Newsletter
May 28, 2023
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.
Zion Lutheran LCMS
Big Springs ,NE
Zion
308.289.5148
Ps. 119: 105
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05222023 Vol.4 Issue 26
Jesus Prays for You!
7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one…… 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:7-11, 20-21
So far 2023 has been another crazy year. We’ve had good friends pass away. Others have had illness or a tremendous change in life’s circumstances. There is craziness in our culture where marriage is being redefined, family is being replaced by government programs, and violence and theft are now considered a normal part of life. In the midst of it all, I’ve really appreciated the calm, steady, moral voice of some of our leaders and my family and friends. It makes a difference when you are in contact with people who have knowledge, expertise, and a real heart-felt concern for you. That person who calls you at just the right moment. That person who sends you a card when you needed it the most. We can all look back and see those times when help and concern were there when we needed it. In fact, looking back, those people were probably there in that capacity all along, whether we realized it or not.
That’s just a glimpse of the help and concern that we have from Jesus today. Look at today’s reading again. The setting is Jesus Christ praying on the night before His crucifixion. Amazingly, before facing the cross on Good Friday, what’s He doing? He’s praying for His disciples, and He’s praying for you and me! In this prayer, He’s committing His followers into the Father’s care as He heads to the cross. He’s going there to pay for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God and to each other. Then, just as now, He leaves His disciples with His Word. His Word is the power of God for salvation, the power of God to create and maintain faith, and the power of God to bring together what has been divided.
Think of Jesus hands in prayer for you! When he prayed the words above, His hands would soon be pierced by nails because of His willingness to let sinners crucify Him.. Even now Jesus is praying for you; He’s interceding for you before the very throne of God (That’s Romans 8:34)! What a powerful message for faith and joy FOR YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW! Believe it, rejoice in it, and put it to work in your prayers as well.
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 Corinthians 13:12
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Ascension Lutheran Church at 1701 W. Caley Avenue, Littleton, is excited to host the Forté Handbell Quartet (https://fortehandbells.org) in a free performance Saturday, June 3rd at 7:00 pm! Based out of Colorado Springs, Forté is an advanced handbell quartet that uses artistry and energy to glorify God through music. They perform sacred and secular pieces, both classical and modern. Not only do they produce beautiful music, but they are truly innovative and exciting to watch.
Tickets are not required. There will be a free will offering taken at the door, with proceeds going to the group to cover travel expenses, pay for equipment maintenance, etc.
The Life Enrichment Series at Ascension Lutheran Church seeks to minister to the community-at-large through a program of arts and music. Learn more about Ascension at https://www.alutheran.org and watch this space for future announcements!"
Direction: https:|//goo.gl/maps/KQrC2d8mDQanfTh46
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Coming Up - Vacation Bible School
“God’s Living Water – Covered in Jesus Grace”
July 17-21
Bible accounts focusing of Jesus, the Living Water, which stretches from Creation to the Early Church as believers experience the grace of God.
Welcoming 3 years of age to the 6th grade. Please plan to join us for Snacks,
Crafts and Bible stories.
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The Day of Pentecost May 28, 2023
The Spirit rests upon those who prophesy truth in the name of Lord, With the inauguration of Pentecost - the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit- the proclamation of Jesus is unleashed in a myriad of languages. Prophecies, vision, and dreams inspired by the Spirit testified to the mighty works and authority of God in Jesus Christ. Divine truths would now shape and inspire the hearts, minds and speech of those who follow Jesus.
Order of Worship Divine Service Setting Three pg 184
Hymn # 913 “O Holy Spirit, Enter In”
First Reading: Numbers 11:24-30
Epistle: Acts 2:1-21
Holy Gospel: John 7:37-39
Apostles Creed pg. 192
Hymn #498 “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest”
Sermon
Offering
Offertory pg. 192
Prayer of the Church
Lord’s Prayer
Salutation pg 201
Hymn # 500 “Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid”
Servants at St. Paul ZiON
Ushers / Greeters - Craig Nicolaus / Duane Aulston Usher /Greeters
Organist - Jeanie Boehm Lorrie and Doretta
Acolytes – Natalie Lanckriet / Jace Lanckriet Altar Guild
Lorrie and Doretta Calendar
St. Paul Zion
May 28 - 9:00 Worship service 11:00 Worship Service
Memorial Day May 29,2023
Please remember our Veterans
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“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10a
LHM/LLL Rally - June 11. 2023
You are invited to the Zone 12 Nebraska District LHM/Lutheran Laymen’s League Rally hosted by First English Lutheran Church in Sterling, Colorado on June 11, 2023. Our speaker this year will be Erin Mackenzie. Erin serves the Lord through the LCMS as a missionary in the Latin America and Caribbean region, based in the Dominican Republic. As the regional volunteer coordinator, she connects LCMS members with the day-to-day activities of foreign missionaries and local leaders, with the goal of educating and inspiring them to become advocates, long-term supporters and servants in their own churches and communities. After a short business meeting there will be a banquet and scholarships will be awarded. Registration is $20.00 per person and begins at 4:00 p.m. Please let the pastor know if you will be attending so that plans can be made for the meal.
For more information please contact your church office.
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Joy in God’s many spiritual blessings.
Have you had days when everything went wrong, when it seemed that the weight of the world was on your shoulders? Occasionally, everyone has those days. Then it’s time to hear God’s comforting words.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:3-4)
We were chosen! God chose us before creation. He redeemed us on Calvary. And today the Holy Spirit calls us to faith and gives us daily strength.
Bad days come and go, but If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31b)? Even the weight of the world is nothing compared to the power of our loving God.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose…