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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- August 23 service
Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus. Though the temperatures suggest otherwise, we are coming to the end of summer. I encourage you to make worship and Bible study a core part of your schedule. St. Paul writes instruction to the ancient church in Rome, still applicable today, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). The habits of prayer, studying the bible, remembering the benefits of your baptism, receiving the Lord’s Supper, singing a psalm– these God-given gifts that point us to Jesus are all helpful in having peace of mind. It is wise and good for our souls to make use of them. And I will have the air conditioning on.
During the service August 23 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #848 Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service; #728 How Firm a Foundation; #729 I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; and #576 My Hope is Built On Nothing Less.
Scripture lessons assigned to the day, the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 16), are Psalm 138:1-8; Isaiah 51:1-6; Romans 11:13-12:8; and Matthew 16:13-20.
In the Gospel lesson, Jesus asked His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). The question is also put to you: Who do you say that Jesus is? Flesh and blood do not reveal the answer to us, but by the power of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit enlightens us and reveals Jesus as the Son of God, who has become flesh and suffered death for our salvation. Thus, with those early apostles, we also believe and confess that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). As He died for our transgressions and was raised for our justification, Jesus sets us free from all our guilt and preserves our life within His Church, against which even “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matt. 16:18–19). Jesus’ saving work is forever, and His righteousness “will never be dismayed” (Is. 51:6). He continues to comfort His Church with the gospel, so that “joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song” (Is. 51:3). Therefore, “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Rom. 12:3), we respond in thanksgiving by offering ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1) through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
COLLECT: Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads; through the same 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 to be considered Sunday. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster
- August 9 service
Brothers and sisters, we have been a little short on refreshing rain. But I hope you will be in Bible study and worship tomorrow to receive refreshing for your soul. As Jesus says in John 7:37, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” – John 7:37
On Sunday, August 9 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three, beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #726 Evening and Morning; #351 Creator of the Stars at Night; #625 Lord Jesus Christ, Life-Giving Bread; and #717 Eternal Father, Strong to Save.
Biblical lessons assigned to the day are Psalm 28:1-9; Job 38:4-18; Romans 10:5-17; and Matthew 14:22-33.
In the psalm, King David asks God to deliver him from the deadly threats of enemies. David recognizes God as his strength, a shield and fortress of salvation. David ends this psalm by asking God to protect all people, like a shepherd defending his sheep.
Job was the ancient patriarch who suffered greatly as an example of faith being tested. As Job tries to figure out the reason for his suffering, he eventually challenges God to explain the cause of his suffering. In the Old Testament lesson for the day, God identifies Himself as the eternal Lord who “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4). By His power God governs all things of creation. Thankfully, God directs His power in mercy to protect and save His people. But it is quite clear that His wisdom and power are beyond our understanding, except as He reveals Himself in the incarnate Word, Christ Jesus. In the gospel lesson, Jesus shows Himself to be God, revealing His divine power and care, silencing a terrible storm and delivering His disciples from the threat of death. We too are threatened by dangers of body and soul each day. In our mortality and sinful unbelief, we do not always recognize the Lord Jesus at work. But as we cry out in fear, He speaks tenderly to us through His Word, “Do not be afraid,” and He reaches out His hand to save us (Matt. 14:27, 31). In the epistle lesson, St. Paul echoes this message, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13). So, in ever trial and threat, we should call upon Jesus in faith, because “through the word of Christ” we have heard of His power and mercy. Jesus will not abandon you. “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rom. 10:8).
Collect:
Almighty and merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; 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 Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- July 26 service
Dear brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of Christ. I encourage you to attend Bible study and worship Sunday to hear God’s Word and receive His gifts of forgiveness.
Sunday, July 26 is the ninth Sunday after Pentecost. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #574 Before the Throne of God Above; #567 Not What These Hands Have Done; and #573 Lord, Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee.
Scripture lessons assigned to the day, Proper 12, are Psalm 25:4-13, 20-21; Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Romans 8:28-39; and Matthew 13:44-52.
The ancient Israelites should not be thought of as only a nation, but as a people chosen by God, and therefore a precursor of the Church. Like the faithful descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Christians throughout history are the beloved people whom God has called and gathered into His kingdom. We are not loved because we are so great or loveable, but because He is so gracious. What an amazing statement: that the eternal Creator and Judge has set His love on you and chosen you in spite of your sin and weaknesses. God loved you so much that He did not spare His own Son Jesus but gave Him up to crucifixion as an atoning sacrifice that paid for your sin and reconciled you to Him. His saving actions were predestined, set in motion before Creation. That should give you confidence of heaven.
Jesus is now bodily risen from the dead, and ascended into heaven applying His divine authority as He continues to intercede for you. As St. Paul explains it in the epistle lesson, nothing, not even death can separate you from God’s love. So follow Jesus, for God will work out all things for the good of those He called according to His purpose. God is God, He is faithful, and keeps His covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love, that, receiving what you have promised, we may love what you have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, 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 Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- July 5 service
Brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the birthday of the nation in which we live, we should celebrate the freedoms God has given us. Not just life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but also freedom to assemble and to exercise our religious beliefs. I encourage you to thank God for those freedoms, not only with words, but by making use of them in your life. Attend worship services to receive the gifts of Jesus who set you free from the tyranny of sin.
During worship on Sunday, July 5, we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184. The hymns chosen for the day are #904 Blessed Jesus, At Your Word; #768 To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray; #623 Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray; and #687 Thine Forever, God of Love.
The Scripture lessons for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 9) are Psalm 145:3-14, Zechariah 9:9-12, Romans 7:14-25a, and Matthew 11:25-30.
In the epistle lesson from Romans 7, St. Paul reminds us we Christians have died with Christ in Holy Baptism, and have been raised to new life in Him. Even so, as try to live as disciples of Jesus, we find “another law waging war” in our body and life, that is, between what we could call our old Adam and our new man (Rom. 7:23). Guided and motivated by the Spirit of Christ, we “desire to do what is right,”. But we are not able to do so because “nothing good” dwells in our sinful flesh (Rom. 7:18).Like Paul, we have reason to thank God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord because He delivers us from “this body of death” (Rom. 7:24–25).
The Old Testament lesson, spoken through the prophet Zechariah 500 years before Jesus’ birth. foretells Jesus as a gentle King who comes “righteous and having salvation” (Zech. 9:9). He speaks promises of peace to our conflicted hearts. By His blood shed in the New Testament, Jesus sets us “free from the waterless pit of grief and destruction.” He is the stronghold of eternal life. We are encouraged to return to Him.
Though we “labor and are heavy laden” by our sin and the troubles of this world, Jesus calls us to Himself and gives rest to our souls through His free and full forgiveness (Matt. 11:28). This is given us not because we are “wise and understanding,” but by the “gracious will” of God the Father. Jesus’ commitment, life, and sacrifice reveal the love God the Father has for you. (Matt. 11:25–27).
Collect: Gracious God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days, Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at this life’s end grant us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ Jesus, 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
- Sunday June 21 service
Brothers and sisters, tomorrow is Father’s Day, a day to honor fathers. Almost any man can make a baby. But having a father who loves us, provides for us, teaches us about God, disciplines us when we need it, that dad is a very special gift from God. Thank God if you have a dad like that. If you are a dad, those are actions and attitudes God can train and equip you for. And He will pick you up when you fail. If you don’t have a dad like that, remember God is the perfect father who will always do what is best for you. Talk to Him. Read His Word. He sees you and hears you. Jesus is proof that He loves you even at your worst. We pray that God would guide and bless fathers that they might be examples of Christian faith, and properly apply God’s discipline and grace to their children. Come to worship and see what God the Father has to say to you there.
On Sunday June 21 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #936 Sing Praise to the Gd of Israel; #713 From God Can Nothing Move Me; #570 Just As I Am; and #920 Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go.
Scripture lessons for the day, the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 7, are Psalm 91:9-16 Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 6:12-23; and Matthew10:5a, 21-33.
In this season after Pentecost, we are reminded that Jesus continues His ministry through the members of His Church. We can use terms like witnesses or ambassadors to describe the task of sharing the gospel with others, inviting them to join us living in faith in the kingdom of God.
In both the Old Testament lesson from Jeremiah 20 and the Gospel lesson from Matthew 10, we are reminded that kingdom work is not easy. Sometimes it is even dangerous. the prophet Jeremiah is one who was ridiculed and threatened by those who opposed His proclamation of God’s Word. But God stands with His people. He sent Jesus to stand by you. The Holy Spirit gives us the courage we need. The words and love we are to share are God’s words and love. So, He encourages us not to fear earthly enemies, but to endure, and to continue Jesus’ ministry work in faith. He promises that those who endure, faithfully serving Him to the end of time, will be saved.
In the lesson from Romans 6, St. Paul urges those who have been joined to Jesus and set free from sin, to not return to sin. We are no longer slaves to sin. By the blood of Jesus, He calls us saints. We have been given freedom to live in God’s grace. But that freedom should not be interpreted as a license to keep sinning. Rather we are to turn from our disobedient thoughts and actions, and instead continue returning to Jesus. Jesus’ forgiveness and eternal life are free gifts to you that He paid for. Sin still often tangles up our ways, but Jesus leads us in the way of righteousness.
COLLECT: O gracious God, because Your abiding presence always goes with us, keep us aware of Your daily mercies that we may love secure and content in Your eternal love; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, 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 questions about Sunday’s lessons or if you have any prayer requests. Your attendance in worship is an encouragement to me and to others. Invite your friends. God bless you. Pastor Boster