“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling” (Matthew 23:37).

The place which is supposed to be faithful is filled with wickedness.  Intrigue and sorrow abound.  It is sad when the place which is supposed to be a haven is a pit.  The wickedness of this world seeks to infect all places.  Look to the One who speaks truth and avoid the myriad traps of the wicked in this world.  The Lord will gather the faithful into the one true catholic and apostolic church, filled with the communion of saints.

Is there a prophetic voice in your midst?  Do not kill it.  If Christ crucified and resurrected is proclaimed, then live in the truth of the revelation.  Yes, the word of the Lord sometimes unsettles us, but do not be led by your feelings, but by the truth of the One who is the way, truth and life.  The Lord gathers those who will flock to Him.  He is watching out for all of the faithful.  Be counted amongst them.

Lord Jesus, in this troubled world, I am often at a loss for what to do.  I often do not know which way to turn.  Guide me into all goodness so that in Your mercy, I may live in the grace You give.  Help me to live according to Your word and never disregard it.  Help me to overcome my fears to live the life You have given me to live.  Lead me Lord in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.

“[S]o that upon you will fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.  Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation” (Matthew 23:35-36).

The blood of the righteous is spilled by the unrighteous who believe only in themselves.  It has happened over and over again.  The wicked of this world believe what they want to believe, and the righteous have received the truth.  If you hold to the truth, it will infuriate the wicked.  This world wants destruction, but the Lord of life offers truth.  The truth is what sets us free.

Lord, things really have not changed.  Styles and the particularities of culture and technology make us think things are different, but they are not and we are not.  Lead us in the way of truth.  Let us see through the fog of this age.  Help us to understand that only in You will we begin to understand this thing we call life.  You are the author of life and the author of true faith.  Help us see reality as You reveal truth.

Lord Jesus, You have come to reveal truth and lead any who will follow into genuine faith.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I may humbly go where You lead.  Teach me the things I need to know and show me the right way of living so that I humbly walk with You, the author and finisher of my faith.  Lord, You know all that is needed.  Help me to joyfully receive all that You give.  Amen.

“Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city” (Matthew 23:34)

The word of the Lord will not be stopped.  The Lord sends those who are faithful, whom He has made righteous.  The word of the Lord will continue to reach out despite those who seek their own way.  The way of the Lord is the way He determines it needs to be done.  Sinners argue, but those who become faithful learn to trust the Lord and live according to His instruction.

Lord, I do like to pretend I am right.  I know how to sin. But I am often wrong.  Take me away from the way of self-righteousness into the true righteousness You offer.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see that You alone are true.  Help me to seek truth in all things.  Guide me according to Your word to live the life You have given me, and to do so faithfully.

Lord Jesus, whether it is receiving Your word from another, or sharing Your word, guide me in Your goodness to live in the truth.  When I am in the place of untruth, convict me.  When it is the truth, grant me boldness.  Through all things, help me to be faithful.  Guide me in the way of righteousness.  Help me to hold fast to the true faith You have revealed.  Lead me into all truth.  Amen.

John 10:22-30

Scripture:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls!

Pastor: Sammy, we have more sheep this week in our Gospel reading from John.

Sammy: I know! This passage is great, Pastor! I love that we get to talk about sheep again. I am an expert in sheep. Well, I am a sheep. That’s why I am an expert.

Pastor: Let’s not get carried away, Sammy. When your shepherd calls you, do you know his voice?

Sammy: Of course! My whole family knows the voice of our shepherd. We love him. He takes good care of us and makes sure that we have what we need. And he protects us from danger. We listen to him.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy. Do you follow your shepherd?

Sammy: We do! We trust him to guide us where we need to go.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think happens if Sammy or her family wander too far away from the shepherd and from the other sheep?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Well, those are really good answers. Sheep can get really hurt if we wander far away. We could get lost. And we may not be able to find enough water. And sometimes we can get stuck in bushes or thorns. Or we could fall off of a cliff or a ledge. Or a wild animal could try to hurt us.

Pastor: It sounds to me like sheep need and rely on their shepherd.

Sammy: Yes we do.

Pastor: You know, Sammy. Jesus is the best shepherd there is. When we become one of his sheep, we belong to him forever. He loves us so much, that he laid down his life for his sheep. He takes good care of us. We are the sheep of Jesus.

Sammy: Jesus is truly the best shepherd out there. You have to be really brave to be willing to die for your sheep. That’s great love.

Pastor: Yes it is. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads in prayer with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for being our Good Shepherd. Thank you for speaking to us. Thank you for protecting us. Thank you for laying down your life for us. Thank you for loving us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“You snakes, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?” (Matthew 23:33)

From Genesis Three of scripture, there is enmity with the serpent, the one who deceived.  Those who cling to the law as the means of salvation are deceived.  How will they escape condemnation?  The law condemns.  One has to overcome the law and there is only One who has.  The One speaking to the “vipers” is the One who has overcome for the sake all who believe.  Avoid the traps of the serpents.  Live out the promise of Christ.

Lord, the lure of doing it on my own is great.  I do not want to think I need help.  I pretend that I am okay with the world when, inside, I know I am often desperate because of the conflict with all of the evil in this world.  Lord, I deserve the sentence of hell, but You offer me a new life through grace.  Bring me out of the self-deception to come to the place where I realize I do need to be saved and You are the One who saves.

Lord Jesus, You were constantly confronted by very religious people who were vested in their own system.  I live in a world filled with people who are vested in their own self-serving beliefs.  Lead me so that I move away from this kind of thinking and into a place where I look to You alone as the source of all that I need.  Save me, Lord, and guide me in the way You know I need to go along the path of salvation. Amen.

“So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers” (Matthew 23:31-32).

Guilt is in this age.  There are many terrible things that have been done by those who have gone before us.  But that guilt is taken to the cross.  Yes, I am in bondage to sin, but Christ frees me from sin.  Should I go on sinning that grace may abound?  May it never be.  Instead, we are to humble ourselves so that we walk fully in the presence of the One who made us.  Live in the whole truth and know all of its blessings.

Lord, I become comfortable with the way things are.  Resurrect these white washed bones in order that I may live the life You have given me.  Guide me into the way of truth.  Yes, I have had my part of sin.  Teach me how to repent and walk in the way You have designed life to be lived.  Keep me from slipping back into the way of life that would trap me in this world’s lies.  Lead me into Your truth.

Lord Jesus, You speak the words of truth.  You have guided me into the truth of the goodness of the Father.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go so that truth abounds in me.  Let me never be puffed up, but help me to humbly walk in the way of truth that You have revealed.  You have given me grace upon grace so that the sin that binds me may be shed to prepare for the eternal life You have given me.  Keep me walking with You always.  Amen.

John 21:1-19

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls!

Pastor: How are you doing today, Sammy?

Sammy: I am doing great! I am ready for the breakfast buffet that you guys brought for me.

Pastor: Um. What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: You know, just like in the Gospel reading for today. Jesus had breakfast with his disciples on the beach. I like breakfast. I like the beach.

Pastor: So what makes you think that we brought you a breakfast buffet?

Sammy: Well, Jesus gave direct orders to Simon Peter today. He said to Peter, “Feed my sheep.” I don’t see any other sheep in church this morning, so I must be getting all of the good food you brought for me today.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think Jesus means when he says, “Feed my sheep”?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: You see, Sammy, Jesus isn’t talking about feeding the literal sheep in the pasture—although we do need to feed our sheep if we are raising them.

Sammy: Oh. He’s not?

Pastor: No, he’s not. He’s talking about the people he loves, all of us. We are Jesus’s sheep and he is the good shepherd. Jesus calls Simon Peter to feed and take care of the sheep—that’s us—because Jesus loves us. As Christians, we are called to serve each other in love.

Sammy: Jesus loved us first, so we are called by Jesus to love other people.

Pastor: That’s exactly right. That’s what being a Christian is all about: following Jesus: He is the way, the truth, and the life. When Jesus comes into our hearts when we are baptized and become part of God’s family, we are changed forever, and we can’t help but serve each other.

Sammy: It’s amazing what the love of God can do!

Pastor: Yes it is.

Sammy: Okay, but I do have one more question: can you all bring me breakfast next week?

Pastor: Sammy, we are going to pray now. I would be glad to bring you breakfast after church. Boys and girls, can we please fold our hands and bow our heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for feeding us. Thank you for taking care of us. Thank you for sending your people out to love each other. Thank you for modeling that love for us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets’” (Matthew 23:29-30).

This world gives lip service to whatever seems profitable at the time.  Like the blowing wind, we are often in another place, honoring other things.  The word of the Lord is eternal.  He who created all things has given us His word and He speaks the truth.  Do not fall for the pablum of this age which promotes feelings, but live into the absolute truth of eternity.  God is the Lord of all.

Lord, I am often befuddled by the nonsense of this age.  I fall into the pit of thinking as the world thinks.  Lead me up and out of this muddled thinking to see more clearly the truth that You have proclaimed.  Guide me in the truth that I may be freed from this world’s murderous way of influencing my thoughts.  In the freedom You grant, show me the truth that I may think, live, and walk in the way of life instead of death.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  You have come to set me free from the bondage of sin and death.  You have given me the ability to think.  Help me to think clearly and walk in the way You have established.  Guide me Lord in the way of truth.  Teach me how to live life in such a way that I remain in the liberty of Your word.  Keep me out of the pits of this age in order to live according to Your word.  Amen.

Easter 2025

Dear Friends in our Risen Lord –

The Gospel reading for April 6, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, is a powerful example of overwhelming love and deepest gratitude that express themselves in extravagant giving. John 12 starts out, “Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for Him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with Him.”

The previous chapter (John 11) tells the story of the resurrection of Lazarus. I believe that what is going on here in chapter 12 is that Lazarus and his sisters wanted to show their gratitude, so they invited Jesus and His disciples over for dinner. “Martha served.” If the account in Luke 10: 38-42 is any indication, when Martha served a dinner, she went all out. The meal and hospitality were over the top. There is a lady at the church where my wife and I are members who – whenever she is in charge of the food for an event – she goes all out. It is over the top. Whenever she – or the chef at a nearby Lutheran retreat center – are in charge of the soup for one of the Lenten soup suppers, you know that it is going to be very, very good.

What does Mary do? Verse 3 – “Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” According to Judas in verse 5 this perfume could have been sold for three hundred denarii (what the average person would earn in a full year). Jesus responds in verse 7, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.”

Mary just had to do something extravagant to show her love for Jesus – to express her deep gratitude to Jesus – for raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. What is the most extravagant thing you have done because of your love for someone – because of your love for God?

The apostle Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians –

8: 9 – “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.”

9: 6 – “The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

9: 8 – “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

9: 11 – “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity.”

9: 15 – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

You have shown your great love for God by your faithful and generous support of the work of the Lord, including the ministry of Lutheran CORE. Thank you for including Lutheran CORE in your giving. A major part of our work right now is evaluating and alerting you to what will be coming to and what will be acted on by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly this summer. Again this year we are supporting NEXUS, the ministry of Bible study, theological reflection, fellowship, and vocational discernment for high schoolers put on by Grand View University in Des Moines. We are again supporting the Cross Country Mission and City Mission work of River’s Edge Ministries in Mt. Airy, Maryland, which provide encouragement and practical assistance for rebuilding their lives for victims of natural disasters in various parts of our country, as well as outreach into inner city Baltimore. In the past we have provided financial assistance for four students at the North American Lutheran Seminary in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. We have now doubled that number to eight.

And yet we know that the work of Lutheran CORE – as well as the work of our ministry partners – will be severely criticized by those who see us as a threat to their relentless efforts to remake the ELCA and redefine its mission. I have already shared how I was removed from the ELCA Clergy Facebook group because my work with Lutheran CORE was accused of being hostile and abusive. And ELCA leaders are obviously threatened by the work of the Lutheran Congregational Support Network as shown by the document the ELCA prepared in rebuttal. If you have not already done so, I urge you to sign up to be on the email mailing list of the Network. You will find a link to their website on the ELCA Focus page on our website. It contains written communications as well as videos that discuss the anticipated changes to the ELCA Constitutions that are most alarming. It does not surprise us that there will be powerful forces that oppose us, just as one of Jesus’ disciples severely criticized Mary for what she did for Jesus.

Please find below links you can use to give a gift towards our regular operating expenses. Please also let us know how we can be praying for you. Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel, as we seek to live as the apostle Paul wrote – sowing bountifully, loving extravagantly, and thanking God for His indescribable gift.

In Christ,

Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE
P.O. Box 1741
Wausau WI 54402-1741

The Prayers of the Church, June 15, 2025: The Holy Trinity, C, also Father’s Day

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 (the Wisdom of God, in whom all was created)

Psalm 8 (your works are excellent; what is man that you are mindful of him)

Acts 2:14a, 22-36 (Peter’s Pentecost sermon: Jesus is Lord and God)

                ELW/RCL: Romans 5:1-5 (We have peace with God through Jesus; the Spirit of him who raised up Christ is poured into our hearts)

John 8:48-59 (Before Abraham was, I AM)

                ELW/RCL: John 16:12-15 (The Spirit will declare all he has heard; take what Jesus received from his Father)

*******

Opening Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy: LBW #165, ELW #473, LSB #507

Hymn of the Day: Holy God, We Praise Your/Thy Name: LBW #535, ELW #414, LSB #940

OR

Almighty Father, Creator Blest

Tune: Victory (The Strife is O’er)

By Rev. Cathy A. Ammlung, STS

(before first verse; “in” is sung on two notes):

Credo, credo, credo in_ unum Deum!

1. Almighty Father, Creator blest, Worlds sprang to life at his behest;

Seen and unseen, his name they confessed: Credo, credo!

1. Lord Jesus Christ, his only Son, In truth and substance, they are one;

Pure Light from Light, in him life’s begun: Credo, credo!

1. For us poor sinners, mortal and weak, He came from heav’n, the lost to seek,

God’s Word made flesh, salvation to speak. Credo, credo!

1. Born of the virgin, Mary most pure, And of the Spirit, to be sin’s cure,

Christ became man; let praises endure – Credo, credo!

1. For us, ‘neath Pilate’s judgment he died – For us, our Lord was crucified,

For us, he rose again, glorified: Credo, credo!

1. Ascended to the Father’s throne, He shall return, to judge everyone,

And rule fore’er, as Lord and God: Credo, credo!

1. Most Holy Spirit, life-giving Lord, One with the Father and Son, adored,

Inspiring prophets’ holy word, Credo, credo!

1. Making one holy Church in the world, One with apostles, martyrs and Lord,

One through baptism with water and Word, Credo, credo!

1. From sin forgiven, we are made free, Christ’s life from death our future shall be,

Forever praising the Trinity: Credo, credo!

(final refrain: as in opening)

Credo, credo, credo in_ unum Deum!

Communion Hymn #1: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise: LBW #526, ELW #834, LSB #802

Communion Hymn #2: Father Most Holy:  LBW #169, ELW #415, LSB #504

Closing Hymn: Thee We Adore, Eternal Lord: LBW #547

OR Thy Strong Word Didst Cleave the Darkness: LBW #233, ELW #511, LSB #578

*******

By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to God our Father in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, making intercession for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Holy God, we praise your Name! Help us to joyfully proclaim it to the world, and to honor it in all we do.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father, bless and preserve your Church, purchased with the blood of your Son and sanctified with the fire of your Spirit. Keep it steadfast in faith; sound in doctrine; loving in service; generous in giving; ardent in worship; and holy in living. Make it a lamp filled with the light of your presence, guiding many to salvation in your Name.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be the shelter, strength, and inheritance of all who are hated because they confess Christ as Savior and God. Give them courage, graciousness, and hope; and soften the hearts of their enemies.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Kindle with your Spirit the hearts and minds of the people in this place. Unite us to your Son. Use us to proclaim the gospel in words and deeds to all those we meet. Help us to seek out those who most deeply need your love. Give us courage to invite them into your holy fellowship, in which they may find mercy, joy, and an eternal home.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all students, especially those graduating this spring.  Gide them in paths of wisdom and righteousness in whatever they do. Teach them to love goodness, truth, and beauty, which spring from your heart. Bless them, and their families, teachers, mentors, and friends, who encouraged and supported them along the way.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

There is no other God beside you, who are Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Give your gifts of faith, wisdom, and righteousness to all people, especially to those who take counsel for the nations. Conform the hearts of all people to your will, and bless this war-torn world with the peace that passes human understanding.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Dear Father, gather in your Son’s embrace all who suffer, including: {List}. Bestow upon them health and salvation; and bless them, and all who care for them, with the grace and comfort of your Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, we praise and adore you for welcoming our beloved dead into your eternal communion of life and love. Keep our hearts firmly fixed on you, the Lord and Giver of life, the Alpha and the Omega, the God and Father of all creation. Bring us, with the whole company of the redeemed of every time and place, every nation, tribe and tongue, into the joy of your presence, where we shall behold you face to face and adore you as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our Lord and our God.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.