b>a face in the crowd</b> (a famous movie, by the way). I walked up and introduced myself as a customer and shook his hand. I had access for a moment. People jam up a venue because someone famous is there. I saw a very famous person at the time, looking over the books on sale at Notre Dame. I knew his face from the books and went over to talk to him. We had a long, un-interrupted talk because no one else recognized him. He was one of the top speakers that day (Laurens van der Post), but spoke after the break. And after the break, the line stretched out to infinity. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">My favorite celebrity connection is Norma Boeckler. One LCMS pastor asked me, "How did YOU get to know Norma Boeckler." That is an ongoing quip, because he did not think I was worthy.</span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">I put these examples of access together because they are hints at what the Apostle Paul teaches - grace only comes from access to Jesus Christ, which is through faith. If there is no faith then no access and no grace. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The singular work of Jesus the Son of God is to pour out His grace on our trusting hearts. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7ohdTgartAwAACg1kJAFcBrGA7GQMAxtk1jKVUOmh7qwjz2Kui8sBduU_zcAGOkYAK7vjOJ4Vn87WRh5pam21rwJl6Y9FcgXCh4o8PHDfvcVtRv7mSSQYybajuc-AK-6gf6VJjVHHpZh9UNZyHevTr_nqQIwwlekwKm3fOSo5KeLp88VMFcK3-3NPuep/s1120/john.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7ohdTgartAwAACg1kJAFcBrGA7GQMAxtk1jKVUOmh7qwjz2Kui8sBduU_zcAGOkYAK7vjOJ4Vn87WRh5pam21rwJl6Y9FcgXCh4o8PHDfvcVtRv7mSSQYybajuc-AK-6gf6VJjVHHpZh9UNZyHevTr_nqQIwwlekwKm3fOSo5KeLp88VMFcK3-3NPuep/w640-h426/john.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The end.</span></span></span><p></p><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"></span></span></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-5935371774089239162023-12-13T16:24:00.000-08:002023-12-13T16:49:42.836-08:00Advent Midweek December 13, 2023<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOgyHj6duZBsQp18uwSbFF0LrS3kuvVLxvMpcWVPLDk1Z60A_BDt0QUwlTTxpSIG3RywjcJQHxPxzQOaC9JodPx2Vj_yZmmaU6Wved8yv-R083eOs2hpqcJ0va5BR6WWWzqKRKd7DzM04ClBX1t2BRhM31yaXa7GH7lNOUzYYaX72ta1q29SGGxDcV1AL/s1027/nativity_wise_men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOgyHj6duZBsQp18uwSbFF0LrS3kuvVLxvMpcWVPLDk1Z60A_BDt0QUwlTTxpSIG3RywjcJQHxPxzQOaC9JodPx2Vj_yZmmaU6Wved8yv-R083eOs2hpqcJ0va5BR6WWWzqKRKd7DzM04ClBX1t2BRhM31yaXa7GH7lNOUzYYaX72ta1q29SGGxDcV1AL/w398-h640/nativity_wise_men.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mid-Week Advent, Wednesday, 7 PM Central Standard</span></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pastor Gregory Jackson</span></span></b></div><div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://vimeo.com/event/3960201/embed/interaction" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"></span></b><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/o-jesus-christ-thy-manger-is-81-gerhardt.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>The Hymn #81 Gerhardt</b></a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/081.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>O Jesus, Christ, Thy Manger Is </b></a> </span><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><span style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Order of Vespers p. 41</span><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><span style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Psalmody Psalm 100 p. 144</span><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><span style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Lection - </span>Matthew 11:2-10<br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/on-jordans-bank-baptists-cry-63.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>The Sermon Hymn #63</b></a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/063.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>On Jordan's Bank </b></a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/061.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"> </a></span><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Go and shew John again those things </span></b></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">which ye do hear and see.</span></b></div><p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer p. 44</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Collect for Peace p. 45</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">The Benediction p. 45</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/abide-with-me-fast-falls-eventide-552.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #552</a> </b> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/552.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>Abide with Me</b></a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Go and shew John again those things </span></b></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">which ye do hear and see.</span></b></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">TEXT: Matthew 11:2-10. 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?</p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This episode seems to confuse people about Jesus and John the Baptist. Naturally, the self-identifying historians want to make up all kinds of stories. I recall my first New Testament professor saying, "John the Baptist was far more popular than Jesus. John was the famous one." </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">That was like saying water is wet and the desert is hot. John the Baptist was the voice crying in the wilderness, Isaiah 40. That passage was especially powerful because it was known for many centuries, very clear, and coming from the most important prophet. During that interval, Israel had changed from a kingdom to a vassal state ruled by the Roman Empire, which had been almost nothing when Isaiah wrote his book through the Holy Spirit. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Isaiah was very ancient compared to the empires we know from our books and documentaries. The wait for the Messiah began at Genesis 3:15 and continued in the Old Testament books. John knew he was appointed to the "voice crying in the wilderness (desert)." People followed him to hear the exciting news, but Herod Antipas had him arrested and doomed to die.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Sending his disciples to Jesus did not mean he was uncertain of the Messiah. After all, he baptized Jesus, who seemed to be a nobody at that time. John's imprisonment meant he was that much more a hero or threat. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Clearly, John sent his disciples to Jesus so they could identify with the Messiah and know His mission. They had to have faith in Jesus and part with their teacher John. That was a foreshadowing of Jesus being arrested as a threat, causing great anguish.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Jesus gave them a command that would not surprise John but would teach those disciples. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">"Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Believe it or not, many modernists want to erase this quotation and say Jesus did not identify as the Messiah. They see their own timid image in the mirror and cannot comprehend Jesus as the Son of God, Savior, Good Shepherd. But Jesus is exactly who He is, as the Father knows, and nothing changes that, no matter what we might think, imagine, or reject.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Jesus did not tell the Johannine disciples those words to help John, although it probably strengthened the prophet. Jesus, in revealing Himself, supported the role of the One Crying in the Wilderness. It had to happen, 7 centuries predicted beforehand.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The year is roughly 1300 AD. What was happening then, whether in America or Europe or Asia? We can hardly imagine or guess. That was how long people waited for Isaiah 40 to be fulfilled.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Jesus also assured the crowds -</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">"7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?<b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> [No!]</span></b> 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? <b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> [No!]</span></b> behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[True.]</span></b> 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[The great and final prophet before the Messiah.]</span></b> 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, <b><span style="color: #990000;">Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee</span><span style="color: #351c75;">."</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Jesus was preparing the crowds, because some of them would believe in Him and continue to trust in Him. We can only imagine how the crowds grew around him, because the Gospels give us only a glimpse of these miracles and sermons in three years. At the same time, there was great dread among the Roman rulers and the Jewish opponents. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Turmoil made the earliest Christians flee for safety, which spread the Gospel miraculously.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This is all for us to enjoy the Savior's forgiveness and grace, His kindly attitude toward us, and His protection of us. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7wT7XiX2dhh7mZqrBrmP7Knce1l0xlF4gJhG77e6L-eDg9ifCI5S9G2rAW9QKACLAcq4wsfxhKFksfsC-E8ta2ee311I0YCejBz-0A2JF9FYI1KqGAl-bgOM8b23jkS0svz_Zjkgsj38cVUvVeOMwXs1ALTRJIYiC-FfOIN4f4VCHruOf6R6Oa1CIMZ4/s695/flight_egypt_new.jpg" style="color: #dd5d2a; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7wT7XiX2dhh7mZqrBrmP7Knce1l0xlF4gJhG77e6L-eDg9ifCI5S9G2rAW9QKACLAcq4wsfxhKFksfsC-E8ta2ee311I0YCejBz-0A2JF9FYI1KqGAl-bgOM8b23jkS0svz_Zjkgsj38cVUvVeOMwXs1ALTRJIYiC-FfOIN4f4VCHruOf6R6Oa1CIMZ4/w552-h640/flight_egypt_new.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="552" /></a></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-1975467484093790302023-12-10T06:15:00.000-08:002023-12-10T06:15:45.470-08:00Advent 2, 2023<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVi0IeC5lJ52vIlkzJnNy1Ed4L5EKGF_caxjJcodLZe-uKn0bNsUwk6xrtmTwxteaEGpx7m3F3vPa1_Cc_6cUOqTiImw8Pg0eNyICcuwD8QXHXyinDWaYmhoN463QoNkGsp866P7mn_jQIrI14TJZ-Klm_2sXFYqLDbt6197_Xyuyh3yw4n7__Uv63wdn/s1120/Jesus%20Came-The-Heavens-Adoring%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVi0IeC5lJ52vIlkzJnNy1Ed4L5EKGF_caxjJcodLZe-uKn0bNsUwk6xrtmTwxteaEGpx7m3F3vPa1_Cc_6cUOqTiImw8Pg0eNyICcuwD8QXHXyinDWaYmhoN463QoNkGsp866P7mn_jQIrI14TJZ-Klm_2sXFYqLDbt6197_Xyuyh3yw4n7__Uv63wdn/w640-h426/Jesus%20Came-The-Heavens-Adoring%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Holy Communion, 10 AM</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pastor Gregory Jackson</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-came-heavens-adoring-56.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn # 56</span> </a><span style="color: #204063;"> </span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/056.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Jesus Came the Heavens Adoring</span></a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><p class="FirstParagraph" style="text-align: center;"><b>Introit</b></p><p class="FirstParagraph">Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b>Collect</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><p class="FirstParagraph"><o:p></o:p></p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br />The Epistle Romans 15:4-13</span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Gradual</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined: our God shall come.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">V. Gather My saints together unto Me: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">V. The powers of heaven shall be shaken: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">and then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;">with power and great glory. Hallelujah!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Gospel Luke 21:25-36 </span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22<br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/hail-to-lords-anointed-59.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Sermon Hymn #</span>59</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/059.mp3" target="_blank">Hail to the God's Anointed</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Then Shall They See the Son of Man</span></b></div><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /><b style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/lord-jesus-christ-we-humbly-pray-314.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #</span>314 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/314.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray</a></b></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"> - Henry E. Jacobs</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31<br /><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/savior-again-to-thy-dear-name-we-raise.html" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn # 47 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/047.mp3" target="_blank">Savior Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeB9Igf-6wvR9EtD_SDjuhwMQp1biFZ91sLLGq9CKZ56d4gt8tYAFFcYwNEm52tqt0MWM4qPIA2LXqJRO94X2UWSML2Skvb161iSBrDeomAm6rAKDx9TZ439Js7kzDr0PRMDkirW7DupmfFhCVbriGTdzL3vEt51me3xgUkmFd1_TgtLRUEyjTfjLmQ/s1120/o_little_town_tlh647.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1120" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeB9Igf-6wvR9EtD_SDjuhwMQp1biFZ91sLLGq9CKZ56d4gt8tYAFFcYwNEm52tqt0MWM4qPIA2LXqJRO94X2UWSML2Skvb161iSBrDeomAm6rAKDx9TZ439Js7kzDr0PRMDkirW7DupmfFhCVbriGTdzL3vEt51me3xgUkmFd1_TgtLRUEyjTfjLmQ/w640-h462/o_little_town_tlh647.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;">Prayers - </span>Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck, Doc Lito, <span style="color: #204063;">Randy Anderson, Kermit Way, Lori Howell; Callie and Aaron.</span> </li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.</span></span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;">Midweek Advent Service - 7 PM Wednesday</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span face="arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">Second Sunday In Advent<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lord God, heavenly Father, who by Thy Son hast revealed to us that heaven and earth shall pass away, that our bodies shall rise again, and that we all shall appear before the judgment seat: We beseech Thee, keep us by Thy Holy Spirit in Thy word; establish us in the true faith, graciously defend us from sin and preserve us in all temptations, that our hearts may not be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, but that we may ever watch and pray and, trusting fully in Thy grace, await with joy the glorious coming of Thy Son, and at last obtain eternal salvation, through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind <i>and </i>one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises <i>made </i>unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for <i>his </i>mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and <i>so </i>that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.</span></span></div></span></div><p> <b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Then Shall They See the Son of Man</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b>KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.</b></span></p><p> I have told this academic story before, about the Son of Man, but it is important to remember. One especially bright lady (Oxford or Cambridge) wrote an article in a theological journal saying that Jesus was not the Son of Man, but that was another person who was to come in the future. The apostate scholars liked that, because they favored the same idea. Her essay was called "Exit the Son of Man." However, she kept studying and realized she was wrong. She wrote a follow up story - "Re-Enter the Son of Man." She was fired from her position in England and could not find a similar job anywhere at that level. The last I heard was about her getting a minor job in India. The broad-minded scholars could not let her get away with retracting their ideas - she had to go.</p><p> This is roughly parallel to what Luther preached about this passage. When the Savior returns, the believers will have peace and joy. The unbelieving will be terrified, "<b style="color: #2b00fe;">their hearts failing for fear." </b>This is the great role reversal, as Luther wrote with some humor. The believers in this life are humbled by all the grief they have to bear in this life, while the unbelievers find great peace in violating the Ten Commandments with glee. And these unbelievers find their truths to be confirmed by their success, esteem, and the awe expressed about them. <br /></p><p> The Savior will return in great glory and show His followers that He is indeed the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We cannot imagine what that will be like, except for the Promises of Jesus, that He would return in great glory and triumph. This will be startling and strange for the unbelievers, whether they are cardinals, bishops, or theology professors. But it was all predicted and printed in black and white from the earliest days. From Daniel to Philippians -</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">KJV Philippians 2</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.</span> </p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.</span></p></blockquote><p>America was founded on religious principles, the Christian Faith. That was understood although not everyone was a believer. Calvinists become Unitarians, which makes sense about the American Bible Society and the KJV Revision inviting Unitarian leaders to share their "wisdom." Before one could say, "American is pagan, non-believing." But it is more accurate to say "America is Satanic in its influence and weak in teaching the truth from the Scriptures." One LCMS pastor bragged about his Vacation Bible School being so large and concluded - "Go big or go home." I wondered how that fit as the Apostles preached and gave up their lives. The Great Commission was not "Go big or go home" but Go, teach, and baptize.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b>27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. </b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The message, from Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, is that the End will be a time for peace and joy for those who follow the Savior. </span></p><p><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">your redemption - The price has been paid to redeem you.</b></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">This will be the ultimate triumph of the Savior, because the unbelieving world was happy to reject him, crucify Him, and rob Him of His mission. By killing the early Christians, Rome spread the Gospel to the point where the Roman Emperor, Constantine, supported and protected the Christian Church</span></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">I watched "The Turning Point" on streaming video last night. The Fall of Constantinople to the Muslim army in 1453 meant a flood of Greek scholars into Europe. Suddenly the New Testament was in Greek, the original text edited by Erasmus. Tyndale, a translating genius like Luther, established the basics of the King James Bible. Two little things changed Europe and established the Reformation:</span></p><p></p><ol><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The Greek New Testament</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The Printing Press</span></li></ol><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Look at the dates -</span></div><div><ul><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Constantinople fell in 1453</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Gutenberg used his printing press 1454</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Luther was born in 1483</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Greek New Testament, 1516</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Luther declared "Here I stand" in 1517</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">He translated the GNT in the castle.</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Tyndale was executed for translating, 1536</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">King James Version, 1611.</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">In contrast, the very powerful Ming Dynasty in China chose not to extend the work of their gigantic naval fleet and remained isolated in their very large corner of the world. The Western world limited the papacy and spread freedom through the Reformation and beyond.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b>29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Notice that this parable speaks of the spring, hope, and happiness, not gloom and doom. When Christian - in the <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i> - was locked in Castle Doom, all he could think about was the giant and and his wife, all the horrible things that would be done to him. Interpreter came to him and told Christian all he needed to do, "They have been in your pocket all the time." They were keys - the Promises of God. "They were there all the time!" And Christian was able to escape by opening the locks with the Promises.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">so </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.</span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The warning keeps us aware of what is coming soon, which is God's time, not ours. Everything must be fulfilled on the divine calendar. People lose themselves in conjuring up all the bad feelings, fears, and statements like "What's the use?!" Far better to occupy ourselves with all the blessings God gives us than to imagine things that make call up the worst in us.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">When the Son of God comes, it will be Jesus in both natures, human and divine, the Good Shepherd. He only has blessings for believers and leads us into eternal blessedness. He does not bring fear and sorrow but only peace and joy.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrjQRdUk__ldJ6zhyphenhyphen3S_TfhbQVPQPKhllbEVnDtJzGOodrIPy9NP7BQK_9VwS3VSLluZTsGvPDFdSnLkcqdeF2LAHtEFYCIwUn3sBn5yQnthS4bjTPme27IybHjCFuxmAN7lozMGokjo5cvE4n_pJ14uiOQdkN2u3hLyD5lWmMFC1ZiABOEYqW4r_GyG3/s960/Hail-Thou-Source-of-Every-Blessing-Hymn-129-All-Verses%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrjQRdUk__ldJ6zhyphenhyphen3S_TfhbQVPQPKhllbEVnDtJzGOodrIPy9NP7BQK_9VwS3VSLluZTsGvPDFdSnLkcqdeF2LAHtEFYCIwUn3sBn5yQnthS4bjTPme27IybHjCFuxmAN7lozMGokjo5cvE4n_pJ14uiOQdkN2u3hLyD5lWmMFC1ZiABOEYqW4r_GyG3/w640-h428/Hail-Thou-Source-of-Every-Blessing-Hymn-129-All-Verses%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-69731721030323071052023-12-06T15:02:00.000-08:002023-12-06T15:12:17.294-08:00First Midweek Advent, December 6, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzs07UFonhFw26ZScRl7O_y2WeWEnS97L-P--4fgV5d-7-nmLBaxjoTJkJGdMlUPkTfaWHwDY3VjgxS5TI6l2JYEYTCrNhCCV_v96zuS6HfUEfuHZXaCgEu6AdzunfYXm73-F_4yffno3caH7TN46Emk0M1xSznTJlVG_km2YUSEoJqV2XppR2hpgog/s500/annunciation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="500" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzs07UFonhFw26ZScRl7O_y2WeWEnS97L-P--4fgV5d-7-nmLBaxjoTJkJGdMlUPkTfaWHwDY3VjgxS5TI6l2JYEYTCrNhCCV_v96zuS6HfUEfuHZXaCgEu6AdzunfYXm73-F_4yffno3caH7TN46Emk0M1xSznTJlVG_km2YUSEoJqV2XppR2hpgog/w640-h596/annunciation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mid-Week Advent Service, </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size: large;">December 6, 2023, 7 PM Central</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Pastor Gregory L. Jackson<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><p><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship" style="color: #5421bb; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Mid-Week Advent, Wednesday, 7 PM Central</span></b></a></div><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/father-most-holy-merciful-and-tender-240.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn # 240</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/240.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">Father Most Holy</a> </span></b></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Order of Vespers p. 41</span></span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Psalmody Psalm 14 p. 124<br />The Lection </span><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-lead-thou-on-410.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sermon Hymn # 410</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/410.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Jesus Lead Thou On</a></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer p. 44</span></span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Collect for Peace p. 45</span><span face="arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Benediction </span><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"> p. 45</span></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/all-praise-to-thee-my-god-this-night-558.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn # 558</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/558.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">All Praise to Thee</a></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><ul style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Reformation Seminary, as a name, can be included in the Bethany Lutheran Church bank account. Tomorrow - Zoom and cell phone. </span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader (surgery) and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. </span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;</span></span></b></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.</span></span></b></li></ul></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">11 Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.</span></span></div><div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">Isaiah 9:</span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: x-large;">Announcements and Prayers</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><ul style="font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Reformation Seminary can be named in the Bethany Lutheran Church bank account</span></span></b></span><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">. Tomorrow - Zoom and new cell phone plus Magic Jack.</span></span></b></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader (surgery) and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. </span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;</span></span></b></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.</span></span></b></li></ul></span></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpISZc-JqCHTuDWrZOeCxFShPmWwryDFvnhIcjVE5XCOaJv4ryH7n0OD1e52hYppYlrmzjJ74q05LLO4Avzya4cu49N2FkhVzD2q0lcI5cB6k2eUWKuVvfjjKRTMMbOUOyei1HlxPhoiLf8B9Pjrm8pxzU3tv1RGXsbZVLjt05pDkOVOCQ6QBnASKaRg/s1333/john_16_33_overcometheworld.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpISZc-JqCHTuDWrZOeCxFShPmWwryDFvnhIcjVE5XCOaJv4ryH7n0OD1e52hYppYlrmzjJ74q05LLO4Avzya4cu49N2FkhVzD2q0lcI5cB6k2eUWKuVvfjjKRTMMbOUOyei1HlxPhoiLf8B9Pjrm8pxzU3tv1RGXsbZVLjt05pDkOVOCQ6QBnASKaRg/w480-h640/john_16_33_overcometheworld.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"> Gospel Preaching - Old Testament</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div> I always gain startling new insights from going over <i>Luther's Sermons</i> (Lenker edition). I have a new focus now, bolding the statements that people might want to quote or memorize. In looking for statements for laity and pastors, I find myself struck by their harmony with the entire Bible (unknown among most clergy and laity today). </div><div> My latest shocking and pleasant surprise was Luther's statement about the Old Testament being the real Scriptures and the New Testament serving as sermons about the Old Testament. Nothing builds wonder and awe more than reflecting on those key passages and phrases. Some thoughts -<br /></div><div><ol><li>Adam and Eve receiving the Gospel when being kicked out of Paradise.</li><li>The difference between Abel and Cain - faith and works.</li><li>The Son of God (The Word of the Lord) speaking to Abraham about faith (Genesis 15) and in John 8 saying, "Abraham saw Me and he was glad." and "Before Abraham was, I AM."'</li><li>The many appearances of the Son in Exodus, especially during the Exodus.</li></ol></div><div>We should spend time in wonder and awe, considering just these four examples, but there are many more. If people can say, "How did that civilization construct such enormous pyramids, mines, temples, and waterworks?" and omit what happened in the ancient days of the Bible.</div><div> When people look at Isaiah to find fault, they carry their wounded feelings around. Things do not look smooth and consistent like a dime novel. They object. They go around telling people what is wrong with Isaiah. They get so upset that they invent two Isaiahs, first Isaiah 1-39, 2 Isaiah 40-66. Is the ironic lost on them? That is the same number of books in the Bible, 39 and 27, for 66 books. Isaiah 40-66 is one long Halleluiah chorus, also offensive, too joyful in contrast to the early chapters. </div><div> They invent what was never there - two Isaiahs - but miss the two great predictions of the Virgin Birth of Jesus in Isaiah 7 and His divinity in 9. They are so dense about Isaiah 7 that they leave "virgin" alone in 7 and footnote it as "or a young woman." The RSV has gone back and forth on that wording alone, several times. A young woman having a baby - that is not a miracle. Needless to say, the RSV was the new Bible that got this going, unveiling their actual faith - Unitarianism or worse. Now they have "worse" too.</div><div> The density comes out for them in John 1, because they criticize John for "omitting" the Virgin Birth when he is revealing in detail Jesus as the Creating Word. The Four Gospels have the Virgin Birth twice, which should be enough, and greater glory in John 1. "But John was written 300 years later!" That is false and a foolish attack against the Bible itself.<br /></div><div> That is the ultimate pratfall of the clever ones who teach the Bible and Church Growth. They leach away their own faith by clinging to false teachers of various styles. Once they begin mouthing like braying jackasses, they are stuck in enforcing their own greatness. I ran into one Harvard PhD who was startled by what he did not know. He lost his professor job (LCA) and became a parish pastor. <br /></div><div> The most famous Harvard guy came to Yale to say "Paul did not teach the Gospel to the Jews." The great Malherbe told his classes that this was absolutely phony. Can a highly polished Harvard Dean be wrong? Definitely. He went back to Sweden as a bishop and was fired! That took some doing!<br /></div><div> We are not lacking Biblical wisdom in America. The books are out there, and no one can absorb the depth of the King James Version. <br /></div><div> <br /></div><div> <br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </b></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><div style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3hTGBD7syQNjrg3OlgpjYZqQt29ol_6W-vpXU9ZaFwPv6nohGHqNLzFiobujCglZEkwZzg6-VrcvYvnieYuCySGK3yebQU38VIWUP4Okvs7L4ybLzEUMyWkB9ENe9JzXRKcHMFCPTY2qhly7RQIyHOeVGXVNwwiP_SDNoajVUDI4hfsyJ4NISjJY2w/s960/john_8_lightoftheworld.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3hTGBD7syQNjrg3OlgpjYZqQt29ol_6W-vpXU9ZaFwPv6nohGHqNLzFiobujCglZEkwZzg6-VrcvYvnieYuCySGK3yebQU38VIWUP4Okvs7L4ybLzEUMyWkB9ENe9JzXRKcHMFCPTY2qhly7RQIyHOeVGXVNwwiP_SDNoajVUDI4hfsyJ4NISjJY2w/s16000/john_8_lightoftheworld.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><b style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><u>Previous <a href="https://vimeo.com/bethanylutheranworship" target="_blank">Bethany Lutheran Church Vimeos</a></u></b></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The end.</span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-62318531750386637622023-12-03T06:05:00.000-08:002023-12-03T06:05:15.872-08:00Advent 1 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbnO34Ip9PWYdU03ejUd-xQaYBdmu8Fk7gVFv7CA8Uk0YpdP48SLyiSzQ3EcZjJDpD668rkHz5fk-HJNscNaNbMQO7A7-HVVAy_W3bLUQujmORph-C6-enDe4ClIC55fYcwOrIjZvcbpWKdAaTqR6zYnAMQnhhyp2vWXBCnXlM_8XoCAt_jmdCyQ0NDW2K" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="494" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbnO34Ip9PWYdU03ejUd-xQaYBdmu8Fk7gVFv7CA8Uk0YpdP48SLyiSzQ3EcZjJDpD668rkHz5fk-HJNscNaNbMQO7A7-HVVAy_W3bLUQujmORph-C6-enDe4ClIC55fYcwOrIjZvcbpWKdAaTqR6zYnAMQnhhyp2vWXBCnXlM_8XoCAt_jmdCyQ0NDW2K=w496-h640" width="496" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bethany Lutheran Church </span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10 AM Central Time</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The First Sunday in Advent, 2023</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-bridegroom-soon-will-call-us-67.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">The Hymn #</span>67</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/067.mp3" target="_blank">The Bridegroom Now Will Call Us</a> - Loy translation</span></b></span><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Confession of Sins</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Absolution</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Introit p. 16</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><b>Introit</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><div>Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: </div><div>O my God, I trust in Thee.</div><div>Let me not be ashamed: </div><div>let not mine enemies triumph over me.</div><div>Yea, let none that wait on Thee: be ashamed.</div><div><i>Psalm</i>. Show me Thy ways, O Lord: </div><div>teach me Thy paths.</div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Gloria Patri</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Kyrie p. 17</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Gloria in Excelsis</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Salutation and Collect p. 19 </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b>Collect</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come, </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Epistle and Gradual </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">Gradual</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><div>All they that wait on Thee shall not be ashamed, O Lord.</div><div>V. Show me Thy ways, O Lord: </div><div>teach me Thy paths. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</div><div>V. Show us Thy mercy, O Lord: </div><div>and grant us Thy salvation. Hallelujah!</div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Gospel </span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">Praise be to Thee, O Christ!</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Nicene Creed p. 22</span></span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/we-have-sure-prophetic-word-290.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Sermon Hymn # 290</a> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/290.mp3" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>We Have A Sure Prophetic</b> </a> </span><br /><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Faith in Our Gracious Good Shepherd</span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/search?q=306" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">The Hymn #306 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/306.mp3" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Lord Jesus Christ</a></span></b></span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24.64px;">The Preface p. 24</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24.64px;">The Sanctus p. 26</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24.64px;">The Lord's Prayer p. 27</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24.64px;">The Words of Institution</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24.64px;">The Agnus Dei p. 28</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 24.64px;">The Nunc Dimittis p. 29</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-advent-of-our-king-68.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #68 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/027.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">The Advent of Our King</a> </b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBlghW_JAHCaT5yBrALfLczMarisp6yXfHwPnjk2kygUz7YoKsj2OhyUby2vpqg4M2l_kFHvDXPJvUNaznuJ3hGFviuUUzGJAtwDqErksNlvRFTSlzpuZohM1xy0X62vz_Nu3kofExLN9xc5W7oKS2HgwG_6T0vwadbTvPqKNFxZfTEVBzOYRgUSH6lw=s1600" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBlghW_JAHCaT5yBrALfLczMarisp6yXfHwPnjk2kygUz7YoKsj2OhyUby2vpqg4M2l_kFHvDXPJvUNaznuJ3hGFviuUUzGJAtwDqErksNlvRFTSlzpuZohM1xy0X62vz_Nu3kofExLN9xc5W7oKS2HgwG_6T0vwadbTvPqKNFxZfTEVBzOYRgUSH6lw=w640-h480" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 27.3778px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Our Biblical doctrine series has a name - Reformation Seminary. Zoom has another step in W-9.</span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">December 4th, 2002. Walter Boeckler, husband of Norma, died.</span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader (surgery) and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. </span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;</span></span></b></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.</span></span></b></li></ul></div></div></div></b></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtV0qd_-R6FYzEh3XgOrDsJd2lDQOIs1UgCtxP77aTJnBUYDp-myr-k7aQ4dWJZTJR4fJY9uTvUcaPOe245sNOtWqyvl5TpVMCLkgixPFGZFeVIoS3B90kVi7e-8FmfpG1wKV7MhOOe6KUJ4KuD3UdSV87pVMdz-whONIL5A781MPHQ5L-Lm6wzRqTw/s1120/1Thessalonians-2-13%20KJV%20copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtV0qd_-R6FYzEh3XgOrDsJd2lDQOIs1UgCtxP77aTJnBUYDp-myr-k7aQ4dWJZTJR4fJY9uTvUcaPOe245sNOtWqyvl5TpVMCLkgixPFGZFeVIoS3B90kVi7e-8FmfpG1wKV7MhOOe6KUJ4KuD3UdSV87pVMdz-whONIL5A781MPHQ5L-Lm6wzRqTw/w640-h400/1Thessalonians-2-13%20KJV%20copy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"></span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.</span></span><br /><br style="line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.</span></span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvo65_ODxa56VLyyandX8ojsBs_1ZiUx9wPiF9r7liL1tDuLeZhXsjCszFRptveu9qSHRGyE8_dWYrJTfvIZpSEb3cj_riXcfv7973CxMV_ge0kGGPh96wc1sAdJpnopV7RBTrNj9q7ZD/s1600/Hands-Hymn-306-TLH+copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvo65_ODxa56VLyyandX8ojsBs_1ZiUx9wPiF9r7liL1tDuLeZhXsjCszFRptveu9qSHRGyE8_dWYrJTfvIZpSEb3cj_riXcfv7973CxMV_ge0kGGPh96wc1sAdJpnopV7RBTrNj9q7ZD/s640/Hands-Hymn-306-TLH+copy.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.08px;"> <b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Norma-Boeckler/e/B00J8AN4LA" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Norma A. Boeckler</a></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First Sunday in Advent - Viet Dietrich</span></b></div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, we bless and praise Thee forever, that Thou didst send Thy Son to rule over us poor sinners, who for our transgressions did justly deserve to remain in the bondage of sin and Satan, and didst give us in Him a meek and righteous King, who by His death became our Savior from sin and eternal death: We beseech Thee so to enlighten, govern and direct us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may ever remain faithful to this righteous King and Savior, and not, after the manner of the world, be offended with His humble form and despised word, but, firmly believing in Him, obtain eternal salvation; through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.</span></span><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggPB5Om9txpcLN5ljCWYvb63dSy4y3ixJSXdHmIQRrhudABjy311mr9urtG2NZY24v6wNR8FryIldsuSol7Hwr3qVz7h7qxGu2k2Qs-gkBHNcCgqdxCO4oQbhvHoS9cx7tW7yPEtFeVYP5B3wfTdZPspnrCEJajpQ2z5PIPGeHVGr96Mxi4yArPcs2g/s640/2%20peter_1-19-we_have_a_sure_prophetic_word.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggPB5Om9txpcLN5ljCWYvb63dSy4y3ixJSXdHmIQRrhudABjy311mr9urtG2NZY24v6wNR8FryIldsuSol7Hwr3qVz7h7qxGu2k2Qs-gkBHNcCgqdxCO4oQbhvHoS9cx7tW7yPEtFeVYP5B3wfTdZPspnrCEJajpQ2z5PIPGeHVGr96Mxi4yArPcs2g/w506-h640/2%20peter_1-19-we_have_a_sure_prophetic_word.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="506" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <b style="color: #222222; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2022/11/luthers-epistle-sermon-for-first-sunday.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luther on the Old Testament</a> </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">Faith in Our Gracious Good Shepherd</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KJV Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The setting is often missed today, because the clergy were beguiled into ignoring the Gospel of John. Jesus came from Bethany, John 11, the site of Lazarus' death and coming to life again. This was electrifying news for Jerusalem, because Bethany was a short distance from the village and people knew Lazarus for his wealth, as shone his stone tomb. Moreover, Lazarus came with Jesus!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><table class="searchtable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;"><tbody style="box-sizing: border-box;"><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial;"> John 12:2</span></td><td class="searchtabletsxt" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: top;">There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but <span style="background-color: yellow; box-sizing: border-box;">Lazarus</span> was one of them that sat at the table with him.</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><a class="searchtableref" href="https://thekingsbible.com/Bible/43/12?verse=9" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #af0000; font-family: Raleway, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 8px; text-decoration-line: none; text-wrap: nowrap;">John 12:9</a></td><td class="searchtabletsxt" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: top;">Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see <span style="background-color: yellow; box-sizing: border-box;">Lazarus</span> also, whom he had raised from the dead.</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><a class="searchtableref" href="https://thekingsbible.com/Bible/43/12?verse=10" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #af0000; font-family: Raleway, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 8px; text-decoration-line: none; text-wrap: nowrap;">John 12:10</a></td><td class="searchtabletsxt" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">But the chief priests consulted that they might put <span style="background-color: yellow; box-sizing: border-box;">Lazarus</span> also to death;</span></td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><a class="searchtableref" href="https://thekingsbible.com/Bible/43/12?verse=17" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #af0000; font-family: Raleway, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 8px; text-decoration-line: none; text-wrap: nowrap;">John 12:17</a></td><td class="searchtabletsxt" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Raleway, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: top;">The people therefore that was with him when he called <span style="background-color: yellow; box-sizing: border-box;">Lazarus</span> out of his grave, and raised him from the dead,<b> bare record</b>.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus, by bringing His friend Lazarus along, was showing the crowd, the Romans, and the religious leaders that He was and is the Lord of Life, God Himself. The jubilant crowd was able to prove the resurrection to the hip Jerusalemites because they were at the funeral and stayed days after the burial of Lazarus in the tomb.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus Himself called Lazarus from the tomb, against the wishes of the mourners. He called Lazarus by name to come out, showing that He was indeed the Son of God, Messiah. The daring trip into Jerusalem was the divine announcement that the Messiah (Christ in Greek) was claiming His throne as the Son of David. This explains why the crowds were wild with excitement since the miracle took place </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1) Nearby at Bethany</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2) Involving someone well known</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3) The miracle being supported by those who were there.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">One 90+ old church member said in Columbus - "I never heard this in my life. Never, not from anyone."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b style="font-size: large;">The Mount of Olives - <a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2023/12/luthers-sermons-matthew-211-9-first.html" target="_blank">Luther</a></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luther emphasized this as the Mountain of Grace.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: large;">"</span>It is also full of meaning that he comes from the Mount of Olives. We shall notice that this grace on account of its greatness might be called a mountain of grace, a grace which is not only a drop or handful, but grace abundant and heaped up like a mountain."</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The entry into Jerusalem declares the open and dangerous threat which Jesus presented to the religious and government leaders. This opposition always takes place when faith in Jesus is the priority. Today people tolerate Jesus as long as He is simply a good person, kindly and unassuming. That fueled a series of <b>Life of Jesus books</b>, which used their topic to declare Jesus was an ordinary man.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some will say with dismay that the Old Testament quotations are not verbatim the same as the New Testament citation.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2023/12/luthers-sermons-matthew-211-9-first.html" target="_blank">Luther:</a></span></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"It seems to me that the Holy Ghost led the apostles and evangelists to abbreviate passages of the Scriptures for the purpose that we might be kept close to the holy Scriptures, and not set a bad example to future exegetes, who make many words outside the Scriptures and thereby draw us secretly from the Scriptures to human doctrines."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">We should always look at the Old Testament as the bedrock, from which everything about Christ is expressed. Instead, the not-so-learned clergy run away from studying Hebrew, Judaism, and the ancient history going back to Creation. The very dense do not see the Son in the Creation, but that is clear to the simplest of minds. When I go into a room with covered windows, I do not say "Let there be light." I just open the shades or turn on the light. If someone is also there, I might say, "Open the curtains" or formally "Let there be sunshine."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Likewise, the Holy Spirit hovers (or soars) over Creation. The Spirit is not absent and waiting for the New Testament to take action. The Spirit is teaching the work of the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is not "the shy member of the Trinity," something only a WELS writer could publish without smirking. The most powerful statements of the Trinity often come directly from the Spirit. One is central to the entire Bible:</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"></span></span></div><blockquote><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">KJV John 16:</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><b>9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me;</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.</span></span></div></blockquote><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">Verse 9 declares the intent or work of the entire Bible - to teach faith in Jesus Christ. That is the central and abiding work of the Spirit - not social agitation, not a justice that suits the Left, not turning the Bible into a self-help book. Verse 9 should make all the </span><b><span style="color: red;">Objective Faithless Justification</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> people choke on their devouring of Halle Pietism and Walther fanaticism. CFW, in his clumsy dogma, taught that the whole world was absolved, but that was only for those who "make a decision" for Jesus. That has two blundering errors.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><ol><li><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">Universal forgiveness is false doctrine from rationalists, Universalists.</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">"Making a decision for" replaces faith in the Savior.</span></li></ol></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8XGsVJB_z7BFQKxwozZh5CHqO7gh4DWkKzYEdUYIGH7caETLQo6p8bAI5ZC0-Mz0ordI1rWjUfaXJ2FHHjtKMl5RXY0A1KcV9YB6zRcaPBE59gfXhIuZTM-LiD_Nkb82YmiTabf2iBnA2fAQY_g2i0RW7BbWaVgcf8Xqm6lWtRi5p8EKPKKNifgI60CT/s640/valleskey%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="640" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8XGsVJB_z7BFQKxwozZh5CHqO7gh4DWkKzYEdUYIGH7caETLQo6p8bAI5ZC0-Mz0ordI1rWjUfaXJ2FHHjtKMl5RXY0A1KcV9YB6zRcaPBE59gfXhIuZTM-LiD_Nkb82YmiTabf2iBnA2fAQY_g2i0RW7BbWaVgcf8Xqm6lWtRi5p8EKPKKNifgI60CT/w640-h246/valleskey%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-GWuoZnUz14QoMZfPyMnsG0RsCBGruv4mDbixSLeR_BmqeI2mMbf1zIzyE0ezXnjm8mhqwzrRSNaGVLB30hK-VeGtO6UOdGkm0cUA1sEp-cwZ9D8w-o3RNvW5seRCqEr0s27DpqNWy8WGVzb-VKmrYG6-QqiUbJEu5MhPPbr_HUeL4KvaUaZ6_6tMuWT/s466/walther_uoj%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-GWuoZnUz14QoMZfPyMnsG0RsCBGruv4mDbixSLeR_BmqeI2mMbf1zIzyE0ezXnjm8mhqwzrRSNaGVLB30hK-VeGtO6UOdGkm0cUA1sEp-cwZ9D8w-o3RNvW5seRCqEr0s27DpqNWy8WGVzb-VKmrYG6-QqiUbJEu5MhPPbr_HUeL4KvaUaZ6_6tMuWT/w638-h640/walther_uoj%20copy.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Israel, in rejecting God repeatedly, became a vassal state. They broke into freedom for a brief time in 165 BC and Judah Maccabee rode in on a donkey. The desecrated Temple was rededicated to God, taken away from the pagans. The crowds may have been similar between the two centuries of turmoil, but Jesus was the true Messiah, the Son of David, and the crowds cheered him as their Savior from slavery to Rome.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Because the crowds, even the smallest children, cried out in faith "Hosanna to the Son of David, the anointed King" - not because He reminded them of Juda Maccabee, but because Jesus was the real Savior who raised the dead by His Word.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Our gracious Good Shepherd deliberated headed toward Jerusalem, first to raise Lazarus from death... by His Word, and second to offer Himself as the Lamb sacrificed for the sins of the world. The symbolism of the innocent lamb goes back to Moses and the Exodus. All the pieces of the puzzle are found in the Old Testament, if only we dwell on them. They confirm and support our faith in Him who was named when Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"></span></div><blockquote><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">KJV Genesis 3:</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.</span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>The end. </b></span></p>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-76666116608476638772023-12-03T05:50:00.000-08:002023-12-03T05:54:39.319-08:00Reformation Seminary - The Son of God<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oG_ECt2HzZDnkdt_Ys2pqWj8fpITJNtM9YpEM1sGyy3lc0puiDT2iS8JOez7cGpk7lg29zKS9csQhQQITeGpRL6Xxnd15_-vaE6ZaXvt_EsfUf0f7rI171HmOHLjxPhsd_js2zZd2yNF-4TrcpY-4OV1v_dZJPN-IdOX_nQ3wZz-DbauY0OyAyaCHN9I/s2046/adoration_of_the_trinity_durer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1588" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oG_ECt2HzZDnkdt_Ys2pqWj8fpITJNtM9YpEM1sGyy3lc0puiDT2iS8JOez7cGpk7lg29zKS9csQhQQITeGpRL6Xxnd15_-vaE6ZaXvt_EsfUf0f7rI171HmOHLjxPhsd_js2zZd2yNF-4TrcpY-4OV1v_dZJPN-IdOX_nQ3wZz-DbauY0OyAyaCHN9I/w496-h640/adoration_of_the_trinity_durer.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Duerer's famous painting of the Holy Trinity.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson PhD</p><p><br /><div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://vimeo.com/event/3930797/embed/interaction" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></div></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I will try the Vimeo set up later today.</span></p><p><br /></p><div style="padding: 56.25% 0px 0px; position: relative;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Genesis 1 establishes the Trinity:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Father commands.</li><li>The Son executes the commands.</li><li>The Spirit teaches us from the Father and Son.</li></ul><p></p><div></div><blockquote><div>KJV Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.</div><div><br /></div><div>3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.</div><div><br /></div><div>4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.</div></div><p></p><div></div><p></p></blockquote><p></p><div><br /></div><div>The Son is manifested throughout the Old Testament.</div><div><br /></div><div>Exodus 3 shows us that the Angel of the Lord is the Son of God, not simply an angel.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><p></p><blockquote><p></p><div>KJV Exodus 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.</div><div><br /></div><p></p><div>12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?</div><div><br /></div><div>14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.</div></div></blockquote><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbwCsLhcIv-x8TwR-kkv2-lAkB4FUEFVW74NuyyYWGW1iGfTHgwWPBoTDzgeAyNsvvEA88fYQbRGtCMU9faW_freETdt2KxIun8kS5YTFjIILLq8ii-v7h45z73wjhK863TxZmr1BNoo9fRMAtU-HtVCtMRV4_fkzSUk8m8VYQhAqWhXwdW_c2rbrS4z8/s960/exodus_bowdown2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbwCsLhcIv-x8TwR-kkv2-lAkB4FUEFVW74NuyyYWGW1iGfTHgwWPBoTDzgeAyNsvvEA88fYQbRGtCMU9faW_freETdt2KxIun8kS5YTFjIILLq8ii-v7h45z73wjhK863TxZmr1BNoo9fRMAtU-HtVCtMRV4_fkzSUk8m8VYQhAqWhXwdW_c2rbrS4z8/w640-h480/exodus_bowdown2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div><div></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-64290918436544491332023-11-26T07:16:00.000-08:002023-11-26T07:16:56.961-08:00Trinity 25 - 2023<p> <b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">The Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Trinity, 2023</span></span></b></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b> </b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/i-know-that-my-redeemer-lives-200.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #200 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/200.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">I Know That My Redeemer Lives</a></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Introit</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies and from them that persecute me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Let me not be ashamed, O Lord: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">for I have called upon Thee.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><i>Psalm</i>. In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">let me never be ashamed.</div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Collect</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Almighty God, we beseech Thee, show Thy mercy unto Thy humble servants, that we who put no trust in our own merits may not be dealt with after the severity of Thy judgment, but according to Thy mercy; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br />The Epistle and Gradual </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><b>Gradual</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thine enemies roar in the midst of Thy congregations: they set up their ensigns for signs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">V. Remember Thy congregation which Thou hast purchased of old: the rod of Thine inheritance, which Thou hast redeemed. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">V. There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. Hallelujah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;">The Gospel </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063; font-size: medium;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-day-is-surely-drawing-near-611.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Sermon Hymn #611</a><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/660.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> </a></b></span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/660.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b> </b> </a><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/611.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>The Day Is Surely Drawing Near</b></a></span><br /><div><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">We Walk by Faith</span></b><br /><br /><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/o-living-bread-from-heaven-316-rist.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Communion Hymn #316</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/316.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">O Living Bread</span></a> Winkworth translation</span></b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/310.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><br /></a><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-savior-pilot-me-649.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #649 </a> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/649.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;"><b> Jesus Savior Pilot Me</b> </a> </span></span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 27.3778px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Our Biblical doctrine series has a name - Reformation Seminary. Zoom has another step in W-9.</span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader (surgery) and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. </span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;</span></span></b></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.</span></span></b></li></ul></div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsQ4jIwsz2WmIh4BIQjh7SAJ3XSbMPO4loTW3yi9rIo3CiS9PnqAbyRMt8nbaGuNwMa7-rPtXXuRTdjVHXec9cxV_xWm0GvKITshyIcB0MUqwL2g8hXJI_7jN9TIAI76yy_fbme3DAptC/s1600/satisfied_matthew5_1020.jpg" style="color: #5421bb; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsQ4jIwsz2WmIh4BIQjh7SAJ3XSbMPO4loTW3yi9rIo3CiS9PnqAbyRMt8nbaGuNwMa7-rPtXXuRTdjVHXec9cxV_xWm0GvKITshyIcB0MUqwL2g8hXJI_7jN9TIAI76yy_fbme3DAptC/s640/satisfied_matthew5_1020.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.08px;"> <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Norma-Boeckler/e/B00J8AN4LA" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Norma A. Boeckler</a></b> </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #204063; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><h3 style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.64px;">KJV 1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.</span></h3><div style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span class="text"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QK6MGulMYheXKwlIxFIV3xvo6s0Xh30bvtko5iVdAyeORV9KJ6KoCnKID-cqaiByeTgNn8QYbZkGkGPIoYi2DDCYNTRmMQYmpqO_PCS5IxnrrHYE4rA6FUJ3OF9lMGn0S69TFvqHaZj-/s1600/psalm29_11_strengthtohispeople.jpg" style="color: #5421bb; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QK6MGulMYheXKwlIxFIV3xvo6s0Xh30bvtko5iVdAyeORV9KJ6KoCnKID-cqaiByeTgNn8QYbZkGkGPIoYi2DDCYNTRmMQYmpqO_PCS5IxnrrHYE4rA6FUJ3OF9lMGn0S69TFvqHaZj-/s640/psalm29_11_strengthtohispeople.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.08px;"> <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Norma-Boeckler/e/B00J8AN4LA" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Norma A. Boeckler</a></b> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span class="text"><br /></span></div><h3 style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Matthew 24:15</span></span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 24.64px;"> </span>When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">We Walk by Faith</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Matthew 24:15</span></span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 24.64px;"> </span>When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.</h3></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">These passages leave us with two parallel thoughts. One is that the end will come at any time, appointed only by God the Father. Jesus warned the disciples strictly, and this is recorded more than once. No one knows the time.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">On the other hand, the warning is clearly stated so that no one takes for granted what will come, how quickly time will come to an end. So what did the early church fathers do? This is very important, because it became the core of institutional thinking. The answer teaches us all about the decline of the Christian Faith, even though the institution grew across the world. The era of the pope was already established by Augustine's time (the 400s). When there was a dispute about justification, Augustine wrote famously - "Rome has spoken - the case is closed." Gone was the meeting of Biblical teachers in keeping the truth of the Scriptures. Following the rigid structure of the failing Roman Empire, the Christian Church set up one supreme ruler, the Bishop of Rome, who called himself the First Among Equals, not just a bishop (shepherd) but superior to the rest.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Nothing teaches us in the Scriptures about holy people going out and living alone or in groups of believers far away from society. Nothing forbids marriage. In fact, the Scriptures show us that marriage and family are blessings from God, not burdens of sin. Nevertheless, already by Augustine's time, priests did not marry. Communes of women and men gathered to follow religious orders and to keep each other working to support themselves, sometimes by begging as well. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This set up a toxin which remains to this day, not only the Antichrist sitting on his throne, but also people seeking holiness by craving a higher order of the Faith with robes, incense, special clothing, retreats away from society, and all kinds of drama in worship. Chemnitz said about the Roman Mass (Holy Communion) that the priest carried on so much that it was difficult to laugh or cry during the performance.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">What do we have today? Supposed Lutheran <b>pastors</b> (Latin for <b>shepherd</b>) crave special, expensive clothing, clouds of incense, bowing, kneeling, long on requirements but short on Biblical knowledge, often opposed to the Gospel itself, especially Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">As Luther wrote in this sermon, what is essential? Going out into the wilderness to form a secluded hideaway, free from sin? My relatives in Michigan were Millerites, named because they began by selling all their goods and going up on a mountain to wait for the End of the World - twice! They became the Seventh Day Adventists and set up all kinds of special rules. One Noel/Jackson family` decided to move from their Ohio farm to Iowa, where they began raising pigs (not allowed!) and became Evangelicals. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">One Adventist family in Midland, Michigan told us they could not use any animal products at all. They told us about many of their other rules as well. Their son could not dance but he showed us how to do the Moon Walk. I said, "I thought you were not allowed to dance." He said, "Of all the dances I am not allowed to do, that one is my favorite." I thought that summed up legalism quite well - ignoring the Gospel and making up rules for sanctification (holiness, perfection, purity).</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">In spite of the dire warnings from Jesus about the end of time, various Christian leaders have ordered and emphasized the opposite of what He taught and still teaches today. The answer is not to run into the wilderness to be away from society. This not only goes on today in the Church of Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy but also in various world religions, such as in India and the rest of Asia. The response of so many kinds of religions, expressions, and worship suggests there might be one answer, not 10,000 opinions.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2023/11/daily-luther-sermon-quote-now-it-is.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luther:</a></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">22. <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Now it is high time for him to run and flee, who is able to flee; let everything he has behind and depart; the sooner the better; not with his feet but with his heart, in such a way that he will be rid of the abomination and enter the kingdom of Christ through faith.</span></b> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">False religions search for actions and works, but Luther wisely taught that the answer is faith - and the answer can only be faith in Jesus Christ, because all the actions are the work of man. The substance of the entire Bible is Jesus Christ the Savior, Who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead to show His victory over sin, death, and the devil. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">That is true from beginning to end. The more we see this, the greater the impact. When graduate students deal with Genesis, they have many ideas to follow from one book. One group wanted especially to emphasize Abraham believing and being counted righteous. I added this because I previously did not catch wording.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Genesis 15</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><b><span class="text Gen-15-4" id="en-KJV-365"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></span></span></b></p><blockquote><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span class="text Gen-15-4" id="en-KJV-365"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>And, behold, the <u>Word of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span></u> came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. </span><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. <span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>And he believed in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>; and he counted it to him for righteousness.</span></b></blockquote><p></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The Word of the Lord is the Son of God, so He is predicting to Abraham the Kingdom of Christ, not just an enormous family but millions of people who will believe in the Good Shepherd and follow Him.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV John 8</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-8-56" id="en-KJV-26438"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"></span></span></span></p><blockquote><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-8-56" id="en-KJV-26438"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">56 </span>Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and <b><u>he saw it, and was glad</u></b>.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-8-57" id="en-KJV-26439"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">57 </span>Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-8-58" id="en-KJV-26440"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">58 </span>Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, <b><u>Before Abraham was, I AM</u></b>. (See Exodus 3, the Burning Bush)</span></span></p></blockquote><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text John-8-58" id="en-KJV-26440"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The present and future tenses are dazzling because the Son of God establishes Justification by Faith in Him in Genesis and then - in the Roman Empire - states that Abraham rejoiced to see Him, Who was - and is - God Himself.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">These two passages teach us the unity and the harmony of the Scriptures, including Exodus 3 and many more examples, because the Bible is One Book of the Holy Spirit, not a combination of ancient sayings. That is what gives us peace and hope, knowing that the Scriptures exist to teach us and turn away from error.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in; position: relative;">19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.</h3></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Faith in Jesus Christ means that God will take care of us, even in the great tribulation. All things are in God's hands. Those who glory in their shame will have a great awakening but it will not be a pleasant one. They draw people together as followers, as Luther wrote, because people like wolf-preachers. One of my funny moments was listening to the announcements at Willow Creek Community Church (no crosses, lest they offend). After the service was an expensive food court to sell food to those who came for the meaningless service. And like many other fake churches, it fell apart all at once, and the founder was expelled...for cause.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in; position: relative;">22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. </h3></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Ordinary people are so easily overlooked when people are looking for excitement, for something new, for a "breakthrough unlike anything ever experienced before." Many overlook the Christ within their neighbor, even within their own families. The time is fleeting, so we should spend our time wisely, since that is the only commodity we have, each and every one of us. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in; position: relative;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.</span></h3></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The Apostle Paul's letters to the Thessalonians were his earliest ones (so we think). 1 Thessalonians 4 is one of the two lessons today. 2 Thessalonians 2 is all about the Antichrist, which is clearer than ever. Neither one is being fulfilled at this moment, but they prophesies are clear. That should make us wary of being to bold in our predictions, hopes, and accomplishments. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPOFzrPeujelqKVAx-dmiZJgLBsBKinNiW2CaK58ZXQ8bvT5-YQtODg-nTfweYMEp-wFHrRRmPLMSTIPjQeoVZsLAa_Vq3B8OcGqxHRIS-pFp5XptJKApzRHIyZUx8nb5ss88G05Jh3IhJXU45KcMdJvuxn7B7SK3CHf2F-1xnyWsQdcbJUVlPoIWqMPu/s1120/1_john_3_1_fathers_love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #dd5d2a; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPOFzrPeujelqKVAx-dmiZJgLBsBKinNiW2CaK58ZXQ8bvT5-YQtODg-nTfweYMEp-wFHrRRmPLMSTIPjQeoVZsLAa_Vq3B8OcGqxHRIS-pFp5XptJKApzRHIyZUx8nb5ss88G05Jh3IhJXU45KcMdJvuxn7B7SK3CHf2F-1xnyWsQdcbJUVlPoIWqMPu/w640-h400/1_john_3_1_fathers_love.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-183634544636595192023-11-22T16:14:00.000-08:002023-11-22T16:14:10.592-08:00Thanksgiving 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa5pYLTcWhazH6f87veJsnanwOStvzXHgiibeFMNr0A70MFSnCRVufFCY5E7AS7r5yFd-1CC7P086WfBB7lOKXYHVcme6UZZTjNBmap6nBBtEba1uLjeE9a46yDGga9b67_AmsU6vMAxRHFJy4zYmCxcRcGs0OMp9DtPJn7XN1Xobvn1dqilLm3BQaZ0B/s567/thanksgiving_new.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="567" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa5pYLTcWhazH6f87veJsnanwOStvzXHgiibeFMNr0A70MFSnCRVufFCY5E7AS7r5yFd-1CC7P086WfBB7lOKXYHVcme6UZZTjNBmap6nBBtEba1uLjeE9a46yDGga9b67_AmsU6vMAxRHFJy4zYmCxcRcGs0OMp9DtPJn7XN1Xobvn1dqilLm3BQaZ0B/w640-h550/thanksgiving_new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bethany Lutheran Church</span></b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Thanksgiving Service - 7 PM Central</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Gregory Jackson</span></b></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/come-ye-thankful-people-come-574.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #</a></span></b></span><b><span style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/come-ye-thankful-people-come-574.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">574 </a></span> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/574.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">Come Ye Thankful</a></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </b></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Order of Vespers p. 41</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Psalmody Psalm 100 p. 144</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The First Lection Philippians 4:4-7</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Second Lection Luke 17:11-19</span></span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;"> </span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 24.64px;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/god-bless-our-native-land-577.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Sermon Hymn #</span>577</a></b></span><b> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/577.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">God Bless Our Native Land</a></b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">Thankfulness</b></div><p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.64px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer p. 44</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Collect for Peace p. 45</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="line-height: 24.64px;">The Benediction p. 45</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/all-praise-to-thee-my-god-this-night-558.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #</a></span></b></span><b><span style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/all-praise-to-thee-my-god-this-night-558.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">644 </a></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/558.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> </a><span style="color: #5c2add;">Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow</span></b></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> Author - Bishop Ken - name a bishop hymn-writer today!</div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 27.3778px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-size: large;"><b>In Our Prayers</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 27.3778px;"><ul style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cancer treatment and diagnosis, good news - Randy Anderson; Pastor Jim Shrader, operation needed - and Christ Shrader; Doc Lito Cruz; Lori Howell.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Little Aaron (heart issues); Callie and her parents.</span></li><li style="font-family: arial; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our military, President Trump, and those who defend the U. S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.</span></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Philippians 4:4-7. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">KJV Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5RqpQtKzg9CjRfU2whSAmAvyeJ5AjgexHquOAQAhYvFWQN4XGB2hiXlSG88pV4-U7n9mpUtn2BdM5i2RZpasYl9yrngO7bH80lFSv_Fupgzs9y197-pM0B-rlbFX5L9FarrB8YZMlt6iUtmYFK6tSra48vhPD705eIMmX3I9tNPJCnGjfZlUYwYy4A/s567/thanksgiving_new.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="567" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5RqpQtKzg9CjRfU2whSAmAvyeJ5AjgexHquOAQAhYvFWQN4XGB2hiXlSG88pV4-U7n9mpUtn2BdM5i2RZpasYl9yrngO7bH80lFSv_Fupgzs9y197-pM0B-rlbFX5L9FarrB8YZMlt6iUtmYFK6tSra48vhPD705eIMmX3I9tNPJCnGjfZlUYwYy4A/w640-h550/thanksgiving_new.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Philippians 4:4-7. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><b> Thankfulness</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The changes in our lives can generate all kinds of negative feelings, such as fear about finances, worries about health, crises far beyond our defenses, and fears which negate everything good. It is easy to say, "What's the use?" </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">The disciples are examples of these matters, time after time. They are unknowing and fearful and dense. There are many statues of the Apostles in holy stances, but the best paintings show them terrified on the boat, asking "Don't You care if we die?"<br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">If we are at all alike, the mildest things seem so burdensome until the crisis is over and we see how anxious we were.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">In contrast, thankfulness removes or dampens down our feelings of dread, failure, and misery. And the root of thankfulness is faith. What did Jesus say? </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><ul><li>Have you no money? </li><li>Have you no insurance? </li><li>Have you no friends?</li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">He said, "Have you no faith?" because the natural fruit of faith is joy. Trust in God opens our eyes to all He has given us and even more to come. The greatest joy often comes from the aftermath of a great crisis. When Paul could not come out of the gloom of his depression (Luther's conclusion, which I favor), he received his answer from God, </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></span><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">KJV 2 Corinthians 12:</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">9 And he said unto me, <b>My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.</b> Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;">10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.</span></span></blockquote><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="color: #222222;">5 </span><b><span style="color: #222222;">Let your </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">forbearance [gentle, kindly, or yielding nature]</span><span style="color: #222222;"> be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.</span></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Mothers and teachers are good examples of this, which their children/students discover best when they can no longer say, "Thank you for all the intangibles you gave me." I enjoy editing the alumni of our middle high school; the school only exists in our memories now. We post photos and memories of our teachers. We are reminded of special teachers who set us geeky rebels up for a responsible life. I have learned of a number of special problems, even medical ones, that the teachers addressed in their wisdom.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">I have heard many horrible stories about children raised in poverty, alcoholism, and brutality. The impact is more obvious when the tragedies are described by individuals.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">The Apostle Paul was writing - Consider the Lord Jesus Christ coming soon. How does that diminish what is happening now - so tiny in comparison. Winning the big lawsuit against Microsoft is not going to mean much at the end.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.6px;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">6 In nothing be </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">anxious [full of care, distracted, divided</span><span style="color: #222222;">; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.</span></b></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">This is the best remedy for anxiety. Whatever we are worried about, wherever we feel guilty or inadequate, pray to God in the Name of Jesus. This is followed by a beautiful blessing which addresses all issues and gives us reason to be thankful, because God really does act beyond our expectations and even before we think to ask.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>The Votum - Prayer - Used at the End of the Sermon</b></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><b>7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.</b></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;">Maybe the Votum is used too often and we all fail to listen to this great Promise from the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness through faith gives us joy, peace, and love. The extent of these fruits of the Gospel is so great that they transcend our understanding (ability to think) and these fruits of the Spirit guard our hearts and our thoughts in Jesus our Good Shepherd.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmd0yADWlcYuYLivqA_SFJ-AUA_fzJnWVO5S4xfYXoLDEFQMO3N6mMoStvDSLybxQtZTJEVKTdwu6ide_rK6w35RP1j1EefR-iLWdUBw3e3T-7aImUaGJvzUnmFokAiGQ38oUrlvofbTpQJRzb76CYvzGO2pIBKAVgk2NXNLLTObVrt7w_5G8FxevuWEGC/s1016/philippians%204_6-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1016" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmd0yADWlcYuYLivqA_SFJ-AUA_fzJnWVO5S4xfYXoLDEFQMO3N6mMoStvDSLybxQtZTJEVKTdwu6ide_rK6w35RP1j1EefR-iLWdUBw3e3T-7aImUaGJvzUnmFokAiGQ38oUrlvofbTpQJRzb76CYvzGO2pIBKAVgk2NXNLLTObVrt7w_5G8FxevuWEGC/w640-h458/philippians%204_6-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>The end</b></span></span></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-78856986262927698952023-11-19T07:15:00.000-08:002023-11-19T07:15:51.897-08:00Trinity 24 2023<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42lWEMWWUIJg6mCG0WZhM_IO-zibTUCLdAxSLDk4lrYGuvY23fFLU7e_Zdw0XXNUngOpfrpM94kZEmNk43frUF51Lqvgm528wrSQtHysTPqJsaMLoip_5z3wkGzKcQSmORSaLRXn2g0bJ-S2w1Jaxn213twA7iFqGd7h5GNe_GWUZ2CFRb-UDJuXqeGQO/s1120/ashamed_of_my_words.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1120" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42lWEMWWUIJg6mCG0WZhM_IO-zibTUCLdAxSLDk4lrYGuvY23fFLU7e_Zdw0XXNUngOpfrpM94kZEmNk43frUF51Lqvgm528wrSQtHysTPqJsaMLoip_5z3wkGzKcQSmORSaLRXn2g0bJ-S2w1Jaxn213twA7iFqGd7h5GNe_GWUZ2CFRb-UDJuXqeGQO/w640-h480/ashamed_of_my_words.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity, 2023</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/safely-through-another-week-11-newton.html" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn # 11</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/011.mp3" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Safely Through Another Week</a> </span></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Introit</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">Oh, come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">For He is our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><i>Psalm</i>. Oh, come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.</div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><b>Collect</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</span><o:p></o:p></p><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Epistle and Gradual </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Gradual</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">Thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">V. I love the Lord: because He hath heard my voice and my supplication. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;">V. With Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light. Hallelujah!</div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!</span><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Nicene Creed p. 22<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/creator-spirit-by-whose-aid-236.html" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Sermon Hymn #236 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/236.mp3" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Creator Spirit By Whose Aid</a> </span></b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><b style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Two Examples of Faith and Power</span></b></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/draw-nigh-and-take-body-of-lord-307.html" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Communion Hymn # 307</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/307.mp3" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord </a></span></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/jesus-christ-is-risen-today-alleluia-199_17.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5421bb;">The Hymn #</span>199 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/199.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;">Jesus Christ Is Risen Today</a></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Prayers and Announcements</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 27.3778px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Thanksgiving Eve Vespers Service, 7 PM.</span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Our Biblical doctrine series has a name - Reformation Seminary.</span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. </span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;</span></span></b></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.</span></span></b></li></ul></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.64px;"><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Col-1-9" id="en-KJV-29475" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">Colossians 1`:9 </span>For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; </span><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; <span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; <span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: <span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: <span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:</span></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.</span></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO6I6qpa1cCLIj56bRhRa37NjeXZlVrcwL2bSnBJXWGDgPhLcP24WG9iRCRi9h5-qNyyR1AqBaWcSS-vWnp_qcvpUGG9CJDAtx57kF7detNBMvp3wQKZNWs2VDETkkxdg9aKs1RemKDS3/s1600/Jesus_young_woman.JPG" style="color: #dd2aaa; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO6I6qpa1cCLIj56bRhRa37NjeXZlVrcwL2bSnBJXWGDgPhLcP24WG9iRCRi9h5-qNyyR1AqBaWcSS-vWnp_qcvpUGG9CJDAtx57kF7detNBMvp3wQKZNWs2VDETkkxdg9aKs1RemKDS3/s640/Jesus_young_woman.JPG" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="550" /></a></div><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Two Examples of Faith and Power</span></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><h3 style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.</span></h3><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">There are many miracles in the Gospels, and they are revealed to us in different ways. This causes opposite responses in people today. It is often the reason why people reject Jesus as the Son of God, saying they do not believe in miracles. Many of them are clergy and professors who teach the Scriptures. They fall into the trap of experience and rationalism.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;">Experience teaches them, they say, that miracles do not come true, because they have prayed and were disappointed. People can find a thousand ways to reject the miraculous and one excuse builds on even more. The crowds were drawn to Jesus because of His miracles and yet they also insisted on even more. The religious were antagonized by the miracles of Jesus even though they were there, hearing and seeing the truth.</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Rationalism has had a major impact because the masses are given explanations that blind people from seeing the power and mercy of God. A guide at the Grand Canyon explained what the scientists said about the cause of all the beauty we saw, taking millions of years to slowly develop the national park. He paused and I said - "or the Flood." He immediately began to agree about the alternative, and he seemed far more comfortable about the divine. </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">People are impressed by a yard full of hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and flowers, but some seem rattled by the term Creation Garden. I told a neighbor about growing roses and he phoned his wife, saying, "We're doing it all wrong. Listen to him." All I did was explain how God instilled the complexity and did almost all the work. He asked for the book.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">Rationalism means changing the perspective of all that God has given us, even though there are hundreds and thousands of ways the truth can be known and appreciated. Scholars either claim something or say they are divided. </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.</b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus did not reject the man but immediately followed him, His disciples going along with Him. Those who remember each story might wonder why do they happen in different ways. Each one is given to us to increase our faith, because trust in God can be so fragile at times, powerful against His will and His work. Luther often wrote about the darkness he felt as a monk, trying to do everything right and yet tormented by the burden of the Law. I gave my four-volume Luther set to a Roman Catholic leader in worship. Years later, he wrote and said, "I still have the Luther set and I still read it." (The LCA stopped printing it. An ELS pastor got the other set I owned and still does not understand Luther.)</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.</b></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">As many know, the woman would have been known as unclean, and she was plagued by her disorder for 12 years. The more she was treated by doctors, the worse she became. This was not only a oppressive burden in her life, an unending one, but also tinged with shame, the feeling of unworthiness. So she was full of faith but also ashamed. Touching his garment, she was sure, would cure her, without bothering Jesus.</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"></span></div><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Mark 5 - </span><span face="Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? </span></span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.</span></blockquote><p> One of the early church fathers said, "If touching the hem of Jesus' robe can make a person whole, how much more than the receiving of the Body of Christ in Holy Communion?" That was not said to emphasize magical properties (which the Middle Ages turned into an Amazon of religious relics) but to remind us of God's powers. That is why we have holy places, to shut out the noise and distractions of the day and focus on the divine.</p><p><span> As I have said more than once, I go through the names of our little congregation (and others) every night and pray especially for those dealing with various difficulties. I begin by thanking God for so many blessings, especially the difficult people who did so much to make freedom of the Gospel possible. That is the odd climax of the Beatitudes - and it becomes increasingly true over time. </span><br /></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><b>23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.</b></span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">The contrast between faith and unbelief is very clear. The Savior came to help the daughter of the synagogue's leader. He told them the truth, and they laughed their heads off.</span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><b>25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.</b></span></p><p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"></span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Mark 5: </span><span face="Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. </span></span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.</span></span></p></blockquote></blockquote><p>Is that a contradiction that the <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">fame/rumor</span></b> (Romans 10, Isaiah 53) went everywhere but Jesus told them to remain quiet? The problem was not the lack of publicity but the overwhelming amount and reaction to the miracles. After all, they wanted to anoint Jesus as the Messiah but His time had not yet come.</p><p>Every part of our lives is in God's hands, with legions of angels helping in the work and the King of Kings guiding that work across the globe, the Spirit working through the Word. With faith in Christ we see and experience the miraculous. I have seen that many times.</p></div></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-R6Mz8enTKoY9qYTw2FQwxzkQOws7wOHHqbS8TzpLbAtvAwj6gR95-w_sbGjB7SoHjiU8ogdTTwiy6OBjBZ7MHqHH3z4dRhdHB2MebYAuRUW5pVuZWAKK5otCtFUEUw6PjutEzLPjuQpiCwuMI6qOxCwp92WyinXQlkvAKRsxt4gXSw-OAkI450ZNGY6/s1140/017_apol_thatweobtain_john%20copy.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-R6Mz8enTKoY9qYTw2FQwxzkQOws7wOHHqbS8TzpLbAtvAwj6gR95-w_sbGjB7SoHjiU8ogdTTwiy6OBjBZ7MHqHH3z4dRhdHB2MebYAuRUW5pVuZWAKK5otCtFUEUw6PjutEzLPjuQpiCwuMI6qOxCwp92WyinXQlkvAKRsxt4gXSw-OAkI450ZNGY6/s16000/017_apol_thatweobtain_john%20copy.jpg" /></a> </p>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-77054681726073530502023-11-12T06:51:00.000-08:002023-11-12T06:51:01.694-08:00Trinity 23 2023<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0k12AqfUYKwlftTzqk3uaSnRpnVRbRfsjAJgurXU5-aTZjb6eYIBSVaFwRnMua77JU_diXeHzD0pk2OQn-ilBlGwQY5PFvIVDOuKD5WML2NBSfPFhBwKLpB1kN1YL5sK6EFVpGfPpwZL_-iLXzC-dAJprxgjbiYyBoRvG2IwxFofmgdvio3jb6SzaP1y/s1024/Come-Thou-Almighty-King-Hymn-239-Verses1-2%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0k12AqfUYKwlftTzqk3uaSnRpnVRbRfsjAJgurXU5-aTZjb6eYIBSVaFwRnMua77JU_diXeHzD0pk2OQn-ilBlGwQY5PFvIVDOuKD5WML2NBSfPFhBwKLpB1kN1YL5sK6EFVpGfPpwZL_-iLXzC-dAJprxgjbiYyBoRvG2IwxFofmgdvio3jb6SzaP1y/w640-h480/Come-Thou-Almighty-King-Hymn-239-Verses1-2%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b><br /></b></span></p><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 19.36px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Standard Time</span></b></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 19.36px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</b></span></span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /><b style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/god-himself-is-present-4.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn #</span>4</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/004.mp3" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">God Himself Is Present </a> </b><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Confession of Sins</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Absolution</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Introit p. 16</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Gloria Patri</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Kyrie p. 17</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Gloria in Excelsis</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Epistle and Gradual</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Gospel</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Praise be to Thee, O Christ!</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Nicene Creed p. 22</span><br /><b style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/come-thou-almighty-king.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;">The Sermon Hymn #</span>239 </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/239.mp3" target="_blank">Come Thou Almighty King</a></b><br /><br /><b style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be Followers of Christ</span></b><br /><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/o-living-bread-from-heaven-316-rist.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Communion Hymn #316</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/316.mp3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">O Living Bread </span> </a></b></span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Preface p. 24</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Sanctus p. 26</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Lord's Prayer p. 27</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Words of Institution</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Agnus Dei p. 28</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Nunc Dimittis p. 29</span><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><b style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/all-hail-power-of-jesus-name-339.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Hymn # 339</span> </a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/339.mp3" target="_blank">All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name</a></b><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 19.36px;"><b><br /></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 19.36px;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse-DNa7xbgGpTCAMoBEJPWaiN_CjBWm2nKwF0S71srOx7FsIhpLylFizIKEVrox9VAguhplLBCuYcBxVxYKHDRFjwwoWRwAwwCXF7d9aqskOKEzCfwp-evJM-pHvbgo8ygpkUZnAmsjj4/s1120/Be-+Still-My-Soul-Hymn-651+copy.jpg" style="color: #dd2aaa; font-size: 19.36px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse-DNa7xbgGpTCAMoBEJPWaiN_CjBWm2nKwF0S71srOx7FsIhpLylFizIKEVrox9VAguhplLBCuYcBxVxYKHDRFjwwoWRwAwwCXF7d9aqskOKEzCfwp-evJM-pHvbgo8ygpkUZnAmsjj4/w640-h400/Be-+Still-My-Soul-Hymn-651+copy.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></span><p></p><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 27.3778px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Prayers and Announcements</span></b></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial; line-height: 27.3778px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19.36px; line-height: 27.3778px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The roses are in honor of Anita Engleman and our Veterans.</span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In treatment - Kermit Way; Randy Anderson; ; Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris; Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. </span></span></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Pray for those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.</b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Callie and her parents; little Aaron with the heart problem;</span></span></b></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b style="color: #204063;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Pray for those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.</span></span></b></li></ul></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">KJV Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation [ </span><span face=""helvetica neue", verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">πολιτευμα</span><span face=""helvetica neue", verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">, </span><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">citizenship ] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.</span><br /><br /><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">KJV Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.</span><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 19.36px;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 19.36px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9lQOq7dIh70wcH_qkNNxy6IMcCXffswerXAIdWa6Puv2CFBImreGbKSVVMUjFjWLcHqQmQPmS9rv46fjZ8WWxq4k5TO_XNJkFAVKDGApOKe4P1BX48vQQJ5melXrxfIVToEkaLfYC8x-/s1600/O-Jesus-Blessed-Lord+-to+-Thee-TLH-309+copy.jpg" style="color: #5c2add; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1120" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9lQOq7dIh70wcH_qkNNxy6IMcCXffswerXAIdWa6Puv2CFBImreGbKSVVMUjFjWLcHqQmQPmS9rv46fjZ8WWxq4k5TO_XNJkFAVKDGApOKe4P1BX48vQQJ5melXrxfIVToEkaLfYC8x-/s640/O-Jesus-Blessed-Lord+-to+-Thee-TLH-309+copy.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 19.36px;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 19.36px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 19.36px;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 19.36px;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"></span></span><br /><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Twenty-Third Sunday After Trinity</span></b></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif">Lord God, heavenly Father: we thank Thee that Thou hast hitherto granted us peace and graciously spared us from war and foreign dominion: We pray Thee, graciously let us continue to live in Thy fear according to Thy will, giving no cause for wars or other punishment; govern and direct our magistrates, that they may not hinder the obedience due to Thee, but maintain righteousness, that we may enjoy happiness and blessing under their government, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19.36px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVoUXO6qlGsynf6S3UxoZZsNuTofXW54C8JLR938VYRGg7IlRM3oAkADVjl5o69UJslpfgnMbU1HNIs_af-ZHnGZ71JHmX3GaKLEMK-aq1EIiZlquM9G3Zcaf103FHn43NWruftML_6eV/s1600/olordlookdown260-5+copy.jpg" style="color: #5c2add; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVoUXO6qlGsynf6S3UxoZZsNuTofXW54C8JLR938VYRGg7IlRM3oAkADVjl5o69UJslpfgnMbU1HNIs_af-ZHnGZ71JHmX3GaKLEMK-aq1EIiZlquM9G3Zcaf103FHn43NWruftML_6eV/s640/olordlookdown260-5+copy.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="580" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be Followers of Christ</span></b></div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><b>KJV Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.</b></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">This is an interesting way to deal with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The assumption is - "He is just another teacher and no different from other teachers. In fact, we are smarter than He is." That sounds odd to believers but the logic is typical of unbelievers. They harden themselves against the truth and carry on as enemies. Being clever is not the same as being truthful or sincere. The word sincere comes from Latin - "without wax." Broken pottery was put together with wax to hide the problem. Customers wanted them in the hot sun to see if they were without wax. People who were sincere were also called "tested by the sun" in Greek. </span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">America lost a clever Lutheran professor (son of missionaries) who made a lot of money for himself, gathered many friends, and wrote books mocking the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, His miracles, His atoning death and resurrection. I heard Carl Braaten speak with great emotion about working with the Pope, during an assembly at Augustana College in Rock Island. I wonder what he thought about Pope Francis, SJ, fancying himself as the ultimate anti-Pope - not Lutheran but against anything resembling the Christian Faith. </span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><b>16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. </b></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">The opponents first had to establish that Jesus sinned by touching the coinage of the Roman Empire. The trap is so conniving that it builds a concept of Jesus being false and accepting the image of a pagan. We have to see this as a great lesson for ourselves. Jesus was without sin and only doing good things for others, but the abundance of His divine mercy and staggering miracles made His opponents angry and angling for this trap.</span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">We should remember that the mildest form of faith in us is spotted by the Evil Foe and readied for a target. The faithful are addressed sarcastically "You can't possibly believe that..." I heard that a house where a "Lutheran" was visiting. He denied the resurrection.</span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></span><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif">KJV 1 Peter 3:15 </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason (apology, defense) of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:</span></span></blockquote><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><b>17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?</b></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">The haughtiness gives away the true attitude of the opponents. This approach can be used for topics that are only understood through faith. A good example is the Trinity, though it was well known and believed long before the New Testament began. The Atonement of Christ was clearly taught in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 - but not understood. Those 39 books of the Old Testament, which I teach year around are, like parts of an enormous mosaic where each piece by itself becomes overwhelming when all are put together. The Scriptures are unified and completely harmonious, which is why Luther called the Bible "The Book of the Holy Spirit."</span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDQo0OZxpORE1-ABrF3NMfVt_aCjAWYsaebXUQP7CGAmFbPdTPVTkIKyj07tEH3ZByV2sp_pzYIgPwglFhUc2aexBDjscruEcRqV-jqeKBeSJbCbMdtrqzMWrH9Ow12AeL6tqzSMFSP_NWP9qCsivny_T-xWMKJhVfNNni5_buI4nR8rxRcDjgzXKKMBvd" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="715" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDQo0OZxpORE1-ABrF3NMfVt_aCjAWYsaebXUQP7CGAmFbPdTPVTkIKyj07tEH3ZByV2sp_pzYIgPwglFhUc2aexBDjscruEcRqV-jqeKBeSJbCbMdtrqzMWrH9Ow12AeL6tqzSMFSP_NWP9qCsivny_T-xWMKJhVfNNni5_buI4nR8rxRcDjgzXKKMBvd" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hagia Sophia, Constantinople</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifw7aVQUTiblVgJhdOseQ2-Fk-NXDnW2cYgZdo_Qe1Ef-FEsKL1ZLbLhDpoGNwoPXMp4BTrnFeW9bv0p2zK_Omp0sZ7KtVEcrdsGdfZLr1JrAz9Au0ROQWvp4GLmgOiqgH7QE30Eb_1Qiep5rYxehyAsB7AozLm9HGIwo2z25-K-3X-6WVl_Adsn7B44b-" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="386" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifw7aVQUTiblVgJhdOseQ2-Fk-NXDnW2cYgZdo_Qe1Ef-FEsKL1ZLbLhDpoGNwoPXMp4BTrnFeW9bv0p2zK_Omp0sZ7KtVEcrdsGdfZLr1JrAz9Au0ROQWvp4GLmgOiqgH7QE30Eb_1Qiep5rYxehyAsB7AozLm9HGIwo2z25-K-3X-6WVl_Adsn7B44b-=w496-h640" width="496" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Notre Dame Library, South Bend</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><b>18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?</b></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and planning. That is frightening for unbelievers but comforting for believers. We know and trust that the Lord of Creation knows our hearts, our intents, our trust in Him. He helps us even with the tiniest details of life, as well as the major difficulties and wounds. He begins to help us before we think to ask (Isaiah) and He blesses us far more than we pray. Those matters deepen our trust in Him and we realize He is always freeing us from sin.</span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Jesus sharply addressed these wise guys because He knew they needed to be shaken out of their pride and conceit. People rushed to see and hear Him because He alone taught the righteousness of God instead of the burden of the Pharisaic Law. Like the rich young man, people walked away, because they wanted material blessings but not the Gospel. Others were overwhelmed with food but want another miracle.</span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><b>19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? </b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><b>21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.</b></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/04/luthers-sermons-matthew-2215-22-twenty.html" target="_blank">Luther:</a></span></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">7. Here you see the master stroke the Lord uses. He asks them to hand him the tribute money and inquires whose image and superscription it bears. </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">Then they answer him Caesar’s. He then freely concluded that they were subject to Caesar, to whom they were obligated to pay tax and tribute. As if he should say: Have you thus permitted Caesar to come among you, so that he mints your money, and his coin is in circulation and favor among you, then he has triumphed in the game, as if he said: you are to blame that Caesar is your ruler. What should they do now in the face of this answer? </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">They marveled and went away, they thought they would conquer him in a masterly manner, but their wisdom and shrewdness deceived them.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">As always Luther displays the humor in the response of Jesus, who has been set up as either the enemy of Judaism <b>or of Rome</b>. In many cases, asking a question solves the problem. Jesus asked the opponents to show what they had in coinage, revealing the simple fact that they were accusing Jesus of using Roman money (to subvert <b>their</b> nation and <b>their</b> religion). They were using the evidence against Jesus against themselves. They were astonished at His superior understanding and walked away marveling.</span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17.6px;">The churches of the United States failed a similar test. They were ordered to stop public worship. Hardly any church kept the doors open when ordered. However the US Constitution states -</span></span></div><blockquote><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>First Amendment<br /><br />Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, <u>or prohibiting the free exercise thereof</u>; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.</b></span></blockquote><p>Everything Jesus did was completely legal, and His innocence was proved. That only inflamed the opponents. Pilate washed his hands to show his rejection of the false accusations, but the potential for rioting led to the trial of Jesus being carried out.</p><p>Response today is similar, and the same errors against Jesus are repeated today. Our completely secular society, which lacks the divine purpose, is weak and futile against the fads and follies of the moment. Luther pointed this out clearly - God cannot lose the battle - it is impossible. The very actions against God are the ones bringing down the created order. The martyrs (literally, the witnesses) spread the Gospel by their willingness to die for the Word of God. As Bunyan pointed out - we may be in Castle Doom, but the Promises are in our pockets. We only need to use the Promises to escape the Castle. </p><p>Two forces are at work - God's plan and Satan's devices. If people take on the slave mentality, the end will come more quickly. That is in God's hands, as shown by the Roman Empire (one of my favorite hobbies). The Roman traditions were so strict and ridiculous that one Roman Emperor after the time of Jesus was able to do whatever he wanted in public because he was the Emperor. Rome began collapsing right after the death and resurrection of the Savior. Caesar Augustus led to Tiberius and Nero, then Caligula and total collapse soon after - exactly like all empires. (Go back a ways and the Republic of <br />Rome required men to marry women or they could not be citizens of the Republic. Later, the Emperor Nero rode around with a boy as his "wife." </p><p>My parents, 70 years ago, used to say at the dinner table, "We are becoming Rome." They had a classical education in the public system, and they knew about Roman history, debauchery and collapse.<br /></p><p>Americans today have all the power they need, to stand up for the Constitution which was based upon God's Creation (but not burdened by state sponsored denominations, like England's official religion). It is said that many came to America to leave behind the Satanism of Europe, which has blossomed all over the West. </p><p>The time has come for people to emphasize the true Word of God rather than venerating the corporate structure of their denominations. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzas7wXs3tAIQrSIb2yjzZ-jrdfNI_Wgj7uPYePK59D4hgk58VP-edNJzy0sQ2z25txnQEwrLQQu8NMuO5rDAOffM9Qu3ClfZUbsnQocrjdna0wZQ3yTVM59j3nsBzF7hHJN1pLwJzQzGKCoPYtMTGr72zFfNPxuNNyiMuNB0CougT8y8nz0IWYPI76OW/s1000/A_Pilgrim_and_aStranger-TLH-586-1-2%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzas7wXs3tAIQrSIb2yjzZ-jrdfNI_Wgj7uPYePK59D4hgk58VP-edNJzy0sQ2z25txnQEwrLQQu8NMuO5rDAOffM9Qu3ClfZUbsnQocrjdna0wZQ3yTVM59j3nsBzF7hHJN1pLwJzQzGKCoPYtMTGr72zFfNPxuNNyiMuNB0CougT8y8nz0IWYPI76OW/w640-h426/A_Pilgrim_and_aStranger-TLH-586-1-2%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8104780670622291621.post-51558597534829736242023-11-05T03:21:00.001-08:002023-11-05T03:21:09.855-08:00All Saints<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBjhB1aAUL8a0iW3REBtZoOM2dXBYNzGimtSB5K2yYKAiwlgfGFU1o2zNOQ4oYPD9yXG0YZRQgjxjExd6vU5nXTuZVaXp4qfuHER2_VNbPN_ssx4MOhpaCDzhMPjrMOXywzckJ1uAJjJl606dVJskEt5M5m-gRIXyNYxJNv38nCekyyuxBMunM3_Pv4op/s640/beatitudes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="640" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBjhB1aAUL8a0iW3REBtZoOM2dXBYNzGimtSB5K2yYKAiwlgfGFU1o2zNOQ4oYPD9yXG0YZRQgjxjExd6vU5nXTuZVaXp4qfuHER2_VNbPN_ssx4MOhpaCDzhMPjrMOXywzckJ1uAJjJl606dVJskEt5M5m-gRIXyNYxJNv38nCekyyuxBMunM3_Pv4op/w640-h494/beatitudes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>All Saints Sunday, 2023</b></span><b style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/643097580" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"></a></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Pastor Gregory L. Jackson</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/767812191" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>The Link to the All Saints Service Is Here.</b></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/behold-host-arrayed-in-white-656-brorson.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #656</a> </b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/656.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Behold a Host Arrayed in White<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></a></span> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Confession of Sins<br />The Absolution<br />The Introit p. 16</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><p class="FirstParagraph" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Introit</b></span></p><p class="FirstParagraph"><span style="font-size: medium;">O almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gloria Patri<br />The Kyrie p. 17<br />The Gloria in Excelsis<br />The Salutation and Collect p. 19</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Collect</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">O almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The Epistle and Gradual </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, fear the Lord, ye His saints: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">for there is no want to them that fear Him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">V. They that seek the Lord: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">shall not want any good thing. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">V. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and I will give you rest. Hallelujah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Gospel <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Glory be to Thee, O Lord!<br />Praise be to Thee, O Christ!<br />The Nicene Creed p. 22</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/for-all-saints-who-from-their-labors.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #5c2add;">The Sermon Hymn # 463</span> </b></a> <b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/463.mp3" style="color: #5421bb; text-decoration-line: none;">For All the Saints</a> </b> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Believers Are the Saints</span></h3><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/beautiful-savior-657.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Communion </a></span></b></span><b style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #5c2add;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/beautiful-savior-657.html" style="color: #dd2aaa; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Hymn #657</a></span><a href="http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh657.htm" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> </a> </b><a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/657.mp3" style="color: #5421bb; font-family: arial; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>Beautiful Savior</b></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Preface p. 24<br />The Sanctus p. 26<br />The Lord's Prayer p. 27<br />The Words of Institution<br />The Agnus Dei p. 28<br />The Nunc Dimittis p. 29<br />The Benediction p. 31</span><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bethanyhymnal.blogspot.com/2020/04/crown-him-with-many-crowns-341.html" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Hymn #341</a> <a href="http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/341.mp3" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Crown Him with Many Crowns</a></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #204063; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61zUCSV5Nw3k9c_VBPXcn8zAQZD4TJbDXbTW8_4Afu_aFm3lNdnOjtiw_FriAij7Gryjp_HN6rV0EjnCIv-ZpAn5pf7xQuQm8F4j46bquSKDLP_c8paH6kDWVRd9GORjFllmU_uqa35g/s1600/beautifulsaviorverse2+copy.jpg" style="color: #5c2add; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61zUCSV5Nw3k9c_VBPXcn8zAQZD4TJbDXbTW8_4Afu_aFm3lNdnOjtiw_FriAij7Gryjp_HN6rV0EjnCIv-ZpAn5pf7xQuQm8F4j46bquSKDLP_c8paH6kDWVRd9GORjFllmU_uqa35g/s640/beautifulsaviorverse2+copy.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 14.08px;"><b style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></b><b style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Norma-Boeckler/e/B00J8AN4LA" style="color: #5c2add; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">By Norma A. Boeckler</a></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Today we remember - <b>Walter Boeckler</b>, who supported Luther's doctrine and independent congregations; <b>Gary Meyer</b>, who participated in our first Ustream services; <b>Brenda Kielher</b>, who with her parents<b> Cliff and Cleo Kiehler</b>, helped start</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bethany in New Ulm, Minnesota; and <b>Gladys Jackson Meyer</b>, who supported Bethany from the beginning and enjoyed helping out. <b>Carl Roper </b>supported independent congregations from the beginning. <b>Carol Olsen</b>, Lori Howell's mother, who worshiped with us, passed into eternal life on October 8th. 2021. <b>Christina Jackson</b> met her Savior August 22nd, 2021. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Besides these, we have many others we name in our hearts, beloved, deeply missed, children, relatives, friends.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In Our Prayers</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pastor Jim Shrader has been doing better. Randy Anderson is doing well with his therapy. Callie just had surgery to help with her seizures</span>. </span></li></ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 27.3778px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #204063;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> Epistle</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 27.3778px; text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: <i>and there were </i>sealed an hundred<i>and </i>forty <i>and </i>four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were<i> </i>sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin <i>were </i>sealed twelve thousand. 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and <i>about </i>the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, <i>be </i>unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Gospel</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">KJV Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3 <b>Blessed</b> <i>are </i>the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4 <b>Blessed</b> <i>are </i>they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5 <b>Blessed</b> <i>are </i>the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">6 <b>Blessed</b> <i>are </i>they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7 <b>Blessed</b> <i>are </i>the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8 <b>Blessed</b> <i>are </i>the pure in heart: for they shall see God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">9 <b>Blessed</b> <i>are </i>the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">10</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Blessed</span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>are </i>they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.</span><span style="font-family: arial;">11 <b>Blessed</b> are ye, when <i>men </i>shall revile you, and persecute <i>you</i>, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great <i>is </i>your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2023/11/complete-luther-sermon-on-beatitudes.html" target="_blank">Luther's Sermon on the Beatitudes</a></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px; text-align: start;"><h3 style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Beatitudes the Fruits of Faith</span></span></h3><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>KJV Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them,</b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span> </span>When the 8-volume Luther (Lenker) set was available for $40, two seminarians (on different days) said the same thing - "Look at this." Each one went through the sermons and noted the Scripture heading for each sermon, all 8 volumes. I said, "That's good, but they are already posted at the end of the eighth volume." Both were crestfallen. That was a great example of someone not seeing the whole picture. </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span> </span>The entire Sermon has been done correctly with Loy's <a href="https://www.lutheranlibrary.org/181-loy-the-sermon-on-the-mount/" target="_blank"><i><b>Sermon on the Mount </b></i> (Lutheran Library)</a> But the self-described modern scholars have claimed the Sermon on the Mount was patched together from the sayings of Jesus. That is the typical Biblical professor today, writing a dissertation on a tiny bit of the Scriptures and missing the picture altogether. </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span> Luther begins his treatment of the Beatitudes by saying that the 8 are the fruits of faith. In other words, they are not for unbelievers but for believers in Christ. So the Beatitudes are short and concise, but so much can be gathered from them. Once again, the KJV is the best and clearest, easily beating "Happy the poor in spirit...</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span><span> Jesus spoke from the mountain to show the disciples and the people that the Gospel is to be broadcast (like sowing seed) in the open, not hidden or sneaked around by those who have no business. That is definitely the style today. Pastors do not want to do any work, so they try to get into other churches to take away members and brag about their "growth," which used to be called sheep stealing, sounding better on itching ears today as "Church Growth!" I have had people ask to buy or copy my sermons, then tell me how I should not follow the historic readings but the ones from the Vatican. They are all lost and bewildered, like people using vegetable oil in their cars' crankcase. Gimmicks, soft drinks, and popcorn do not plant faith in the hearts of people - only the Word energized by the Spirit can do that.</span><br /></span><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>3 Blessed <i>are </i>the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> Bullies are forever with us, because they can always pick a target and get what they want. One celebrity pastor said to another pastor, "You are not going to have the wedding of the year, I am!" Others fight to get positions of honor or political power. The denominations (corporations, to be frank) do this to ease out conservatives and installing their radicals. One Methodist leader said, "Oh, I think we can survive one pastor like him, without wrecking our church body." I read that at a Methodist university library 30 years ago. Yes, the radicals wrecked the Methodist Church and the damage continues. One loud Methodist minister started mocking a conservative Methodist at a big dinner. I did not want to jump on Rev. Loud and hurt his wife's feelings. Rev. Loud did not realize his target was famous everywhere for his musical talent, and he did not answer back.</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It is very difficult to get even in life, far better to be the one who succeeds by patience, soft-spoken words, compromise in trivial matters. The kingdom of heaven is far more precious than any dominant role on earth. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>4 Blessed <i>are </i>they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.</b></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span>I met a man who had lost $22 million. He was in constant mourning over the lost riches. Others lose jobs, property, favorite possessions. Near Moline is an island called Credit Island - the first to flood when the Mississippi River is overflowing. The name probably comes from the need for credit to rebuild or move away.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> The most acute form of mourning is the loss of loved ones (sometimes the alienated too). Death separates us from the people we know - spouses, children, favorite relatives, best friends, and it is a warning about the brevity of earthly life. In my class on counseling, I urge people to concentrate on those who are older, weakened by illness, limited for various reasons. Nothing is more rewarding than giving the intangible - time, listening, helping in some way. </span><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> The greatest power of a congregation is not having the biggest structure but enjoying the Gospel in many forms - worship, prayer, friendships, visiting when possible. These things multiply in grace and last the longest time in our hearts. Members and friends were very kind toward me and I enjoy their sharing the loss of Christina. There is an attitude in our society that we do not mention loss, which may explain the fracturing of our society.</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>5 Blessed</b> <b><i>are </i>the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This does not mean timid, which is based on fear. Some say the word here is more like "disciplined." It is true that people go this way and that, then wonder why they are in so much trouble. One grown man lived with his mother and step-dad. He did not even help with the house, but stole money to drink. Finally he came home drunk and was kicked out. Others do the same with gambling or other money-wasting schemes, enjoying the thrills and always seeing their pot of gold in front of them. One man said, "I'm going to get a ton of money from the state lottery." GJ - How much have you spent? Reply - "You'll find out when I win." </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;">Discipline is based upon steady practice. The person who does the routine work honestly will seldom look at the fantasies of the impulsive.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">6 <b>Blessed</b> <b><i>are </i>they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.</b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Luther says this is not about the Chief Article because faith in Jesus is already assumed in this part. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Therefore understand here the outward righteousness before the world, which we observe among ourselves towards others, that this is the meaning, short and simple, of these words: he is a really blessed man who perseveringly and assiduously strives to promote the general welfare and the right conduct of every one, and who helps to maintain and carry this out with word and deed, with counsel and act.</span></blockquote></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7 <b>Blessed</b> <b><i>are </i>the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Mercy is based upon helping without a demand, and that is why we call charitable acts and giving to be eleemosynary, the Greek word for mercy. The merciful look for ways to help others, such as healing my Lincoln Town Car battery when it was dead. Two different times, men asked to phone AAA insisted on getting the car started and would not do otherwise. It was a great feeling to be treated this way. I have seen many examples, and that makes it very easy to give to others as well. It has a multiplying effect.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8 <b>Blessed</b> <b><i>are </i>the pure in heart: for they shall see God.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Luther distinguished between the imagination of people and God's own teaching. The pure in heart are those who follow God's standards - providing for the family, raising the children, etc. Those matters concern the basis for our society, and they are ignored, mocked, and rejected today. We see God in the ordinary work of life, how children grow, how families related to each other. As the architect famously said, "God is in the details." One young mother-to-be said, "I can't believe how much I love this baby, and I haven't seen her or him yet."<br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">9 <b>Blessed</b> <b><i>are </i>the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Yes, the hippies and rioters have burned and destroyed in the name of peace. Others destroy the earth and kill the birds in the name of Green. Overall, peace in the New Testament means obtaining peace through faith in Jesus Christ. Emotions boil over and continue when people demand justice for their cause and will not let go of the punishment. Luther's wisdom was such that he wrote in another sermon - "Identify the wrong and then let it go. God will settle the matter." One thing is sure - <br />God prevails over anything we want or imagine. Peace begets peace (forgiveness causes forgiveness) and that is the foundation for the fruits of the Spirit. For any marriage I perform, I emphasize the necessity of the Scriptures and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. Without forgiveness, there is no partnership, even in secular life. That is either the greatest blessing or the most terrible doom. <br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">10</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Blessed</span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b><i>are </i>they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">11 </span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Blessed</b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">are ye, when <i>men </i>shall revile you, and persecute <i>you</i>, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great <i>is </i>your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> There are three levels of disagreement. The first is normal where people banter back and forth, sometimes joking a bit. The second is anger, where the other person's thoughts make people angry and upset. The third level is silence, moving from the stink-eye to the total shun (silence, avoidance, I am no longer talking to you...forever, and I will call you every bad name I can think of).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> This last beatitude seems to be the worst and most onerous. "It doesn't belong! It makes me upset!" The final Beatitude is the best, purest, and most comforting, because Jesus and the disciples fulfilled it themselves, and so did all the Christian believers who were guided by the Word and persecuted for faith. Persecution, hatred, imprisonment, torture, and death have been the rewards of Christian faith. The martyrs who died in the Roman stadiums actually built the Christian Church by making paganism disgusting and evil. ("The faster they kill us, the faster we grow.")<br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"> People communicate with me about </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Justification by Faith</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> are shocked by the ugliness and hatred expressed by those who admire and follow the anti-Biblical statutes of CFW Walther, B.A., who was trained in </span><b><span style="color: red;">Objective Faithless Justification</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> by Bishop Martin Stephan (who made himself a bishop with Walther as his acolyte). The Stephanite leaders would all be put in prison today. <br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"> The irony is - the more the synod leaders ape Church Growth, the faster they diminish and go broke. They must suffer because their Father Below torments them with their failures. Luther - whom they despise - proved that the original version of the Disciples was marriage and the greatest earthly blessing. From faith in Jesus Christ comes all that God the Father intended for His brief ministry on earth.<br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxN2-0UodGiIGPJ670qnIg4dpG39f1PWHE2XnNW01nls_tjSbSxry6TtVisCLfYT_ZoKzFlHciGwuulRd_NYXOD07Xl2zgq_-sS9D7rQB8bwq01FsOOWuS2ggmrSToD-qDS8baSwdFz2fl3vcB9XRIT8pSojSBwSmcf9bYc1BXSVW6cTMBmaFB9iQADMW/s640/krauth_error_admitted%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxN2-0UodGiIGPJ670qnIg4dpG39f1PWHE2XnNW01nls_tjSbSxry6TtVisCLfYT_ZoKzFlHciGwuulRd_NYXOD07Xl2zgq_-sS9D7rQB8bwq01FsOOWuS2ggmrSToD-qDS8baSwdFz2fl3vcB9XRIT8pSojSBwSmcf9bYc1BXSVW6cTMBmaFB9iQADMW/s16000/krauth_error_admitted%20copy.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 24.64px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Ichabod the Glory Has Departedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03119183283328283096noreply@blogger.com0