SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE—“I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE!”
Jesus allowed Lazarus to die “for the glory of God” that He might raise him from the dead. In the sign of Lazarus coming back to life again, Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Lord of life. He is the conqueror of death because He is the source of forgiveness. Since sin brings death and separation from God, where there is forgiveness of sins there must also be life and salvation. Jesus, therefore, confesses to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ healing of the man born blind and the subsequent excommunication of this man from the Temple illustrates the contrast between penitent faith in Christ and the blindness of unbelief. Those who believed that they could see were really blind because they refused to heed the call to repentance. Those who can truly see are not those who have no sin, but those who acknowledge their sin in repentant faith that cling to Christ. The man born blind became a disciple of Jesus because of the spiritual miracle that opened up his eyes to see who He really was and that Christ alone was His Savior.
Confirmation Questioning and Reception Join us for the Junior Questioning is at 3:00 pm on Palm Sunday (April 1). A reception for this years confirmands will be held at 4:30 pm. Junior Questioning is at 3:00 pm. We want to welcome our newest confirmed members into our church family. The reception is sponsored by the Mission Board and Thrivent. All are welcome.
Next Weeks Lessons: Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion (Palmarum)
Matthew 21:1–9 (Palm Sunday Procession)
Zechariah 9:9–12, Philippians 2:5–11, Matthew 27:11–54
The Cross and Passion of Our Lord Are the Hour of His Glory
“Behold, your King is coming to you . . . humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zech. 9:9–12; Mt. 21:1–9). Our Lord rides in this humble fashion because He is entering Jerusalem to humble Himself even to the point of death on a cross (Phil. 2:5–11). His kingly crown will not be made of gold but of thorns, the sign of sin’s curse. For His royal reign is displayed in bearing this curse for His people, saving us from our enemies by sacrificing His own life. The sinless One takes the place of the sinner so that the sinner can be freed and bear the name “Barabbas,” “son of the Father” (Matthew 26 and 27). It is at the name of this exalted Savior, Jesus, that we bow in humble faith. With the centurion who declared, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mt. 27:54), we are also given to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11).
Saturday, March 31 5:30 pm & Sunday, April 1 10:00 am Palm Sunday
Monday, April 2 7:00 pm Holy Week Bible Study, Witness”
Tuesday, April 3 7:00 pm Holy Week Bible Study, “Mercy”
Wednesday, April 4 7:00 pm Holy Week Bible Study, “Life Together”
Thursday, April 5 9:00 am Ladies Bible Study
7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Worship
Friday, April 6 12:00 noon Noonday Good Friday Service
7:00 pm God Friday Service
Saturday, April 7 5:30 pm Easter Vigil with Confirmation
Sunday, April 8 7:00 am Easter Sunrise Service
8:30 – 9:45 a.m. Easter Breakfast
CALENDAR
Saturday March 24 5:30 pm Divine Service
Sunday March 25 9:00 am Bible Class / Sunday School
10:00 am Divine Service
Wednesday March 28 5:00 pm Confirmation
5:45 – 6:45 pm Lenten Luncheon
7:00 pm Lenten Midweek Service
7:30 pm AA
Friday March 30 Pastor’s Family Day
Saturday March 31 5:30 pm Divine Service
Daily Lectionary March 25– 31, 2012
March 18 Numbers 7:1-65; Luke 2:21-40; Psalms 35:1-10
March 25 Num. 19:1-21:3, Luke 5:33-6:11, Proverbs 8:1-11
March 26 Num. 21:4-22:20, Luke 6:12-36, Psalms 37:21-31
March 27 Num. 22:21-23:26, Luke 6:37-7:10, Psalms 37:32-40
March 28 Num. 23:27-26:11, Luke 7:11-35, Psalms 38:1-12
March 29 Num. 26:12-27:11, Luke 7:36-50, Proverbs 8:12-21
March 30 Num. 27:12-29:11, Luke 8:1-18, Psalms 38:13-22
March 31 Looking ahead to Palm Sunday Matthew 21:1–9, Zechariah 9:9–12, Philippians 2:5–11, Matthew 27:11–54
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