El Paso, Texas LCMS
Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for January 16, 2022, the Second Sunday after the Epiphany.
Scripture:
We have enjoyed beautiful celebrations of Christ together during these HolyDays of December. Now, still in the glow of Christmas, we pray for our New Year. The final hymn we’ll sing together on December 31st is the much loved anthem of faith in the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection: “Because He Lives.”
Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives.
It’s so hard to imagine the future, because experience teaches us that surprises, good and bad, will come amid the best of our plans and intentions. As your circumstances, expectations, and worries stir up feelings of excitement or dread, lift them up in prayer this week to our faithful, gracious, almighty, and merciful God. Gather at Zion or pull your family and friends around our livestream at home to mark the New Year with faith, prayer, and praise.
As you consider your life and plans in this new year, don’t neglect to pray for God’s guidance, perspective, and peace. His death for you and victorious resurrection means you CAN and will face tomorrow with His victory guiding and sustaining you. Scripture tells us, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Co 5:17)” God says, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Rom 12:2)” Also, “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life… to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God (Eph 4:22-24).” It is always encouraging to remember that God says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10).”
Rejoice this New Year to REST in His grace, to DISCOVER more and more about God’s will and His mercy, and to LOVE Him and the people He loves in all the expected and surprising ways 2022 will bring us.
in Christ’s peace,
Pastor Stephen
Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for January 2, 2022, the Second Sunday After Christmas.
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Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for Christmas Day, December 25, 2021.
Scripture:
Today’s Zion Children “Growing in Faith” Podcast looks at Isaiah 9:6 and introduces the song the children will sing on Christmas Eve: “To Us A Child is Born” by Rachael and Jacob Weber.
SCRIPTURE Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for Sunday, December 12, 2021, the Third Sunday in Advent
Scripture:
Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for Sunday, December 5, 2021, the Second Sunday in Advent
Scripture:
Love came down at Christmas and achieved His mission of love. “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) Now, in Christ, we are alive forever, and we love now and forever.
While we live, we have opportunities galore to love others in tangible ways: We feel affections that attract deeper interest in others, we make resolutions that focus relationship plans with others, we defend others, we work to provide for people’s needs, we make vows and promises that steady hearts, we sacrifice for others’ good (displaying the love of Christ on the cross)… and more. Because of God’s love for us and Christ’s victory over death for us, we can love others now, even in small ways, with anticipation of long-term impact. As love connects with others “in the name of Jesus” the potential impact is LONG TERM. By faith, they too will live forever because of Jesus. We can truly say to every believer, “I will love you forever.” In Christ we are alive, in love forever. “Love never ends…. ….faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Co 13:8, 13) Chapter thirteen of 1 Corinthians reveals details about God’s perfect love. We aspire to it. We read this passage at weddings. Many people have artwork at home that display it so they can remember and hopefully be guided by its explanation that love is patient and kind, not boastful, arrogant, rude, selfish, irritable, or resentful; doesn’t rejoice at wrongdoing, rather rejoices with the truth (13:4-7).
It is a surprising love that Mary and Joseph receive into their lives as the angel Gabriel comes to them with God’s plans for the birth of Christ. They were betrothed, preparing to marry and no doubt had an idea of what types of blessing they would bring to each other and their families. They surely had heard the prophetic words of Isaiah, “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Is 7:14). Perhaps Mary as a child had even entertained the thought, “Maybe I could be that virgin?” Such a thought was most likely far from her mind as she made plans to marry Joseph. Yet as the angel revealed her place in God’s plan, she responded with the faithful, loving, phrase, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) Her life changed that day and she loved God and us in a unique way by bearing the child and raising him in the ways of God’s law. Joseph too would find himself wrapped up in God’s plans, loving God and loving Mary (and the world!) by following through with their marriage, providing for her, escorting her to Bethlehem, completing tasks and offerings prescribed for newborns and children by God’s law, leading the family to safety in Egypt, and bringing them home again to live, work, and grow in Nazareth… (fulfilling in many ways various other prophetic signs that affirms God’s steadfast love, justice, and eternal plans for us.)
Love expressed itself in many ways in their marriage and life together until death took Joseph away to heaven. Many people speak of “forever love” as they live and grow in appreciation for each other. All across the world there are sentiments of unending love even when death strikes. Praise be to God, because of Jesus, forever-love is more than a wish or a heartfelt hope. Forever-love is found and preserved in our eternal God, given to us freely; the best Christmas gift. To anyone who is in Christ, we can say, “I will love you forever” and it will be true.
On Sundays, as we gather for Word and Sacrament and listen to scripture readings for Advent, we will explore aspects of this love and its impact now and forever. Join us also on Wednesdays for evening prayer and a series of messages: Advent Answers to Hard Questions (learn more) May the Lord hold you in His loving grace.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Stephen
Our times together on Sundays this Fall, as the Pentecost Season gives way to Advent, will offer us opportunity to reflect on these important stewardship themes of Good News for a weary, confused, and hurting world:
REST October: Weariness yields to rest.
DISCOVER November: Confusion gives way to discovery.
LOVE December: Hurt finds healing in love.
These will inspire a fresh outlook concerning our 24/7 walk with God and our times together for worship, prayer, study, and working together at Zion.
Repetition yields memorization, contemplation, and deeper understanding. Draw from these scriptures, prayers, catechetical materials, and hymn(s) throughout your week of personal and family devotion, prayer, or homeschool family instruction. Then let them resonate in new ways as we all gather together in worship on Sunday.
October: REST – Weariness yields to rest
November: DISCOVER – Confusion gives way to discovery
December: LOVE – Hurt finds healing in love
While visiting with families recently, I’ve asked them, “What is it about Jesus that most excites you… something He did, something He taught… What’s the first thing that comes to mind as ‘great’ about Jesus?’” The responses have been wonderful to listen to as children and adults share out loud what come comes to each person’s mind. There is no right or wrong answer. They’ve revealed something about Jesus to those listen- ing and also something about the person who is speak- ing. Every time, I’ve enjoyed seeing how interested the children were in their parent’s answers. “Resurrection”, “Healing”, “My sins are forgiven”, “His care for the suffering….” Some parents seemed nervous about what their children might say and then were really fascinated to hear their answers.
Pastors’ sermons and lessons have an important place in the life of God’s people, but I am convinced that the words about Jesus spoken out loud by Christian men, women, and children throughout the week are the most powerful way people discover (and rediscover) Jesus. Not bossing people around with Words about God, but sharing out loud their admiration of Jesus and His varied actions and teachings. Reflecting out loud about how His actions, promises, and lessons relate to situations you are in will sow seeds of faith and deep encouragement.
Sometimes, a few of the children won’t know what to say to answer the question, probably feeling nervous about taking in front of adults and a pastor. Their par- ents or godparents have jumped in to help. In every case, I’ve thought, “This is so good. We need to get in the practice of remembering and talking about the glori- ously wonderful and mind-blowing things Jesus has done.” It’s created an opportunity for me to give the family one of the Storybook Bibles Zion members have purchased for children and encourage them to read to- gether as a family. “When I see you next time, let me know what has jumped out as AMAZING about Jesus during your devotional moments together.”
The more practice we have talking about all the great deeds and important lessons Jesus did and taught, the more likely it will be that He will influence our decisions and actions and those of our family.
Fuel your conversations with discovery,— discovery of God and of the people around you. This month as we continue our stewardship theme, “Forever Alive,” we move from October’s focus on “REST” to “DISCOVER.” Alive forever in Christ, we can look forward to eternal discovery of all that is His heav- enly glory and His new heaven and earth. Alive forever, we can spend our days prioritizing the discovery of the Lord’s actions and promises and who we are in Him. The world will pass away, but God’s ways are eternal. God has not only saved us, but He reveals Himself through creation and through Holy Scripture. What we do together at Zion enables us to discover more and more who God is, what exciting things He has done and taught, as well as who we are together as His Church. We show our faith in Christ by pursuing knowledge of God and of our neighbor (because God wants us to love our neighbor and has united us to each other in Christ).
In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Stephen
Our times together on Sundays this Fall, as the Pentecost Season gives way to Advent, will offer us opportunity to reflect on these important stewardship themes of Good News for a weary, confused, and hurting world:
REST October: Weariness yields to rest.
DISCOVER November: Confusion gives way to discovery.
LOVE December: Hurt finds healing in love.
These will inspire a fresh outlook concerning our 24/7 walk with God and our times together for worship, prayer, study, and working together at Zion.