April 15, 2018 - BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

Day 105 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 26; Psalm 96; Mark 3:22–35)

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother. (Mark 3:31-35 ESV)

Thank God He has made us brothers and sisters OF Christ. He has done this by means of...

● the Cross where Jesus fulfilled God’s will on our behalf.
● the body and blood of Jesus given and shed for the forgiveness of sins.
● our Baptisms where the Holy Spirit gave us saving faith in Jesus.
● the promises of God’s Word all pointing to Jesus and you.

Yes, thank God we are brothers and sisters of Christ. And because of this, we are also brothers and sisters IN Christ.

1. Sing Alleluia! Amen! Let your prayers and your praises ascend.
Lift up your voices and sing to the Lord God, our Savior and King!
Here brought together by grace, We are gathered as friends in this place.
And assembled as one in the Name of the Son, 
Lifting hearts, lifting hands, celebrating as friends,
And proclaiming the Lord, All our praises afford.  
        We are brothers and sisters in Christ.

2. Man walked alone and in need, Without faith, hope or promise or creed;
Wandering aimlessly lost, unaware of the staggering cost; 
That God in His mercy would save All His people from death and the grave
And assembled as one in the Name of the Son, 
Lifting hearts, lifting hands, celebrating as friends,
And proclaiming the Lord, All our praises afford.  
        We are brothers and sisters in Christ.

3. Lord teach us how to proclaim, All Your goodness, Your love and Your name!
Lord teach us how to forgive, and in love, teach us Lord, how to live.
Raising our voices in song, Help us tell all the world we belong.
And assembled as one in the Name of the Son, 
Lifting hearts, lifting hands, celebrating as friends,
And proclaiming the Lord, All our praises afford.  
        We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
[Words and music by Terry Dittmer, copyright 1983 by the author]

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!