mclclititz

On the Sunday after Easter we gather to hear the account of St. (Doubting) Thomas and the invitation by Jesus for Thomas to see His hands and put his finger into His side. Jesus wished to rebuke Thomas’ unbelief, and bring Thomas to an understanding of His risen body. In Christ’s risen body we have the very reality of our forgiveness and future resurrection. These teachings from Jesus that we receive this Sunday are the pure spiritual milk that we newborn infants need for our life and salvation.

Our celebration of Easter continues with the accounts of the Fiery Furnace and Jesus’ appearance to His disciples in the upper room. As Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego were taken from the fiery furnace and preserved alive, so also we will be raised from death through the power of Jesus resurrection.

On Easter Sunday Pr. Seifferlein concluded his sermon series on the Words of Institution for the Sacrament of the Altar with a sermon on “This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” How often are we to celebrate the Sacrament and why do we keep on doing it?

At the Easter Vigil Pr. Seifferlein spoke of how forgiveness is more than merely a remission of sins, but a release from slavery to sin and death. Forgiveness is where former slaves become free lords.

Good Friday is part of the sacred three-day observance of Christ’s Passion that stretches from the evening of Maundy Thursday to the celebration on Easter Sunday morning. The name may have originally been “God’s Friday,” but it is certainly also good because of the good gifts that Christ won for us on this day. In the Good Friday Tenebrae service Pr. Seifferlein spoke about the Sacrament as the last will and testament of Christ. A new will was enacted that supersedes the old will of judgment and damnation.

Good Friday is part of the sacred three-day observance of Christ’s Passion that stretches from the evening of Maundy Thursday to the celebration on Easter Sunday morning. The name may have originally been “God’s Friday,” but it is certainly also good because of the good gifts that Christ won for us on this day. In the Good Friday noon service, Pr. Seifferlein preached on the giving of the Sacrament to the disciples. The Sacrament is both the free gift that He wishes them to receive, as well as the sacrifice of His life for them.

In his New Member Catechesis from this past week, Pr. Seifferlein speaks of Genesis chapter 3, “The Fall of Man into Sin and the Promise of a Savior.”

Maundy Thursday is dedicated to the remembrance of the Institution of the Lord’s Supper. It is set off from the rest of Holy Week and Lent in that it is a day of festive joy; a time to rejoice over the gift God has given us in Holy Communion. In the sermon this evening Pastor Seifferlein centers our attention on the meaning of the bread and wine that we receive. The Sacrament is more than the body and blood of Jesus Christ, it is also clothed in the earthly elements of bread and wine. In this sermon we consider the biblical background of bread and wine and its meaning in our lives.

In Bible Class we will study Leviticus 19 under the topic, “God is Holy. God’s People are to be Holy. What does this look like?”

Holy Week begins as we welcome our Lord Jesus with palms and praises. He comes to Jerusalem on a humble donkey to die for us! Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain, Then take, O God, Thy pow’r and reign.

Join us for our Midweek Lenten Services where this year we consider the theme, “Treasuring the Words.” We will hear preaching on the Verba or Words of Institution of the Sacrament of the Altar. This week we will consider the phrase, “He took the cup.”

In this 5th Member Catechesis lesson, Pr. Seifferlein goes through Genesis chapter 2 and defines who is man and what did God make him for.

Opposition to Jesus increases, yet He steadfastly heads for the cross. We see Jesus’ courage this Sunday even as we consider what His resoluteness brought us, “the purification of our consciences that we might serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14)

Join us for our Midweek Lenten Services where this year we consider the theme, “Treasuring the Words.” We will hear preaching on the Verba or Words of Institution of the Sacrament of the Altar. This week we will consider the phrase, “In the same way also…after supper.”

We will hear how God protects His people from sexual abuse as we study Leviticus 18, “Unlawful Sexual Relations.”

On the Fourth Sunday of Lent we gather to hear the account of the Feeding of the 5,000. Rejoice! Jesus, the great groom, feeds His bride in the wilderness.

In this third session, Pr. Seifferlein concludes the study of the Ten Commandments with a look at Exodus chapter 32, “The Golden Calf.” God’s people break the law even before the copy is given to them. Moses offers that his name be blotted out of the heavenly book so that the people might be spared from complete annihilation.

Jesus casts out a demon from a mute man so that he is able to speak, but some, their hearts being hard, said that Jesus did this by the power of Satan. They did not recognize the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through Jesus. Yet Jesus is the Stronger Man who takes destroys the devil's armor of sin and death by the holy cross. He exorcizes and frees us by water and the Word. We were once darkness, but now we are light in Christ the Lord. As children of light, our tongues are loosed to give thanks to Him who saved us.

Join us for our Midweek Lenten Services where this year we consider the theme, “Treasuring the Words.” We will hear preaching on the Verba or Words of Institution of the Sacrament of the Altar. This week we will consider the phrase, “He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said.”

In his second class for Catechesis for New Members, Pr. Seifferlein dealt with the importance of the Law of God as given to us in the Ten Commandments. Come away with a renewed appreciation for the great gift when God revealed Himself to His people at Mt. Sinai.

The very center chapter of the five books of Moses is the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16. This week we will study this yearly feast of the Jews and how it points us to our Savior Jesus Christ.

Great faith doesn’t stand on its own two feet, but it falls at its knees in weakness, crying out to an even greater Lord. Come before the Lord this Sunday, even as you cry, “Lord, help me!”