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 May 24 Pentecost
Brothers and sisters, greetings to you in the name of our Savior Jesus. It is Memorial weekend. Amidst the holiday schedule I hope you will include worship. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the divine Triune Godhead. As a Person of the Godhead, He has the same divine attributes of the Father and Son, that is, without beginning, eternal, all knowing, loving, merciful, etc. This Sunday, fifty days after the anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection and ten days after the anniversary of His ascension into heaven, we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost in the Old Testament was a harvest festival. On the first Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension, the festival takes on a new meaning. The Holy is poured out in very noticeable way. He worked upon the disciples, enabling them to bring the good news of Jesus to people in many languages. Faith was worked in individual hearts, and a harvest of souls was brought into the church. The Holy Spirit continues to work through God’ words to point people to Jesus, and to enlighten them, working and sustaining faith in individuals, and leading us to respond with godly, sanctified lives with good works. Come, worship, and join in celebrating the Person and work of the Holy Spirit.
I want to take a moment to encourage you to attend one of the upcoming constitution review meetings. A new constitution has been drafted that intends to resolve some conflicting information in the current constitution, and better express the way this congregation is structured. Copies of the draft proposal are available for your review. Eventually a day will be announced for the congregation to vote on whether to accept the new constitution (with whatever changes are approved) or not. Meetings to discuss the draft have been set for after services on next Sunday, May 31 and Sunday, June 14, and Saturday, June 27. Additional meetings may be scheduled if none of these dates work for you. We want to make efficient use of the meeting time, so you are encouraged to submit in advance via email to Pastor or an elder (Tom, Tom, Scott) any corrections, questions, or concerns you may have about the draft. You don’t have to attend the meetings to make suggestions. However, according to the constitution, all members of the congregation will be asked to sign it as evidence that they have read it. If you have questions about this, please contact Scott Hartman, Tom Warren, Tom Regetz, or Pastor.
On Sunday, May 24th, we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnbook. Hymns chosen for the day are #497 Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord; #500 Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid; #616 Baptismal Waters Cover Me; and #693 O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace.
Scriptures lessons for the day are Psalm 25:1-10; Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; and John 7:37-39.
The lesson from Numbers 11 tells one example of the Holy Spirit’s work in Old Testament times. Moses and elders of Israel were led to prophesy, proclaiming the words and praises of God to the people. The Spirit was so active, it animated others into also prophesying. Led by the Spirit, each of have opportunity to speak God’s Word to others.
The lesson from Acts 2 recounts the spectacular outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles during the Pentecost festival. The Spirit empowered them to speak in the languages of others visiting Jerusalem that day. Many people heard the gospel and were brought to faith in Jesus.
In the gospel lesson, Jesus is in the Jerusalem temple, celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast is marked by living in temporary tents or brush arbors, recalling their ancestors’ wanderings in the Sinai wilderness. with the wanderings in the desert as a historical backdrop, water was also a theme connected to the festival. In response to Jesus’ teaching, the crowds were asking about His identity, where had He come from, the source of His authoritative teaching, and how was He able to do miracles. On the last day of the feast, Jesus invites those who are thirsty to come to Him and drink. He promised them streams of “living water” referring to the Holy Spirit. All who believed in Jesus would receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit continues to come to us in God’s Word the Bible, attached to the waters of baptism, and with the body and blood of Jesus hidden in the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. The Spirit revives us, refreshes us, gives new life to our spirits.
Collect: O gracious Father God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit: Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ Jesus, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You, in communion with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the information posted above. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- May 17 service and other news
Brothers and sisters, this past Thursday was 40 days after Easter and the anniversary of Jesus’ ascension. Ascending does not mean Jesus has left us. Though He is hidden from our eyes, Jesus continues to work among us in a greater way than during His earthly ministry. That is, in His glorified body, He now fills all things, able to be with us at all times wherever we are, including being in, with, and under the bread and wine served in the Lord’s Supper. As St. Paul writes in Ephesians 1, Jesus watches over you and the Church with power and authority far above all earthly rulers, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Jesus is the head over the Church and leads and protects us. He continues to pray for you before God the Father. He works though the church to call evangelists to proclaim to the world His message of forgiveness and eternal life. In a similar way, He calls pastors and teachers to proclaim forgiveness and teach the truth of His Word to the church. When we sin, Jesus continues to advocate for us. I hope you can see that Jesus’ baptism is important to our salvation and relationship to God. Thank God that Jesus continues to use His power and authority for our benefit.
The service on Sunday, May 17 is the last of this year’s Easter season. Next week we will celebrate Pentecost. On the 17th, we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #534 Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor; #754 Entrust Your Days and Burdens; #623 Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray; and #747 No Saint on Earth Lives Life to Self Alone.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 68:1-10; Acts 1:12-26; 1 Peter 4:12-19. 5:6-11; and John 17:1-11.
The reading from Acts 1 follows after the report of Jesus’ ascension. The disciples chose a replacement for Judas who had betrayed Jesus. As you read the passage, notice the habit of prayer among the disciples.
In the passage from St. Peter’s epistle, Christians should not be surprised that they will suffer, not merely the suffering that occurs in a sinful world, but the suffering the opponents of Jesus cause to those who follow Jesus. Suffering for following Jesus should be considered a blessing. Peter would encourage Christians to avoid compromise, and to be aware that the devil will attack us in the weak moments suffering can cause. Peter points us to the assurance that God will graciously preserve us if we continue to follow Jesus.
Jesus’ words recorded in John 17 are part of His discussion with His disciples on the night He was betrayed and arrested. He would soon demonstrate His divine glory in His crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus prays for the disciples. Later he would pray for those who are brought to faith through the apsotles’ teaching. Jesus prays that those who are brought to saving faith would be protected from the devil’s attacks, and ‘kept in Jesus’ name’, preserved and unified in the true, saving faith that Jesus alone can rescue us from sin and condemnation.
Summer can be a busy time. I encourage you to set aside time to read the Bible and attend Bible class and worship. Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the information posted above. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- April 26 service and other news
Brothers and sisters, may God grant you faith and repentance as we continue through the Easter season. Because Jesus lives, you and I and all who trust Him will also live.
The German Sausage Dinner is a week away, Saturday May 2. Food will sell for $15 per plate. Smoked sausage links can be bought by the pound. There will also be a silent auction, a live auction, and activities for kids. Please alert your friends and neighbors. Please pray that God would grant us a safe and enjoyable German Sausage Dinner.
Sunday, April 26 is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, often referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. The gospel lesson for this Fourth Sunday has traditionally described Jesus as the Shepherd of us, His people, the sheep of His fold. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #915 Today Your Mercy Calls Us; #478 The Day of Resurrection; #530 No Temple Now, No Gift of Price; and #711 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.
The Scripture lessons assigned to the day are Psalm 23; Acts 2:42-47; 1Peter 2:19-25; and John 10:1-10.
I encourage you to read these lessons and consider these questions: In what ways are you like a sheep? In what ways is Jesus a shepherd to you? What is it like to be a member of Jesus’ flock? How is being a member of a Christian congregation like being a sheep in Jesus’ fold? What dangers threaten those who live outside of Jesus’ fold? What benefits are there in being Jesus’ sheep and in His fold? I encourage you to gather Sunday morning as we consider how Scripture answers those questions. Bible Study begins at 9 am. Worship begins at 10:30 am. You don’t have to be a Bible expert to participate.
COLLECT: Almighty merciful God, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit so that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name, and follow where He leads; 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.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests, or any questions about what I have reported above. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- April 19 Service
Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to join together Sunday morning 9 am for Bible study and 10:30 for worship.
Let me use this opportunity to remind you of our German Sausage Dinner, Saturday May 2. There will be German-themed food, baked goods, music, games for the kids, a silent auction and a live auction. Food will be sold at $15 per plate. Advance tickets are available from church members, and at the door. Funds raised go toward church ministries including helping the needy in the local community.
Sunday, April 19 is the third Sunday of Easter. We will continue to celebrate the benefits God grants us because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #475 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing; #476 Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow; #624 The Infant Priest was Holy Born; and #482 This Joyful Eastertide.
Scriptures assigned by the three-year lectionary are Psalm 116; Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 17-25; and Luke 24:13-35. This is one of the several recorded reports of eyewitnesses seeing Jesus alive again. It was the first Easter Sunday, and two men were returning home from Jerusalem to a town called Emmaus. While they were walking, they discussed the events that had taken place in the recent three days. Friday, before the Passover Sabbath began, Jesus had been put to death by crucifixion. And just a few hours before they had left for home, several women made an amazing report that they had found Jesus’ grave to be empty, and an angel had appeared to tell them Jesus was alive.
Jesus drew near to the men as they were walking and talking, but they were kept from recognizing Him. They told Jesus about what they had seen and heard. Jesus criticized the men for not recognizing that the events they were describing had been foretold in Old Testament Scripture. As they walked along, Jesus gave them examples of how the words of the Old Testament writers were pointing ahead to what He, the Christ, would do. When they arrived at their home, the men invited Jesus to stay and eat with them. As Jesus blessed the food and broke the bread, they were able to recognize Jesus. But He suddenly vanished from their sight. Even though it was late in the day, the men rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples what had happened. Jesus would appear to the same disciples in Jerusalem that evening. All these appearances are further evidence that Jesus is truly and bodily alive.
Jesus has poured out the Holy Spirit on the Church so we might all better see Him in the Scriptures and believe Him to be alive. Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin and the sin of the world. Then with His divine power He overcame death, with the promise to you that because He lives, you too shall live after death. Applying Peter’s words in the lesson from Acts 2, we should each recognize it was our sin that put Jesus on the cross. By repenting, turning to Jesus and being baptized in His name, we will receive forgiveness of our sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter, in his first letter, describes a bit differently the benefits received from Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus has ransomed us from the futile ways of those who once thought good works could save us. Peter says through baptism and the life-giving Word of God you are born again. This is an ongoing change in your status before God, if you continue to trust in Jesus.
COLLECT: O gracious Father God, through the humiliation of Your Son, You raised up the fallen world. As You have rescued us from the peril of everlasting death, grant to your faithful people perpetual gladness and eternal joys; 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
- April 12 service
Brothers and sisters. Christ is risen! Alleluia! What some might consider a one-time event actually points to an ongoing change. The One who died on the cross was bodily raised from the dead and continues to be alive into eternity. Because Jesus lives, you have been given assurance that you too will be raised from the dead and live forever. Whie there is an Easter season about 7 weeks long, we Christians have reason to celebrate Jesus’ victory every day of our lives. Let’s also share the message with our neighbors.
The May 2 German Sausage Dinner is rapidly approaching. You are invited to attend. Meals are $15 per plate. There will be music, baked goods for sale, a silent auction and live auction. Money raised will be used to fund church ministries including support of the needy in our community.
Sunday, April 12 is the second Sunday of the Easter season. During Sunday’s service we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns selected for the day are #487 Come You Faithful, Raise the Strain; #472 These Things Did Thomas Count as Real; #473 Our Paschal Lamb; and #461 I Know That My Redeemer Lives.
Scripture lessons to be read include Psalm 148:1-14; Acts 5:29-42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; and John 20:19-31.
There is a saying that ‘seeing is believing’. Expressing a skeptical view, the statement is not really true; seeing is seeing. It doesn’t take faith when the object can be observed. It merely requires a good set of eyes. In contrast, believing is trusting in things that are unseen, such as the future fulfillment of promises, or the testimony of witnesses who say they have seen a man alive who was once dead. Some of us are like “doubting” Thomas, the disciple of Jesus in today’s gospel lesson who expresses stubborn unbelief. With a materialist’s point of view, he states he was not going to believe Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Him with his own eyes. Jesus satisfies Thomas’ demand by appearing to him, urging him to touch Him if he needs further proof. In the 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension, Jesus makes many more recorded appearances to the disciples and five hundred other witnesses. This information is provided to us so that we would believe Jesus’ words even if we have not seen Him. He truly lives again! St. John tells us he reported these events in Scripture so that we would believe Jesus is the Son of God, anointed to save us from sin and to grant us eternal life. Such faith is not merely seeing or experiencing. Trust in Jesus is worked in us by the Holy Spirit through the Scripture. As St. Peter puts it in the epistle lesson, God’s mercy has led us to be born again with a living hope, even in uncertain, confusing, or difficult times.
Trusting in an unseen Savior can be a challenge. We tend to focus on the world we see, and overlook the reality we cannot see. Pray for faith in Jesus so you would have the salvation of your soul and life in His name.
COLLECT: O almighty and most-merciful God, grant that we who have celebrated the mystery of our Savior’s resurrection, may by the help of Your grace display the fruits of faith in our words, thoughts, and conduct, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 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 or the scheduled activities. God bless you. Pastor Boster