April 28, 2024
St. Paul Lutheran LCMS
Julesburg, CO
970.474.2592
The Pathlight
Your word is a lamp to my feet and
Zion Lutheran L CMS
Big Springs, NE
308.289.5148
A light to my path
Ps. 119: 105
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04222024 Vol.5 Issue 20
Loved to Death
“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:17–18
In Psalm 23, King David talks about the Lord being a shepherd, in fact the greatest shepherd. And Jesus says in the reading above, that He is that Shepherd that David spoke of.
The Great Shepherd keeps a sharp eye on His sheep with rod and staff, protecting and saving them, He also lays down His life for them. His sheep are that important, that valuable, that He dies for them.
It doesn’t sound powerful that the Son of God would lay down His life by His own choice. His power is shown in that He comes back to life again after giving up His life for His sheep. This is where Satan and the rest of the fallen angels are powerless. Satan thought he had won in that Jesus was dead! But He wouldn’t stay dead. Not a chance!
Jesus unselfishly stepped in front of the greatest danger that anyone could face - eternal death and separation from God - by carrying in Himself the sins of every person who ever has or will live, and He died with that separation, death, and destruction taking it into the grave with Himself.
And then, after burying it there in the tomb, Jesus came back to life. Jesus rose from the dead. Because He has the authority to do this (and actually did it!), you never have to be afraid that He will abandon you like some impostor would. You are His own sheep; He knows you by name. Indeed, He spoke your name in your Baptism.
This is your Great Shepherd who keeps watch over your soul. Fear no evil, because He is always ready, guarding and keeping you for eternity. When you have the power, the choice, to run and hide when you think that you have had enough of His mercy and run away from Him. But His mercy and goodness will look for you still, after all, He went through Hell for you.
It doesn’t matter where you go or how long you’ve been gone; He will seek you out and gather you up in His arms until your dying breath because His blood has washed you, and His name is
on you. The Great Shepherd has a place set aside for you in His house forever. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Pastor Christensen
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
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MITE SUNDAY will be held at St. Paul's on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Fifteen projects were chosen for the 2022-2024 biennium. There is only one grant left to pay which is the Lutheran Hispanic Ministry Institute grant. This organization is designed to help people of different nations and cultures learn about the Risen Savior. Delegates to the Rocky Mountain District LWML Convention in Greeley, Colorado, on June7-9, 2024, will choose a new set of mission projects. Thank you for your support of the LWML mission projects.
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Church Cleaning Saturday, May 4, 2024
The Spring cleaning of the Church will be on May 4, starting at 9:00 a.m.
Please come and join us. Many hands make light work.
Coffee and donuts will be available.
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THEME for Sunday, April 28,2024
The waters of Baptism connect us to God forever. Baptism, through water and the Word, creates faith in our hearts by which we are able to confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and is from God. Through Baptism, we are able to believe, to love, and bear fruit. In the fulfillment of all deeds, witnessing and believing, we are able to abide in the Word, which is Christ Himself.
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Fifth Sunday of Easter - April 28. 2024
Divine Service pg. 203 Setting Four
Opening Hymn # 466 “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia”
First Reading: Acts 8:26-40
Epistle: 1 John 4:1-11
Holy Gospel: John 15:1-8
Apostle Creed pg.207
Hymn #474 “Alleluia! Jesus Has Risen”
Sermon
Offering
Prayer of the Church
Lord’s Prayer
Benediction pg, 212
Closing Hymn # 680 “Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise”
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Servants for April 28, 2024
St. Paul Zion
Usher/Greeters – Brian Lanckriet Ushers -Mark and Shelle
Mike Michael
Acolytes – Jennifer Toyne Altar Guild
Emmalyn Kotch Tonia / Danielle
Organist - Jeanie Boehm
Calendar
April 28 – 8:00 Sunday School
Bible Study 10:00 Sunday School
9:00 Worship Service 11:00 Worship
Mite Sunday
May 1 - 3:30 Midweek 3:30 Catechism
Zion will be having a Voters Meeting, Sunday, April 28th following the Worship Service. Lunch will be served. All Zion members are invited to attend.
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MAY BIRTHDAY WISHES to…….
5/06 Gene Bauerle, Les Ebke
5/07 Lorraine Shelton
5/09 Jeff Berges, Dwight Ebke
5/14 Angie Blessin, Cooper Evans
5/17 Lori Ehmke, David Orth,Marcie Daniels
5/27 Kathy Lambrecht
5/29 Stephanie Scherbarth
Created by God’s Design – Faithfully and Wonderfully Made
Happy Anniversary
Josh and Brenda Lechman
5/25/96
Kevin and Abby Lantz
5/17/08
Tom and Charlene Landis
5/25
God’s Blessings to the couple who have join as one!
Gospel taken from John 15:1-8
Jesus said: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ”Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
I am the vine you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I him, he it is that bears much fruit for apart in me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and branches are gathered, thrown unto the fire, and burned. If you abide un me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
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