Septuagesima: Seventy Days to Easter
17 February 2019
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”
St. Matthew 20:1-2
Grace Alone
The people of Israel contended with the Lord in the wilderness (Exodus 17.1–7). They were dissatisfied with His provision. In the same way, the first laborers in the vineyard complained against the landowner for the wage he provided them (St. Matthew 20.1–16). They charged him with being unfair, but in reality he was being generous. For the Lord does not wish to deal with us on the basis of what we deserve but on the basis of His abounding grace in Christ. The first—those who rely on their own merits—will be last. “For they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Corinthians 10.5). But the last, those who rely on Christ, will be first. For Christ is the Rock (1 Corinthians 9.24–10.5). He is the One who was struck and from whose side blood and water flowed that we may be cleansed of our sin.
Parish News
Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God by Mr. & Mrs. Dave Morge in memory of Roy and Renee Greenwood.
During Septuagesima, the Gloria in Excelsis is omitted, and the Tract replaces the Alleluia in Divine Service.
Adult Bible Class meets at 9am in the Parish Center with Pastor Sutton, studying Hebrews 10.
Tuesday Night Theology is on Tuesday at 7pm, taught by Vicar Cornwell. Our society has blurred the definitions of man and woman far from God’s intention. Come and join us as we learn from God’s Word who God has made us to be as men and women in Christ.
Board of Property and Grounds will meet Thursday at 6:30pm.
Private Confession and Absolution is available this Thursday from 5-6pm, or anytime by appointment.
Christ-Centered Magazines Multiple issues of For the Life of the World, Lutherans Engage, Lutheran Witness, Higher Things Magazine, and Good News Magazine, all printed by various confessional Lutheran publishers, are available on the bottom row of the magazine and tract case on the wall across from the Parish Office. Please feel free to take home any issues you would like for your edification.
Expert Guests, Expansive Topics, Extolling Christ Issues, Etc. is a radio show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s topics include: Obadiah, Judging Others, First Century Martyr Polycarp, Jesus Calls Philip & Nathanael and more. You can listen live or on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the LPR mobile app.
Prepare for Next Sunday
Isaiah 55.10–13; 2 Corinthians 11.19—12.9; St. Luke 8.4–15
Hymns: 536 – 823 – 577 – 586 – 960 – 523 – 923
Order of Daily Prayer
L Make haste, O + God, to deliver me.
R Make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!
Psalm 18
Scripture Readings:
[S] from Divine Service
[M] St. Mark 5.21-43; Exodus 5.1-23
[T] St. Mark 6.1-29; Exodus 6.1-30
[W] St. Mark 6.30-56; Exodus 11.1-10
[Th] St. Mark 7; Exodus 12.1-28
[F] St. Mark 8; Exodus 12.29-42
[S] St. Mark 9; Exodus 13.1-22
Hymn of the Day or Month Salvation Unto Us Has Come (555)
Catechism (bulletin)
Apostles’ Creed
Kyrie: L Lord, have mercy upon us; R Christ, have mercy upon us; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father
Collect of the Day (bulletin)
Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer
L Bless we the Lord. R Thanks be to God.
