Epiphany 2018 Newsletter

“ . . . so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known.” (Ephesians 3:10)

Christ Jesus, the wisdom of God: how manifold, indeed!  In Him, the creation itself shines in a new light: first, the light of God’s profound generosity (that He who lacks nothing should create anything at all!), and second, the light of our own purpose, that we (with all creation!) were created through Him and for Him.   Yet there is still more.

Faith in this wisdom, such faith as cherishes and adores Him, renews our minds.  Do you want to be broad-minded without being thick-headed?  Follow the Lord who so loved the world that He gave His life for it, even bore its sin.  Such wisdom teaches us to love in kind, with consideration for sin and its consequences, yet with the hope of forgiveness and a new life—and there is still more!

For if God created this manifold creation in its wonder, and then more wonderfully redeemed it, what shall the new creation be, the home of righteousness?  What wisdom have we not yet known—or as Jonathon Edwards put it, what colors have we not yet seen, and what sounds have we not yet heard?  Winter may be a time for dreaming, but Christmas and Epiphany—they are a time for wonder, and for praising God in His manifold wisdom.

LET US PRAY: Your wisdom transcends all things, O Lord, and yet marvelously upholds them, even as Your Son graciously dwells among His Church and nourishes it with His own body and blood.  Accept my praise and thanksgiving, O God, and renew me in Your light; through the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

5th Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 4, Cycle B (February 4, 2018)

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Let us lift our hearts, hands, and voices to the Father of light, beseeching him through his Son Jesus to have mercy upon his Church, his world, and his people.

A brief silence

Holy God, renew and strengthen your Church. Grant wings to its words of faithful proclamation, so that many hearts may be reached with the Gospel of salvation. Make it swift to accomplish deeds of forgiveness and mercy in your name. Make it tireless in bearing witness to you. Conform it to your will; and use it to draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew and strengthen all who suffer for the sake of Jesus. Help them to constantly trust in your strong saving love.  Help us, who do not experience such suffering, to pray for them; defend them; provide for them as we are able; and to live in a way that glorifies you and honors their witness. We also ask your blessing upon our sister congregations and companion synods, and upon all missionaries of your Gospel.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Renew and strengthen this congregation. Grant us such confidence in you that we willingly wait upon you for guidance; and gladly obey what you command. Use us to encourage and help our families, friends and neighbors, especially those who most need to know your love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew and strengthen your servants who are nearing or in retirement. Fill them with your Spirit, so that they may continue to walk tirelessly in the way of faithfulness and service which you set before them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew and strengthen the leaders of the nations. Grant them wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, so that they might rightly care for their people, especially the poor and all who suffer from natural disaster or manmade calamities. Give all of us a teachable heart, eager to learn what makes for righteousness and peace in our communities and world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew and strengthen all whose work is difficult and dangerous, including those in our military. Grant them courage and honor; use their labors to accomplish your will; shield them and their loved ones when they are overtaken by adversity; and grant them a swift and joyous homecoming when their task is done.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew and strengthen all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit—especially {List}. Give them hope: to wait upon your gifts of health and wholeness. Give them faith: to rise above doubt, despair and sorrow. And give them your love, shared through each of us: to strengthen, shield, and surround them always.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most blessed and glorious Lord, we thank you for the great and final healing you bestow upon all who have died clinging to your promises. Grant us joy in the midst of sorrow; patience in suffering; courage in the face of danger; wisdom when we face hard choices; compassion and mercy as we minister to each other. And, at the last, vouchsafe to us the joy of being welcomed, with all whom you have healed from sin and death, into your eternal kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayerGraciously hear, and generously answer our prayers and petitions, dear Father, as may be best for us and to your greater glory, thorough your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

5th Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 4, Cycle B (February 4, 2018)

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 40:21-31 (Those who trust the Lord will renew strength, rise like eagles)

Psalm 147:1-11,20c (The Lord cares for creation, lifts up downtrodden)

1 Corinthians 9:16-23 (Paul became all things to all people so some may be saved)

Mark 1:29-39 (Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, then many people)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #543, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation

(LSB #790, ELW #858. Don’t use #859 unless you want it politically correct!)

OR ELW #860, I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me

OR LSB #795, Voices Raised to You We Offer (ELW #845)

(Nice Herman Stuempfle hymn.)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #87, Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (LSB #398, ELW #311)

(Yes, I know I selected this during Advent. See if anyone remembers! 😉 )

OR ELW #844, Praise to the Lord, All of You, God’s Servants

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #557, Let All Things Now Living (ELW #881)

Communion Hymn #2: WOV #765, Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love

(LSB #980, ELW #708)

Closing Hymn: LSB #551, When To Our World the Savior Came (tune is

“Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak”)

OR LBW #551, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (LSB #803, ELW #836)

Scripture Lessons

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (I will raise up a prophet, put my words in his mouth;

listen to him alone)

Psalm 111 (God is faithful and just; praise him for his righteous deeds)

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Caring for brethren with weak consciences;

eating food offered to idols)

Mark 1:21-28 (Jesus drives out a demon in Capernaum on Sabbath)

Opening hymn: LBW #393, Rise, Shine, You People! (LSB #825, ELW #665)

Hymns

Hymn of the Day: LSB #541, “Away From Us!” The Demon Cried (Don’t

panic; it’s same tune as “In Christ There Is No East or West)

OR LBW #493, Hope of the World, Thou Christ of Great Compassion

(Do NOT panic if you think the congregation will struggle. You can sing this to hymn #84, “Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning,” a perfectly fine Epiphany hymn tune to boot!)

OR ELW #581, You are Mine (It’s easier than it looks, honest!)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #364, Son of God, Eternal Savior

(LSB #842, ELW #655)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #514, O Savior, Precious Savior (LSB #527, ELW #820)

Closing Hymn: LBW #537, O Jesus, King Most Wonderful (LSB #554)

OR ELW #862, Praise, Praise! You Are My Rock

(a sprightly Herb Brokering hymn)

Scripture Lessons

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (Jonah preaches, Nineveh repents, God has mercy)

Psalm 62:5-12 (God judges all justly; trust in him)

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (the time as short; live accordingly)

Mark 1:14-20 (time fulfilled, Kingdom near, repent; I will make you fishers of men)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LSB #861, Christ Be My Leader (tune is Lord of All Hopefulness)

OR LBW #380, O Christ Our Light, Our Radiance True (ELW #675)

(LSB #839, O Christ, Our True and Only Light)

OR ELW #715, Christ, Be Our Light (Where else do I know this from?!)

Hymn of the Day: LSB #614, “As Surely As I Live,” God Said

OR LBW #237, O God of Light (Your Word, a Lamp Unfailing) (LSB #836)

OR LBW #379, Spread, O Spread, Almighty Word (ELW #663)

(LSB #830, Spread the Reign of God the Lord)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #390, I Love to Tell the Story (ELW #661)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #383, Rise Up, O Saints of God! (ELW #669)

Closing Hymn: LBW #405, Lord of Light (ELW #688)

Scripture Lessons

1 Samuel 3:1-20 (the call of Samuel to be a prophet)

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

you knew me in the womb)

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (the body made for the Lord; you are a temple

for the Holy Spirit)

John 1:43-51 (Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #250, Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty (LSB #901, ELW #533)

OR LBW #311, Wondrous Are Your Ways, O God – paraphrase of the psalm, but tune wanders a bit.)

Hymn of the Day: WOV #649, I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

(LSB #411, ELW #815)

OR LBW #455, “Come, Follow Me” the Savior Spake (LSB #688 ELW #799)

OR LSB #589, Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens (Excellent for tying Old

Testament and Gospel together!)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #406, Take My Life, That I May Be

(LSB 783/4, Take My Life, and Let It Be, ELW #583, 685. Go figure.)

Communion Hymn #2: WOV #699, Blessed Assurance (ELW #638)

Closing Hymn: WOV #723, The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve

OR LBW #239, God’s Word is Our Great Heritage (LSB #582, ELW #509)

Scripture Lessons

Genesis 1:1-5 (God creates light);

Psalm 29 (the voice of the Lord upon the waters);

Acts 19:1-7 (baptism in name of Jesus);

Mark 1:4-11 (the Baptism of Jesus)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #233, Thy Strong Word Didst Cleave the Darkness (LSB #578)

Hymn of Praise/prior to baptism or renewal of baptismal promises:

LBW #188, I Bind Unto Myself Today (LSB #604, ELW #450)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #83, From God the Father, Virgin-Born (LSB #401

(Why, yes, I can suggest a more familiar tune. Thanks for asking! The Doxology; From Heaven Above To Earth I Come; or Lord Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word will all work. Depending on whether you have already used the first two elsewhere in the season, the latter might be a good choice.)

OR WOV #647, When Jesus Came to Jordan (ELW #305)

OR ELW #454, Remember and Rejoice (very familiar tune)

OR ELW #304, Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized (ditto!)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #191, Praise and thanksgiving Be to God Our Maker

(tune is familiar – Father Most Holy, Merciful and Tender)

OR WOV #698, We Were Baptized in Christ Jesus (ELW #452, We ARE

Baptized in Christ Jesus) A piece of trivia: Ouilmette is the old French/Indian name for Wilmette, the town on the north shore of the Chicago area where my brother and sister-in-law live. Just thought you’d like to know.)

OR WOV #697, Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #548, O Worship the King (LSB #804, ELW #842)

Closing Hymn: LBW #87, Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (LSB #398, ELW #311)

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 60:1-6 (Arise, shine, for your light has come! God’s dispersed people are gathered in;

the nations come and worship)

Psalm 72: 1-15 (Give the King your justice, O God; may he rule with righteousness)

Ephesians 3:1-12 (Gentiles are now fellow heirs, sharers of the promise of salvation in Christ; Paul’s ministry is to disclose this mystery to all people)

Matthew 2:1-12 (Magi worship infant Jesus)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #75, Bright and Glorious is the Sky (ELW #301)

Hymn of Praise: LBW #47, Let All Together Praise Our God (LSB #389, ELW #287)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #81, O Chief of Cities, Bethlehem (I suggest singing to

“From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”)

OR LSB #399, The Star Proclaims the King is Here (same theme as “O Chief

of Cities, same meter, so if its tune is unfamiliar, sing this to “From

Heaven Above”)

OR LBW #82, As With Gladness Men of Old (LSB #397, ELW #302)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #84, Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning

(LSB #400, ELW #303)

Communion Hymn #2: WOV #646, We Three Kings of Orient Are

OR LBW #546, When Morning Gilds the Skies (LSB #807,ELW #853)

Closing Hymn: LBW #76, O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

(LSB #395, ELW #308)

LUTHERAN CORE: FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FEBRUARY 2017

We of Lutheran CORE have added something new. We have been sending out a more formal newsletter, CORE Voice, in the middle of every other month – January, March, etc. We will now be adding a letter from me which we will send out in the middle of the other months – February, April, etc. If you know someone that you would to see receive these communications from us, please let us know at lcorewebmail@gmail.com. There is also the option of receiving our communications by U. S. post office mail, so please notify us if you or someone you know would like to hear from us in that way. In these letters that will be coming to you every other month, I want to share with you what is on my heart as the president of the board and the director of Lutheran CORE.

In Christ, Dennis D. Nelson

IS JESUS CENTRAL IN YOUR PREACHING, IN YOUR FAITH, AND IN YOUR LIFE?

During these Sundays in the Epiphany season the second lesson has been taken from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, in which he has made statements like these –

“The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1: 18)

“We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power and wisdom of God” (1: 23-24)

“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (2: 2)

But how often do people in churches – even in Lutheran churches – hear about so many other things rather than “Jesus Christ, and him crucified”? For example –

I attended a funeral at a Lutheran church. Jesus was never mentioned even once during the message. There were vague references to the love of God and the hope that we will all be together again, but no mention at all of how Jesus is the basis that hope.

The father of a high schooler who attended the 2015 ELCA national youth gathering told me that his son reported to him, “Dad, it was all about what we need to do; it was nothing about what God has done.”

I have heard a sermon on the feeding of the five thousand where the preacher said, “The miracle was not at all about Jesus. Rather the miracle was all about the boy who shared his lunch.” And then he challenged the congregation to do the modern day equivalent of sharing your lunch.

I have heard a sermon about the Gospel account of the temptation of Jesus where the preacher said, “The temptation to turn stones into bread shows that we need to fight world hunger. The temptation to bow down and worship Satan in order to regain all the kingdoms of the world shows that we need to study the issues and then vote for political candidates who will pursue peace and social justice.”

I have heard a sermon on Transfiguration Sunday where the preacher said, “As we (and then he listed several ways of serving within the congregation), we can help bring about the transfiguration and transformation of the world.”

I have heard a sermon on Christmas Eve where the preacher said, “You do not have to believe in Jesus to feel the warmth and glow of Christmas.”

And I have heard a sermon on Easter Sunday where the preacher first told of the women who came to the tomb looking for Jesus and then said, “Wherever you find people doing good, there you find Jesus.”

Pastors, if people do not hear from us about the cross and the empty tomb, how will they know the wisdom, love, and power of God? Is “Jesus Christ and him crucified” central in your preaching, in your faith, and in your living?

BEING THE SALT OF THE EARTH

We are very grateful for all of our friends who through their faithful prayers and financial support make possible the work of Lutheran CORE. There were fifty-seven individuals, congregations, and organizations who gave $100 or more just during the month of December 2016. I had the great privilege of calling all of those for whom we have telephone numbers to thank them and was able to reach the majority of them. It was a joy to hear how much they value and appreciate the work of Lutheran CORE. I want to share with you an outreach ministry that I learned about that was undertaken by the congregation of one of our friends – Zion Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Kansas.

In 1976, the bicentennial of our country, cycling enthusiasts put together the Bikecentennial, a path that cyclists could ride on across the country with maps and a supporting guidebook. The year before Harley Phillips, a member of Zion congregation and an owner of a bicycle shop, received a phone call from a couple who were blazing the trail to create the transcontinental route. Their tandem bicycle had broken down twenty-two miles out of town. Realizing that the town of Hutchinson was only five miles south of the route, Mr. Philips approached the church council, who put a shower into the former parsonage and converted the upstairs Sunday School classrooms into accommodations for riders. Word spread quickly among the cyclists, and after Harley Philipps became president of the Bicycle Dealers Association, the church and its hostel was put into the guidebook that was part of the literature that riders received as they began the route.

Comments left by those who stayed there showed the impact of the congregation’s ministry of hospitality. One person wrote, “Greetings from India.” Another wrote, “Such an act of love proves the point on your door – ‘You will never know a moment when God does not love you.’” Other comments received were, “What you did for me, you did for the Lord” and “I have not been to church for a long time – it was nice to be back.” One person even said, “Many thanks for the way in which you fulfilled Martin Luther’s 96^th thesis – ‘Be kind to cyclists.’”

I asked whether they ever had a problem with theft or property damage. Harley Phillips first replied, “Anyone lazy enough to steal would not get on a bicycle and ride across the United States.” Then he added, “If you steal something and ride for five days, they can catch up with you in a car in one day. And besides, why carry all that extra weight anyway?”

I thought it was very interesting that the town of Hutchinson is nicknamed the Salt City because of a nearby mine from which rock salt is obtained and then, after being crushed, is spread on the highways when the roads ice up. Bravo to Harley Phillips and the congregation of Zion Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, for being what Jesus said – “The salt of the earth.”

WEEKLY DEVOTIONS AND SERMON STARTERS

Are you aware of the weekly devotions that can be found on the blog on the home page of Lutheran CORE’s website? Three members of the board are contributing devotions every week.

I am writing a devotional based upon one of the following Sunday’s readings – posted every Tuesday

Steve Gjerde, vice president of the board, is writing a devotional based upon one of the previous Sunday’s readings in the Missouri Synod lectionary series – posted every Wednesday

Brett Jenkins, another member of the board, is writing a devotional based upon one of the following Sunday’s readings or a timely topic – posted every Friday

A link to these devotionals is then posted on a number of different facebook and twitter accounts. Please help us get the word out about these resources. It is our desire that they be an inspiration to all who read them and also a source of ideas, thoughts, illustrations, and images for pastors as they prepare for the following Sunday’s sermon.

PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR THE PASTORAL SUMMIT

Please be in prayer with us for the Summit on Pastoral Formation, which Lutheran CORE will be holding on June 21, 2017 at Grand View University in Des Moines. Responding to the concern that we have been hearing from many pastors and lay congregational leaders, who wonder where their congregations’ next orthodox and outreach-oriented pastor will come from, we will be gathering ten leaders from four different Lutheran church bodies – ELCA, LCMC, LCMS, and NALC – to begin wrestling with the question –

How can we best raise up and support a new generation of Lutheran pastors who will be Biblical and confessional in their theology and missional/evangelistic in their perspective and practice?

The list of ten church leaders who have been confirmed as participants can be found in the January 2017 issue of our newsletter, CORE Voice, which can be found on our website, www.lutherancore.org.

In this first phase participants will be asking such questions as, What is the nature of twenty-first century culture and the twenty-first century church which contribute to this challenge?, and Why do approaches that have worked in the past not work today?

In Matthew 9: 37-38 Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” The first thing we need to do if we agree that the Church in the future will need faithful, orthodox, and outreach-oriented pastors is to pray.

THRIVENT CHOICE

Many thanks to those who are supporting our ministry by designating their Thrivent Choice dollars for Lutheran CORE. If you are a member of Thrivent Financial and qualify for Thrivent Choice dollars, may we suggest that you consider designating those funds to support our work of being a Voice and Network for Confessing Lutherans. And may we also remind you of two things –

First, the deadline for designating your dollars for 2016 is March 31

Second, you will need to designate our full name, Lutheran Coalition for Reform, not our shortened name, Lutheran CORE

* * * * * * * *

We would love to hear from you. Please detach and return to us at

Lutheran CORE, P. O. Box 1741, Wausau, Wisconsin 54402-1741

Name_________________________________

Address_______________________________

_______________________________

Phone Number__________________________

Email address___________________________

_______Prayer request

______________________________________________________________________________

_______My greatest concern for the whole Christian Church, my denomination/church body, or my own congregation is ______________________________________________________________________________

_______Please accept my gift, which I have enclosed