St. Paul Lutheran LCMS
Julesburg, CO
970.474.2592
The Pathlight
Your word is a lamp to my feet and
a light to my path Ps 119:105
October 20,2024
Zion Lutheran LCMS
Big Springs, NE
308.289.5148
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10132024 Vol.5 Issue 45
The Good One Makes Good
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10132024 Vol.5 Issue 45
The Good One Makes Good
“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. Mark 10:18
You ask a silly question; you get a silly answer. You ask a Law question; you will get a law answer. The rich man had two things on his mind as he meets Jesus. First, Jesus is one of the Good Guys. Jesus is a man who is very wise in His teaching about the things of God. Second, the rich man wants to know how eternal life is inherited. What really stands out, is his idea regarding inheritance. An inheritance isn’t earned….. an inheritance is given.
The problem for the rich young man is a common problem. We understand that Eternal Life is the greatest thing of all, but the temptation is to think that it’s something we earn by what we do. Being “good” is necessary for salvation, but we don’t ask, “What does ‘good’ mean?” We place a lot of emphasis on doing good…. but more often than not, fail to ask WHO is doing the good and for whom is the Good One doing it.
Jesus asks, “Why do you call me good?” Do you say I’m good because of what I’m teaching or how you’ve seen me acting? He calls Jesus a teacher and Jesus is certainly that, but why does the man call Him good? The answer is that the rich man sees Jesus as a teacher, which He is, and that He sees Jesus as just one good teacher among many good teachers.
Jesus is so much more than a teacher, as He says to the rich man… “No one is good except God alone.” Those words are both true and comforting to us. They’re comforting in the sense that God has come to us. Jesus is Goodness come to sinners who aren’t good. He’s come to us not to teach new laws, new ways, or a new example. He alone is the Good One, sent by His Father, as the Good One, Who fulfills both tables of the law, and credits His work to us in Baptism. Gifting to us the inheritance of forgiveness and eternal life. Gifting!
No one is Good but God alone, and that is most certainly true. The Holy Spirit through Mark opens our hearts to believe that Jesus alone has accomplished all that is good and right. He’s fulfilled all the law, bore the weight of all our sin, died to
put all peoples death to death, and risen again to justify all. All this to gift us forgiveness and eternal life. To gift us with the inheritance of the kingdom of God. The Good Teacher is the Good Shepherd, who lives in us by His Word and makes us good, beautiful, righteous, and perfect in His sight.
Pastor Christensen
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Cor. 13:12
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Sympathy is extended to Mary Michael, Chris and Makayla on the passing of Mike. Mike entered eternal glory on Saturday ,October 12, 2024.
Services will be held for Mike on October 18, at 10:30 at the John Grant Gym.
Simple Blessings
When sadness comes and firmly clings,
I try to think of pleasant things,
Bringing memories to my mind -
Happy thought of every kind.
Like hiking trails without a care,
Pure white snow, and crispy air,
Pushing children on their swings -
All these simple mundane things.
Big white clouds in summer sky,
Baby birds in nests nearby.
A cup of coffee, tasty bread,
Sunsets in the night sky spread.
A very special book to treasure,
Going to the beach-such pleasure.
In my mind these thoughts take place;
All these blessing I embrace.
“The Lord is my light and my Salvation… the Lord is the stronghold of my
life.” Psalm 27:!
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost October 20, 2024
The fevered pace of labor and life is refreshed only by the living Christ who gives
grace and forgiveness. These things are abundantly revealed on us in Word and Sacrament on the sacred Sabbath. This is the day we hear the preaching of His Word, receive it, and learn it. Through this word we hear the restorative Gospel from Jesus. No other riches on earth can compare to His Gospel - it is the means by which we enter eternity.
Divine Service Setting 3 pg. 184 with Communion
OPENING HYMN #907 “God Himself Is Present”
INTROIT
KYRIE
SALUTATION - COLLECT
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ecclesiastes 5: 10-20
EPISTLE: Hebrews 4:1-13
HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 10:23-31
NICENE CRE”ED pg. 191
HYMN #748 “I’m But a Stranger Here”
SERMON
OFFERING
Service of the Sacrament pg.192
HYMN # 631 “Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face”
Lord’s Prayer
BENEDICTION pg. 202
HYMN # 921 “ On What Has Now Been Sown”
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SERVANTS
ST. PAUL
USHERS / GREETERS – Murl Abts / Jeff Larsen
ORGANIST – Jeanie Boehm
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Calendar
October 23- 5:00 Midweek
October 27 - 8:00 Sunday School
9:00 Worship Service
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Autumn Waters
It was an autumn day during the Jewish Feast of Booths when our Lord offered Himself as the living water who alone could quench spiritual thirst. He promises that those who would have His spirit, from out of their hearts “will flow rivers of
living water.” From you, as one who believes in Christ and the power of His resurrection, will flow rivers of living water. As the fountain of God’s grace abundantly flows with living water into your life, so God’s blessings flow to others through you.
Yesterday was Sweetest Day. Unlike Valentine’s Day, when we express love for special people in our lives, toward those in our lives or appreciation toward those who need some kindness and encouragement, God who is love, shows the sweetness of His in Christ. We, as “little Christs “overflow like rivers of mercy with what God has graciously given to us. These autumn waters from the Lord flow to and through you and then touch the heart of someone you know who is in despairing, fearful, or lonely. By the living waters of Jesus, we, as baptized believers in Him, flow with living water to others who thirst inside.
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The Fall Harvest Potluck for St. Paul and Zion congregations will be held on Sunday evening, November 3, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Meat and drinks will be furnished. Please bring a salad, vegetable or dessert for the meal. Also this year you are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to share with the Zion, Big Springs, food bank. There will be a box in the fellowship hall for food items to be delivered at the potluck or on Sunday mornings. Please plan to come and enjoy some great food and Christian fellowship!
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The Miriam Circle will be having a booth at the Hippodrome Fair to Remember on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Baked goods are a great part of the sale and any donations by congregation members are greatly appreciated! Items can be brought to the sale on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. or on Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Proceeds from the sale will be used for Circle projects in the congregation and community.