Daily Readings for February 19-25, 2012

Daily Lectionary February 19-25, 2012

February 19                                 The Stilling of the Storm—Mark 4:35-41

                                                                                 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

February 20 Jesus Teaches Us to Pray in the Sermon on the Mount—Matthew 6:5-15

                                                                                   1 Corinthians 14:1-40

February 21                               Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer—John 17:1-26

                                                                           1 Corinthians 15:58–16:24

February 22                                                                ASH WEDNESDAY

                                 Joel 2:12–19, 2 Peter 1:2–11, Matthew 6:(1–6) 16–21

February 23 Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane—Matthew 26:36-45

                                                                                   2 Corinthians 2:1–3:3

February 24                                                           2 Corinthians 6:11–7:16

February 25                                                                       Lent 1 Invocabit

                              Genesis 3:1–21, 2 Corinthians 6:1–10, Matthew 4:1–11

Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent—February 22

The beginning of Lent is Next Wednesday. Ash Wednesday will be a very unique and special service, including the Imposition of Ashes, the Lenten Litany, corporate confession and individual absolutions. From ancient times the season of Lent has been kept as a time of special devotion, self-denial, and humble repentance born of a faithful heart that dwells confidently on His Word and draws from it life and hope. Let us pray that our dear Father in heaven, for the sake of His beloved Son and in the power of His Holy Spirit, might richly bless this Lententide for us that we may come to Easter with glad hearts and keep the feast in sincerity and truth. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday Divine Services at 7:00 p.m. We will have a soup and sandwich luncheon before each of the midweek services. Watch for more details to come.

Look forward to First Sunday in Lent (Invocabit)

Genesis 3:1–21, 2 Corinthians 6:1–10, Matthew 4:1–11

Jesus Does Battle in Our Place

In the Garden, man exalts himself to be a god in place of God (Genesis 3:1–21). He succumbs to the temptation of the devil, and eating of the forbidden fruit, he receives death. But in the sin-cursed wilderness, God humbles Himself to become man in place of man (Matthew 4:1–11). He does not eat but fasts and bears the onslaughts of the devil for us that we may be restored to life. Jesus stands as David in our place to do battle against the Goliath, Satan (1 Samuel 17:40–51). Though outwardly Jesus appears weak, yet He comes in the name of the Lord of hosts. He draws from the five smooth stones of the books of Moses and slings the Word of God. The stone sinks into the forehead, and the enemy falls. In Christ we are victorious over the devil. Let us therefore not receive the grace of God in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1–10), but seeing that we have a great High Priest, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14–16).

CALENDAR

Saturday   February 18                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Sunday     February 19                 9:00 am       Bible Class / Sunday School

                                                   10:00 am                            Divine Service

Monday    February 20                 6:30 pm                           Parish Planning

Wednesday February 22                5:00 pm                              Confirmation

                                                     7:00 pm             Ash Wednesday Service

                                                     7:30 pm                                              AA

Friday       February 24                                                  Pastor’s Family Day

Saturday   February 25                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE— JESUS SETS HIS FACE TOWARD JERUSALEM AND HIS PASSION   Jesus spoke clearly about His passion, death, and resurrection, yet "these things were hidden" from the disciples, so that they did not understand His words. It was necessary that the Son of Man suffer and die alone, for salvation from sin, death, and hell is entirely the work of our Lord. It must be received by us as a gift alone or it cannot be received at all. For their benefit the disciples were prevented from knowing these words, lest anyone of them boast in his superior knowledge or understanding. The mysteries of the faith are revealed to the blind by the Spirit of God, and so, Jesus has mercy upon blind Bartemaeus opening his eyes, in token that the mysteries of salvation are revealed to us so that we might believe in the Lord and give all praise and glory to God.

Lent 2012

February 22 - Ash Wednesday – Pastor GeRue

                     Psalm 6      “Save Me Because of Your Unfailing Love”

                     Catechism: What does such baptizing with water indicate?

Midweek February 29 – Pastor Stuenkel - Sherman

                    Psalm 38    “Make Haste to Help Me”

                   Catechism: What do you believe according to these words?

Midweek March 7 – Vicar Peters - Sherman

                  Psalm 51    “Against You and For Me”

                  Catechism: What is confession?

Midweek March 14 – Pastor Strong - Farmersville

                  Psalm 102  “But You, O Lord, Are Enthroned Forever”

                  Catechism: What sins should we confess?

Midweek March 21 – Pastor GeRue

                  Psalm 32    “Hiding from God or Hiding in God?”

                  Catechism: What is the Office of the Keys? Where is this written?

Midweek March 28 – Pastor GeRue

                 Psalm 143  “Teach Me to Do Your Will, For You Are My God”

                 Catechism: Which [sins] are these?

Holy Thursday – April 5 – Pastor GeRue

                Psalm 116  “Delivered”

                Catechism: What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

Good Friday – April 6 – Pastor GeRue

                Psalm 130  “Divine Forgetfulness”

Easter Vigil – April 7 – Pastor GeRue

                Psalm 118; Exodus 14       “Destroying the Enemy”

Easter – April 8 – Pastor GeRue

                Psalm 16; Mark 16:1–8      “The Path of Life”

                Catechism: Explanation of the Second Article (second part)

Sermon for February 18-19, 2012

Quinquagesima

50 Days Till Easter

Luke 18:31-43

February 18 – 19, 2012

In the Name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Lord set His Face toward Jerusalem for all the things the prophets wrote: the delivery to the Gentiles, the mocking, the insulting, the spitting, the scourging, the killing, and finally, the rising. But that is not all the prophets wrote. They also wrote: “Strengthen the weak hands and make strong the feeble knees.” He set Himself to suffer violence in order to remove fear and bestow salvation.

But the disciples did not understand. It was hidden from them. They saw a glimpse of His power in the miracles. They felt the depth of His wisdom in His teaching. They recognized that He was the prophet greater than Moses, that John was His Elijah, that He was the Son of the Living God.  But the real point of His compassion, of His mercy, what it would cost Him, was mostly lost on them.

That is because they were not yet ready to beg, not yet ready for the mocking, insulting, spitting, scourging, and killing. They didn't want to face what their sins would do to Him. They read the prophets like a book of quotes, skimming about for the good bits.

But where they were blind: the blind man saw. He was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. But he cried out for mercy from the Son of David.

We might have thought he would ask for justice, for something to make up for his sorrows and the hardships of his life, that he would appeal to the inequities and indignities that he had suffered by an accident of birth. We expect him to say: “This is not fair. Make me whole.”

And if he was afraid, if he was uncertain as to whether the mercy of Jesus could help him or not, we'd expect him to follow the warning of the seeing. Don't they better understand what is happening than he does? And isn't he dependent upon them? Does he risk annoying them?

But where they blind, were he saw. He would not be silent. But neither would he complain. He did not say, “This is not fair.”  He made no appeal to his own virtue or difficulties. Instead, he cried for mercy.

Again, they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was coming. But he called Jesus by the Messianic title: Son of David. He knew what he was doing. He knew who Jesus was. He brought the full weight of the prophets to bear. He did not approach the Lord as one who had been cheated or who was a victim, who was wronged by fate or by men. He cried out as a criminal and a beggar, as a man desperate for the prophecies to be fulfilled, for God to keep His Word. He cried out for mercy that he did not deserve.

How could Our Lord refuse? He was on His way to Jerusalem for the sake of mercy, to save sinners, to rescue criminals. His mercy endures forever.

He set His face toward Jerusalem to re-create and re-order creation, to endure the most unjust judgment the world has ever known, the greatest affliction in body and soul, the most heartbreaking of betrayals and self-serving weakness from his friends. And along the way His face was turned to this blind man, to a need for mercy.

It is for this that the Lord would be mocked and spat upon, derided by all, even forsaken by His Father. Who is blind and He is not blind? Who is hurt, betrayed, afraid, or in any way afflicted and He is unmoved? He keeps track of the sparrows. He counts your hairs. He knows your sorrows, feels your pain. He has compassion. Because His mercy, which drove Him to the cross like a lamb to the slaughter, endures forever.

And everyone who asks the Lord for mercy finds mercy. The blind man received mercy: His eyes were opened.

Then he was full of joy. He had mercy, forgiveness, grace. He followed Jesus to Jerusalem. He glorified God for the delivery to the Gentiles. He glorified God for the mocking, insulting, spitting, scourging, and killing.  And he glorified God for the rising. The Word of the prophets was fulfilled in Jesus. Mercy came to earth. God in the Flesh made good on His promise by giving His life as a ransom to save fallen men.

We set our faces to Jerusalem today. We are fifty days from Easter. Three days from ashes. We brace ourselves for the fast, eager for the feast. Skull Hill and the burial plot of Joseph of Arimathea are not our true goal and destination. They are the means. Our real goal is the new Jerusalem, where all suffering, all blindness of eyes and minds, comes to an end.

So let us learn from the blind man to hold Jesus to His Word.  Let us not be too proud to beg.  Stop the excuses.  Stop the pretend piety and insincere attempts at reform.  Make this Lent a holy preparation, a cleansing and renewing of body, mind, and soul. Come not as a victim, as one entitled, as one who has been wronged. But come as a criminal, undeserving. Admit. Confess. Tell the Truth.

Ask not for justice or vengeance. Ask not that things to be set right, that life be fair. Ask - nay -- beg! -  for mercy. Because everyone who asks Our Lord for mercy finds mercy.

Embrace the sufferings and sorrows of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Do not be ashamed of the prophets or of the holy cross. It gave way to His resurrection.  It delivers your justification. Praise God for the mercy of Jesus Christ. Adore the Blood that He has shed. Glorify Him for the Life He gave. He has compassion, mercy, on us poor sinners. He has compassion on you.

This is the Love that abides.  It suffers long and is kind. It does not envy or parade itself.  It is not puffed up, and does not behave rudely or seek its own. This Love is not provoked. It thinks no evil, and does not rejoice in iniquity. It rejoices in the Truth. This is not how we love one another, it is how God loves us in Jesus Christ. Jesus bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Jesus never fails.

Easter is coming.

In X Jesus' Name. Amen.

Funeral for Joan Shipp

Kept in Christ

Funeral Sermon for Joan E. Shipp

December 29, 1927 – February 11, 2012

Psalm 121:8

Family and friends of Joan, grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Our text for today is from Psalm 121 verse 8, The Lord will keep, your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Joan E. (VonBehren) Shipp was born December 29, 1927 in Detroit, MI a daughter of Harry and Frances C. (Buehler) VonBehren. She married Orville T. Shipp, March 10, 1946 at Zion Lutheran Church Chestnut, IL. Joan was a homemaker and also worked at Dickey-john Corp starting at the Chatham facility for three years then moving to the present facility in Auburn, IL, until she retired in 1985 with many fond memories. Joan was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Girard, IL where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years and later in life her and her husband did volunteer work making up Braille books for the blind at Zion Lutheran Church in Carlinville, IL. Joan loved her red geraniums that she planted every spring.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Orville T. Shipp on 1/6/2011, her parents, two grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is survived by her two daughters, Susan K. (Keith) Coe of Virden, IL, Linda Williams of Springfield, IL, two sons, Michael D. (Linda) Shipp of Virden, IL and Richard A. (Wanda) Shipp of Jacksonville, IL, 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, her twin sister, Rosemary (George) Jones of Oreana, IL and her brother, Leland "Bud" (Shirley) VonBehren of Alton, IL.

It is nearly impossible to evaluate the life of someone eighty four years old, who was married at eighteen, and lived to see sixty five years of married life. They raised four children.

How would one describe Joan? I suppose there are lots of words we could use. Words like loving or dedicated. Cheerful or faithful. I think I would use the word motherly. I’m sure each of you have your own descriptions.

It is also important to recognize that her life was not all roses and knitting. Their early years where filled with hard work and not much pay. She could get discouraged and frustrated, even angry sometimes. Joan was certainly a sinner, as are we all.

So what made things make sense for her? How did she survive the good times and bad, the lifetime of experiences that make up her story? The answer lies in her Baptism. She was baptized into Christ. When that happened, everything changed for Joan. She was adopted into another family, a family far more wondrous than anything here on earth.

We hear in Psalm 121 about a journey. Originally the Psalm was a traveling song. It was a song that the children of Israel would sing when they were to begin a journey. The song tells the story of how the first thing the Israelites would do is lift up their eyes and see that the beginning and end of the journey was in God.

God is the one who would not leave her alone on these many travels. He does not sleep. He is her keeper. He is the one who kept her safe in so many trials and tribulations. Every step of her life, God was there. Beginning, middle and end.

I was blessed to visit Joan many times before her illness got so severe. So I know that God was still with her, blessing her, giving Joan His own Son’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. Every time she heard the Gospel lesson she would respond, ‘Oh – that is beautiful.’ When either I or my daughters would sing a hymn she would say, ‘One more, please, One more.’ I can hear her saying it even now. The Gospel is beautiful.

And dear friends,  Joan is now reunited with our Lord, and with Orville, with her parents, her two grandchildren, and a great-grandchild who have gone before us and died in the faith. She heard the voice of Her Savior again Saturday morning as He said to her, “Come, dear sister and daughter, come and rise up.”

We too will rise again and see our Lord and all these loved ones. Perhaps Job put it best so long ago when he wrote,

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! Job 19:25–27

The day is coming, beloved, when Christ will come again. Until that time, we weep at losing Joan. She has been our friend and mother and grandmother for many years. But we weep with hope. Because Christ is risen from the dead, Joan and all who have gone before us in faith will rise as well. It is okay. Jesus Himself wept at the death of His friend, Lazarus. But weep with hope. Your weeping will come to an end. This world will be left behind. There will be joy and rest that only He can give us.

So rest well, Joan. Rest until we are reunited again in heaven. Rest well, until we rise again with you.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Sermon for February 11-12, 2012 The Sower

Sexagesima

February 11-12, 2012

Luke 8:4-15

The Sower

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Lord explains how things work in His Kingdom: The Sower sows His reckless love. With seeming abandon, with carelessness, with utter disregard for the fertility of the soil, He sows. The Seed goes forth to the most unlikely of places - to the wayside, to the rocky soil, to thorn infested ground. It seems as though this Seed has no chance of bearing fruit. This Sower does not act like any sower we’ve ever known. In fact, it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for this Seed to come to fruition. But all things are possible with God, and by His intervening Grace, some does. And while most of it seems to be wasted, gone to the birds, dead of dehydration, trampled under foot, or choked out by weeds, that which is brought, against all odds, to maturity bears a hundredfold.

Our Lord tells us that the Seed in this parable represents the Word of God. This Word is that which will not return empty. It is this Word that called all things to be. He said, “Let there be light” and there was. God speaks, and it is. This is the Word of the prophets and apostles. It is the power of salvation. It bespeaks us righteous, declares us innocent. It delivers unto us the benefits of the cross and empty tomb. What it says, is. What it says is: “Peace on earth, goodwill to men. Do not be afraid. I love you.” For this is the Word that became Flesh and dwelt among us. He rules in our hearts not by power or might, but by His Grace. And since it is not by power or might, for the most part this Word is rejected out of hand, like seed that is cast onto the pavement, for fallen men do not respect Grace as they respect power. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, but the world did not know Him. He came unto His own, but His own received Him not.

In other cases, it will be received with joy for a short time, but then given up in time of temptation, like seed in rocky places without deep roots. Or it will be tossed aside when the world calls with its fleshly pleasures, like seed choked out by thorns. In these ejections lies damnation. There is no other salvation, no other path to God, no other Name or revelation. This is condemnation: the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil. Oh, but what of that? This is no surprise. It is only natural. It is to be expected. But still, despite that, despite the interference of the snatching demons, the weakness of our flesh, the allure of the world’s many sirens, still this Word will not return empty. What the Father has revealed by the working of His Spirit in His life-giving Word sent from on high, against this, the gates of Hell shall not prevail!

And look at this - some bears fruit! And that a hundredfold! On this barren plain, this rocky, trodden, unlikely path, on you, God has sowed His good seed. His Word, to you, He has preached. It is not a word of death, the devil’s destroying lies. It is not a word of superstition or a deceiving false-comfort word, saying “peace, peace” when there is no peace. But it is the Word of Life, the Word of God for man. It breaks the hearts of men, empties them of their petty lusts and greed, that it might build them up again. It hearkens men from the grave, out of death to life, from bondage to liberty and that through repentance. It cleanses and forgives. It is this Word that changes bread to Flesh for you to eat and drink at a banquet table hidden in humility. That is why this Word makes our hearts burn within you and your mortal souls quake in fear. But by His grace, in His love, this Word makes you new. It makes you His! Some is snatched. Some is scorched. Some is mocked. But still, He preaches on. He will not stop. He would have all men to be free, all men to know the joy of Life in Him. For He knows what all men need. He is excessive with this Grace, abundant with His love. He pours it out with abandon. He knows full well the cost. And He knows, too, how little it will be welcomed, but still, He carries on for you. He sows. He scatters the goodly seed abroad. And where it takes root, where it turns the hearts of men, it yields a hundredfold in joy and peace immeasurable! What of that! Power beyond the comprehension of mortal man lies in this Word, power enough to call light from darkness and repentance and faith from unbelief! Inexpressible joy is bestowed upon those unworthy hearts that receive it. The barren plains, the wasteland that once was, now echoes with the laughter of that plentiful and joyful grain.

And so, whether men like it or like it not, whether we be thought foolish or even outlawed, whether it is successful in ways that we can see or not, still, we will carry on as the Lord has given us to do - preaching. Preaching Christ crucified, and there upon that Tree of shame, glorified! For there He is seen as He wants to be seen: the Redeemer, the Savior, the Shepherd providing for His wandering sheep. We shall preach the Word, in season and out of season, today, tomorrow, and forever, in peace or war, in poverty or prosperity. It matters not. The Word is what matters. For the He has brought us to life for free. He, the Word made Flesh, forgives, renews, and restores.

And that is really all we have, just preaching. just the Word. We have no tricks, no gimmicks, nothing to add. We just preach. In good times and bad come what may. For we care not for the great many times when the Word is rejected and mocked. We do not count. We just sow. We just preach. And we trust in the One who gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower. He will plant it home and make it grow. And so we rejoice in Him and in those moments of miraculous intervention when He sends us still His Word. He makes alive a baby who was dead in the living waters at the font. He rides into Our Sanctuary in the Flesh borne of Mary, crucified and raised from the dead, in lowly bread and wine. His Word goes out. It strikes our ears. It breaks our hearts. And of its own accord, by its own power and strength, it creates and sustains faith, bestows peace and joy, forgives sins and delivers life in His elect, in you. Stones are made the living, rightful children of Abraham, dogs no more, but eating at the Master’s table as the Master’s children. And so you sing out for the joy that is now yours in this living Life, your childish songs of the Temple transformed into the songs of the mighty, six-winged Seraphim.

This is how the Word works in His Kingdom: The Sower sows his reckless love in the most unlikely of places. It is good. It does what it is supposed to do. It creates it is own good soil. He causes it to take root and to grow where no gardener could succeed. And to keep it growing, to make it strong, those hearts that now love Him suffer His often painful pruning. In suffering they bear the fruit of patience in confession and give glory and praise to Him. This Word is for them.

And so it is, that without the world even noticing, the Word, that foolish Seed, has been cast and it has - by the Grace of God, by its own power and goodness - made a home for itself in your unlikely heart. It has made a kingdom for your King. It has borne the fruit of faith. The Lord of the Harvest has caused faith and trust in Him to grow in you. His Word has not failed.

In + Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Lectionary

February 12 The Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life—Genesis 2:4-17, Mark 10:1-31

February 13 Man Eats the Forbidden Fruit—Genesis 3:1-24; Mark 10:32-52

February 14                  The Passover—Exodus 12:1-14, 17; Mark 11:1-33

February 15 The Wedding in Cana of Galilee—John 2:1-11; Mark 12:13-44

February 16 The Bread from Heaven—Exodus 16:1-15, 31; Luke 4:14-44

February 17                                                                           Luke 5:12-39

February 18    Quinquagesima     Isaiah 35:3–7, 1 Corinthians 13:1—13, Luke 18:31–43

Look forward to Quinquagesima Sunday February 19, 2012

Isaiah 35:3-7: "Our God will come and save you." With these words the prophet announces both the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but also the proclamation of His Gospel which alone has the power to save and deliver us from all the afflictions of sin.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13: The love of Christ that moved Him to suffer and die for the sins of the whole world is described by St Paul. It is called the greatest of faith, hope, and love, because without Christ's love for us we would have nothing in which to believe and hope.

Luke 18:31-43: Jesus spoke clearly about His passion, death, and resurrection, yet "these things were hidden" from the disciples, so that they did not understand His words. It was necessary that the Son of Man suffer and die alone, for salvation from sin, death, and hell is entirely the work of our Lord. It must be received by us as a gift alone or it cannot be received at all. For their benefit the disciples were prevented from knowing these words, lest anyone of them boast in his superior knowledge or understanding. The mysteries of the faith are revealed to the blind by the Spirit of God, and so, Jesus has mercy upon blind Bartemaeus opening his eyes, in token that the mysteries of salvation are revealed to us so that we might believe in the Lord and give all praise and glory to God.

CALENDAR

Saturday   February 11                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Sunday     February 12                 9:00 am       Bible Class / Sunday School

                                                   10:00 am                            Divine Service

Monday    February 13                 6:30 pm                                        Elder’s

Wednesday February 15                1:00 pm                         Ministerial Study

                                                     5:00 pm                              Confirmation

                                                     7:30 pm                                              AA

Thursday - Saturday  February 16 - 18                                 SID Convention

Saturday   February 18                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent—February 22

The beginning of Lent is right around the corner. Ash Wednesday will be a very unique and special service, including the Imposition of Ashes, the Lenten Litany, corporate confession and individual absolutions. From ancient times the season of Lent has been kept as a time of special devotion, self-denial, and humble repentance born of a faithful heart that dwells confidently on His Word and draws from it life and hope. Let us pray that our dear Father in heaven, for the sake of His beloved Son and in the power of His Holy Spirit, might richly bless this Lententide for us that we may come to Easter with glad hearts and keep the feast in sincerity and truth. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday Divine Services at 7:00 p.m. We will have a light luncheon before each of the midweek services. Watch for more details to come.