February

 

February 2021

February 07        Epiphany 5 – Divine Service Setting #3 Lutheran Service Book pg, 184

“When life gets you down the LORD God is still in control” - Job 7:1-7 & Mark 1:29-31

February 14        The Transfiguration of our Lord – Divine Service Setting 3 shortened Lutheran Service Book pg. 184 “Worship at its best” - Mark 9:2-9

The month of February is a month of transition. Transition means change; and with change comes some alterations to our habits and routines. We come to the end of the Epiphany season with a man named Job. Job shows the problem; the predicament of being a fallen soul living in a fallen world co-existing with fallen neighbors, family members and friends. Job’s plight drives home the reality that we live in a broken world outside of Eden.

The Gospel presents Christ as the great physician. Job stops at the point of hopelessness - With Christ we go beyond suffering to the solution of that suffering; namely that He is our substitute; the one who suffered for us, on our behalf, that we might find restoration, hope and eventually life.

At the heart of the gospel is a double transfer. Your sin is reassigned to Jesus. His righteousness is given to you. As your substitute He even knows what you’re going through no matter what it might be. He was tempted in every way possible. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. – Hebrews 4:15 In this two-fold transaction; your sin goes to Jesus while His righteousness comes to you. And you are free; free from sin, free to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

As we shift from Epiphany to Lent we will find ourselves with Peter, James and John who witness Jesus’ glorious transfiguration. Moses and Elijah appear before Jesus as they speak of the Savior’s coming arrest, trial, passion and resurrection. Moses and Elijah, those two great prophets of the Old Testament bear witness to Jesus.  After His resurrection Jesus will remind the Emmaus disciples in Luke 24, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms… And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.”

Transition can often be difficult. We’ve witnessed much of it this past year. People are yearning to get back to normal; whatever that might be. Honestly, who remembers what “normal” actually was? Yet Jesus remains constant, ever present, frankly; He never changes.  In all transitions and changes - look to Jesus. His guidance will sustain you.  

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As we begin the pilgrimage to the cross and empty tomb through the season a Lent we will be offering numerous devotional resources the help you along this journey. In addition to daily reflections based on the Propers of the week a daily devotional entitled “These Forty Days” will be offered this year. These Forty Days is a simple guide for the reading of Scripture.  These Forty Days includes reflections and prayers for each day and is available for your personal growth. A large segment of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount will be included in this year’s series. Churches and individuals around the world are using similar reading guides during the season of Lent. We invite you to join us.

Copies will be available in the Church’s gathering area and will be posted daily on the parish Facebook_TM page. For those who have given the church office your e-mail contact we will send you the above material daily.

Additionally we will focus on two sermon series during the season of Lent. In our Mid-week Service we will focus on some of the individuals who were present during Christ’s crucifixion. This series is entitled “Characters of the Crucifixion.” On Sunday Morning we will present the series “The message of the Cross” as we focus on the Gospel lesson for each Sunday. Godspeed as you join us during this Lenten journey.

Characters of the Crucifixion

Wednesday Evening Series

 

February 17     Peter:  "I Found Hope after Failure" – John 18:12-27

February 24     Annas: "I Can't Believe that Jesus Is Lord!" - John 18:12-14

The Message of the Cross

 Homilies based on the Gospels

Sunday Morning Series

February 21     The message of the cross leads to the testing of faith –Mark 1:9-15

February 28     The message of the cross involves suffering – Mark 8:31-38

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[1] Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts "The Crucifixion" © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use