Newsletter
October 26,2025
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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Faith Prays
“[Jesus said,] ‘Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on Earth?’” Luke 18:8
In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus describes God’s gift of prayer that we have by telling a parable about a judge who is so ridiculously bad that no reasonable person would waste time asking a favor of this judge. This judge neither fears God nor respects any man. He couldn’t care less about protecting the innocent, caring only for his own convenience and well-being. He is by all accounts an unrighteous judge.
Pray, Jesus says, like an impoverished widow petitioning this judge until the judge finally gives up and says, “I’ll give her justice, so that she will not beat me down with her continual coming.” (Luke 18:7) Is Jesus calling his own Father an unrighteous judge? Of course not! That is not the point of this comparison. In the parable’s last verse, Jesus makes the point clear for us: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on Earth.” (Luke 18:8)
We live either by faith or by the Law. We’re justified by faith or by works of the Law. As Paul reminds us, no one is justified by the Law (Romans 3:19-20); rather, the sinner is justified by faith in Jesus’ work (Romans 5:1-2).
The Pharisees and Teachers of the Law were teaching that to stand before God you had to bring something to give Him which was living according to the Law. Jesus rescues us from that teaching, justification by the Law, by giving us His own righteousness in which to stand before God, justification by faith. Since the Law always accuses, anyone arguing their righteousness by the Law already stands condemned! So, how do we stand before the Father? Come to the Judge as a sinner, (as an impoverished widow). Stand before the Judge expecting this judgement….. that the one who claims nothing, who deserves nothing, that one God declares righteous for Jesus’ sake.
Stand before your Lord with nothing but the Gospel promise. Faith clings to that promise. So, faith can’t help but pray. After all, the person justifying himself by the Law doesn’t need to pray, do they! Why pray if you’re sanctifying yourself by your own works? You’re already good to go, so there is no need for pleading. What the Law really says, is that no person can justify himself. The one who lives by the Law dies by the Law.
So eternal life comes as a Gift! The sinner, standing before God with no righteousness earned, now lives by faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, faith in the promise, faith that Jesus justifies the sinner by His Word of grace. And that kind of faith prays.
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 # 644 “The Church’s One Foundation”
LITURGY pg.151 The Divine Service (setting one)
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
INTROIT
KYRIE pg.152
OLD TESTAMNET READING: Revelation 14:6-7
EPISTLE: Romans 3:19-28
HOLY GOSPEL: John 8:31-36
APOSTLES CREED pg.159
HYMN OF THE DAY #645 “Built on the Rock” SERMON
OFFERING
OFFERTORY pg.159
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION pg.166
CLOSING HYMN #656 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
SILENT PRAYER
Servants today
St.Paul
Organist -Jeanie Boehm, Ushers/Greeters- Brian Lanckriet/Rex Nicolaus
Zion
Organist-Jeanie Boehm, Ushers/Greeters-Mark & Dayton, Altar Guild-Shelle & Jodi
The Fall Harvest Potluck for St. Paul and Zion congregations will be held on Sunday evening, November 2, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.at St. Paul in Julesburg. Meat and drinks will be furnished. Please bring a salad, vegetables 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!
Miriam Circle will be having tables at the Hippodrome Fair to Remember on Saturday, November 8, 2025, 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 projects supported by the Circle.
THANK YOU so very much to everyone who helped with donations for Mites on Sunday, October 5 and Sunday, October 12. A total of $267.00 was shared by members of St. Paul & Zion congregations. May God bless you for your gifts to help the Mites’ recipients accomplish their projects in service to God.
Happy Anniversary to Marvin and Muriel Nelson!!
Marvin and Muriel Nelson will celebrate 61 years of marriage on Oct. 30! Their enduring love, rooted in faith and kindness, has been a testimony to God’s grace and steadfastness. We give thanks for their example, their devotion to one another, and the joy they bring to our church family. Congratulations, Marvin and Murial!
Happy Birthday……….10/27-Randall Schlake
St. Paul Church Calendar
Oct. 27-9:00AM-Bible Study
Oct. 29-5:00PM-Catechism
Nov. 2-8:00AM-Bible Study
9:00AM Worship Service/Communion
Servants for Worship Service-David Orth/Gerald Orth/Gail Nicolaus
Zion
Nov. 2- 10:00AM-Sunday School
11:00AM-Worship Service/Communion
Servants for Worship Service- Mark & Dayton/Shelle & Jodi/Gail Nicolaus
“Doctrine or Drama?” — Reformation Edition
Can you tell the difference between true Reformation teachings and dramatic myths? Circle Doctrine if it’s a real theological belief from the Reformation, or Drama if it’s exaggerated, fictional, or misunderstood.
Circle one for each statement:
1. Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg.
o Doctrine / Drama
2. Luther believed that salvation could be earned through good works and indulgence.
o Doctrine / Drama
3. “Sola Fide” means “Faith Alone” — a core Reformation teaching.
o Doctrine / Drama
4. Luther threw an inkpot at the devil during a spiritual battle.
o Doctrine / Drama
5. The Reformation taught that priests were the only ones who could read and interpret Scripture.
o Doctrine / Drama
6. Luther translated the Bible into German so everyday people could read it.
o Doctrine / Drama
7. John Calvin believed in predestination — that God chooses who will be saved.
o Doctrine / Drama
8. Luther’s wife, Katharina von Bora, was a nun who escaped a convent in a fish barrel.
o Doctrine / Drama
9. The Reformation rejected music and hymns in worship.
o Doctrine / Drama
10. Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is still sung today. Doctrine / Drama
Devotion:
“Grace That Reforms Us Still”
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8
On Reformation Sunday, we remember the bold faith of Martin Luther and the movement that reshaped the church—not with swords or power, but with Scripture, grace, and truth. But this isn’t just history. Reformation is a living rhythm. God is still reforming hearts, still renewing communities, still calling us back to grace.
Grace is not a relic—it’s a revolution.
It meets us in our brokenness, lifts us in our doubt, and anchors us in love. Luther’s hammer may have echoed through Wittenberg, but it’s the whisper of the Gospel that echoes through our lives today.
🎶 Faith is not a solo—it’s an ensemble.
We are reformed together. In worship, in service, in laughter and lament, we embody the church that is always reforming, always returning to Christ.
💡 This Reformation Sunday, let us commit:
• To Scripture as our foundation
• To grace as our heartbeat
• To faith as our daily walk
• To community as our calling
Whether you wear red, sing “A Mighty Fortress,” or simply pause to pray—know this: the Spirit that stirred Luther stirs us still. And the church, in all its beauty and imperfection, is being reformed by love.
Prayer:
Lord of grace, reform our hearts again. Let your Word shape us, your Spirit guide us, and your love unite us. May we be bold in faith, gentle in spirit, and joyful in community. Amen.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
7th & Maple
PO Box 72
Julesburg, CO 80737