Welcome to Christ Lutheran Church
Divine Service 10:30 am

We provide a traditional LCMS service using the Lutheran Service Book (LSB) every Sunday morning at 10:30am central time, preceded by Bible Study and Sunday School at 9:00am.  If you are unable to attend, the services can also be viewed online via Facebook Live. (Facebook account required.)

Activities

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• September 6 service

  Greetings in the name of Jesus. This is Labor Day weekend. For many the holiday marks the end of summer. Unfortunately our temperatures are not agreeing with that designation. Labor might seem like a burden at times, rather than something to celebrate. Since the Fall of Adam and Eve, labor has been accompanied by struggle, sweat, and hazards. But we still have reason to give thanks to God for all the vocations He works through to provide us all we need for this body and soul. I encourage you to be in church Sunday to receive the gifts of forgiveness and comfort that God is distributing there.

  On Sunday, September 6 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Seeting Three that begins on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #820 My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker; #614 As Surely As I Live, God Said; # 634 The Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord; and we will close with a few verses of #609 Jesus, Sinners Doth Receive.

  Scripture lessons assigned to the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18, are Psalm 32:1-7; Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:1-10; and Matthew 18:1-20. 

  The gospel lesson begins (Matthew 18:1) with a question the disciples ask of Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus gives one answer to that question in Chapter 20, “Whoever wants to be great among you shall be your servant”, serving others in a way that expresses the humble sacrificial life of Jesus who served by giving His life as a ransom for many. But here in Chapter 16, Jesus answers the question about greatness by using children as an object lesson. “Unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This leads to a question, ‘what is it to be like a child?’ What characteristics of children are we supposed to imitate? Some would suggest it means to listen to authority, be obedient, and well-behaved. But this better describes what children should be, not what they actually are. In fact, children are not innocent in the sense of sinless; they can often be selfish tyrants concerned only for themselves. Rather, what children are is immature, lacking wisdom, unable to care for themselves, dependent on someone who is able to help. Jesus is encouraging His disciples to let go of any thoughts of self-sufficiency or worldly standards of power, and instead to recognize they have nothing of greatness to offer in heaven. The humble and poor in spirit, who recognize their dependence on Jesus, will be those who receive God’s eternal blessings. Jesus is redefining greatness. Jesus includes instruction for His disciples that they not cause others to sin, not despise others who are weak and needy, and to work toward forgiveness and reconciliation with those who offend. As we receive these needy, we are receiving Jesus.

  Though in our sin we deserve to be “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6), we have instead been drowned (“buried”) with Christ in Baptism and then raised to the new, humble life of a child of God. As we read in the Old Testamnet lesson, God sends watchman to warn us with a word from His mouth, calling us to repent in order that we may not die in our iniquity but be turned from our pride and selfishness to live (Ezek. 33:7–9). Thus, we live in humility and faith before God as well as in love for our neighbor, which “is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). In the reverent fear of God, we do no harm to our neighbor, but we “pay to all what is owed to them” (Rom. 13:7) and we “owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Rom. 13:8). 

  COLLECT: O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, Your humble servants, Your holy inspiration, that we may set our minds on the things that are right and, by Your merciful guiding, accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

  Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster

• Annual Church Outing
  Once a year, the Ladies’ Group sponsors an outing for Church Members and guests.  This year we visited the Bluebell Creamery and Almost Heaven restaurant in Brenham.  A great time was had by all.
• LWML District Conference
  In June, two of our ladies’ group members, attended the bi-annual conference in Austin.  It was wonderful worshiping and singing together.  The members also selected recipients of this biennium’s recipients.  Our Zone (group of churches) sponsored the Jesus Signs Deaf Ministry.  It was voted the first place mission grant.  We were so excited!  You can find information on their activities here:  https://www.deafoutreachtexas.org/activities-and-events.  
• August 23 service

  Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus. Though the temperatures suggest otherwise, we are coming to the end of summer. I encourage you to make worship and Bible study a core part of your schedule. St. Paul writes instruction to the ancient church in Rome, still applicable today, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). The habits of prayer, studying the bible, remembering the benefits of your baptism, receiving the Lord’s Supper, singing a psalm– these God-given gifts that point us to Jesus are all helpful in having peace of mind. It is wise and good for our souls to make use of them. And I will have the air conditioning on.

  During the service August 23 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #848 Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service; #728 How Firm a Foundation; #729 I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; and #576 My Hope is Built On Nothing Less.

  Scripture lessons assigned to the day, the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 16), are Psalm 138:1-8; Isaiah 51:1-6; Romans 11:13-12:8; and Matthew 16:13-20.

  In the Gospel lesson, Jesus asked His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). The question is also put to you: Who do you say that Jesus is? Flesh and blood do not reveal the answer to us, but by the power of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit enlightens us and reveals Jesus as the Son of God, who has become flesh and suffered death for our salvation. Thus, with those early apostles, we also believe and confess that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). As He died for our transgressions and was raised for our justification, Jesus sets us free from all our guilt and preserves our life within His Church, against which even “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matt. 16:18–19). Jesus’ saving work is forever, and His righteousness “will never be dismayed” (Is. 51:6). He continues to comfort His Church with the gospel, so that “joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song” (Is. 51:3). Therefore, “according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Rom. 12:3), we respond in thanksgiving by offering ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1) through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  COLLECT: Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

  Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the lessons to be considered Sunday. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster

• August 9 service

  Brothers and sisters, we have been a little short on refreshing rain. But I hope you will be in Bible study and worship tomorrow to receive refreshing for your soul. As Jesus says in John 7:37, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” – John 7:37 

  On Sunday, August 9 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three, beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #726 Evening and Morning; #351 Creator of the Stars at Night; #625 Lord Jesus Christ, Life-Giving Bread; and #717 Eternal Father, Strong to Save.

  Biblical lessons assigned to the day are Psalm 28:1-9; Job 38:4-18; Romans 10:5-17; and Matthew 14:22-33. 

  In the psalm, King David asks God to deliver him from the deadly threats of enemies. David recognizes God as his strength, a shield and fortress of salvation. David ends this psalm by asking God to protect all people, like a shepherd defending his sheep.

  Job was the ancient patriarch who suffered greatly as an example of faith being tested. As Job tries to figure out the reason for his suffering, he eventually challenges God to explain the cause of his suffering. In the Old Testament lesson for the day, God identifies Himself as the eternal Lord who “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4). By His power God governs all things of creation. Thankfully, God directs His power in mercy to protect and save His people.  But it is quite clear that His wisdom and power are beyond our understanding, except as He reveals Himself in the incarnate Word, Christ Jesus. In the gospel lesson, Jesus shows Himself to be God, revealing His divine power and care, silencing a terrible storm and delivering His disciples from the threat of death. We too are threatened by dangers of body and soul each day. In our mortality and sinful unbelief, we do not always recognize the Lord Jesus at work. But as we cry out in fear, He speaks tenderly to us through His Word, “Do not be afraid,” and He reaches out His hand to save us (Matt. 14:27, 31). In the epistle lesson, St. Paul echoes this message, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13). So, in ever trial and threat, we should call upon Jesus in faith, because “through the word of Christ” we have heard of His power and mercy. Jesus will not abandon you.  “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rom. 10:8). 

  Collect:

  Almighty and merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

  Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster