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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- German Sausage Dinner – May 4th
- April 21
Brothers and sisters, the Church often refers to the fourth Sunday of Easter as Good Shepherd Sunday. The theme for last Sunday included a reminder of the joy we can have because of Jesus’ death and resurrection—your sin is forgiven, and Jesus has opened heaven and eternal life to you. This week the Easter season continues, and the theme makes a slight shift to consider the peace, comfort, and assurance we also have in Jesus. He is our Good Shepherd, and we are the sheep of His fold. He laid down His life for you, redeeming you from sin, death, and the devil by shedding His blood for you that you would belong to Him.
As a reminder, the German Sausage Dinner (GSD) is planned for Saturday May 4. It is a tradition in the community and provides funds for our projects around the church and other charities. Your participation is very important in making the day a success. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors.
Sunday April 21st we will worship following the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal.
Hymns chosen for the day are This is the Feast; #480 He’s Risen, He’s Risen; #710 The Lord’s My Shepherd; #683 Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me; and #468 I Am Content.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 23; Acts 4:1-12; 1 John 3:16-24; and John 10:11-18.
Psalm 23 is psalm written by King David and is familiar to many people. During his childhood, David was a shepherd giving him hours of opportunity to contemplate the comparison between what he did as a shepherd to protect and care for his sheep, and what God did for him and does for you as well. God in His mercy feeds us, protects us, and promises to lead us through death so that we can feast at His heavenly banquet table.
Acts 4 tells what happened after Peter invoked the name of Jesus and healed a lame man. Religious leaders and the temple security arrested Peter and John, demanding to know by what power they were able to do this miracle. Peter used the challenge as an opportunity to once again invoke the name of Jesus, boldly declaring that it was because of Jesus that the man was able to walk. Peter makes sure to point out that this is the same Jesus whom those religious leaders had ordered to be put to death. Seeing the lame man now walking, the leaders had nothing much to say. There was no denying that a miracle had taken place. But they were concerned that new od Jesus would spread. So they ordered the disciples to quit talking about Jesus. But Peter and John pushed back, saying they could not deny what they had seen and heard from Jesus. They were merely witnessing to Jesus. He is the sole source of salvation for all of us. Pray that every member of the church would be similarly bold to tell others about Jesus.
In 1 John Chapter 3, the apostle continues to describe the love God has for you. His Son, Jesus, laid down His life for you. We love our neighbors, not merely with words but also with actions, because Jesus loved us.
John 10 includes what is sometimes referred to as the Good Shepherd discourse. It has been church tradition to consider various portions of this chapter on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. In this Sunday’s Gospel reading Jesus contrasts himself from hired shepherds. Hired hands don’t really care about the sheep, and will flee at the first sign of difficulty or danger. If a wolf attacks the sheep, the hired hand abandons them to save himself. In contrast, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for you, His sheep. He was willing to give up His life to rescue you from the accusing attacks of the devil. Jesus’ crucifixion was no accident. It was an essential part of God’s plan of salvation. And with divine power, Jesus took up His life again to conquer death and return to full command over all things. Jesus the Good shepherd is still watching over you, leading you on the way to heaven. Read His words in Scripture that you might hear His voice.
COLLECT: Almighty merciful God, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit so that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name, and follow where He leads; 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 Sunday’s readings. God bless you. Pastor Boster
- April 14 the Third Sunday of Easter
Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of or our risen and ever-living savior, Jesus. I pray that the joy of Easter carries you through the trials and temptations of this life. I also encourage you to be in worship Sunday so that you can receive the faith-sustaining gifts of forgiveness Jesus distributes there.
As a reminder, the German Sausage Dinner is coming Saturday May 4. There will be food and music, a silent auction, and a live auction. The event is a tradition in the community and provides funds for several projects around the church and support of other charities. Your participation is very important in making the day a success. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. If you have any questions about the event, call the church office or drop us an email.
Sunday April 14th we will worship following the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #483 With High Delight, Let Us Unite; #467 Awake My Heart With Gladness; #585 Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide; and #473 Our Paschal Lamb That Sets Us Free. Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 4; Acts 3:11-21; 1 John 3:1-7; and Luke 24:36-49.
The ascription of Psalm 4 says it is a psalm of King David, written for the choirmaster to be accompanied by stringed instruments. In the psalm, David describes the distress he feels when people speak ill of him and others. Instead of being angry at these naysayers and worrying about their mean words, we should trust in God. God is a constant source of defense, peace, and joy. Look to Him for relief when people are putting you down. God gives more than a psychological boost. He assures you that your life is in His hands. He is watching over you day and night.
The book of Acts [of the Apostles] was written by St. Luke, and includes reports on the development of the early church following the Ascension of Jesus. In those early days, the apostles were delegated divine power to do several public miracles. As one example in Chapter 3, Peter was able to heal a lame beggar, enabling the man to walk. And observers were amazed, and surrounded Peter and John. Peter used the occasion as an opportunity to tell the people about Jesus, and the greater miracle He accomplished, forgiving our sins by suffering and dying on a cross for us. The proper response to this message of Jesus is to repent, turning to Him that you too would have this miracle of forgiveness, no matter what other troubles you might have,
In the gospel reading from 1 John 3, the apostle identifies Christians as children of God. He also tells of the coming day when Jesus returns, and we mortal sinful people will be transformed to be like Him. John instructs his readers how they should live as children of God in these days until Jesus’ return. The instruction can be shown to include two aspects. We should not take sin lightly, but struggle and resist against it. When we sin, we should not deny it, but confess it and take it to Jesus to be cleansed. As we are enabled by the Holy Spirit, let us live righteous lives, demonstrating the love of Jesus toward others. Let us love as He has loved us.
The gospel reading is St. Luke’s account of events on the evening of the first Easter. It is his account of the disciples’ gathering in the upper room and Jesus sudden resurrected appearance. (Last week we read the similar John 20 account of that night and “doubting” Thomas). Jesus verifies that He is physically risen from the dead. It seems a story too good to be true. But we should not be surprised. Jesus’ death and resurrection are the fulfillment of God’s promises given through the centuries, and the foundation of the eternal life God has prepared for us.
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 7 the second Sunday of Easter
Brothers and sisters, Christ is risen! The Easter season continues. Each Sunday, the first day of each week, is an opportunity to come together to share in the benefits of forgiveness and eternal life we have been given through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Sunday April 7th we will worship following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal.
Hymns chosen for the day are #469 Christ the Lord is Risen Today; 471 O Sons and Daughters of the King; #636 Soul Adorn Yourself with Gladness; and #486 If Christ Had Not Been Raised From Death.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 148:1-14; Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 1:1-2:2; and John 20:19-31.
The Gospel reading from John’s account highlights the forgiveness and peace we have been given by Jesus. Jesus’ blood was shed as a sacrifice to atone for the sin of each of us. Rising from the dead He promises eternal life to you. Such gifts can be difficult to believe. We would like visible proof. Jesus gives His Word shown to be true by His victory over the grave. Pray that all people would be led to trust Jesus’ words and have eternal life in His name.
The other Scripture readings for the day describe some of the responses to this gift of forgiveness and peace. Among the responses are fellowship with other Christians and a loving concern for them, living life in the “light” rather than in ‘darkness’, and assurance that Jesus still advocates for us even when we sin. Jesus died for your sin, and for the sin of every person. All sin has been paid for. I urge you not to miss out on the benefits He gives. Jesus is the one we should unify around. Psalm 148 invites you to join with all creation in praising God as He continue to deliver and restore all things.
COLLECT: Almighty merciful God, grant that we who celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by your grace demonstrate in our life and confess in our conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know of you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s Scripture readings. God bless you. Pastor Boster
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
- March 31 Easter Service
The service we will follow on Easter Sunday is the liturgy of Divine Service setting 1 beginning on page 151. There will be a few modifications in the opening invocation, scripture reading, and responsive psalm reading. Hymns chosen for the day are #457 Jesus Christ is Risen Today; #464 The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done; #633 At the Lamb’s High Feast; and #475 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing.
Scripture readings for the day are Mark 16:1-8; Isaiah 25:6-9; and 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
We will begin the service with a bit of an announcement, reading St. Mark’s account of the women at the empty tomb of Jesus. Mark’s account is a bit strange in that there is no encounter with Jesus as compared to the other gospel accounts. The women respond with fear and trembling at news that Jesus is risen from the grave just as He said He would do. What is your response to the news that Jesus, once dead, is now alive?
For the psalm we will responsively read portions of Psalm 118 intermixed with portions of Matthew 28.
The Old Testament reading is from Isaiah 25. The prophet foretells of a sumptuous heavenly feast given by God to celebrate the defeat of death, and the end of all sadness. Jesus our Lord has saved us! Those who wait on Jesus will be glad and rejoice. You are invited to the heavenly feast! Join the celebration even now!
The epistle reading is from the opening verses of 1 Corinthians Chapter 15. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians and all Christians of the significance of Jesus’ resurrection. Resurrection, like forgiveness of sins, is foundational to the gospel. If Christ is not raised from the dead than our faith and all preaching are worthless. But, in fact Christ is raised! Over 500 witnesses could attest that they saw Jesus alive between the time of His resurrection and His ascension 40 days later.
Come join in the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord.
Collect: Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death, and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; 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 scriptures read this Easter. God bless you. Pastor Boster