Confirmation Questioning Tonight 7:30pm

Confirmation Questioning for

Adam Bochart, Mason Peterson, Jacob Wolfe

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Creston, IA 50801

April 29, 2009 ~ 7:30pm

Fourth Sunday in Easter; Good Shepherd Sunday; May 3, 2009

Liturgical Color: White

Fourth Sunday in Easter, May 3, 2009
Divine Service 1, LSB 151

Confession and Absolution

711 Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us LSB 711

Invocation LSB 151
Exhortation LSB 151
Confession of Sins LSB 151
Absolution LSB 151

Service of the Word

Introit Ps. 23; antiphon: John 10:14, 15b
Kyrie LSB 152
Hymn of Praise This Is the Feast LSB 155
Salutation and Collect of the Day

First Reading Acts 4:1–12
Epistle 1 John 3:16–24
Common Alleluia and Verse LSB 156
Holy Gospel John 10:11–18

710 The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want LSB 710

Sermon
Apostles' Creed
Prayer of the Church
Offering
Offertory LSB 159
Lord's Prayer
Benediction (Aaronic)

740 I Am Jesus' Little Lamb LSB 740

Announcements for April 26, 2009

Adam Bochart & his family invites the congregation to a reception in celebration of his confirmation. It will be Sunday, May 3rd from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at their home (1104 N. Elm St.)

Please give items for the Sunday bulletin to pastor in writing in the mailbox slot "bulletin" (found at the lower left side of the member mailboxes in the narthex) or eMail them to bulletin@trinitycreston.org

Please notify pastor when you make a change to the church calendar outside the church office.

Please place articles for the Chimes in the "Chimes" mailbox found at the lower left side of the member mailboxes, or eMail articles to chimes@TrinityCreston.org

Church eMails! Please take note of these changes in Trinity's eMail addresses. Trinity Lutheran Church - tlc@TrinityCreston.org; Pastor - pastor@TrinityCreston.org; Chimes Articles - chimes@TrinityCreston.org; Bulletin Announcements - bulletin@TrinityCreston.org; Preschool Teachers - preschool@TrinityCreston.org

Now receive daily news eMail from Trinity! 1. Goto the church web page http://www.TrinityCreston.org; 2. Click on "Subscribe to Daily eMail News Update" (Right below the weather box) 3. Enter you eMail address in blank box next to the mailbox. 4. Click on "Submit Query"; Now every day there's news you'll receive an email.

Life Quote: April 26 "Here are words from the One who thought you valuable enough to die for: ‘God will redeem my soul from the grave; he will surely take me to himself’ (Psalm 49:15)." Pastor Mark Jeske, speaker on Time of Grace This "Life Quote" is from Lutherans For Life – www.lutheransforlife.org.

Stewardship in 1 John 3:1-7: By God’s grace we are declared His children. Two of the things that God delights in doing is loving and giving (John 3:16). As the Holy Spirit empowers us we can become more and more like our Heavenly Father and also delight in loving and giving,

Adult Bible Class (Sunday 10:30am)

Early Risers meet at HyVee every Tuesday at 6:30am for bible study

Last Adult Information Class tonight 7:30pm Fellowship Hall.

Worship Assistants

Sun May 3
Organist: Sharon Ekland Altar: Gene and Dorothy Cook, Pat Barkalow
Finance: Jay Bochart, Chuck Bowman Acolyte: Jacob Wolfe
Elder: Gene Cook Ushers: Karl Peterson, Darwin Scott, Jack Quee, Lynn Kruse

Sun May 10
Acolyte: Dorian Petersen Altar: Gene and Dorothy Cook, Pat Barkalow
Finance: Jay Bochart, Chuck Bowman Organist: Janette Lang

Elder: Gene Cook Ushers: Karl Peterson, Darwin Scott, Jack Quee, Lynn Kruse

This Week at Trinity

Sun Apr 26 9am Divine Service with Holy Communion
    10:15am Sunday School and Bible Classes
    6:30pm Mother's Tea (FH)
    7:30pm Adult Information Class

Mon Apr 27 Pastor's Day Off
    12:30pm – 3:30pm Preschool

Tue Apr 28 6:30am Early Risers (HyVee)
    8:30am – 11am Preschool
    12:30pm – 3:30pm Preschool
    1:30pm Streams of Living Water, Sermon Broadcast www.PirateChristianaRadio.com

Wed Apr 29 12:30pm – 3:30pm Preschool
    6pm Confirmation Class
    7:30pm Confirmation Questioning

Thu Apr 30 8:30am – 11am Preschool
    9:30am Preschool Pastor Time (3yr)
    12:30pm – 3:30pm Preschool
    1:30pm Preschool Pastor Time (4yr)

Sat May 2 9am – 12pm Stewardship 360 - St. Paul Lutheran Church,400 S. 13th Street, Fort Dodge, IA

Sun May 3 Confirmation Sunday
    9am Divine Service
    10:15am Sunday School and Bible Classes
    12pm – 4:30am Mason Peterson Confirmation Reception (FH)

GOD’S PEOPLE AT PRAYER… Trevor Hansen, Vyck and Patty, Jessica, Joel Herzberg, Kaylee, Troy and Corina; Shut-in: Ruth Chase, Wilma Cottrell, Dale Keating, Pauline Young; Missionaries: Rev. Daniel Vogel & Rev. Dennis Konkel

The March of Time, Use of the Common Cup

Guest Blogger Rev. David Schultz, St. John Lutheran Church, Fenton, IA

• 1st Century, Jesus Christ, uses the common cup to institute His supper.
• 2nd Century-the church spreads across the Mediterranean, the first generation of pastors, all trained by the apostles, use the common cup.
• 3rd Century, the Great Persecutions of the church.  Hidden in the catacombs, in the tombs of the dead, all Christians use the common cup in worship.
• 4th Century, the Christian church becomes the official faith of the Roman Empire.  In the newly triumphant churches, they use the common cup.
• 5th Century, the Roman Empire of the West falls to barbaric German tribes (maybe your ancestors).  The Christian missionaries to those tribes use the common cup.
• 6th Century, The Dark Ages, not much is known of this time period, due to the fall of civilization. What we do know, is that in all the churches, they use the common cup.
• 7th Century, the new religion of Islam conquers the Christian lands of the Middle East.  In those now captive churches, they still use the common cup.
• 8th Century, Christian troops in what is now France stop the Islamic invasion at a place called Tours.  They use the common cup in their victory mass.
• 9th Century, the kingdoms that will become France and Germany form.  In all Christian lands, they use the common cup in communion.
• 10th Century-Great monasteries are founded, that later will grow into Medieval cities.  The savage Viking begins to be Christianized by monks and priests.  In those monastic houses in the wilderness, the common cup is used.
• 11th Century, the western catholic and eastern orthodox churches split.  But in both the east and the west, the Christians use the common cup.
• 12th Century, the great crusades are underway, to reconquer the Middle East and Spain from Islam.  The crusaders use the common cup, even as they search for the Holy Grail, the cup of Christ.
• 13th Century, the Black Death stalks across Europe, killing up to 40% of the population.  In those places where Christians survive, the common cup is used.
• 14th Century, the Hundred Years War between England and France is underway.  But in the camps of both armies, they still use the common cup.
• 15th Century, The Eastern Roman Empire, centered in Constantinople, falls to invading Islamic armies.  In the last church service before the city falls, all Christians, west and east, join together to use the common cup for communion, (oh, and a place called America is discovered).
• 16th Century, Martin Luther reforms the churches of Northern Germany and in Scandinavia.  In all churches, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Reformed and Orthodox, one issue that they agree on, is to use the common cup.
• 17th Century, The 30 Years War roars across Europe, while puritan Pilgrims settle in new American lands.  All the churches still use the common cup.
• 18th Century, 13 of the 15 British colonies declare independence.  The first Lutheran synod in North America is founded.  All the churches use the common cup.
• 19th Century, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is founded.  All Missouri Synod churches use the common cup.
• 20th Century, Because of World War I and II, the Missouri Synod switches languages, from German to English.  In most churches up to the 1970s and '80s, the common cup is used.  But because so many have become afraid of germs, the individual cup is introduced.
• 21st Century, You now have a choice to make.  Like most of the Christians of previous centuries, you can use the common cup, or you can choose to use this innovation.  It is still the Blood of Christ, shed for the forgiveness of sins, no matter what vessel is used.  But the common cup does symbolize our unity, both with other Christians today, as well as those in the past, in the One Christ.  Now you can make an informed decision.
  God bless you now and always in Christ, Amen.

Technorati Tags: Holy Communion,Common Cup

 

Third Sunday in Easter, April 26, 2009

Liturgical Color: White

Third Sunday in Easter, April 26, 2009
Divine Service 4, LSB 203

Confession and Absolution

505 Triune God, Be Thou Our Stay     LSB 505
Invocation     LSB 203
Exhortation     LSB 203
Confession of Sins     LSB 203
Absolution     LSB 203

Service of the Word

Introit    Ps. 30:1–5; antiphon: Ps. 16:11b
Kyrie     LSB 204
Gloria in Excelsis     LSB 204
Salutation and Collect of the Day  

First Reading     Acts 3:11–21
Epistle     1 John 3:1–7
Alleluia and Verse      LSB 205
Holy Gospel     Luke 24:36–49

Nicene Creed     LSB 206
483 With High Delight Let Us Unite     LSB 483
Sermon
Prayer of the Church
Offering

Service of the Sacrament

Preface     LSB 208
Sanctus     LSB 208
Prayer of Thanksgiving   
Lord's Prayer     LSB 209
The Words of Our Lord   
Pax Domini     LSB 209
Agnus Dei     LSB 210

Distribution

459 Christ Is Arisen     LSB 459
680 Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise     LSB 680

Nunc Dimittis     LSB 211
Post-Communion Collect   
Benedicamus and Benediction     LSB 212
725 Children of the Heavenly Father     LSB 725

Youth Group News

 

Conference Schedule July 7-10, 2009

This is a basic outline of the tentative schedule for both of the 2009 SOLA conferences so that groups can get a general idea of what goes on during the week. The schedules will not be finalized until just before the conference. And even then, minor changes have been known to happen on the fly during the conference itself!

Second Sunday in Easter, April 19, 2009

Liturgical Color: White

Second Sunday in Easter, April 19, 2009
Divine Service I, LSB 151

 

LSB 467 Awake, My Heart, with Gladness

Confession Absolution

Invocation       LSB 151
Exhortation      LSB 151
Confession of Sins       LSB 151
Absolution       LSB 151

Service of the Word

Introit Ps. 105:1–5, 8; antiphon: 1 Peter 2:2–3
Kyrie    LSB 152
Hymn of Praise This Is the Feast         LSB 155
Salutation and Collect of the Day

First Reading    Acts 4:32–35
Epistle  1 John 1:1—2:2
Alleluia and Verse Common Alleluia and Verse     LSB 156
Holy Gospel      John 20:19–31

LSB 470 O Sons and Daughters of the King

Sermon
Apostles' Creed
Prayer of the Church
Offering
Stand
Offertory        LSB 159
Lord's Prayer
Benediction

LSB 477 Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven

Statement on Gay Marriage in Iowa - Dr. Paul G. Sieveking, President, Iowa District West; and Dr. Gary M. Arp, President, Iowa District East

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our Crucified and Risen Savior, Jesus, this Holy week.
Like many of you, we were saddened and offended by Iowa Supreme Court ruling regarding “same sex marriage” and the response of the leaders of the Iowa Legislature ruling out any effort to overturn the decision or even discuss it.
Today there are voices telling us that we must learn to “accept” the changes that are taking place in society. The reality is, society no longer values the church’s role, is suspicious of our views, and considers us irrelevant. Society has lost its moral foundation upon which to base any decisions regarding true and false, good and evil, right and wrong.
As Lutheran Christians we have a duty and an unprecedented opportunity to speak to society the will of God as revealed to us in His Holy Word for this is the only solid foundation upon which a civilized society can stand. The Law of God declares that homophile behavior is intrinsically sinful (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom.1:24–27). The Gospel declares that Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2) and that Christ, who knew no sin, was made to be our sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). The church’s proper evangelical work is to proclaim the reconciliation of the sinner to God in the death of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:18–19).
Therefore, we cannot be silent regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling, but must faithfully and publicly speak against it. For we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that ‘we’ may declare the praises of him who called ‘us’ out of darkness into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9
We will continue to define marriage as God has, “a lifelong union of one man and one woman.” We will celebrate His gift to us and defend marriage as Martin Luther reminds us in his explanation of the sixth commandment, “We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.”
We encourage our pastors and congregations to minister to homosexuals and their families with love and concern, calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good News of Jesus Christ when there is repentance.
We are attaching a copy of the 2008 letter from Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in response to the California Supreme Court ruling and a copy of Resolution 3-05A adopted at the LCMS 2004 Convention both of which further clarify our church body’s position. We encourage an “in depth” study of the Bible passages cited so that all of our people might be informed by God’s Word.
We urge all of God’s people to pray for our elected leaders, our legislature, our judges that our God will grant them wisdom and understanding so that they might govern us according to His will so that our nation, our state, our communities, and all people might be truly blessed.
Your Servants in Christ,
Dr. Paul G. Sieveking, President Dr. Gary M. Arp, President
Iowa District West, LCMS Iowa District East, LCMS

Statement from the President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Response to California Supreme Court Ruling on Same-Sex “Marriage”

June 24, 2008
The recent decision of the California Supreme Court legalizing same-sex “marriage” highlights the downward spiral of moral values that is becoming so prevalent in our culture. This most recent action contravenes not only the Judeo-Christian values that have defined the moral compass of this great nation, but also the laws of nature and the natural reproductive process.
In the face of such moral decline, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has consistently upheld the Bible-based values that designate “marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:2–24; Matthew 19:5–6)” (2004 LCMS Convention Resolution 3-05a, attached. All subsequent quotations are from this resolution). The LCMS has consistently held that “homosexual behavior is prohibited in the Old and New Testaments [of Holy Scripture] (Leviticus 18:22, 24; 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9–20; 1 Timothy 1:10) as contrary to the Creator’s design (Romans 1:26–27).”
As a Christian body in this country, the LCMS has the duty and responsibility to speak publicly in disagreement with this action of the California Supreme Court. In the present context we cannot be silent, since such silence “could be viewed as acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle.” Accordingly, we as a church body urge our leaders, members, congregations, and all Christians, “to give a public witness from Scripture against the social acceptance and legal recognition of homosexual ‘marriage.’”
While this occasion calls us to declare that homosexual behavior is both unnatural and sinful, (see Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:24–27), we also recognize that it is necessary to respond to these “sexual sins with the same love and concern as all other sins, calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good News of Jesus Christ when there is repentance.”
“The Gospel declares that Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2) and that Christ, who knew no sin, was made to be our sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is the church’s proper evangelical work to proclaim the reconciliation of the sinner to God in the death of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18–19) in a spirit of compassion and humility, recognizing that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23–24).”
Finally, we pray that all people, especially men and women properly united as husbands and wives, will honor God’s divinely ordained relationship of marriage. And we pray that all husbands and wives will “give thanks to God for the blessings of marriage, lead a chaste and decent life, and each love and honor one’s spouse.”
Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

"Transforming lives through Christ's love ... in time ... for eternity ..." John 3:16-17

2004 Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; RESOLUTION 3-05A; To Affirm Marriage as Union of One Man and One Woman

WHEREAS, The LCMS, in convention, in 1973, stated in Res. 2-04 (Proceedings, p. 110): “That the Synod recognize homophile behavior as intrinsically sinful” (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom.1:24–27); and
WHEREAS, The Gospel declares that Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2) and that Christ, who knew no sin, was made to be our sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21); and
WHEREAS, The church’s proper evangelical work is to proclaim the reconciliation of the sinner to God in the death of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:18–19); and
WHEREAS, The Synod, in convention (2001 Res. 2-08A), encouraged its congregations “to minister to homosexuals and their families in a spirit of compassion and humility, recognizing that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:23–24)”; and
WHEREAS, Many in American society are demanding legal recognition of same-sex unions as “marriages” by appeals to “equality under the law” (e.g., the Supreme Court of the State of Massachusetts, Feb. 4, 2004); and
WHEREAS, God gave marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride the Church (Eph. 5:32); and
WHEREAS, Homosexual behavior is prohibited in the Old and New Testaments (Lev. 18:22, 24; 20:13; 1 Cor. 6:9–20; 1 Tim. 1:10) as contrary to the Creator’s design (Rom. 1:26–27); and
WHEREAS, For our Synod to be silent, especially in the present context, could be viewed as acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod urge its members to give a public witness from Scripture against the social acceptance and legal recognition of homosexual “marriage”; and be it further
Resolved, That in ministering to homosexuals, “A Plan for Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families,” prepared by the President’s Task Force, be commended as a resource for study and a guide for pastoral care; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of the Synod deal with sexual sins with the same love and concern as all other sins, calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good News of Jesus Christ when there is repentance; and be it further
Resolved, That husbands and wives give thanks to God for the blessings of marriage, lead a chaste and decent life, and each love and honor one’s spouse; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS, in convention, affirm, on the basis of Scripture, marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:2–24; Matt. 19:5–6).

Please join for Holy Week Services at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

 

April 9th - Holy Thursday

• 6:00 pm - Passover Haggadah Seder Supper (reservations required).
• 7:30 pm - Maunday Thursday Service with Holy Communion.

April 10th - Good Friday

• 7:00 pm - Good Friday Tenebre Service.

April 12th - The Festival of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

• 7:00 am - Sunrise Service with Holy Communion.
• 8:00 am - Easter Breakfast (sponsored by the Trinity Youth Group)
• 10:00 am - Festival of the Resurrection of Our Lord  Jesus Christ with Holy Communion.

April Chimes is Available

 

The April Edition
of the Chimes Newsletter
is available at

April Chimes (pdf format)

"Chimes" is the monthly newsletter of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Creston, IA for subscription information please contact the Chimes Editor

Death Visited Our House Today - From the Pastor.

(Written Friday, March 13, 2009)

Death visited our house again today. No, it wasn’t any of my children or my wife or any other person in the family. It was Sugar. She was our pet. I know, it isn’t the same. And yet, we still feel the same. After all she had been a part of our family for six years. She was a Latino Cockatiel, beautiful yellow with big dark eyes and that red spot on the side of her head. Every morning when we got up she would chirp a good morning. At night when it was time to go to bed, Sugar was the one who tried to keep us on schedule with an obnoxious squawk. She enjoyed watching movies with us. I think she liked Fred and Ginger better than James Bond, but we all enjoyed them together. We also joked that she was the only Orthodox Lutheran Cockatiel in the world. In the morning if we weren’t prompt in turning on Pirate Christian Radio, she would begin to complain. She listened with raped attention to Issues, Etc. and Fighting for the faith. I’m sure she was tempted to use the comment line a time or two. The thing is she was a part of our household and a part of God’s creation that we lived with every day. We hated death that took this little treasure from us. So, we cried. We groaned.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:20-21, ESV)

The trouble is this isn’t the last time we’ll face this problem. And next time it just might be a child, a parent, a sister, a spouse, or a brother. This little death only points out that there is more to come, more hating death, more crying, more groaning.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:56, ESV)

And there it is; we sinners facing the sting of death; we sinners facing our mortality; we sinners facing the wages of our sin.

My daughter, 17, asked if animals go to heaven. There’s no good answer. I told her that God created animals and loves them as a part of his creation. And thanks be to Jesus, when he comes again we will live in a new heavens and new earth, a physical place full of physical things, made to have relationships with physical human beings. There were animals in the Garden; it seems to me they’ll be animals in eternity with Christ, too. When Jesus comes again all things will be made new.

But there real issue here isn’t weather Sugar will be with us in paradise. We faced our sin today. We faced our death. Without Christ, facing death would truly be a hopeless prospect. With Christ, death is swallowed up in victory.

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:50-55, ESV)

Our comfort in the face of death is the death and resurrection of Christ. He makes the difference between hopelessness and hope-full-ness. In the future we will still face the crying and groaning, but for us the groaning has an answer. The answer is Jesus.

Jesus, our Savior, died on the cross as the punishment for our sin. When we face death, we don’t face the sting of it anymore. Our sins are forgiven. The law that requires our permanent punishment has been taken out of the picture by Jesus. Our death doesn’t lead to eternal death, eternal punishment and separation from God and each other; instead it leads to eternal life. Jesus shows this to us in his resurrection. He didn’t stay dead. After three days He rose again. He lives. He gives us the promise of life after death with him. And there is even more. Jesus is returning to end the groaning forever. Death has been swallowed up in victory. For now we must die. When he comes again death will come to an end. The pain of death is knowing that it will end, and wishing for that to happen now.

You see, it doesn’t really matter if the death we are talking about is the death of a bird, our beloved pet Sugar, or the death of a young child, an old woman, or my death or yours. Jesus is still the answer. Jesus is still the hope. Jesus stands in the face of death. Thanks be to God he gives us the victory, in Jesus Christ.

That little yellow bird has left a hole in our hearts, a part of the groaning of creation. But the groaning will end. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Amen.