mclclititz

Gregory the Great, Pastor - One of the great leaders in Europe at the close of the sixth century, Gregory served in both the secular and sacred arenas of his era. As mayor of Rome, he restored economic vitality to his native city, which had been weakened by enemy invasions, pillage, and plague. After he sold his extensive properties and donated the proceeds to help the poor, he entered into full-time service in the Church. On September 3, 590 A.D., Gregory was elected to lead the church in Rome. As Bishop of Rome he oversaw changes and growth in the areas of church music and liturgical development, missionary outreach to northern Europe, and the establishment of a church-year calendar still used by many churches in the western World today. His book on pastoral care became a standard until the 20th century.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to kill, and a time to heal…” You’ve heard this famous poem from Ecclesiastes chapter 3, but what does it mean? Join us in Bible Class as we explore its teaching for our lives.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Consider today what they say in their prayers, and what Jesus says about each of them.

In Ecclesiastes 2 we will contemplate the meaningless of seeking good in pleasure or earthly wisdom. Solomon points us to the quest for God and keeping His commandments.

Families from the circuit and beyond gathered for the St. Monica & Augustine Family Retreat at Mount Calvary to be encouraged by the Word of God before school begins. Pastors at the event included Pr. Roy Axel Coats, Pr. Rob Kieselowsky, Pr. Christopher Seifferlein. Pr. Gordon Naumann, as well as Vicar Jesse R. Greenhagen. Join us at the event next year!

After meeting with Zacchaeus in Jericho, Jesus climbs the long 14 mile ascent to Jerusalem. After riding into the city on a donkey, He rounds the bend and sees the city of Jerusalem. He is moved to tears at how stubborn the people are and how He has come for her people but she refuses Him, Jerusalem’s salvation. Jesus then predicts her fall and destruction, a picture of the end of all those whose ways are to reject God’s Son. Join us this week as we consider this momentous chapter of the bible. O'er Jerusalem Thou weepest In compassion, dearest Lord. Love divine, of love the deepest, O'er Thine erring Israel poured, Crieth out in bitter moan: "O loved city, hadst thou known This thy day of visitation, Thou wouldst not reject salvation."

Johann Gerhard, Theologian - Johann Gerhard (1582–1637) was a great Lutheran theologian in the tradition of Martin Luther (1483–1546) and Martin Chemnitz (1522–86) and the most influential of the 17th-century dogmaticians. His monumental Loci Theologici (23 large volumes) is still considered by many to be a definitive statement of Lutheran orthodoxy. Gerhard was born in Quedlinburg, Germany. At the age of 15 he was stricken with a life-threatening illness. This experience, along with guidance from his pastor, Johann Arndt, marked a turning point in his life. He devoted the rest of his life to theology. He became a professor at the University of Jena and served many years as the Superintendent of Heldberg. Gerhard was a man of deep evangelical piety and love for Jesus. He wrote numerous books on exegesis, theology, devotional literature, history, and polemics. His sermons continue to be widely published and read.

This Sunday we will hear Jesus’ parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13). Though our management of God’s resources as His stewards is found lacking, the Lord calls us to repentance and to faith in Him so that our life of serving self might be turned outward to using God’s gifts for our neighbor.

Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr - Early in the third century A.D., Lawrence, most likely born in Spain, made his way to Rome. There he was appointed chief of the seven deacons and was given the responsibility to manage church property and finances. The emperor at the time, who thought that the church had valuable things worth confiscating, ordered Lawrence to produce the “treasures of the church.” Lawrence brought before the emperor the poor whose lives had been touched by Christian charity. He was then jailed and eventually executed in the year 258 by being roasted on a gridiron. His martyrdom left a deep impression on the young church. Almost immediately, the date of His death, August 10, became a permanent fixture on the early commemorative calendar of the Church.

In Bible Class we will take up wise living as we look at Ecclesiastes chapter 1.

Teaching matters, and hearing the truth about God is essential lest we be devoured by teachers who are in it for themselves and only lead us to destruction. This week hear Jesus’ words and warnings to His sheep regarding how to tell a true and false prophet apart, and His promise for those who hear God’s true Word and preaching.

Joanna, Mary, and Salome--Myrrhbearers - Known in some traditions as “the faithful women,” the visit of these three persons and other women to the tomb of Jesus on the first Easter morning is noted in the Gospel records of Matthew (28:1), Mark (16:1), and Luke (24:10). Joanna was the wife of Cuza, a steward in Herod's household (Lk. 8:3). Mary, the mother of James (the son of Alphaeus), was another of the women who faithfully provided care for Jesus and His disciples from the time of His Galilean ministry through His burial after the crucifixion. Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Mt. 27:56), joined with the women both at the cross and in the bringing of the spices to the garden tomb. These “faithful women” have been honored in the church through the centuries as examples of humble and devoted service to the Lord.

On the Seventh Sunday of Trinity we take up the account of the Feeding of the 4,000. God promises to provide for all of our needs of body and of soul. He will give us what we need, both our bread for each day, and our bread, Jesus, for eternal life.

Today we focus on the great law given at Mt. Sinai, the Ten Commandments. The law demands perfection, and the kind of righteousness we need must exceed that of the very righteousness of the scrupulous religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Come see how we may find it.

“Come, follow Me.” Today Jesus’ call rings out to four fishermen, and to you. Leave behind your former lives, and begin a new life of following our Great Teacher and being the greatest thing in life there is to be, a follower, pupil, learner, and disciple of Jesus.

What is the life of the Christian all about? Having been shown mercy by our Father in heaven, we are commanded to show mercy also to others if we would call ourselves God’s children. In his famous “Sermon on the Plain,” Jesus addresses all who would follow Him and be His disciples, catechizing us as to what this means.

Leviticus ends in a surprising place, detailing the offerings by which the Israelites can support the continued work of the sanctuary. We will conclude our study of this book as we are challenged with how we can show reverence to God's house and support the work He carries out in His holy house and dwelling place on earth. We want the work to continue, and God places this work in our hands.

Ever lose a coin? Maybe. Ever lose a sheep? Likely not. Jesus has, and this Sunday He speaks about what He does when one of His little lambs has strayed. Join us this Sunday for a foray into the life of sheep and the life of our Good Shepherd, who brings His lost sheep back home to the fold.

“Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” So confessed St. Peter. And Christ promised to build His Church on it by the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 16:16–19). He does this so we don’t try to build the Church ourselves, on this or that person, or by any human means. Let no one boast in men, whether Paul or Cephas, for all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s (1 Cor. 3:21–23). The same Lord who worked through Peter’s ministry worked also through Paul’s and is still at work in His Gospel and Sacraments (Gal. 2:7–8). The Church of every age must be recalled to hear the Word of this Gospel—the free forgiveness of sins for Christ’s sake apart from the Law—and believe. The Holy Spirit makes no distinction among men, but cleanses hearts by faith alone. So will we be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:7–11). Both were imprisoned (Acts 12:1–11), both wrote Scripture (2 Pet. 3:15–16), both opposed the world—and sometimes each other (Gal. 2:11–16)—but all that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for us (v. 5).

For more information about Lutheran in Africa, please visit: https://lutheransinafrica.com/

Rev. James May from Lutherans in Africa will be preaching at Mount Calvary on Sunday. He will also be giving a presentation during the Sunday School hour. Our next quarter Mission Giving, which begins in July, will support Rev. May. You may read more information about the mission by visiting https://lutheransinafrica.com/

Our lesson for the day is the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Even in poverty, sickness, and untimely death, Jesus is the hope of every Christian.

Holy Trinity Sunday ends the festival or first half of the church year. Having celebrated Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, the church rejoices in one last grand round of celebration to the Holy Trinity, true God, the Father who created and made us, the Son who redeems us, and the Spirit who makes us a home in the Holy Christian Church and will raise up our bodies on the last day. Join us as we speak the Athanasian Creed and as we sing many hymns in praise to the Holy Trinity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessèd Trinity! Text: Public domain

Our celebration of the Feast of Pentecost continues with the readings (propers) assigned for Pentecost Tuesday. God gives His Holy Spirit to lead us by the Word into all truth, to sanctify us through the same, to increase our faith and understanding, to strengthen us amidst our weakness, to call us back from our wandering, and to keep us in the one fold of the Holy Christian Church. May today God bless us as He pours the Spirit richly into our hearts through the Means of the Spirit-the Word and the Holy Sacraments.

We’re almost to the end! In Sunday School we will study the 25th chapter of Leviticus as we read about a special “Year of Jubilee” that would take place once every 49 years. The year would involve the release of debts and prisoners, and the return of property to its original owners. Jesus is our Jubilee, by which captive slaves are released, debts are forgiven, and the property of heaven is returned to us who have lost it. Thanks be to God!