rothers and sisters, During this season of Lent we are encouraged to confess our sin and to turn our hearts to Jesus. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:2). I encourage you to attend church Sunday to receive Jesus’ gifts of forgiveness, and to set aside time to thank Him.
Let me begin by reminding you of some upcoming events, including our Holy Week schedule.
-Sunday April 6 Houston Lutheran Chorale Lenten Cantata 4 pm at Epiphany Lutheran Church 14423 West Rd;
-Wednesday April 9 Midweek Lenten Service 6:30 pm;
-April 13 Palm Sunday. Brookshire Methodist Church is hosting a community Easter cantata beginning at 7pm.
-April 17 Maundy Thursday Service 6:30 pm
-April 18 Good Friday Services noon and 6:30 pm
-April 20 Easter breakfast 9 am; Bible Class/SS 9:15; Easter egg hunt 9:45; Resurrection Celebration 10:30.
Singers from Brookshire area churches will be performing an Easter Cantata at the Brookshire Methodist Church on Palm Sunday, April 13 beginning at 6:30 pm. You are encouraged to attend.
Sunday April 6th is the fifth Sunday in Lent. During the service we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four beginning on page 203 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #647 Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s Head; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #558 Not Unto Us; #431 Not All the Blood of Beasts; and #568 If Your Beloved Son, O God.
Scripture lessons assigned to the day are Psalm 126:1-6; Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; and Luke 20:9-20.
Psalm 126 is identified as a song of ascents, the type of songs pilgrims would have sung as they climbed the mountain and stairs approaching Jerusalem and the temple in preparation for worship. There is remembrance of joys God has bestowed on them in the past. There are prayers that God would restore them once again. We are encouraged to bring our troubles and sorrows to God, and His assurance of care will give us reason to rejoice. We understand that in the Divine Service, God is serving us, granting us His favor and the forgiveness paid for by Jesus, and we respond with praise and thanksgiving.
In the 43rd Chapter of Isaiah, God identifies Himself as the Creator, Savior, and Redeemer of Israel, a declaration extended to us as well. We belong to Him. In the passage we will read Sunday, God uses the imagery of desert turned to oasis to describe the life-giving transformation he brings to our lives. Let us faithfully look forward to the new life Jesus is ushering in, and praise Him for His kindness toward us.
St. Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Rather than lamenting, he praises God for sustaining him. He understands God is using trouble to refine his faith in Jesus. Because Jesus has made him His own, Paul perseveres. In 3:8-14, Paul urges all Christians to persevere like a long-distance runner, keep pressing forward through life’s suffering toward the resurrection and prize of eternal life with Jesus in heaven.
In the gospel lesson, Luke 20:9-20, Jesus tells a parable about tenants in a vineyard that summarizes the response of the rebellious people of Israel toward God throughout history. When the owner of a vineyard sends servants to gather a harvest from the tenants living there, the tenants abuse the servants and send them away. When the owner’s son is sent, the tenants plot to kill him so they may seize ownership. Addressed especially towards the religious and political leaders of that day, the words apply to all of us. Israel had rejected the prophets who had brought warning of judgment from God. And they were about to reject the Son of God and put Him to death. Rather than working for a harvest for God and His Son Jesus, we rebels still try to usurp and take control of the honor and authority that rightfully belongs to them. The telling of the parable also foreshadows Jesus’ crucifixion. But we should pay attention—Jesus, the stone rejected by builders, is now the foundation of of life with God. You can either build on Him, or He will fall on you and crush you.
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.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about schedules or Sunday’s lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
