August 24, 2007
Vol. 1, no. 10
Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord!
Our Gospel reading for this morning presents two men; one who seeks after the pleasures of the flesh and gratifying the sinful nature and the other who is faithful to the right proclamation of God’s Word and living by that Word, even dying by that Word. Herod is perplexed when St. John the Baptist persists in his faithfulness to the Word. He has never seen anything like this. How can someone deny himself so completely that he would even give up his own life?
We also are perplexed by the confession and faithfulness of St. John, the Baptist and Forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. We may ask ourselves, “Would I be faithful unto death?” “Would I give up everything to faithfully follow Jesus?” I know that in my own sinful nature I do not relish the idea of dying a death like St. John, none of us do, but in our new nature created in Baptism, we are able to die to this world because we live in Christ.
The great thing about remembering with thanksgiving the faithful witness of the victorious saints is that it gives us encouragement. John died; it seems that Herod was successful in following after sin, but we can see that the Word always prevails, as do those faithful servants of the Word. You may be going through trials now; we all do from time to time. You may feel that God has utterly forsaken you, but look at how He loves His saints. John lost his head but gained eternal life. We are perishing, but we live in Christ, and that, you saints of the Lord, makes all the difference!
The Lord be with you,
Pastor Jim
Worship Practices
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Why does the service begin in the name of the Triune God? Isn’t it enough to just worship in Jesus’ name?
A: First off, we begin in the Triune name as a reminder of our Baptism. We do not come to God with any merit or worthiness of our own, but only through His good gifts of Word and Sacrament. Also, we gather in the Triune name because God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and it is by His authority that the Minister proclaims the Gospel, and for His worship that a Christian congregation assembles. If we aren’t worshipping the One True and Triune God, we are not worshipping a Christian God.
Upcoming Worship Opportunities
As we get closer and closer to the start of a new school year, we also look for new ways we can fix our eyes on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. The gifts of the Church are the worship, prayers and praise of God’s saints and His loving service to us through His Word and Sacraments. Beginning on September 5 we will have a regular Wednesday evening Service of Prayer and Preaching at 7 pm. These services will be geared toward the teachings of the Small Catechism and themes throughout Scripture. The first six weeks will look at the use of water in Scripture as well as the Doctrine of Holy Baptism. Make it a priority to join us for this time gathered around the Word.
Also, I will be praying the Litany (LSB 288-289) Monday-Thursday at noon in the sanctuary. If you are ever around please join me for this beautiful prayer of the Church. It takes about 10 minutes and is a beautiful break in the middle of the day!
One more opportunity for worship will be offered beginning on September 5. On Thursday mornings, at 7:15 am Matins will be offered. It is hoped that this could be a good opportunity to reach out to families taking their children to the elementary school behind us.
Hymn History
The Doxology, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, is well known in many churches. It was not actually written as an independent piece, but as the last verse of Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun by Thomas Ken in 1694. Ken wrote this hymn at a time when the established church believed only Scripture should be sung as hymns—with an emphasis on the Psalms. Some considered it sinful and blasphemous to write new lyrics for church music, akin to adding to the Scriptures. In that atmosphere, Ken wrote this and several other hymns for the boys at Winchester College, with strict instructions that they use them only in their rooms, for private devotions. Ironically, the last stanza has come into widespread use as the Doxology, perhaps the most frequently used piece of music in public worship. At Ken’s request, the hymn was sung at his funeral, fittingly held at sunrise.*
*http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/w/awakemys.htm
Next Week`s Readings
Proverbs 25:2-10
Hebrews 13:1-17
Luke 14:1-14
Next Week`s Hymns
Son of God, Eternal Savior LSB 842
Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness LSB 636
Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness LSB 636
Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying LSB 597
Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus LSB 660
**Remember, in the month of September we will be using Divine Service I, LSB 151. Look over the service and re-familiarize yourself with it!**
The Lord be with you!
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 908 W. Main Middleville, MI 49333 +269-795-2391+ goodshepherdlcms@gmail.com