 God’s Word for the Week:
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty4 is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:1-11) As our Christmas celebrations begin with Christ, we begin with the announcement. Isaiah prophecies about a proclaimer in the wilderness preparing the people for the coming Messiah, also known as the Christ. We know the proclaimer as John the Baptizer. John proclaimed that we are sinners. We are people who need the Savior, who need the Messiah. John also shared with us, “Behold the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.” God declared after the baptism of Jesus, “This is my Son, whom I love. With Him I am well pleased.” Here is the Shepherd of the sheep. He is here. Will you come and worship Him? Join us for Divine Service, Bible study, and service to the needs of the community.
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 Oh Come to Jesus:
Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people. (Isaiah 64:1-9) Christmas Begins with Christ: One of the aspects of our time with God this Advent and Christmas seasons is to highlight the theme, “Christmas Begins with Christ.” (See note below) This coming Sunday, we will focus on the topic of “O Come to Jesus.” Isaiah is letting us know about the time when God will come down and be amongst His people. And that scares us because we know who we are; sinners. And we know God. That knowledge scares us. And we, like Isaiah, cry out, “Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever.” Come, O Lord, and bring Your salvation to us. Bring Your life for us in Jesus. And that is what we celebrate this season. Open our hearts to Your life so that we will come to You and offer here Your worship and praise. Will you come and worship Him? Join us for Divine Service, Bible study, and service to the needs of the community. |
AuthorPastor Robert Hemsath joined Faith Lutheran Church and School as the Senior Pastor in January 2017. Pastor Hemsath comes to FLC from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Waxahachie, TX. He has also served congregations in Aberdeen, ID and Pocatello, ID. He has been a Lutheran pastor for the past 20 years. Archives
August 2024
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