Day 291 - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 45; Psalm 105:1-22; Hebrews 11:29-40)
THE CHURCH
“When you allot the land as an inheritance, you shall set apart for the Lord a portion of the land as a holy district... It shall be holy throughout its whole extent.” (Ezekiel 45:1 ESV)
“God pronounces regulations designed to prevent future temple defilement. He zealously guards His house of worship but also allows means by which the people may approach Him and serve Him. Today, the Lord continues to consecrate a place for Himself–souls and bodies of believers, which He will raise to dwell in His eternal sanctuary of heaven.” (Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 1387)
The picture shows just such a gathering of believers from the 1977 pictorial directory of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. It is good to remind ourselves that all such gatherings of His people around His Means of Grace are in preparation for dwelling in the Lord’s eternal sanctuary of heaven. Standing closest to the pulpit is Pastor Paul Nehrig, Bethlehem’s pastor at that time, while a son of the congregation who was preparing to become a pastor, leads the liturgy. That young man, ordained later in 1977 at Bethlehem, is looking forward to retiring next year after 44 years in the ministry.
The hymn writer captured the essence of the Church and worship with these words:
Elect from ev’ry nation, Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses With every grace endued.
(The Church's One Foundation, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #644)
Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your coming to us in worship. May we be as serious about worshiping You as You are about showering Your Church with Your grace. In the name of Jesus, my risen Savior. Amen.
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password now required too: 843774
IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion
Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
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 from 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:
Then scroll down to 2020 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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