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10102021 Praise Service

Hold Firm, for You Share in Christ!” Hebrews 3:12-19

October 10, 2021 • Rev. Kenny Hsu

Has a friend ever asked, “Why do you go to church?” While there are many good answers to that question, we are reminded today of the primary reason we gather in a place like this, for a service like this, on a day like this. The author to the Hebrews reminds us: “For we share in Christ” (Hebrews 3:14). Going to church isn’t primarily something we do; church is, first and foremost, something God does for us. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, our gracious God serves us through Word and Sacrament, so that we may hold fast to Him—even as He holds us in His care! Today’s service will help us to treasure all that we’ve been given in our Savior, who is fully present among us by His Word and Spirit. Hold fast, for you share in Christ!

05/05/24 Praise Service

May 5, 2024

AS WE GATHER A treasured children’s song, “I Love to Tell the Story, has a refrain that follows each of the stanzas penned by poet Arabella Katherine Hankey, repeating the simple words: “I love to tell the story; ’Twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and His love.” The original Greek language in which John wrote his Gospel uses the word “love” either as a noun or a verb some nine times in the section of Jesus’ words heard in the Gospel for today. Jesus wants His disciples and us to know the abiding power of His love. It is that love that compels us to love one another—and the “others” beyond our circles of family, friends, and other close relationships. We are blessed in hearing the “old, old story of Jesus and His love” anew today. May we be blessed in telling it out in love as well!  

05/05/24 Traditional Service

May 5, 2024

AS WE GATHER A treasured children’s song, “I Love to Tell the Story, has a refrain that follows each of the stanzas penned by poet Arabella Katherine Hankey, repeating the simple words: “I love to tell the story; ’Twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and His love.” The original Greek language in which John wrote his Gospel uses the word “love” either as a noun or a verb some nine times in the section of Jesus’ words heard in the Gospel for today. Jesus wants His disciples and us to know the abiding power of His love. It is that love that compels us to love one another—and the “others” beyond our circles of family, friends, and other close relationships. We are blessed in hearing the “old, old story of Jesus and His love” anew today. May we be blessed in telling it out in love as well!  

04/21/24 Traditional Service

April 21, 2024

One of the small but interesting features of many cathedral and monastery churches in Europe and other places is presence of misericords. A misericord is a small wooden shelf attached to the underside of a folding seat in a church, often in the choir area. Misericords physically supported people at worship during long periods of standing during extended prayer and other services when sitting was not permitted. The term “misericord” means “pity of the heart.” That word is part of the church phrase Misericordia Domini, a Latin term for describing the acts of mercy of God to His people. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, constantly and consistently shows acts of mercy to us as His people. His care comes straight from the heart!