Welcome to Christ Lutheran Church
Divine Service 10:30 am
We provide a traditional LCMS service using the Lutheran Service Book (LSB) every Sunday morning at 10:30am central time, preceded by Bible Study and Sunday School at 9:00am. If you are uncomfortable or unable to attend in person due to Covid-19, or other reasons, please join us online via Facebook Live. (Facebook account required.)
Activities
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- Sunday March 15
Brothers and sisters, grace and peace to you in the name of our redeemer Jesus. We continue in the season of Lent, a time to recall the perfect life and death of Jesus who gave His life as a sacrifice to pay for your forgiveness and entry into heaven. I encourage you to set aside time to read the Bible and to receive the Lord’s Supper. In these things God delivers forgiveness. You are also invited to attend one of the remaining Wednesday midweek services beginning at 6:30.
Please make plans to attend the Maundy Thursday Service, April 2. We are planning for two serves on Good Friday, April 3, at noon and 6:30. Easter schedule will be posted next week.
Plans for the May 2 German Sausage Dinner are under way.
Sunday, March 15 is the Fourth Sunday in Lent. We will follow a slightly modified version of the liturgy of Divine Service Four beginning on page 203 in the Lutheran Service Book (LSB hymnal).
The hymns chosen for the day are #421 Jesus Grant that Balm and Healing; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #690 Hope of the World; #637 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord; and #849 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness.
Scripture texts we will be reading are Psalm 142:1-7; Isaiah 42:14-21; Ephesians 5:8-14; and John 9:1-41. Themes that connect the readings are being blind as a metaphor to being unaware of God’s will, and similarly, being brought from darkness into light.
In the Old Testament Lesson, God speaks through the prophet, comparing two servants. The first is the Messiah, the coming Lord’s Servant. He will bring restoration to the earth and will give new sight to the blind. As a metaphor, this indicates the Servant will bring faith in God to an unbelieving world. The second servant refers to Israel who has been disobedient. The people act deaf and blind, as though they are oblivious to God’s will for them.
In the epistle lesson, a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (western Turkey), he reminds us that Jesus has produced a change in us. Formerly we walked int the darkness of sin. Jesus (the Light of the world) has brought us into the light of the gospel. So, we should be discerning, avoiding the works of darkness associated with sin, and instead produce fruits of repentance as acts of gratitude for the gospel and Jesus sacrificial death. Remember Jesus sees all we do. Nothing is hidden from Him. So we confess our sin, ask for forgiveness, and strive to do the good works we were created and redeemed to do.
In the gospel lesson, Jesus restores the sight of a man born blind. As the story develops, it emphasizes spiritual blindness is worse the physical blindness. By faith, the blind man can see who Jesus is. His sight is restored. On the other hand, the religious leaders whose eyes function quite well, see Jesus and His miracles, but in their spiritual blindness refuse to acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior. In an ironic twist the blind man becomes a witness of the gospel to the sighted religious leaders. We are each encouraged to open our eyes and ears to see, hear, and receive the gospel as its promises are presented to us in absolution and the sacraments.
COLLECT: Almighty God our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- Service Sunday March 8 Lent 3
Brothers and sisters, grace and peace to you from God our Father, and our Savior from sin, Jesus Christ His Son. I encourage you to be in Bible class and attending worship Sunday.
Before you go to bed Saturday night, move your clocks ahead one hour to adjust for daylight savings time.
We continue to have midweek services on Wednesdays throughout the season of Lent at 6:30.
March 8 is the third Sunday in Lent. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. The hymns chosen for the day are #423 Jesus, Refuge of the Weary; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #699 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say; #616 Baptismal Waters Cover Me; and #602 The Gifts Christ Freely Gives verses 1,2, 5, 6).
Scripture Lessons scheduled to be read include Psalm 19:7-14; Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:8; and John 4:5-26. Water is a recurring theme in scripture and in these lessons. Water is an image of cleansing, refreshment, and restoration. I pray the good news of Jesus will refresh and renew your spirit.
Exodus 17 recounts an event that occurred during the Israelite wanderings in the wilderness in the days of Moses. The people ran out of water. Rather than trusting God to provide, they began to complain and question His care for them. To demonstrate His power (and His gracious provision), God brought forth water from solid rock. To remind people how they had again lost trust, God named the place Massah and Meribah, which can be translated as testing and quarreling. St. Paul centuries later connected the rock with Jesus, as the spiritual Rock who accompanied them. The lesson connects with the gospel reading in pointing to Jesus, the Rock of our salvation. As we drink of His blood, our sin is forgiven and our faith is renewed.
In the epistle lesson to the Romans, St. Paul reminds the Church we have been justified (acquitted) by Jesus’ sacrificial redeeming death, and as a result we have been given peace with God. We rejoice in His blessings; even more we can also rejoice in our suffering, assured that God is using our troubles to work endurance, character, and hope in us. Paul gives the assurance that we are forgiven by Jesus, who died for us ungodly sinners.
In John’s gospel account, Chapter 4, the evangelist tells of an encounter with a Samaritan woman by a well in the region near Sychar. Her identity as a Samaritan msrks her as an outsider. Her coming to the well by herself in midday indicates the rejection she had received from the community. Jesus asks the woman to fetch Him some water. He engages her in conversation and promises He will bring her living water that leads to eternal life. Jesus adds encouragement that a time is coming when worshippers from every country will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Jesus has come to bring you waters of spiritual refreshment as well.
COLLECT: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways, and bring them with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word,; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests, or questions about the service or the Scripture readings. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- March 1 service
Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Martin Luther began his Ninety-Five Theses by observing that the life of a Christian on earth will always be one of repentance, a result of grief over sin and the faith that turns us to Jesus. As we continue through the season of Lent, be in worship where God is giving out the gifts of forgiveness paid for by Jesus. we also have midweek services at 6:30.
I’ll begin by pointing out that next Sunday March 8 we have a time change, springing forward one hour.
During the service tomorrow March 1, we will be using the liturgy of Divine Service Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. There will be some adjustments to the liturgy during the season of Lent.
Hymns chosen for the day are #535 How Wide the Love of Christ; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your image; #571 God Loved the World So That He Gave; #629 What is This Bread; and #543 What Wondrous Love Is This.
Scripture texts suggested by the three-year lectionary are Psalm 121; Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:1-8, 13-17; and John 3:1-17. Two themes that I see connecting the lessons from Genesis 12 and John 3 are God’s plan to create a people for Himself. God makes promises and His people are those who respond with faith that takes action.
Genesis 12 involves God’s call to Abra(ha)m. God instructs Abra(ha)m to his home and extended family and promises him several blessings including giving him a land and being made a great nation. Through Abra(ha)m (and his descendant) all families would be blessed. Even though he was an old man, Abra(ha)m responds in faith and follows God’s leading. At God’s direction he left his extended family and the land he knew. Later, God said He would count Abraham’s faith as righteousness.
In the epistle reading, St. Paul explains how God counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness. That is, God counts us being in a right relationship with Him, not because of the works we do, but because of trusting God’s promise of forgiveness given through Jesus, paid for by His death in the cross.
In the gospel lesson from John 3, a Pharisee named Nicodemus meets secretly with Jesus. Jesus tells him about the new life given by being born again of water and the Holy Spirit, a metaphor for baptism. God wants all people to have a change of heart, to look to Jesus on the cross and believe He has redeemed them. In doing so, they receive forgiveness and will live. Those who do not believe in Jesus will be condemned.
In this Lenten season we should ask, do I believe Jesus died for my sins? If no, why not? Do I recognize the eternal danger I am in? If yes, how should I respond?
COLLECT: O, Almighty and gracious God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the lessons we will be reading Sunday. I encourage you again to gather for worship. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- February 22 service
Brothers and sisters, we have entered the season of Lent. Lent is a solemn penitential season 40 days long (doesn’t include Sundays) ending at Easter. Lent is a time for each of us to consider the seriousness of our sin, and the rescue from eternal punishment that Jesus earned for us by His suffering (often referred to as Passion) and death on the cross. During the season, we add midweek services intended to consider those issues more closely. You are encouraged to attend, Wednesdays beginning at 6:30. Keep in mind God’s word spoken through the Prophet Joel (2:13), “Return to the Lord Your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and abounding in steadfast love.”
February 22 is the first Sunday in Lent. During the season of Lent, we will be using the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four, beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for this coming Sunday are #560 Drawn to the Cross; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #562 All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall; #613 To Thee, Omniscient Lord of All; and #418 O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 32:1-10; Genesis 3:1-21; Romans 5:12-19; and Matthew 4:1-11.
The Old Testament lesson from Genesis 3 takes us back to the time of creation. Adam and Eve, the first people, disobeyed God’s command, giving into the temptation of the devil who appeared as a serpent. This disobedience brought sin into the world. Mankind’s nature was corrupted. All natural descendants of Adam and Eve would be conceived and born corrupted by sin. Being sinners, we would do sinful things. The penalty or punishment for sin was separation from God and the curse of death. God promises that an “offspring” (singular, descendant) of Eve would crush the serpent’s head, that is, overturn the devil’s work.
In his letter to the church in Rome, St. Paul summarizes how the one man Adam trespassed against God and brought sin, condemnation, and death into the world. Adam made us all sinners. Paul also describes how the one man, Jesus demonstrates God’s grace, bringing the gifts of justification and righteousness from God. Jesus was obedient to God’s plan of rescue. He died in our place, setting us free from the threat of eternal death. Jesus makes us all righteous before God.
The gospel reading tells events on Jesus’ life after His baptism and before beginning His public ministry. The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the desert wilderness that the devil might tempt Him. After 40 days of fasting, Jesus would have been physically weakened. The devil’s urging would bring into question Jesus’ relationship to God and His commitment and obedience to God’s plan to save us sinners. That obedience and commitment would be tested several more times during Jesus’ earthly life. Jesus rejects the devil’s offers and faithfully demonstrates His commitment as the perfect Son. The term ‘Son’ is more than describing Jesus’ ontological divine relationship to God. It also indicates He is the substitute for God’s people, Israel, who are also collectively referred to as God’s son (for example, Exodus 4:22 and Hosea 11:1).
COLLECT: O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them safely to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church, that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come,; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about schedules or the Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- Sunday February 15
Brothers and sisters, Grace, and peace to you in the name of Jesus. I encourage you to gather for worship this Sunday. In the third commandment God says, ‘Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy’. Martin Luther explained the commandment this way, ‘we should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but gladly hear and learn it.’ So, come, listen, and learn of the forgiveness and eternal life Jesus has earned for you.
Sunday, February 15 is the last Sunday in this Epiphany season. Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent. I encourage you to attend the midweek services during Lent, each scheduled to begin at 6:30.
At Sunday’s service we will commemorate the Transfiguration of our Lord. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #395 O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright; #416 Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory; #631 Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face; and #417 Alleluia Song of Gladness.
Scriptures assigned to the day are Psalm 99:1-5,9; Exodus 24:8-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; and Matthew 17:1-9.
As we consider Jesus’ Transfiguration, it is helpful to first attempt the difficult task of trying to explain what God’s glory is. In the Old Testament, ‘glory’ is one translation of the Hebrew word ‘kavod’. It can also mean heavy, significant, or extremely important. We sometimes talk about “weighty” matters. In the case of God’s ‘glory’, it involves His divine nature and divine attributes such as perfection and holiness, but includes aspects of majesty, authority, and power. God’s glory seems to summarize His nature and attributes, and when it is revealed in His presence, it is often accompanied by brilliant radiant light, and clouds.
In the Old Testament lesson, Moses is invited by God to join Him on Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and other instruction. God’s glory is described as a devouring fire. As Moses climbed the mountain, a cloud surrounded him and kept him from seeing God’s face. But that is a good thing, for God warns that no one can see Him and live. Moses spent 40 days in the near presence of God. When Moses came down from the mountain, he had what looked like a sunburn. He was radiating God’s glory.
In the epistle lesson, St. Peter gives an eyewitness account of what he saw and heard when Jesus was transfigured. The event was evidence that Jesus is the Son of God. Surprisingly, Peter tells us that we have been given something more sure than that experience. That is, we have the assurance given through the word of God, spoken by God’s spokesmen, the prophets. That Word tells us Jesus is God’s Son, the Messiah who came into the world to save you from God’s condemnation against sin. Peter urges us to pay attention to God’s Word. As it witnesses to Jesus, it is like a lamp leading through a dark world and on to heaven.
The gospel lesson is St. Matthew’ report of Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus’ divine nature shines through His human nature, and God the Father’s voice confirms that Jesus is His beloved Son. Like Peter, we might be wowed by the lights of the transfiguration. But Jesus did not come to give His disciples spiritual experiences. He came to save the world from sin. So, Jesus came back down from the mountain, journeying to Jerusalem where He would endure the scandal of the cross. There would be dark days ahead for the disciples. The light of the transfiguration serves to assure us of Jesus’s identity, and gives Jesus’ disciples (including us) a glimpse of the glory that is awaiting us in heaven.
COLLECT: O Father God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshadowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.