When to Contact Your Pastor

 Sometimes people wonder when they should call or contact their pastor. Of course, preaching, teaching, and administering the mysteries of God in the Sacraments are one of your pastor’s primary duties, but he is also called to be your seelsorge, or soul-healer.  He is never “too busy to be bothered” and please do not assume he knows or has your contact information.  Here are some suggestions on when to “bother” him 

Call your pastor:

 

·        * When your conscience is troubling you and/or you desire private confession and absolution

·        * When death is imminent, or if grief is prolonged and does not diminish

·        *When you, or a loved one, is going into the hospital

·        *When you would like to receive a blessing, of house, home, life events, or person

·        *When you hear of a congregation member entering the hospital or nursing care (please don’t assume I know)

·        *When you have not come to church to hear his Word spoken and preached for a prolonged period, especially if you are not able to do so.

·        *When you have withheld from partaking, or have been unable to partake, of that blessed Sacrament of the Altar, for a month.

·       * When You would like a prayer said for you, a loved one, or an acquaintance

·       *When you would like me to add someone, or yourself, to my personal daily prayers - or - add to the church’s weekly prayer list (e.g. issues of thanksgiving, needs, patience in suffering, or requests for healing)

·       *When you find you no longer desire the Sacrament of the Altar

·       * When you have a question, concern, or suggestion concerning the church, including something I have said, or another member from the congregation has said

·     * When you, or a loved one, struggle with alcohol, drugs, pornography, or other harmful behaviors

·       * When you or someone you know has been the victim of any kind of abuse

·       * When you have entered a serious dating relationship (as soon as it becomes serious, especially before talking of living together or setting dates for marriage)

·       * When you have an issue in your marriage that is unresolved after a month of trying to reconcile

·       *When pregnant, that we might arrange for the child’s baptism

·       * When you need an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and a friend to care for your hurts

·        *When you’re wrestling with a spiritual issue or have a question about something the Bible says.

·      * When you know someone new in your neighborhood, or someone else you know, who just wants to know more about Jesus and His Word.

Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list.  At all times, contacting your pastor is about delivering Christ for you.  Your pastor – as unworthy for the Holy Office as he may be - has been divinely called by God to be His under-shepherd, in this place, at this time…for you.  If you are not currently being served by any pastor, feel free to call Pastor Makelin at (605) 925-7219 or - if an emergency - his cell at (402) 336-7819. He would be happy to listen and talk with you.

Pastor Terry Makelin

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Freeman, SD

07-18-21

IN PERSON OR ON SCREEN?

 Is live feed just as good as gathering? Does a shut in need the pastor, or can they just see him on screen? When answering that question, it becomes a question of what do you believe and practice? 

We believe God comes to us in person. Not as some inner voice but rather from outside of us in Word and Sacrament, and in the "in the stead" and "by the command" of the Office of the Ministry. This is the confessional Lutheran faith practiced for generations. 

We believe that God delivers these sacramental gifts (from Him to us), through the hands of men (pastors) as His instruments, placed into the Office of the Holy Ministry, by Divine call and the rite of vocation (ordination).

We believe the Divine call and ordination of these men is done through His visible church on earth known as congregations. Being “Church” is being members of His body by faith in Jesus  Christ – no matter which Christian denomination or sect. Being a congregation is when His Church gathers (congregate). True faith in Christ (what the congregation believes) can be seen by what it teaches. 

We believe therefore, that these men (pastors) are called to serve as under shepherds of Christ in service to the congregation - in order to provide the Divine gifts of Word and Sacrament, in the stead (standing in His place) and by His command (He authorized it and instituted it). Therefore, when the pastor absolves, it is as if by God Himself. When the pastor binds, it is by God Himself. When the pastor preaches, it is by God Himself. When the pastor reads Scripture, it is God speaking His Word. When the pastor Baptizes, God Baptizes. When the Pastor speaks the Words of Institution over the elements of the Lord’s Supper, God is speaking and instituting the blessed meal for His people in that place. Not that these men are pure and Holy mind you, but they are God’s chosen instruments in that place at this time, so His people can see, hear, taste, and smell the God among them. This is a blessed thing!

We believe when a pastor delivers the blessed gifts of Word and Sacrament in a congregational worship setting, his hand is God’s hand, his mouth God’s mouth, his ear, God’s ear. No one else in the congregation is called to do this thing for them. No one else in our congregation can preach or handle the Sacraments, only their called and ordained pastor.

Granted, even in a congregational setting, we do sometimes have “elders” help with the distribution of the Sacrament of the Altar (Lord’s Supper, Eucharist, Communion) by carrying the blessed tray of body, or blood, but this is only done by men, deputized by the pastor in that place, and only after training to recognize the seriousness, that they are handling is the very Holy and very precious body and blood of Christ Himself, who is not only is the host via the instrument of the pastor, but the meal, present there in the elements of bread and wine (and no, we do not try to explain how it  can be, it just IS because He said it is). Yes, we may also sometimes deputize other pastors in our confession of faith (synod) to deliver Word and Sacrament to the people in that congregation, but again, only those of our confession of faith. We call this Pulpit and Altar Fellowship.

We believe then, that when it comes to those who cannot come to the regular place He has promised to come (the congregation worship setting), it is the pastor’s Divine call and duty to go to homes, houses, battlefields, hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, prisons, and anywhere else his people are, to deliver God Himself through His Word and Sacraments by their pastor’s hand, as an extension of the place of worship (sanctuary). Bottom line, since the congregation member cannot attend the Altar of God in that place, the pastor brings that place’s Altar of God to them.

Other chaplain or spiritual care persons can give prayers and comforting words, but only your pastor is called for you to deliver Word and Sacrament to you. It is an imperative practice of our faith to have pastors of the congregation physically and in-person, visit their people to absolve, to preach, to read His Word, to bless, to give communion, etc. Pastors bring Christ Himself for the people they have been called to serve. 

This is why live feed is not as good as gathering. It is also why, this past year, we were at odds with the policies developed during the pandemic that delegated responsibility of distribution of the Sacrament of the Altar to anyone else but by their pastor’s hand. 

Because it is by that hand and mouth, in a congregation setting, by which are the instruments that Jesus Christ Himself, the host, and meal, has chosen to deliver His gifts in order to strengthen your faith in Him and love for one another. 

Pastor Terry Makelin

Feasts, Festivals, and Occasions:

 Because of the abuses of worshiping the saints, many people do not know that the Christian (Lutheran) church does have special days set aside for those saints and special days in which we wish to bring attention and focus to the workings of God in His church.  We do not pray to the saints to ask for their intervention, and we do not necessarily have these commemorative days in order to honor THEM, but instead, along with special commemorative events, we pause to give glory to God for working through these people and events to continue His church throughout all the centuries. These feasts, festivals, and occasion days are listed on pages x and xi in the front of your hymnal.

In Article 21 of the Lutheran Confessions, they list three reasons for such honor.  First, we thank God for giving faithful servants to His church.  Second, through such remembrance our faith is strengthened as we see the mercy that God extends to His saints of old. And Thirdly, these saints are examples by which we may imitate both their faith and their holy living according to OUR calling in life.  So, we give thanks, our faith is strengthened by their witness, and we have these examples of faith and works to imitate in our lives.

Usually these dates end up during the week, and we do not hold special worship services, (though I do encourage that on these days you give thanks in your home devotions). Some however, are moved to the nearest Sunday, when they are principle feasts of Christ (boldface in the hymnal), as they are important in the life of the church year to commemorate. Sometimes, it doesn't even have to be a principle feast (such as Reformation Day) and we will move it from the day it is on, to the nearest Sunday. This practice varies from congregation to congregation as local customs and preferences vary from congregation to congregation.

It is my intended practice, that when a feast, festival, or occasion occurs on a Sunday, we will pause from our regular church year celebrations to observe it and principal days will be moved to the nearest Sunday, as is the case for this Sunday; The Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

Now here is something more special about the Nativity of St. John the Baptizer day.  When it comes to saints, we usually commemorate their death dates, when their earthly calling was ended (usually by martyrdom), and they were called to rest from their labors, but there are the rare times when we celebrate nativities, or birthdays.  One such birth observance is not of just a saint, but the commemoration of the birth of our Lord.  THE Nativity, Christmas. We mark the nativity of John the Baptist in parallel with the Nativity of our Lord, exactly six months from Jesus’ nativity date (if we hadn't moved it to the nearest Sunday).  Remember the angel came to Zachariah and told Him that Elizabeth and he were going to have a son? And six months later, the angel came to Mary and said you are going to have a son and Elizabeth is already six months along? This was all foretold and laid out, because John the Baptist’s entire birth, life, and death, was to prepare the way for the Lord’s activity in this world, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah in our OT reading and as was told to his priestly father, Zechariah, in the temple by an angel.

So there is a reason for the madness, that the Nativity of John the Baptizer who preached repentance is the forerunner of the Nativity of Christ the Savior who preached forgiveness of sins. May God bless you.

Pastor Makelin

Back to Blogging introduction

As we move to our website (Stpaulfreeman.org) we will be shifting the focus of this blog spot to what it is designed to be, and that is for text communication. We started the website because of where the videos are stored (YouTube).

But first, a little bit about where we have been. The purpose of the videos had always been for our brothers and sisters in Christ of St. Paul Freeman who, because of some mobility issues, could not get to the Divine Service (shut-in and facility bound) so they could watch it later. For the facility bound, they would gather together in thier chapel areas, so to remotely worship with their brothers and sisters from St. Paul Lutheran, just a different time and space. A volunteer would hand deliver memory sticks and bulletins to the facility so that they could do this. For homebound, the volunteer or I would bring them DVD's with a DVD player for them to watch. Then, I would go to those places or their homes after they had watched, and give them Holy Communion in a congregation-gathered setting if passible...until COVID hit.

When COVID hit and restrictions were beginning, we considered everyone to be shut in and went "live". We turned to YouTube and FaceBook for live-streaming and it was no longer necessary to deliver memory sticks. We also were able to have our videos placed on the local cable channel 90.

Since live-streaming is no longer necessary, and the website will work for getting the videos to our home and facility bound shut ins (and to those few visitors online we picked up who have been watching), we will take this blogspot back to what it was intended years ago.

I have not blogged in the past, so please bear with me. This past year and a half however, has brought many things to light concerning society’s worldview that I feel is important that we address. Many issues have risen, and each could be written and discussed at great lengths. In no particular order, are some below:

 

·        Healthcare’s separation of mind, body, and soul, with the body as priori.

·        The purpose of civil government in God’s three orders of estates (Church, Civil, Family)

·        Trust in man (media, science, social order, morality, etc.) over God

·        Human relationships (virtual, in-person, dependency, interdependency)

·        Fear as a means to manipulate (fear of death, guilt, shame, etc.).

·        Definition of “truth”

·        Purpose of life/death

·        Definition of what is church, worship, pastor, and love

 

This is a lot, and you can sense the anxiety of society today because of it. It is like a whack-a-mole game. You go to hit one to address it, and then, thinking it has been beaten down, another pops up from a different angle, and even the one you just smacked, pops back up. The difference between the whack a mole game and today’s issues however, is that you do not score points, and nobody wins! There are no rules, then there are rules that seemingly  change with the wind, and there is no order! No matter how much we try to make the game easier, or define the new set rules, the game goes on without us, even if we quit trying. The lack of order in our lives is frustrating to say the least. Exhausting, depressing, and life-sucking is probably more descriptive! This lack of “order” is the definition of chaos and insanity. No order will drive you crazy. Yet, there is  order. God’s order and therefore, Peace. That Peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding.

 

This is what I hope to help with this blog, is to examine the world’s happenings in a confessional Lutheran worldview. May it be a blessing to you. Pastor Terry Makelin

06-20-2021 Order of Service and Announcements

 

Order of Service

Opening Hymn                                                                                 Page 737

   

Devine Service 3 (Page 184)  

Sermon hymn                                                                                   Page 608

 

Sermon                                                                         Luke 15:1-10 or 11-32                                 

“By God’s grace, Jesus Receives repentant sinners!”

 

Communion hymns                                                                    687, 683, 915

 

Closing hymn                                                                                    Page 726

 

ONE CHRIST: The Lord’s Table is open and offered to all current, confirmed members in good standing of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (and churches that we are in pulpit and altar fellowship) who desire it.  This assumes we confess the oneness of the same faith in Christ's Words, have been taught how to examine ourselves, and are truly repentant for our sins (worthily). We ask that all guests of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman, please announce your intention to commune with us to the pastor before the service. Oneness at this Communion rail, also pre-supposes the horizontal oneness with each other in doctrine, so if you belong to/attend a different doctrinal confession, we invite you to come forward to receive a blessing indicated by folding your arms over your chest as you come to the rail, or remain in the pew and pray for the day when divisions would cease. Thank you for respecting our teachings. - Pastor.

 THE CHALICE IS OFFERED FIRST DURING OMMUNION. Data has shown, the chalice is “more sanitary” than individual cup! - Pastor

IN YOUR PRAYERS: Please pray for those members in area facilities: Salem-Mennonite Home, Wyona, Norbert, Marlene, Sharon, Darlene, Bob, & Eldora. Oakview Terrace, Lavonne, Orville, Millie, Bernice, Alice, Ruth and those Low Mobility at home: Susan, Connie, and these Additional Requested Prayers:  Kahlen, Bryan*, Sarah*. and Jerroll

New web page

 Please see our website for information thank you 

stpaulfreeman.org

May the Lord bless you have a wonderful day.

06-06-2021 Order of Service and Announcements

                                                     Order of Service

Opening Hymn                                                                                 Page 713

Prayer and Preaching    

    Sermon hymn                                     Page 768

Sermon                                                                                     Luke 16:19-31                                 

“Death offers Hell, Faith Trusts in Christ for Life (Heaven)!”

 Closing hymn                                                                                    Page 797

 

IN YOUR PRAYERS: Please pray for those members in area facilities: Salem-Mennonite Home, Wyona, Norbert, Marlene, Sharon, Darlene, Bob, & Eldora. Oakview Terrace, Lavonne, Orville, Millie, Bernice, Alice, Ruth and those Low Mobility at home: Susan, Connie, and these Additional Requested Prayers:  Kahlen, Bryan*, Sarah*. and Jerroll

INTIMATE SACRAMENT:  The Lord’s Table is open and offered to all current, confirmed members in good standing of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (and churches that we are in pulpit and altar fellowship) who desire it.  This assumes we confess the oneness of the same faith, have been taught how to examine ourselves, and are truly repentant for our sins (worthily). We ask that all guests at Table at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman, to please announce your intention to commune with us to the pastor or elders before the service. Oneness at Communion pre-supposes the horizontal oneness with each other in doctrine.  If you belong to a different doctrinal confession however, we invite you to come forward to receive a blessing indicated by folding your arms over your chest as you come to the rail, or remain in the pew and pray for the day when divisions would cease. Thank you for respecting our teachings. - Pastor. 

THE CHALICE IS OFFERED FIRST DURING COMMUNION. For more than three decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated an official position to inquirers (eg, lay public, physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals) about the low-to-no risk of infectious disease transmission from a common communion cup. - Pastor

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) is set for June 7-9 from 6-8:30pm. Please contact Karrissa Podzimek for more information.

PLEASE JOIN US for the annual meeting of Salem Mennonite Home on

 Tuesday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. We will be meeting at the Prairie

 Arboretum Visitors Center. The evening will include a financial report

 and future plans. Weather permitting, we will meet outdoors under the

 pergola. Masks are encouraged if we meet indoors.

URGENT NEED FOR HELP on the Pine Ridge Reservation by Missionary Reverend Albert Sutton. Please see bulletin board for information and how you can help.

 

05-30-2021 Order of Service and Announcements

 Order of Service

Opening Hymn                                                                                 Page 761

Devine Service 3 (page 184)   Psalm 29 

Sermon hymn                                                                                   Page 498

Sermon                                                                             John 3:1-15 (16-17)                                 

“Holy Trinity Reveals self to Sinners!”

Communion hymns                                                   Page 905, 504, 954, 621

Closing hymn                                                                                    Page 907

 

INTIMATE SACRAMENT:  The Lord’s Table is open and offered to all current, confirmed members in good standing of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (and churches that we are in pulpit and altar fellowship) who desire it.  This assumes we confess the oneness of the same faith, have been taught how to examine ourselves, and are truly repentant for our sins (worthily). We ask that all guests at Table at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman, to please announce your intention to commune with us to the pastor or elders before the service. Oneness at Communion pre-supposes the horizontal oneness with each other in doctrine.  If you belong to a different doctrinal confession however, we invite you to come forward to receive a blessing indicated by folding your arms over your chest as you come to the rail, or remain in the pew and pray for the day when divisions would cease. Thank you for respecting our teachings. - Pastor. 

THE CHALICE IS OFFERED FIRST DURING COMMUNION. Why does there seem to be more risk in spreading something with individual cups than the chalice? Scientifically unknown, but it is speculated that it is possibly because individual sups are handled by the lip by several hands before it gets to your mouth. or it is the gold/silver of the chalice vs plastic/glass of the individual cups, or when you pick the shot glass up with your hands and put it in your mouth, you could also receive germs from the fact that it has been at least an hour or so since you washed your own hand – Pastor

IN YOUR PRAYERS: Please pray for those members in area facilities: Salem-Mennonite Home, Wyona, Norbert, e, Millie, Bernice, Alice, Ruth and those Low Mobility at home: Susan, Connie, and those Additional Requested Prayers:  Kahlen, Bryan* and Sarah*.

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY IS MOVING from before services at 8:30 to fifteen minutes after the services have ended (approximately 10:45) on June 6th at least for the summer. Currently Sunday Morning Bible study is going through the book of Romans, but will probably join the Men's group in studying the book of Amos. Please join us.

VBS BIBLE STUDY and planning meeting originally scheduled for Wednesday June 2nd has been changed to Thursday June 3rd at 7pm. Our apologies to whom this may have affected. 

VOCATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) is set for June 7-9 from 6-8:30pm. Please contact Karrissa Podzimek for more information.

SUMMER CHANGES: Divine Services with Communion will go back to being offered on the second and third Sundays and Feast Days (except June see below) and re-evaluated at the end of summer. Prayers services will be used on the other Sundays with a short order of Communion Service by the pastor (similar to early 2020's Family Services and Shut-in Services) offered after the close of the Prayer Services for those who desire the Lord's Body and Blood. If you wish to participate, Instead of making your way out, make your way to the front pews and it will begin immediately after.

More people will be ushered to the rail during communion by putting the center rail in and heading up the center and returning by way of the side rails as before in a snake-like fashion. It will be strange for a while, but we'll soon remember how we used to do it.

Starting June 6th, the Fellowship Hall will be "open" to coffee and water for fellowship for at least 15 minutes after services before the Bible Study begins. Funerals and other events will be discussed on a case by case basis.

The back two pews on the lectern side will be reserved for Salem Mennonite Home residents to sit in the back pew and the second from the back pew left open so the pastor and elder can go down that row to distribute the elements. Please help accommodate them and sit forward of these two back pews. For everybody else, it remains the same, if you wish to remain in the pew and receive the Sacrament in the pew, please sit on

an outside spot so you can receive from the center or side aisle. We will also return to registering for communion in the front Narthex (instead of

the ushers taking a count), though if you wish to remain in the pew, please continue to indicate this to the ushers.

In June, due to Pastor Makelin being gone on June 13th to preach at First Trinity Lutheran, rural Wayne NE's 150th celebration, Divine Services will be offered on June 20th and 27th *third and fourth Sundays). Pastor

 David Ellis will be preaching on June 13th with no communion offered on that day.

We thank you for your patience as we continue in our mission of St. Paul Lutheran Church - to gather in His Name around His Holy Word as His

disciples, receive His Sacraments in joy and blessings to salvation, and to offer up our sacrifices of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. Pastor.

05-23-2021 Order of Service and Announcements

                                                 Order of Service

Opening Hymn                                                                                                         Page 650

Devine Service 3 (page 184)   Psalm 143

Sermon hymn                                                                                   Page 497

 Sermon                                                                                                              John 14:23-31                                                                             “Holy Spirit Gives Peace!”

 Communion hymns                                                                           Page 831, 659, 917, 811

 Closing hymn                                                                                                            Page 768

 

INTIMATE SACRAMENT:  The Lord’s Table is open and offered to all current, confirmed members in good standing of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (and churches that we are in pulpit and altar fellowship) who desire it.  This assumes we confess the oneness of the same faith, have been taught how to examine ourselves, and are truly repentant for our sins (worthily). We ask that all guests at Table at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman, to please announce your intention to commune with us to the pastor or elders before the service. Oneness at Communion pre-supposes the horizontal oneness with each other in doctrine.  If you belong to a different doctrinal confession however, we invite you to come forward to receive a blessing indicated by folding your arms over your chest as you come to the rail, or remain in the pew and pray for the day when divisions would cease. Thank you for respecting our teachings. - Pastor. 

 THE CHALICE IS OFFERED FIRST DURING COMMUNION.  

Sharing the communion cup is still discouraged if a person has an active respiratory infection (i.e., cold or flu) or moist or open sores on their lips (eg, herpes). In these cases, please use the individual cup. - Pastor 

IN YOUR PRAYERS: Please pray for those members in area facilities: Salem-Mennonite Home, Wyona, Norbert, e, Millie, Bernice, Alice, Ruth and those Low Mobility at home: Susan, Connie, and those Additional Requested Prayers:  Kahlen, Bryan* and Sarah*.

 SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY IS MOVING from before services at 8:30 to fifteen minutes after the services have ended (approximately 10:45) on June 6th at least for the summer. Currently Sunday Morning Bible study is going through the book of Romans, but will probably join the Men's group in studying the book of Amos. Please join us.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE stpaulfreeman.org and let us know if you find spelling errors, have suggestions, or generally what you think of it, by sending an email to the office at stpaulfreeman@gmail.com We'll keep using this and the other online methods (YouTube, Facebook, stpaulfreemanblogspot.com) until about Memorial Day, then switch to using our website as the main online presence.

 VOCATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) is set for June 7-9 from 6-8:00pm, with the Bible study/planning meeting for the volunteers on Wednesday June 2nd at 7:00pm. Please contact Karrissa Podzimek for more information. Other VBS plans in the circuit: Trinity Hartford (tentatively) June 28th for 3 days, Our Savior Madison one day in July TBD. St.Peters Wentworth: August 8-10 5:30-8:00pm

SUMMER CHANGES: Divine Services with Communion will go back to being offered on the second and third Sundays and Feast Days (except June see below) and re-evaluated at the end of summer. Prayers services will be used on the other Sundays with a short order of Communion Service by the pastor (similar to early 2020's Family Services and Shut-in Services) offered after the close of the Prayer Services for those who desire the Lord's Body and Blood. If you wish to participate, Instead of making your way out, make your way to the front pews and it will begin immediately after.

More people will be ushered to the rail during communion by putting the center rail in and heading up the center and returning by way of the side rails as before in a snake-like fashion. It will be strange for a while, but we'll soon remember how we used to do it.

Starting June 6th, the Fellowship Hall will be "open" to coffee and water for fellowship for at least 15 minutes after services before the Bible Study begins. Funerals and other events will be discussed on a case by case basis.

The back two pews on the lectern side will be reserved for Salem Mennonite Home residents to sit in the back pew and the second from the back pew left open so the pastor and elder can go down that row to distribute the elements. Please help accommodate them and sit forward of these two back pews. For everybody else, it remains the same, if you wish to remain in the pew and receive the Sacrament in the pew, please sit on an outside spot so you can receive from the center or side aisle. We will also return to registering for communion in the front Narthex (instead of the ushers taking a count), though if you wish to remain in the pew, please continue to indicate this to the ushers.

In June, due to Pastor Makelin being gone on June 13th to preach at First Trinity Lutheran, rural Wayne NE's 150th celebration, Divine Services will be offered on June 20th and 27th *third and fourth Sundays). Pastor

 David Ellis will be preaching on June 13th with no communion offered on that day.

We thank you for your patience as we continue in our mission of St. Paul Lutheran Church - to gather in His Name around His Holy Word as His

disciples, receive His Sacraments in joy and blessings to salvation, and to offer up our sacrifices of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. Pastor.

 

In Christ,

Pastor

 

05-16-2021 Order of Service and Announcements

 Order of Service

Opening Hymn                                                                                 Page 713

Devine Service 3 (page 184)   Psalm 51:1-12 

Sermon hymn                                                                                   Page 539

Sermon                                                                                   John 15:26-16:4                                 

“The Spirit of Truth Bears Witness to Jesus!”

Communion hymns                                                           Page 868, 553, 687

Closing hymn                                                                                    Page 783

INTIMATE SACRAMENT:  The Lord’s Table is open and offered to all current, confirmed members in good standing of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (and churches that we are in pulpit and altar fellowship) who desire it.  This assumes we confess the oneness of the same faith, have been taught how to examine ourselves, and are truly repentant for our sins (worthily). We ask that all guests at Table at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman, to please announce your intention to commune with us to the pastor or elders before the service. Oneness at Communion pre-supposes the horizontal oneness with each other in doctrine.  If you belong to a different doctrinal confession however, we invite you to come forward to receive a blessing indicated by folding your arms over your chest as you come to the rail, or remain in the pew and pray for the day when divisions would cease. Thank you for respecting our teachings. - Pastor. 

THE CHALICE IS OFFERED FIRST DURING COMMUNION. Data has shown, the chalice is “more sanitary” than individual cup! - Pastor

IN YOUR PRAYERS: Please pray for those members in area facilities: Salem-Mennonite Home, Wyona, Norbert, Marlene, Sharon, Darlene, Bob, & Eldora. Oakview Terrace, Lavonne, Orville, Millie, Bernice, Alice, Ruth and those Low Mobility at home: Susan, Connie,  and those Additional Requested Prayers:  Kahlen, Bryan* and Sarah*.

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY IS MOVING from before services at 8:30 to fifteen minutes after the services have ended (approximately 10:45) on June 6th at least for the summer. Currently Sunday Morning Bible study is going through the book of Romans, but will probably join the Men's group in studying the book of Amos. Please join us.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE stpaulfreeman.org and let us know if you find spelling errors, have suggestions, or generally what you think of it, by sending an email to the office at stpaulfreeman@gmail.comWe'll keep using this and the other online methods (YouTube, Facebook, stpaulfreemanblogspot.com) until about Memorial Day, then switch to using our website as the main online presence.

VOCATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) is set for June 7-9 from 6-8:00pm, with the Bible study/planning meeting for the volunteers on Wednesday June 2nd at 7:00pm. Please contact Karrissa Podzemik for more information. Other VBS plans in the circuit: Trinity Hartford (tentatively) June 28th for 3 days, Our Savior Madison one day in July TBD. St.Peters Wentworth: August 8-10 5:30-8:00pm

05-09-2021 Order of Service and Announcements

                                                             Order of Service

Opening Hymn                                                                                 Page 663

Devine Service 3 (page 184)   Psalm 107:1-9                                                                 

Sermon hymn                                                                                         Page 766

 Sermon                                                                         John 16:23-30 (31-33)                                 

“To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray with faith in Him!”

 Communion hymns                                                           Page 781, 696, 555

 Closing hymn                                                                                    Page 549

 

INTIMATE SACRAMENT:  The Lord’s Table is open and offered to all current, confirmed members in good standing of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (and churches that we are in pulpit and altar fellowship) who desire it.  This assumes we confess the oneness of the same faith, have been taught how to examine ourselves, and are truly repentant for our sins (worthily). We ask that all guests at Table at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman, to please announce your intention to commune with us to the pastor or elders before the service. Oneness at Communion pre-supposes the horizontal oneness with each other in doctrine.  If you belong to a different doctrinal confession however, we invite you to come forward to receive a blessing indicated by folding your arms over your chest as you come to the rail, or remain in the pew and pray for the day when divisions would cease. Thank you for respecting our teachings. - Pastor. 

THE CHALICE IS OFFERED FIRST DURING COMMUNION, followed by the individual cups. Why? Because I want you use the chalice for your benefit- Pastor

IN YOUR PRAYERS: Please pray for those members in area facilities: Salem-Mennonite Home, Wyona, Norbert, Marlene, Sharon, Darlene, Bob, & Eldora. Oakview Terrace, Lavonne, Orville, Millie, Bernice, Alice, Ruth and those Low Mobility at home: Susan, Connie,  and those Additional Requested Prayers:  Kahlen, Bryan* and Sarah*.

Ascension service May 13 at 7:00pm (with Holy Communion) prayer: O Lord God, heavenly Father, You sent Your only begotten Son into our world in order to rescue us from sin, death and the devil. In His perfect life, sacrificial death, glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, He fulfilled everything written about Him in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms, thus winning for us forgiveness, life and salvation. Keep us, Your baptized children, clothed in His holiness and righteousness as His beautiful and unblemished bride. Lord, in Your merc, hear our prayer.

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY IS MOVING from before services at 8:30 to fifteen minutes after the services have ended (approximately 10:45) on June 6th at least for the summer. Currently Sunday Morning Bible study is going through the book of Romans, but will probably join the Men's group in studying the book of Amos. Please join us.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE stpaulfreeman.org and let us know if you find spelling errors, have suggestions, or generally what you think of it, by sending an email to the office at stpaulfreeman@gmail.com. We'll keep using this and the other online methods (YouTube, Facebook, stpaulfreemanblogspot.com) until about Memorial Day, then switch to using our website as the main online presence.

PARENTS, SEE ABOUT SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES BELOW, see bulletin board or contact pastor for more information:

Camp Comeca, Cozad NE. This camp is for those who have completed the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The Theme is "Daily Prayer" Time is divided between study (catechesis), worship (daily prayer offices and a Divine service) and play (various camp activities).

Camp Minneboji is for kids who have finished 4-8th grade (and an honors camp for those who have completed 9th and this year, 10th) The theme is "washed"