Acts 2:21 – “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This verse is
the inspiration for the hymn, “Christ is
the World’s Redeemer“{LSB 539}. The suggested hymn for this week reminds us that
Jesus is the Savior of the world. Having examined the realities of Easter, we
now go out into the world as witnesses of the Savior. This is what living the
faith means. Expressing what those 1st Century disciples proclaimed,
“We are witnesses to these things.” –
Luke 24:48; Acts 5:32; 10:39;
This is the bridge between the
Easter appearance of Christ to His disciples and the coming of the Holy Spirit
on the day of Pentecost; the birthday of missions. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you
will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
From the preamble of our parish
mission statement: “The birthday of Missions occurred on the day of Pentecost circa AD 30 in
the city of Jerusalem. On February 25, 1838, Zion-Friedheim Lutheran Church was
chartered to be a House of Peace, a Haven of Hope for those who suffer and a
Harbor of Light in this sin-darkened world. As followers of Jesus, we are
Christ’s ambassadors – commissioned by Him who has reconciled the world to
Himself to be salt and light in this world.”
Collect for Easter 7
- O King of glory, Lord of hosts,
uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but
send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and
reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
For Agriculture
- Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in
abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper; we implore
You, the work of farmers, especially in this planting season. Grant them
seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth and thus
proclaim Your goodness. May we see by this noble vocation that by Your aid we
are helping to feed the world and cause all who give thanks over their food to
treat those who produce it with honor and respect.
An Evening Collect for Eastertide – Abide with us, Lord,
for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your
whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, in the
end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your Holy
Word and sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the
night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair
when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and
eternity.
Christ the King,
copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
Collects from
Lutheran Service Book copyright © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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