June

We now entered into the second season of the church calendar commonly called Ordinary Time, or The time after Pentecost. The first Sunday to fall after the Pentecost is Trinity Sunday after which follow the Sundays after Pentecost. The main focus in the readings, of course, is the earthly ministry of Jesus. Regardless of time, season or circumstance Christ is the center of all we do.

Slowly we have opened our worship space practicing social distancing, limiting the number of persons allowed to be present at one time. We are practicing sanitation protocols to protect our members.

Persons sixty-five and older and those with pre-existing or weakened health conditions have been asked now to stay at home.  The 9 am Service will continue to be broadcasted on radio station WZBD 92.7 FM  We will live-stream the service on our FacebookTM page as well.

We will continue to offer two services at 9 and 11 am. If you wish to attend one of these services, I would ask that you register on our parish website. http://zionfriedheim.org/

We will offer the Sacrament on June 7 and 21. Hosts and cups will be available on the credence table. Congregants will be invited to approach, keeping social distancing of six feet. 

If you wish to receive the Sacrament in your home kindly contact me, and arrangements will be made for a pastoral visit.  I may be reached on my cell by text or call 260.223.0903. Voice messages may be received at the parsonage 260.547-4534 or the church office 260.547.4248

As we are given to serve both faithfully and responsibly in loving service and care for souls and the health and safety of our members and our neighbors in the world; we understand that not all may, at this time, be joining us. All are free in Christ to keep to themselves and remain at home without guilt or judgment.

For your edification and encouragement daily reflections are being written and sent out via e-mail and posted on the parish Facebook_TM page. If we you have not received these devotionals this means we do not currently have you e-mail address. You may forward your e-mail to the church office churchoffice@zionfriedheim.org  

We are not given to panic but to be judicious and proceed with caution. Our Governor will be opening activity in our state in stages monitoring each phase as it goes. Remember the Covid-19 virus is still with us. There is not a vaccine available.  Social distancing and good hygiene skills will be necessary. If you’re out in public wear a mask – not for your protection but for your neighbor.

Cain asked of the Lord, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Notice, the Lord was silent. He did not need to respond. Cain knew the answer before he uttered his question.  We are given to serve both faithfully and responsibly in loving service and care for souls and the health and safety of our members and our neighbors in the world. This has been our motto as we have navigated this pandemic.     

As the body of Christ, we stand ready to serve. To that end, spend each day with your Savior in prayer. Reach out to your sisters and brothers in Christ.  Attend to the needs of others, as you are able. Assist as you can. Serve others as Christ has cared for you.

The Trinity copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

June

As we transition into the time and season of the Church Year called Pentecost, we remember the promise Jesus made to send the Spirit. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17) Pentecost is the birthday of Missions as God’s people live out their faith expressing joy and hope. This hope is the result of the Spirit’s making all things new. Pentecost is a renewal in the church for it is more than an observance of a great event in the past but it is a repeatable experience here and now. With the Spirit comes new life and hope.

St. Paul would remind us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26) In this life, there will be times of challenge. “Tribulation” is just another word for “trouble.” Trouble and tribulation are guaranteed. But also, peace is guaranteed. “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace, “Jesus said. “In this world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

In this world, you will have trouble. Our troubles are the backdrop for prayer. We come the Lord daily addressing Him according to our need. In prayer, we take out burdens joys and cares to the Lord as He answers each petition according to our need. “Ask and you will receive and your joy with be complete.” (John 16:24)

Jesus has said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27-28) This peace; the peace of Christ, is His gift to you. Risen and Ascended – Jesus lives and reigns as King throughout all eternity. This gift of God in Jesus Christ is genuine. It is a peace, which can never be undone. His peace is personal. It becomes personal because it is independent of and unaffected by any outward circumstance. These outward circumstances may remain unchanged, but with St. Paul we can say, “We are more than conquerors through Him who lives us. “ (Romans 8:37)    

June

With the coming of June we now turn to the second half of the church year. It is the Non-festival season of the church calendar referred to as the Pentecost season. This second half of the church year always includes the entire months of July, August, September and October and most or all of June and November. In some years, the season of Pentecost may include a portion of May, or a day or two in early December. This year the last Sunday in the season of Pentecost will fall on November 25 as we observe Christ the King Sunday.

Remember the Festival season of the church calendar finds its focus on the life of Jesus, which culminates in His glorious resurrection. Easter will fall either early or late. Ascension is always forty days after Easter. Pentecost always falls exactly fifty days after Easter. This year Easter fell on April 1. In 2019 Easter will be celebrated on April 21.   

The color for the Sundays after Pentecost is green, a color of growth. It is during this season that Christians grow in the faith expressing that confidence which we have in Christ. Maintaining a reference to the Pentecost season is to emphasize that we Christians are living in the age of the Spirit, given at Pentecost.  Just as the disciples were gifted and led by the Spirit, so too are we.  We are a church still living from the Pentecost described in Acts chapter 2 as a helpful reminder that we continue to live in the wake of Pentecost.

The Old Testament readings are arranged so that we can experience a great amount of scripture,

The Epistle addresses the realities of conflict (II Corinthians), the promise of stability and unity (Ephesians), core practices of the faith (James), and the priestly nature of Christ and the church (Hebrews).

The Gospel during this season carries us through Mark’s account of Jesus teaching his disciples, largely in the area in and around the Sea of Galilee,

The number seven is identified with Pentecost because the Spirit brings the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.  From Isaiah 11:1-3 these gifts include wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These sevenfold-gifts are portrayed in the two candelabras each containing seven branches.

During this season Christians are grateful for the Spirit and His gifts. The Spirit brings life; He calls, enlightens and gathers believers into His family the church. We also express our life in confidence. Hope results from the Spirit making all things new. With the Spirit comes new life and hope.      

June

 4 June 2017 – Pentecost – Romans 3:21-28
Obedience to God’s Word results from grace

11 June, 2017 –Holy Trinity – Romans 4:13-25
Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him as righteousness    

18 June – Proper 6 – Romans 5:6-15
God’s love is seen in Christ’s dying for sinners

25 June – Proper 7 – Romans 6:12-23
We are now slaves to righteousness

"The Righteous shall live by faith" - (Romans 1:17) These words, are the very words which became the  inspiration for the Reformation. Luther grew to become afraid of God. He was afraid of God because Luther understood God to be holy, righteous, and one who would punish sinners. 

Luther's fear turned to anger. Luther's frustration was expressed in a question, "how could I ever love a God who can never be satisfied. How could I ever love a just God?" 

Finally Luther discovered all he had been searching and for the first time in his life understood, "The just shall live by faith." By these words Luther discovered the gospel. He understood that we are not redeemed by our efforts or effort but by the obedience of faith. 

The fall of 2017 people the world over will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In preparation of this event we will be reading through the book of Romans from which Luther by God's grace discovered the gospel. The epistle lesson will be the sermon text from 28 May through 17 September.  It is my prayer that as we review this important book in Scripture, you too, will discover the treasure of the gospel and the hope we have in Christ. 

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

June

5 June 2016 Proper 5 - Divine Service Setting 1

Luke 7:11-17 “Jesus, the Lord of life”

12 June 2016 Proper 6 -Matins

Luke 7:36—8:3 Jesus, the Friend of Sinners

19 June Proper 7 - Divine Service Setting 2

Luke 8:26–39— Jesus the destroyer

26 June Proper 8 Prayer and Preaching

Luke 9:51–62 - Christ’s Messengers Proclaim His Kingdom

We now move into the non-festival portion of the church year calendar. Our focus will be on the life of Jesus as He is portrayed in the gospel of Luke the physician.  Some of the great stories concerning Jesus’ life will be reviewed this coming month. Take some time each week to review the lessons for the coming Sunday. Pay particular attention to the Gospel lesson. They tell the story of Jesus. Following is a brief summary of this month’s gospels.

June 5 Proper 5 - Jesus raises a widow’s son in Nain. We feel our weakness. It is as though the world is often too much. Death is the final declaration of defeat. We need to hear the story of Jesus’ raising the widow’s son at Nain to be reminded that life is stronger than death and that this life comes from Christ. Jesus is called, “Lord” – He is the Lord of life. Circumstances though they are cannot and will not disrupt Jesus from restoring and giving us His life.

12 June Proper 6 - Jesus’ enemies accused Him of being a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Yes, He was, and is! A woman—a noted sinner— anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, and wiped them with her hair. Simon the Pharisee was scandalized that Jesus would allow this, but Jesus teaches that forgiveness is for sinners, not for the self-righteous. The woman, sorry for her sins, has them forgiven by Jesus. When we repent of our sins—which are many—we, too, are forgiven. Thanks be to Jesus that He is a friend of a sinner like me!

June 19 Proper 7 - Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, can only rescue and redeem. We are helpless in the face of adversity from the devil and his demons, for our fallen nature is unwilling and unable to fight against him. Like the demoniac, we need recuing by Jesus. He has accomplished our rescue by His death on the cross, where He defeated Satan and the powers of darkness.

June 26, Proper 8 - In Luke 9:51, the whole tenor of the Gospel according to St Luke changes. Jesus sets His face to go to Jerusalem. Now the focus is on the cross. Where He will redeem humanity. From the clutches of Satan. From bondage to the Law. From everlasting death. Our eyes, too, must ever be focused on the cross of Christ. It is there alone that we are able to find true freedom. If we are going to faithful to the Lord, as was Elijah, we must always proclaim Christ - crucified as a sacrifice on our behalf.

Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we my love and serve our neighbor;

I would like to express my thanks for allowing me to further my education this past academic year. For 37 weeks (September – May) I was a chaplain at Lutheran Hospital fulfilling one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. The course, designed for pastors serving in parishes, included 400 clinical hours of visitation in three designated units at the hospital. I was assigned to the Orthopedic Hospital, a coronary telemetry unit, and Medical Surgical Intensive Care. The course required me to spend eleven days as the on-call chaplain (eight 16-hour shifts, and three 24-hour shifts) as well as numerous reading assignments, reflection papers, and visitation verbatim narratives. The purpose for taking this course was to make me a better pastor and to enhance my pastoral skills. In the course of this unit, I have discovered that the relationships, which we have and the life we share within the congregation are so vital to work that each of us are called. May the Lord continue to bless our Friedheim family as we gossip the gospel and live as salt and light in this world.