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March 2016 -- Joyful in Fellowship
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Pastor's Message
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." --1 Corinthians 1:9
Faithful in Word
Joyful in Fellowship
Gifted to Serve
Last month's TLO Disciple focused on one portion of the TLO Vision, Faithful in Word; This month's TLO Disciple will focus on the second part of the TLO Vision, Joyful in Fellowship.
The Christian Church is a community of joy. President Matthew Harrison, LCMS President wrote, "It is true that no man is an island, and doubly true that we are not meant as Christians to face this life alone. That's because the Church is a body, the 'body of Christ,' as the New Testament repeatedly affirms."
God has called us into fellowship with one another as members of the body of Christ. St. Paul writes, "For just as the body is one and has many members...so it is with Christ. For we have all been baptized by the one spirit into one body." (1 Cor. 12:12). What joy is ours when we gather together as the Church in unity of faith and purpose, worshiping together, sharing the blessings of God's grace with each other, and proclaiming the Gospel to all the world.
Luther writes this:
"Whoever is in despair, distressed by a sin-stricken conscience or terrified by death or carrying some other burden upon his heart, if he would be rid of them all, let him go joyfully to the sacrament of the altar and lay down his woe in the midst of the community [of saints] and seek help from the entire company of the spiritual body-just as a citizen whose property has suffered damage or misfortune at the hands of his enemies makes complaint to his town council and fellow citizens and asks them for help. The immeasurable grace and mercy of God are given us in this sacrament to the end that we might put from us all misery and tribulation [anfechtung] and lay it upon the community [of saints], and especially on Christ. Then we may with joy find strength and comfort..." (Luther's Works, 35:53)
As Luther so eloquently described, the way to a joyful life is through the comfort and strength and peace that comes through the Gospel of Christ. In the midst of the world's trouble, the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies and keep the whole Christian Church on earth. He gathers us into the community of believers in the name of Christ. Real and lasting joy is found only in the steadfast love of God. Christ Jesus who laid down His life for us on the cross and rose again is our hope and joy. As we gather in worship around the sacrament of Holy Communion, we celebrate with thanksgiving the Lamb who was slain has risen, for in him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Pastor James L. Kroonblawd
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Joyful in Fellowship
Koinonia (Fellowship) is not merely being with one another, but also for one another, for all the members of the congregation.
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It is brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17; 5:9)
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The brother is not to be harmed (Rom. 14:10)
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Not to be taken advantage of in business (1 Thess. 4:6)
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Nor to be allowed to suffer want (James 2:15)
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Let alone to be hated (1 John 2:9)
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In the Word
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
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Joyful in Fellowship:
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Walking together in joyful fellowship with other Christians (3 John 1:4).
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Excelling in building each other up in the Church and helping each other stay faithful.
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Our joy being centered in God's grace, presence, and peace.
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Holding fellow Christians accountable to God's Word through honest relationships (Col 1:11).
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Celebrating our joyful fellowship as we receive Jesus Christ's forgiveness in Holy Communion (1 Cor. 11: 23-28).
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As Christians we live in the light of Christ and lift one another up in love and to do good works (Heb 10:24-25). Our joy is centered in God's grace, presence, and peace. We joyfully approach worship, actively encourage spiritual growth, and tenderly hold ourselves accountable. In this way, we will welcome the work of the Holy Spirit so that we may grow as a community of believers that seek out fellowship with God and with one another.
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Worship Together--Mid week Lenten Services
Soup supper 5:15pm
Proclaim
Soup supper 5:15pm
Praise
Soup supper 5:15pm
Pain
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Worship Together--Holy Week
Palm Sunday
March 20, 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Palms
with Holy Communion
March 24, 6:30 p.m.
Prayer
March 25, 6:30 p.m.
Passion
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Worship Together--Easter Sunday
Easter Sunrise
March 27, 6:30 a.m.
Easter Breakfast
Served by Sr. High Youth
Between all services
The Resurrection of Our Lord
with Holy Communion
March 27, 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
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Social Media
Fellowship with other Christians is a wonderful experience, in ANY form!
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From God's Word
95
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
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Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
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For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
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In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
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The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
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Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
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For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand. [1]
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ps 95:1-7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
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Quotes
Here the sacrament is the communion among the brethren whose joy is one another. Joy in the sacraments-that is the joy of the heart full of longing and desire for its God whom it has found; that is the anticipation of the strangers, the homeless, as they look forward to their eternal home and pray that it may come.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Ascension Day Sermon 1933" DBW 12:470
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Editor's note
TLO Disciple, with a topical study in each issue, is distributed primarily via email on the first of every month. Print copies are available by contacting the TLO Church office at 651-454-7235 or the
Church Office via email.
Calendars, volunteer information, serving groups and the like will accompany the TLO Together, on the last Wednesday of the month.
Click here for February 28 issue. This publication is also mailed upon request.
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2950 Highway 55
Eagan MN 55121
651-454-7235
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