Newsletter
t. 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
December 1, 2024
Zion Lutheran LCMS
Big Springs, NE
308.289.5148
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11242024 Vol.5 Issue 52
One Kingdom Lasts Forever
And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. Daniel 2:44
History records that even the strongest and most feared nations, no matter how long they reign, no matter how much they prosper, rise and fall like the ocean tide. No kingdom is kept from one day crumbling. The great nations of history are proof of this. The Mongols, the Romans, the Ottomans, the Babylonians, and the Persians are all examples. In various forms the saying that, “the sun doesn’t set on the empire” has been used by empires from the Egyptians to the British, but eventually, they all did.
This is how it goes with kingdoms made by men. Just like everything, sin infects and causes even the strongest foundation to decay. Leaders become corrupt, those who serve to keep order abuse their authority, and greed gets a foothold. Once infected, the disease eventually kills.
Daniel speaks of such things in this dream that he interprets for Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. While he talks about a specific group of nations, nothing has changed. But with this word of law comes a promise that in a world where nations rise and fall, where sinners rule and reign, there will come a kingdom that will conquer all. There will be a kingdom that is holy and righteous, and this kingdom will have no end but will endure forever. This kingdom is the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom that Christ will bring with Him, the one that He begins to usher in at His human birth, the kingdom which He fights for in His death, the kingdom He secures in His resurrection, and the kingdom He rules by His ascension.
This kingdom has yet to be completed. Completion will come when Jesus returns on the Last Day. His kingdom is a kingdom where there is no more death, pain, or tears. Until that day, the kingdom of God is exists through Christ’s church. It rules with the Gospel preaching and teaching of Jesus, who died and rose. It wars against sin, death, and the devil with the weapons of Word and Sacrament. This Kingdom grows one Baptism at a time. And with our King’s return, all who believe will dwell in His kingdom forever.
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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Calendar
December 01 – First Sunday in Advent
8:00 Sunday School
9:00 Worship Service with C
December 04- 5:00 Midweek class
7:00 First Midweek Advent Service
December 08 –8:00 Sunday School
9:00 Worship Service
December 11– 5:00 Midweek class
7:00 Second Midweek Advent Service
December 15 – 8:00 Sunday School
9:00 Worship Service /C
December 16 4:00 Organist Meeting
December 18 –5:00 Midweek class
7:00 Third Advent Service
December 22 – 8:00 Sunday School
9:00 Worship Service
December 24 –5:00 Christmas Eve Service
December 25 Merry Christmas
December 29 – 9:00 Worship Service
December 31 – 6:00 New Year Eve Service
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Sympathy
Thoughts and Prayers are extended to the family of Nancy Sauder.
Nancy entered Eternal glory October 22,2024. Funeral service will be at St. Paul November 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His loves endures forever.” Psalm 107 -1
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First Sunday in Advent December 1, 2024
Behold, the days are coming – judgement, justice, and righteousness are imminent with the incarnation of Jesus. We are seized with Advent anticipation as we wait, hopeful for Him - the righteousness of David, Judah, and Jerusalem - to split the heavens open and come down. We are bold to proclaim Christ the King who comes in the name of the Lord, for He is the one who creates nourishes, and sustains our faith that in turn, we may abound in love.
Divine Service Setting Three pg. 184 with Communion
OPENING HYMN # 331 “The Advent of Our King”
INTROIT
KYRIE
SALUTATION - COLLECT
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 33:14-16
EPISTLE: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 19:28-40
NICENE CREED pg. 191
HYMN #332 “Savior of the Nations, Come”
SERMON
OFFERING
Service of the Sacrament pg.194
HYMN #634 “The Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord”
Lord’s Prayer
BENEDICTION pg. 202
HYMN # 350 “Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come”
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SERVANTS
ST. PAUL
USHERS / GREETERS – Chuck Juhl / Rex Nicolaus
ORGANIST – Gail Nicolaus
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians3:17