mclclititz

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! The Church gathers on Easter Sunday morning to hear the news of Christ’s mighty rising from the dead. The long wait of Lent and the emotion of the preceding days leads to the greatest celebration in the life of the Church. Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the innermost center of the Christian’s life and eternal hope. Even the next Sunday after the event itself, Christians gathered, and have gathered ever since, in joyful remembrance of what Christ has accomplished, His majestic conquest over the powers of death and hell. We light our candles again as a symbol of Christ who is the Light of the world—the Light no darkness can overcome. And while we may not be together on this day, Easter is an entire season and we will sure to be back soon to celebrate the forgiveness Christ won because of His death and resurrection! In Christ we rise to newness of life, putting the old ways of sin and death behind us, through the forgiveness that we receive in the word of absolution. New life and new hope are ours because of what Christ did on this day so long ago!

In this video Gabriel and Pr. Seifferlein discuss the history of the Easter Vigil and the profound meaning of the service. Saints through the centuries gathered on Saturday evening to await the news that Christ had risen from the dead. As they were baptized, received Holy Communion, and heard the stories of God's deliverance now fulfilled in Jesus, they participated in the passing over from death to life. Containing 6 mini-services, the Vigil traces the story of God's redemption from the Garden of Eden to the fulfillment of the new creation in Christ's resurrection.

The Easter Vigil is not a service to be hasty with. We quietly gather to reflect on God's mighty deliverance in the raising of His Son Jesus from the dead. In vigil and prayer we share in Jesus' victory over death.

(For a copy of the bulletin of this service email office@mclclititz.org) In our sermon for Good Friday we gather to consider the life of Pontius Pilate. Though Christ is headed to death, Jesus bypasses any concern for Himself, to focus on the life and salvation of this man who will sentence Him to die by crucifixion. As Jesus shows such love for those guilty of treachery, we see also His love for us. Special historic and ancient features of this service include the reading of one of the greatest chapters of the Bible, Isaiah 53, the responsive reading of the Passion account, the praying of the Good Friday Bidding Prayer where we intercede for the needs of all people, and the adoration of the holy cross. Holy Spirit, inspire us by this meditation, and keep us forever in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Maundy Thursday is the day that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gathered in the Upper Room to celebrate the Passover with His disciples. Little did they know the events that would transpire that evening as He would wash their feet and institute the new testament in His blood. In his sermon for Maundy Thursday, Pr. Seifferlein focuses on greatness, and how the Greatest One among us the One who came to serve by doing the lowest task of washing our feet.

Christ came to suffer death, that we might live. Though we face our own fears about death this week, in and through Christ, and even in death, salvation is ours.

Pr. Seifferlein sends his greetings to congregational members during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pr. Seifferlein addresses the congregation about the current crisis and how it relates to the Book of Revelation. He encourages the congregation to remain steadfast in daily prayer and devotion to God's Word.

In this video, Pr. Seifferlein addresses the congregation and speaks of the vision that John sees as recorded in the book of Revelation. John reminds the congregations of Asia Minor that, despite what they see on earth, the Lord Jesus rules heaven and earth.

John was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. Though separated from his congregation because of the situation visited upon the church, they were united by the Word of God they mutually received in different locales. John comforts us to know that though we may be separated from the Sacraments, and each other, we are not separated from our Lord. Where the Word of God is read, prayed, and believed, there the Spirit does His work of strengthening men's hearts in faith and the Word. A blessed Sunday to you All!