Newsletter
September 14, 2025
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
Zion Lutheran LCMS
Big Springs, NE
308.289.5148
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The Cost of Discipleship
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28)
Jesus gives examples of people who measured the cost of their objective and ultimately stepped away from it. A man would not build a tower if he could not pay for it and neither would a king go to war if he knew he would lose.
Jesus says anyone who does not hate his father and mother cannot be His disciple. At first glance, this is absolutely opposed to what Jesus teaches at other times: “Love your neighbor as yourself,” but if we take it in the context of the later verses, what is Jesus saying? A man building a tower who runs out of money not even halfway through loses quite a lot. He loses both financial stability and his reputation. Worse yet, a king going to war against a stronger army loses more: his kingdom and his life. What is the cost of discipleship?
The answer is everything. Jesus says anyone who will not take up his own cross and follow Christ cannot be a disciple. Anyone who is not willing to leave family, fame, fortune, or anything else is not a faithful follower. You don’t have to let go of everything but are you willing too? By this word, we are convicted of our sin, as we cannot follow God’s law perfectly. We are unable and unwilling. We cannot be a disciple of Christ and gain eternal life. Unable and unwilling. The cost is too high because the cost is total obedience to God, and we, fallen sinners, are not capable.
Immediately following this passage in Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the good shepherd, who leaves everything behind to find the lost sheep, risking his life—risking everything. This shepherd finds the lost sheep and returns to the fold, having successfully achieved his goal, unlike the two examples from before. The good shepherd chose that the reward was worth whatever the cost may be. Of course, the good shepherd in the parable is our Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus.
God measured the cost of reconciling humanity to Himself and saving us from sin, death, and the devil. He knew the price that would have to be paid: the death of His only Son. The Son took on human flesh, lived, suffered, and died because, even though the cost was the highest, He was the only one Who could pay it. In His death and resurrection, Jesus paid the price for the redemption of the world. We are now called His disciples, His children, as He gives what He earned for us, freely in Word and Sacrament. The cost of discipleship is high. Higher than we could ever pay. But it has been paid, and the benefits are yours.
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. 1Cor. 13:12
Lutheran Service Book
Order of Service
OPENING HYMN # 566 “By Grace I’m Saved”
LITURGY pg.151 The Divine Service (setting one)
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
INTROIT
KYRIE pg.152
OLD TESTAMNET READING: Ezekiel 34:11-24
EPISTLE: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-10
APOSTLES CREED pg.159
HYMN OF THE DAY #609 “Jesus Sinner Doth Receive” SERMON
OFFERING
OFFERTORY pg.159
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION pg.166
CLOSING HYMN #839 Christ, Our True and Only Light”
Depart in Peace
Serving Today
St. Paul
Usher/Greeters-BrianLanckriet/GayleNewth
Organist-Gail Nicolaus
Zion
Usher/Greeters-Mark/Dayton, Alter Guild-Shelle/Jodi
Organist-Gail Nicolaus
St. Paul is hosting the annual Dual Parish Picnic this year. It will be held at Thompson Park in Julesburg this Sunday, September 14 at 1:00PM. Hamburgers will be furnished! Please bring along a dish to share.
St. Paul
Sept. 15: 9:00AM- Bible Study
7:00PM- Council Meeting
Sept. 17: 5:00PM-Catechism
Sept. 21: 8:00AM-Bible Study
9:00AM-Worship Service/Communion
Servants for Worship-Les Ebke/Jeff Larsen/Gail Nicolaus
Happy Birthday………Sept. 18-Allison Porter
Happy Birthday………Sept. 18-Judy Soper
Zion News and Notes
Sept. 17: 3:30PM- Midweek
Sept. 21: 9:00AM-Worship Service/Communion
Servants for Worship-Dayton/Mark/Jodi/Shelle/Gail Nicolaus
The Northeast Zone LWML Rally will be held at First English Lutheran Church in Sterling on Saturday, September 20, 2025, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $20.00 per person. The theme for this year's rally is "Walk as a Child of the Light". The ingathering will be Soldier's Angels. Please bring socks or monetary gifts to warm the feet and hearts of our USA soldiers. Examples of the socks suggested can be found at the following link: "Amazon Gift Registry: http://bit.lyu/Warms_Feet". Please consider attending this rally for Bible study, devotions, mite collection and fellowship with our Christian sisters of the Northeast Zone. Light refreshments will be served during registration and lunch will be provided.
Name That Hymn
How to Play:
Read each clue and circle the correct hymn title from the options. Answers are at the bottom.
1. Clue: Opens with “God Himself is present, let us now adore Him…”
A. Abide with Me
B. O Worship the King
C. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
D. God Himself Is Present
2. Clue: Written by Martin Luther, based on Psalm 46.
A. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
B. Be Still, My Soul
C. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
D. The Lord’s My Shepherd
3. Clue: Contains “He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing.”
A. Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
B. I Come to the Garden Alone
C. In the Garden
D. Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home
4. Clue: Includes “No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.”
A. And Can It Be
B. Blessed Assurance
C. Jesus Paid It All
D. Rock of Ages
5. Clue: Paraphrase of the ancient Te Deum.
A. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
B. O God Beyond All Praising
C. Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
D. All Creatures of Our God and King
6. Clue: Contains “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace all‑sufficient shall be thy supply.”
A. Be Still, My Soul
B. It Is Well with My Soul
C. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
D. How Firm a Foundation
7. Clue: Originally written in German, translated by Catherine Winkworth.
A. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
B. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
C. Now Thank We All Our God
D. All Glory, Laud, and Honor
8. Clue: Includes “Swiftly pass the clouds of glory, heaven’s splendor fades in night.”
A. Lead, Kindly Light
B. Abide with Me
C. O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
D. Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory
9. Clue: Begins “The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord.”
A. Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
B. Onward, Christian Soldiers
C. Built on the Rock
D. The Church’s One Foundation
10. Clue: Contains “Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not.”
A. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
B. Be Thou My Vision
C. Abide with Me
D. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Answer Key:
1 – D
2 – A
3 – C
4 – A
5 – C
6 – D
7 – C
8 – D
9 – D
10 – D
“The Lost Sock Gospel”
Scripture: Luke 15:8–10 Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
We’ve all been there. You open the dryer, and somehow—despite all laws of physics and prayer—one sock has vanished. You check behind the machine, inside the pillowcase, even under the cat. Nothing. It’s gone. And yet, you keep the lonely survivor, hoping its partner will return like the prodigal son.
Jesus tells a story about a woman who loses a coin and turns her house upside down to find it. When she does, she throws a party. That’s how God feels about us—every single one of us. When we wander, when we feel forgotten, when we think we’re just one sock short of a pair, God searches for us with relentless love.
This isn’t just about being found, it’s about being celebrated. God doesn’t just locate us and say, “Glad you’re back.” He throws a party. He rejoices. He calls the angels over and says, “Look! My beloved has come home!”
So, the next time you lose a sock, let it remind you:
• You are never too lost for God to find.
• You are never too small to matter.
• You are never alone in the laundry pile of life.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for seeking us when we feel misplaced. Help us remember that Your love is persistent, joyful, and personal. May we reflect that love to others, especially the ones who feel like they don’t belong. Amen.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
7th & Maple
PO Box 72
Ju