Service Folder “Be merciful, even as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36–42). The old Adam in us wants to condemn. To condemn is to put yourself in the place of God. Jesus is our Joseph, who comforts us with words of pardon and reconciliation (Gen. 50:15–21). He is the One who does not condemn but condemned in our place, forgives and…
Service Folder (.doc) Service Folder (.pdf) Theme: Jesus Receives Sinners “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees’ statement of judgment against Jesus is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18–20). Those who…
Service Folder Theme: Invitation The Holy Spirit invites us by the Gospel to the Banquet of Salvation. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, yet the Master’s house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled by…
Service Folder (.doc) Service Folder (.pdf) Theme: Faith Trusts in Christ for Life Eternal When the beggar Lazarus died, he was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. For he was truly Abraham’s seed. Like Abraham, he believed in the Lord, and the Lord “counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). The name Lazarus means “God is my help.” The unnamed…
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Announcements Service Folder Sunday is the 50th day after Easter, the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost the ascended Jesus, sitting at his Father’s right hand, poured out the Holy Spirit. The Spirit fell on the disciples, enabling them to speak fluently the Good News of Jesus in languages they never learned to a multi-language crowd. Jesus continues to pour out his Spirit…
Service Folder This Sunday is a transition from Jesus’ Ascension on the 40th day of Easter to the Feast of Pentecost, the 50th day after Easter. It marks a unique period in the life of the disciples. The moment of separation from their Lord is but a few days back. The promise of the Holy Spirit is still to be realized. Jesus…