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 uncomfortable or unable to attend in person due to Covid-19, or other reasons, please join us online via Facebook Live. (Facebook account required.)
Activities
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- April 19 Service
Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to join together Sunday morning 9 am for Bible study and 10:30 for worship.
Let me use this opportunity to remind you of our German Sausage Dinner, Saturday May 2. There will be German-themed food, baked goods, music, games for the kids, a silent auction and a live auction. Food will be sold at $15 per plate. Advance tickets are available from church members, and at the door. Funds raised go toward church ministries including helping the needy in the local community.
Sunday, April 19 is the third Sunday of Easter. We will continue to celebrate the benefits God grants us because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #475 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing; #476 Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow; #624 The Infant Priest was Holy Born; and #482 This Joyful Eastertide.
Scriptures assigned by the three-year lectionary are Psalm 116; Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 17-25; and Luke 24:13-35. This is one of the several recorded reports of eyewitnesses seeing Jesus alive again. It was the first Easter Sunday, and two men were returning home from Jerusalem to a town called Emmaus. While they were walking, they discussed the events that had taken place in the recent three days. Friday, before the Passover Sabbath began, Jesus had been put to death by crucifixion. And just a few hours before they had left for home, several women made an amazing report that they had found Jesus’ grave to be empty, and an angel had appeared to tell them Jesus was alive.
Jesus drew near to the men as they were walking and talking, but they were kept from recognizing Him. They told Jesus about what they had seen and heard. Jesus criticized the men for not recognizing that the events they were describing had been foretold in Old Testament Scripture. As they walked along, Jesus gave them examples of how the words of the Old Testament writers were pointing ahead to what He, the Christ, would do. When they arrived at their home, the men invited Jesus to stay and eat with them. As Jesus blessed the food and broke the bread, they were able to recognize Jesus. But He suddenly vanished from their sight. Even though it was late in the day, the men rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples what had happened. Jesus would appear to the same disciples in Jerusalem that evening. All these appearances are further evidence that Jesus is truly and bodily alive.
Jesus has poured out the Holy Spirit on the Church so we might all better see Him in the Scriptures and believe Him to be alive. Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin and the sin of the world. Then with His divine power He overcame death, with the promise to you that because He lives, you too shall live after death. Applying Peter’s words in the lesson from Acts 2, we should each recognize it was our sin that put Jesus on the cross. By repenting, turning to Jesus and being baptized in His name, we will receive forgiveness of our sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter, in his first letter, describes a bit differently the benefits received from Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus has ransomed us from the futile ways of those who once thought good works could save us. Peter says through baptism and the life-giving Word of God you are born again. This is an ongoing change in your status before God, if you continue to trust in Jesus.
COLLECT: O gracious Father God, through the humiliation of Your Son, You raised up the fallen world. As You have rescued us from the peril of everlasting death, grant to your faithful people perpetual gladness and eternal joys; 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 Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- April 12 service
Brothers and sisters. Christ is risen! Alleluia! What some might consider a one-time event actually points to an ongoing change. The One who died on the cross was bodily raised from the dead and continues to be alive into eternity. Because Jesus lives, you have been given assurance that you too will be raised from the dead and live forever. Whie there is an Easter season about 7 weeks long, we Christians have reason to celebrate Jesus’ victory every day of our lives. Let’s also share the message with our neighbors.
The May 2 German Sausage Dinner is rapidly approaching. You are invited to attend. Meals are $15 per plate. There will be music, baked goods for sale, a silent auction and live auction. Money raised will be used to fund church ministries including support of the needy in our community.
Sunday, April 12 is the second Sunday of the Easter season. During Sunday’s service we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns selected for the day are #487 Come You Faithful, Raise the Strain; #472 These Things Did Thomas Count as Real; #473 Our Paschal Lamb; and #461 I Know That My Redeemer Lives.
Scripture lessons to be read include Psalm 148:1-14; Acts 5:29-42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; and John 20:19-31.
There is a saying that ‘seeing is believing’. Expressing a skeptical view, the statement is not really true; seeing is seeing. It doesn’t take faith when the object can be observed. It merely requires a good set of eyes. In contrast, believing is trusting in things that are unseen, such as the future fulfillment of promises, or the testimony of witnesses who say they have seen a man alive who was once dead. Some of us are like “doubting” Thomas, the disciple of Jesus in today’s gospel lesson who expresses stubborn unbelief. With a materialist’s point of view, he states he was not going to believe Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Him with his own eyes. Jesus satisfies Thomas’ demand by appearing to him, urging him to touch Him if he needs further proof. In the 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension, Jesus makes many more recorded appearances to the disciples and five hundred other witnesses. This information is provided to us so that we would believe Jesus’ words even if we have not seen Him. He truly lives again! St. John tells us he reported these events in Scripture so that we would believe Jesus is the Son of God, anointed to save us from sin and to grant us eternal life. Such faith is not merely seeing or experiencing. Trust in Jesus is worked in us by the Holy Spirit through the Scripture. As St. Peter puts it in the epistle lesson, God’s mercy has led us to be born again with a living hope, even in uncertain, confusing, or difficult times.
Trusting in an unseen Savior can be a challenge. We tend to focus on the world we see, and overlook the reality we cannot see. Pray for faith in Jesus so you would have the salvation of your soul and life in His name.
COLLECT: O almighty and most-merciful God, grant that we who have celebrated the mystery of our Savior’s resurrection, may by the help of Your grace display the fruits of faith in our words, thoughts, and conduct, through 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 or the scheduled activities. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- March 29 and Holy Week
Brothers and sisters, March 29 marks the beginning of Holy Week. Please note the schedule below. I encourage you to take time throughout the week to read through the four gospel writers’ accounts of Jesus Passion, His suffering and death. We do so, not to feel pity for Jesus, but to realize the cost of our sin. By His suffering and death you are free from sins condemnation and God’s curse of eternal death and separation from Him.
There will be no service, Wednesday. Maundy Thursday service with communion will be at 6:30pm on Thursday April 2. We will have two services on Good Friday– noon to 12:40 for those who can attend during lunch, and at 6:30pm Friday April 3. Invite your friends and co-workers.
Next Sunday April 5 we gather to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. There will be breakfast at 9:00, followed by an abbreviated Sunday School and Bible class at 9:30, and an egg hunt at 10. Worship is at 10:30. Please explain our communion practice to any visitors.
You should also know that preparations for the May 2 German Sausage Dinner (GSD) have begun. Please look for the publicity flyer posted on Facebook.
The March 29 service may seem confusing. It will begin with St. John’s account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Sunday to celebrate the Passover festival. At the end of the service, for the benefit of those who can’t attend the weekday services, we will read from St. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion which happened five days later. We thank God for Jesus’ sacrifice, and we intend to prepare our hearts to celebrate His victory over death. He offers to share that victory with you if you will follow Him.
Hymns chosen for Palm Sunday (some refer to the day as Passion Sunday) are #443 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna; #441 Ride On, Ride On in Majesty; 634 The Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord; and #429 We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died.
Scripture readings include John 12:12-19; Psalm 31:9-16; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; and Matthew 27:15-66.
Jesus, the only one who is true God and true Man, served you by taking upon Himself the punishment you deserve for your sinful nature. And not just for you, but for the whole world. Jesus was separated from God His Father so you could be joined with Him. Jesus died so you could live. Connected with Jesus you can stand before God forgiven. As the prophet Isaiah says it, (50:9) “Behold, the Lord God helps me; Who will declare me guilty?” On the Last Day every person will bow before Jesus and call Him Lord, some willingly and joyfully, others in fear as He judges them and declares their eternal punishment. Please don’t ignore what Jesus has gained for you.
COLLECT: Almighty, Gracious God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same 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 schedules or the Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- March 22 service and other events
Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to be in worship Sunday. “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.” Our services are designed to proclaim God’s Word, both Law and Gospel, with an emphasis on Christ’s saving work so that you might repent and your faith in Jesus would be strengthened.
Upcoming schedule:
-Sunday March 22 at 4 pm, Immanuel Lutheran Church 1440 Cortlandt St in the Heights is hosting a Lenten concert Houston Lutheran Chorale..
-Wednesday March 25, the last of this season’s Midweek Lenten Services 6:30
-March 29 Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins.
-April 2 Maundy Thursday Service, 6:30
-April 3 Good Friday Services, noon and 6:30. Invite your friends.
-April 5 Easter breakfast 9 am; Bible Class/SS 9:30; Easter egg hunt 10:00; Resurrection Celebration 10:30.
Preparations for the May 2 German Sausage Dinner (GSD) have begun. Publicity Fliers are available for you to share with friends and post at local businesses. Your help and donations are needed to make the event a success. We need baked goods, and items for the Silent Auction and Live Auction
On Sunday March 22 we will use the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB Lutheran Service Book hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #686 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #552 O Christ, Who Shared Our Mortal Life; #433 Glory Be to Jesus; and #701 Draw Us to Thee.
Scripture texts we will be reading are Psalm 130; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:1-11; and John 11:1-45.
In the words of the Gospel, God offers forgiveness. And where there is forgiveness there is new life and salvation.
In the Old Testament lesson, God gives the prophet Ezekiel a vision of a valley littered with dry bones. In the vision, Ezekiel is instructed to preach to the bones, and as he does so they begin to be restored into living people. God breaths His spirit into these bodies. The vision describes Israel’s condition (and many people today. The dry bones suggest people are dead (not referring to bodily dead, but to spiritually dead). God gives life to our spirits through His preached words. This imagery in turn points to the raising of the dead on the Last Day, the day Jesus returns. The vision also encourages us to hear and read God’s Word every opportunity we are given.
In the epistle. a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the congregation in Rome. In baptism and the reading of Scripture, the Holy Spirit take up residence in us. the Spirit that raised Jesus’ body from the grave and bought Him back to life, gives is spiritual life. Because of the Spirit bringing Jesus to us, we are free. Since the Spirit lives in us, we ought to act like it, walking according to the Spirit and not according to the desires of the flesh. There is assurance that if we are “in Jesus” God no longer condemns us.
The Gospel lesson is the story of the death of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, and friend of Jesus. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The miracle reveals Jesus’ divine power. The raising of the dead also reveals Jesus to be the “Resurrection and the Life”. Jesus makes the promise that whoever believes in Him will never perish (referring to the preservation of our spirits, not our bodies. Bodies will be raised to be glorified.) This we can be looking forward to as the Last Day approaches.
COLLECT: Almighty, Gracious God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; 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.
- Sunday March 15
Brothers and sisters, grace and peace to you in the name of our redeemer Jesus. We continue in the season of Lent, a time to recall the perfect life and death of Jesus who gave His life as a sacrifice to pay for your forgiveness and entry into heaven. I encourage you to set aside time to read the Bible and to receive the Lord’s Supper. In these things God delivers forgiveness. You are also invited to attend one of the remaining Wednesday midweek services beginning at 6:30.
Please make plans to attend the Maundy Thursday Service, April 2. We are planning for two serves on Good Friday, April 3, at noon and 6:30. Easter schedule will be posted next week.
Plans for the May 2 German Sausage Dinner are under way.
Sunday, March 15 is the Fourth Sunday in Lent. We will follow a slightly modified version of the liturgy of Divine Service Four beginning on page 203 in the Lutheran Service Book (LSB hymnal).
The hymns chosen for the day are #421 Jesus Grant that Balm and Healing; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #690 Hope of the World; #637 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord; and #849 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness.
Scripture texts we will be reading are Psalm 142:1-7; Isaiah 42:14-21; Ephesians 5:8-14; and John 9:1-41. Themes that connect the readings are being blind as a metaphor to being unaware of God’s will, and similarly, being brought from darkness into light.
In the Old Testament Lesson, God speaks through the prophet, comparing two servants. The first is the Messiah, the coming Lord’s Servant. He will bring restoration to the earth and will give new sight to the blind. As a metaphor, this indicates the Servant will bring faith in God to an unbelieving world. The second servant refers to Israel who has been disobedient. The people act deaf and blind, as though they are oblivious to God’s will for them.
In the epistle lesson, a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (western Turkey), he reminds us that Jesus has produced a change in us. Formerly we walked int the darkness of sin. Jesus (the Light of the world) has brought us into the light of the gospel. So, we should be discerning, avoiding the works of darkness associated with sin, and instead produce fruits of repentance as acts of gratitude for the gospel and Jesus sacrificial death. Remember Jesus sees all we do. Nothing is hidden from Him. So we confess our sin, ask for forgiveness, and strive to do the good works we were created and redeemed to do.
In the gospel lesson, Jesus restores the sight of a man born blind. As the story develops, it emphasizes spiritual blindness is worse the physical blindness. By faith, the blind man can see who Jesus is. His sight is restored. On the other hand, the religious leaders whose eyes function quite well, see Jesus and His miracles, but in their spiritual blindness refuse to acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior. In an ironic twist the blind man becomes a witness of the gospel to the sighted religious leaders. We are each encouraged to open our eyes and ears to see, hear, and receive the gospel as its promises are presented to us in absolution and the sacraments.
COLLECT: Almighty God our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; 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 Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster