A SLICE OF LIFE IN THE CLC (FIFTH IN A SERIES) Snapshots of Congregations from Around the Church of the Lutheran Confession Mount Zion Evangelical… Read More »Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church— Madison Heights, Michigan
An expression I remember from my childhood is Emma go ‘het. It didn’t make much sense, but I knew what it meant. Forward with zeal and determination! I suppose the words were a rendering of a German-English phrase Immer go ahead! Always forward!
The Jewish festival of Pentecost was named Shavuot in Hebrew—meaning weeks. It fell seven weeks, or a “week of weeks,” after the Passover Sabbath. The festival, by count, was on the 50th day after the Passover Sabbath (Leviticus 23:15-16). The Feast of Weeks marked the end of the grain harvest and was the time to offer the first fruits (Leviticus 23:20). The name Shavuot later became Pentecost—Greek for fiftieth.
On the first Christian Pentecost, the one after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the promise Jesus had given to His disciples was fulfilled. He had said, before ascending, “Tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49), and “You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, was poured out upon the disciples on Pentecost (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit had already brought the disciples to faith in Christ. Now the Holy Spirit was giving them special blessings to proclaim the saving Name of Jesus—courage, zeal, wisdom, understanding of the Scriptures, ability to speak other languages, power to work miracles—all to further their witness that the crucified and risen Jesus was the Savior from sin.Read More »The Christian Pentecost
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:11-13).
As we approach the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we take a brief look at the lives of some of the most influential and important… Read More »HEROES OF THE FAITH: Valentin Loescher
NOTES FROM THE FIELD (FOURTH IN A SERIES) In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one area of our overseas endeavors. (Note:… Read More »THE BELC: Building on the Foundation of Christ
Do I doubt that church will be a blessing in someone else’s life, as it is in mine? Perhaps I fear rejection, or being seen… Read More »The Art of Inviting
“. . . that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10).
Before his conversion, Paul was a man who knew power. He knew the power of a sharp mind and a good education, of high social standing, of friends and allies in high places. He knew the power that goes with confidence in the rightness of one’s cause. He also understood the power of intimidation by the threat and use of force and violence.
It was surely with a sense of power that Paul set out for Damascus to deal with the Christians there (Acts 9), for he had the full authority of the high priest for his mission. Read More »Resurrection Power
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; SC = Martin Luther’s Small Catechism; [ ] = Minor Festivals or commemorations in the Christian Church Year
May 1 John 6:1-14 PS 61
[St. Philip and St. James, Apostles]
Jesus strengthens Philip’s faith in His redeeming work using five loaves, two fish, and twelve baskets in the feeding of the five thousand.
May 2 Luke 18:1-8 SC Lord’s Prayer Address
Does God forsake His children? No, He hears each and every prayer of the faithful.
May 4 1 John 4:1-11 TLH 346
The great theological test question is “What do you
think of Jesus?”Read More »May 2015 Bread of Life
Peace Lutheran Church of Mission, South Dakota is a unique congregation in the CLC in a number of ways. Although it began as did many… Read More »Peace Lutheran Church—Mission, South Dakota
March 2015
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941;
WS = Worship Supplement 2000;
SC = Martin Luther’s Small Catechism;
[ ] = Minor Festivals or commemorations in the Christian Church Year
Mar 2 Romans 5:1-11 WS 723
We can rejoice even in our sufferings because God’s love for us has been made obvious in Christ Jesus.
Mar 3 Mark 8:27-38 WS 722
Jesus the Christ was specifically chosen to suffer many things, be killed, and rise again in three days.Read More »Bread of Life March 2015
