Incarnate Word Lutheran Church

Hebrews 2:14-18.      Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.  Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.  Luke 2:22-32     Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”       And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” 

 Wen I come to the end of my life and if it is God’s mercy that I am able,  Lord let my final prayer be “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word”.  I hope the same for you Amen 

Chapel Daily Lectionary – Adapted From Evangelisches Tagzeitenbuch
St. Titus, Pastor   Ephesians 3:14-21
 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. John 21:15-17  So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”     He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”  He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”    He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”   Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”  Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
New King James Version, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights We reserved.

There is a love that is beyond all understanding and a love that is  all understanding. It is the love of God for us as demonstrated through Jesus Christ. it is this love that causes us pastors to feed the sheep even when we ourselves are hungry.  But Jesus’ response to Peter’s profession of love is simple: “Feed my sheep”.   love is not a mare feeling it is also a positive action. This is what Christ has called each of us to do through the church.  We pray today to be faithful to the Lord’s command.  Amen

Worship this Sunday is at 10:00 am. We will hear from Pastor Song about his work  of feeding the homeless and hungry  downtown and how we can be part of this important ministry of the church.

Chapel Daily Lectionary – Adapted From Evangelisches Tagzeitenbuch Epiphany II: Mark 3:1-6 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him.
We learn from this passage that sometimes  even when we try to do good others, our good works motivate  hate in those who are evil.  Jesus did a good work by healing the man but his enemies were looking for an opportunity to discredit him and when  he confronted them with the truth they were even more angry to the point of plotting  with their enemies to kill him. Hate could make strange bedfellows.  As those called by Christ we must always do his will even if by doing so we encounter hate from others  who are frustrated because of your good works.  Let us pray from Jeremiah 17:13-17 O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. “Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the LORD, The fountain of living waters.” Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise. Indeed they say to me, “………….. You. do not be a terror to me; You are my hope in the day of doom.  Amen

New King James Version, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapel Daily Lectionary – Adapted From Evangelisches Tagzeitenbuch
Epiphany I 1st Corinthians 1:26-31     For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.      But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” John 10:31-38     Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”      The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”      Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods?” ‘ If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”
It always amuses and pains me when I hear people say that they believe in Jesus but they do not believe he is God and some even say Jesus never claimed to be God. But this passage from the Gospel is a clear contradiction of this view. He claimed his divinity and the Jewish leaders were going to kill him for that.   In this season of the church year we celebrate the revelation of God through Jesus.  He is the God who can make the rich poor, who can make the weak strong, who can exalt the humble and bring down the proud.  He is our God who can make a way out of no way.  Let us Pray,  Father we thank you that we are still in the land of the living , we ask your loving care and mercy on those around us who are not doing as well as we are. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti  in these days of hardship and difficulties for them. keep us from sin  and protect us this day . Amen

The Epiphany of Our Lord
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery… which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel. Matthew 2:1-12 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ “Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Isaiah 60:1-6 Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around, and see: they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you. The multitude of camels shall cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.

Epiphany:  shining a light so that the truth is revealed. The Truth is that the Gospel is for all.   Christ died for every tribe race and nation and salvation is only through  him alone. There is only one path to God which is through Jesus Christ.  This is the mystery revealed by the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.  Let us Pray:  Lord, shine your light on us so that we may see your glory and give thanks and praise for the things you have done for us and all people. Amen

The Epiphany Dinner is at 6:00 pm this Saturday at the church all are invited.

Romans 5:12-14, 18-21     Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned — (for until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.)       Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The above reading is the true meaning of Christmas. Christ came as God gift to be the full and perfect sacrifice for our sins.  So we celebrate Christmas by buying gifts for ourselves, our family and  our friends.   Many Christians  will not  even  attend the “mass” the celebrated of God’s gift and Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross.  Some church have no worships services on Christmas eve and  and non on Christmas day. It is the  birthday party to which the the guest of honor is not invited.  For many,  Christmas is about eating and drinking and having a great time, for others it isl a time of stress or even depression. But for all it could be a time of real joy if the Cross becomes the focus  of this holy day or is it holiday.     Joy to The World The Lord Has  Come!  Let   us pray.  Father  God  help to focus on your perfect gift of your son   in this season of Christmas.   May our celebration be worthy of your sacrifice,      bless us as we participate in the “mass” this Christmas.  May Christ come to us as he did in Bethlehem as we receive the blessed sacrament of his body and blood.  Forgive our sins as we forgive our enemies. We pray in Jesus name, Amen. 

Christmas Eve service at 6:30  and 8:00.  Sunday,  December 27, Worship at  9:30 am, so that I could take a few days off.   New Years Eve (Old Years Night)  Worship, followed by  Celebrations. Please bring your own drink (Sparkling?) for the  celebration.  Food will be provided.

Revelation 3:1-6
     ”And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘ ”
Do you remember what you have seen and heard?  Do you remember what he has done for you in your own life and what he has done for you and for all on the cross?  Then don’t act as if you are dead, beaten down  and without the will to show others the love that is within you.    Confess Christ by your words and your deeds and when you meet Him he will present you to God the father as one redeemed by him.    He will surely come, so pray with me “Come Lord Jesus Come now” Amen!

  Chapel Daily Lectionary – Adapted From Evangelisches Tagzeitenbuch
Revelation 3:14-22     ”And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘ ” Hebrews 10:32-39     But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul

I have underlined some words and phrases today for meditation. Here are a few thoughts: What God dislikes most is lukewarm “believers”  they waste  his time and he is nauseated  by them. They make him throw up.  What he really likes are those who live by faith, those who will open up the door and give him a warm welcome.Then he will come in and have dinner with you.   Whether you are rich or poor, suffering or safe the invition is the same. Our Lord wants us to persevere  and not give up or lose our first love for him.  ”He who is coming will come and will not tarry.”  so we pray ” Come Lord Jesus, Come now!  Amen!

Chapel Daily Lectionary – Adapted From Evangelisches Tagzeitenbuch
Revelation 3:7-13      ”And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.   ”Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘ “Zechariah 1:14-17 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped — but with evil intent.” Therefore thus says the LORD: “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of hosts, “And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ‘ Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.” ‘ ”
New King James Version, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sometimes we wonder why,  why are we going through trials and tribulations while others make pretense of being godly but do the most ungodly things  to  us and still seem to prosper. We have and answer from:  He will expose the lies of  the hypocrites and will give them their rewards in due time. But for those , even those who have little strength,  wasted by the seemingly “beat down”  he will make pillars in the temple if we remain faithful. God knows our name,  first and last, because he has given us his name and written it on us.  Let us Pray : father we pray that you will have mercy on those who abuse your children.  We pray that you will increase our strengt so that we may remain faithfull and evermore respond to your promise to come to us with the joyful words “Come Lord Jesus, Come now”  Amen!

Please remember tonight ’s Advent service at 7:00 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ