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Weekend of Epiphany 4
February 1, 2013 Dear members and friends of Faith Lutheran, After being rejected in His hometown, Nazareth, Jesus moves on to nearby Capernaum. There the people listen to His preaching and are astounded, especially after he casts a demon out of a man in the synagogue. Jesus tells the demon not to say out loud that Jesus is the Holy One of God because He wants to reveal more and more who He is according to the peoples level of understanding. Thats why Jesus preferred title is Son of Man. There were so many misunderstandings afoot about just who Messiah would be and what He would do. Jesus also heals Peters mother-in-law and casts out other demons, proving that He is, in fact, the Son of God and the Messiah. Our Old Testament Lesson is the account of Jeremiahs calling as prophet. The office of prophet is not something a man chooses for himself. Jeremiah is very hesitant. His work in rebellious Israel will be especially difficult. But the Lord touches His lips and gives him His Word: Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to [Link] yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole landagainst the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the LORD. Our Epistle Lesson continues where we left off last week (with a little recap of the last part of last weeks reading). At the end of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of the most important gifts the Holy Spirit gives: the gifts that get Gods Word out to the world. Then, in chapter 13, Paul reminds the Corinthians and all Christians that no matter which or how many gifts a Christian may have they are squandered if they are not subordinated to Divine Lovegenuine desire to help people reach heaven. Where that Love is present and directing our words and actions, Paul says I am nothing, I am only a resounding gong and a clanging cymbal. Gods love is even greater than faith and hope, Paul says, since faith and hope will give way to sight in heaven, where Love will be everywhere for all eternity. We will focus on this text in our sermon under the theme: First Things First. Our Lessons and Sermon Text: Jeremiah 1:410, 1719 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13 Luke 4:3144 Psalms 78
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BE SURE AND CHECK OUT THE CHURCH WEBSITE There are some important new updates, including the addition of a number of videos. Click on [Link] and be sure to look through all the pages to find the changes. ------------------------------------YOUTH CATECHISM IS STUDYING THE FIRST ARTICLE OF THE APOSTLES CREED THIS WEEK ------------------------------------TAKE YOUR BULLETINS HOME EACH WEEK AND RE-READ THE LESSONS AND PRAY THE PRAYERS Take along an extra and give it to a friend! ------------------------------------KEEP YOUR PRAYERS: Frank Gilbreath, recuperating at home, and our shut-ins: Doris Jones, Emilia Cramsey, Oneta Riley, Elda Farmer & Isabel Johnson. Pray for Brandon Book. Pray also for those who have visited our church. Pray for those currently in our Catechism Class. Pray that the Lord blesses you with opportunities to share the Gospel. ------------------------------------ON THE RADAR SCREEN: Ash Wednesday is getting closer! Its on February 13 this year! Going through the attic or garage, a person sometimes runs across an old toy, a picture, a high chair or piece of furniture, and a flood of memories comes pouring in. What to others might have no meaning is to another person a piece of personal history. Certain objects have the power to bring to mind a whole lifetime. So it is with the Lenten history. There are things that bring to mind the dramatic, final hours of our Lords life, things to remember him by. The table in the upper room, the thirty silver coins, the wash basin in which Pilate tried to wash his hands of the whole sordid affair, the sign that was posted over our Lords bloody head these and a host of other objects, if found in an attic would mean nothing to someone who knew nothing of their history. But for us who know the history behind these items, they are all things to remember him by. And so the theme for our Lenten series this year will be Remember This? Plan to be with us each week as our hearts are stirred to remembrance again and to gratitude for what our Savior did for us. ------------------------------------God bless you as you serve Christ each day! See you in Gods house on Sunday! Pastor Buelow
DAILY DEVOTION from [Link] (available each day on our own website:
[Link] on the Devotions page) Click on the links. You can also hear them read to you.
DEVOTION JANUARY 25, 2013 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of oldwhat we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:1-4 Teach the Next Generation We all understand that there is certain information that is vital for one generation to pass on to the next. That is why History is still a major subject taught in schools. It is important for children to be familiar with the events that shaped the world they live in today. In the home, practical information is passed on from one generation to the next. Mothers and fathers teach their children how to do the things that they were taught by their parents: how to change the oil in the car, patch a hole in the wall, cook a good evening meal, or do the laundry without fading the colors or shrinking the clothes. Even older siblings have the urge to pass on their wisdom to their younger brothers and sisters. Of all the important and practical information that we want to make sure we share with the next generation, Gods Word has to be at the top of the list. What could be more important than teaching the next generation where they and the world they enjoy living in actually came from? What could be more important than teaching them the expectations God has for their lives and the purpose he has given to them for living those lives? What could be more practical than teaching them to know the love God has for themlove that is so intense it moved him to sacrifice his own Son for them?
This ancient information is practical for our children because it gives them a solid foundation for their lives. No matter what kind of obstacles or troubles they may face, Gods love for them never changes. The love that sent Jesus to the cross to die for them is the same love that continues to care for them and protect them every day. That love has thrown open the gates of heaven for all who believe. In order for our children to pass through those gates they need to believe, and in order for them to believe they have to be taught the truths of Gods Word. It is our responsibility to make sure those precious truths are taught to the next generation. Prayer: Lord God, teach me the importance of your Word and cause me to love it so that I will pass it on to the next generation. Amen.
