Holy Week is coming soon, March 28 – April 4. There have been a lot of great hymns and songs written over the years for these holy days.
Do you have any favorite hymns or songs that you would like to sing on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter?
Let me know.
Send me your hymn and song requests through the Contact Us form.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
“For by him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16
Have you ever wondered why you exist?
It’s one of the common questions of humanity.
I’m a science fiction buff and I’ve watched and read countless stories where one of those three questions was at the core of the narrative. Could it be, though, that the reason so many wonder these questions is because they simply don’t want to accept the answer?
(Spoiler Alert)
In the 2000 movie, Mission to Mars, astronauts fly to Mars and discover that aliens created human beings. They were all amazed. It’s interesting isn’t it that writers of the story were more fascinated by the idea that humanity was created by an alien race, than by God.
How did life begin?
Colossians 1:16 tells us. God created life out of nothing through Jesus and He continues to create and sustain everything that is, including you.
Why do we exist?
Again, Colossians 1:16 tells us. We exist for God. That is, we exist because He wanted to create us.
What is life’s purpose?
God created us to be in relation with Him. We see this in the way God interacted with Adam and Eve. He walked and talked with them regularly. He cared for their needs. He loved them. So, the purpose of life is to know and love God personally and to be known and loved by God personally. Should we also love others and obey God’s commands? Sure. That’s part of loving God.
However, it’s not just about loving God. It’s also about God loving you. We can see how important this is to God in the work of Jesus Christ.
God wants so much to be in a loving relationship with you that He not only created you, (yes, you, personally), but since you were born sinful and in a broken relationship with God, He also died on the cross to restore that loving relationship with you.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for creating me and loving me. Thank You for loving me so much that You were willing to send Your Son to die for me so that I could be forgiven and our relationship could be restored. Help me to always love You and please strengthen my relationship with You.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
“My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.” – Isaiah 51:5
Have you ever had to wait for justice?
Tom went on a trip for a few days. When he came back home, he found his house had been burglarized. He called the police looking for justice to be served. What would have to happen for there to be justice?
Sarah got out of work and was walking to her car which was parked in a garage a few blocks away. As she crossed the street, a car ran a red light and struck her, breaking her leg. She called the police looking for justice to be served. What would have to happen for there to be justice?
What is Justice?
Justice is a legal term. It’s basically making things right according to the law. It involves three basic functions.
Depending on the circumstances of the injustice, our current culture can struggle with each of these aspects of justice.
Sometimes we prefer to ignore the suffering of the victim if we think they deserve to be mistreated and other times we cry out for the victim. Sometimes we say, “What’s done is done. Move on,” instead of seeking restoration for the victim while other times we demand not only restoration but added punitive payments. We demand the punishment of certain people or for certain crimes while in other situations we excuse the perpetrator or only seek rehabilitation.
God is bringing true justice.
God is a just God. It is an innate part of His character. He requires that the law be followed and, where it is broken, He brings justice. He does this regardless of the person. There are no rich, poor, male, female, powerful, or weak. We see this in part now but will see it in full at Christ’s return. Then all those who have been oppressed and victimized will receive ultimate relief. They will be fully restored in His presence and the wicked will be punished.
Our society struggles with this, too, at least the last part.
“Why would a loving God send anyone to hell?” they ask.
The answer is quite simple.
Justice.
The wage of sin is death. God takes sin very seriously. To simply “let it slide” makes light of sin and is not true justice.
Doesn’t God forgive our sins?
Yes, but He doesn’t just dismiss them. There was a punishment for our crimes against God’s law. That punishment was received by Jesus on the cross. Jesus never sinned. Thus, He should never have received the punishment for sin. Yet, He did and He did so willingly. In fact, that was the primary reason Jesus became man.
Jesus satisfies God’s justice while providing us mercy.
It is because of God’s mercy in light of Jesus’ sacrifice that we, like Isaiah, can wait in hope for judgment day. It is because of Jesus that we can call judgment day the day of our salvation. No more will God’s people be oppressed or victimized neither by other men nor by the devil. Instead, we will be fully restored as God’s children. But woe to those who do stand blameless in Christ.
Almighty God,
You are holy, righteous, and just. I know that my sin deserves your everlasting punishment, so I repent. However, I also know that You have removed my sin through the sacrificial blood of Your Son. Because of this, I wait with hope for the day of justice.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
You are invited to worship with us at 11:00 am on Sunday, March 7, 2021. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:
Before we start, please share the live stream on your favorite social media site and invite your friends.
Worship Service for March 7, 2021 at 11 AM
Welcome
Opening Song: Father Abraham
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s just praise the Lord
Right arm
Left arm
Right foot
Left foot
Turn around
Sit down
Invocation
Confession and Forgiveness:
P: We have come here today to worship the Lord. In worship we hear the Word of God, we receive God’s blessings, and respond with thanks and praise. We begin by seeking God’s blessing of forgiveness. He has promised to remove the guilt and shame of our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
P: Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)
P: Heavenly Father,
C: Heavenly Father,
P: I have done things that were wrong.
C: I have done things that were wrong.
P: I have been mean to others.
C: I have been mean to others.
P: I have not obeyed my parents.
C: I have not obeyed my parents.
P: I have not obeyed You, God.
C: I have not obeyed You, God.
P: But I am very sorry.
C: But I am very sorry.
P: Please forgive me.
C: Please forgive me.
P: I love You very much.
C: I love You very much.
P: And I know You love me, too.
C: And I know You love me, too.
P: God has heard your apology. He loves you very much. God has told us that when we believe and trust in Him, He makes us His children. As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us. He has told me to tell you that you are forgiven. So, as His servant, I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Song: Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.
Chorus:
Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, He who died. Heaven’s gates to open wide.
He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.
(Chorus)
Jesus loves me when I’m good, when I do the things I should.
Jesus loves me when I’m bad, even though it makes Him sad.
(Chorus)
First Reading – John 2:13–17
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Children’s Message “Is It Ok To Get Angry?”
Second Song: How Great Is Our God
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice
Chorus:
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands
Beginning and the end, beginning at the end
The Godhead, three in one, Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb.
Chorus:
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names, Worthy of all praise,
My heart will sing How great is our God
Chorus x2
Second Reading – John 2:18–22
So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Children’s Message “Show Us a Sign!!”
Sermon Hymn – Thy Strong Word
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness;
At Thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank Thee,
While Thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness,
Dark as night and deep as death,
Broke the light of thy salvation,
Breathed thine own life-giving breath.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Thy strong Word be- speaks us righteous;
Bright with thine own holiness,
Glorious now, we press toward glory,
And our lives our hope con- fess.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
From the cross thy wisdom shining
Breaketh forth in conqu’ring might;
From the cross for-ever beameth
All thy bright redeeming light.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Give us lips to sing thy glory,
Tongues thy mercy to pro- claim,
Throats to shout the hope that fills us,
Mouths to speak thy holy name.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Sermon – “Let’s Face It. It Seems Like Foolishness To Some”
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen
Words of Institution
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.
Distribution
Prayer
Closing Song – The Blessing
Verse 1:
The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace
Chorus:
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Repeat
Verse 1
Chorus
May His favor be upon you, And a thousand generations
And your family and your children,
And their children and their children
Repeat
May His presence go before you, and behind you and beside you
All around you and within you.
He is with you. He is with you
In the morning, in the evening.
In your coming and your going, in your weeping and rejoicing
He is with you. He is with you.
He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you.
He is for you. He is for you.
Chorus
Offering
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, March 10 – Mid-Week Lent Devotional Service
Online – Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
Thursday, March 11, 7am & 7pm – Tamp Lutherans Pray
TampaLutheransPray.com
Submit prayer requests on the site by Wednesday
Connect with us:
“The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” –
Have you ever had to walk through a dangerous area?
I used to be a courier in Atlanta, GA. I would drive around town delivering packages. Occasionally, my deliveries took me into the more crime-ridden areas of Atlanta. Thankfully, I never had any issues. I would have loved to have had an armed escort through those places, but then again, I think I did have an escort.
Personal Protection
Most people don’t like being in danger. We have neighborhood watch programs for our home and police departments to watch over our cities. Some people hire bodyguards and the President has an entire agency of the government dedicated to watching over him.
However, none of these earthly protections are perfect. They all fail from time to time. People sleep or aren’t alert enough or just miss some danger.
Our protection is from one much greater.
God does not sleep nor does He slumber. He is always vigilant and always watching over His people. His protection goes beyond the earthly dangers. He protects us from the eternal dangers, from sin, death, and the devil.
The dangers are still out there, but like a child holding their father’s hand as they walk through a dangerous place, we need not fear. Fear comes when we focus on the danger.
Don’t focus on the danger, focus on the one who watches over you.
Heavenly Father,
Take my hand. Protect me and comfort me. Lead me on my life’s path. If that path takes me through the valley of the shadow of death, keep me from fear. Keep my eyes on You, my deliverer.
Amen.
May the Lord keep you from all harm. May He watch over your life. May the Lord watch over your coming and your going both now and forevermore. Amen.
See you at church tomorrow!
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true — even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” – 1 John 5:20
What is true in your life?
We live in a world where the very existence of truth is questioned. People talk about having “your truth” or “my truth.” This is a relatively new concept. However, the battle between truth and lies is not new.
Your Truth, My Truth, The Truth
Is it true that what is true for you may not be true for me? Well, it is true that you may like anchovies on your pizza and I may not. It’s also true that your experience with Ford and Honda vehicles may be different from mine causing you to trust Fords while I trust Hondas. However, these are actually preferences, not what has historically been referred to as truth.
Similarly, you may believe that Leprechauns exist (It’s March). However, that, also, isn’t necessarily true. That’s a belief and a belief may be true or it may be false.
In reality, truth is truth. There is no personalization of it. Either you accept the truth or you don’t, but that doesn’t change what is true. You may have opinions, preferences, and beliefs, but those don’t change what is true.
If your truth isn’t the truth, your truth is a lie.
Lies aren’t new. Lies have existed since the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The world is filled with lies. The idea that truth is relative is only one of the more recent lies.
Ultimately, lies all exist to cloud your vision and keep you from seeing and knowing the truth. However, the truth is a powerful thing and that which is true is stronger than any lie.
God Is Truth.
God is different than you and me in many ways. One of those differences is that God is pure truth. Notice that 1 John 5:20 doesn’t say that God speaks the truth, but that He is true. Nothing in Him is false.
Jesus, the Son of God, is truth and He revealed the truth. Through Him and His Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are given the understanding to know what is really true and know He who is really true. Through Him we not only know the truth but are in the truth.
Only by knowing Him who is truth and being in He who is truth, can we truly know the truth.
Dear Jesus,
You have lived a life that is true. You have spoken only the truth. You have revealed the truth. You are the one, true God. Open my mind to understand the truth and to know You, the Father, and the Spirit, who is the one, true God.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” – Proverbs 19:2
Have you ever met someone who was very passionate about something, but was just wrong?
I remember back when I was in college ministry, every year or two someone would go around to all the college ministries and try to gather them all together. They were always passionate, convinced that they know how to unify the church on that campus and ignite a revival that would change the campus forever and maybe even the world.
What they didn’t realize, is that this wasn’t a new idea and there were reasons it had never worked in the past, reasons they weren’t even aware of. It would have been one thing if they had thoughtfully examined what happened in the past and how to address the issues which prevented their vision of unity, but that’s never what happened. It was always just an idea to get everyone together, usually under at their group’s meeting, and unity would just “happen.” It didn’t.
Ignorant passion is dangerous.
In Jesus’ day, there were many zealous Jews. They were passionate about following the Law and making sure everyone else did, too. However, they, ultimately, missed the long-promised Messiah because their passion was misplaced. Paul even speaks about it.
“If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” – Philippians 3:4-7
Following the Fools Path
Ignorant passion can lead to wasted time and resources and even making things worse or catastrophic. In the age of the Internet, it has become easier than ever to fall into the trap of ignorant passion.
We read something online which gets us excited or angry. We have to do something. There’s no time to waste! We don’t stop to consider that what we read might not be accurate. Emotion takes over and leads us to do some foolish things. All the while, a little research or a conversation with a wise person would have revealed errors in our thinking.
Passion can be good, but study, seek advice, and proceed with wisdom.
Jesus was passionate about saving us. Paul was passionate about proclaiming the Gospel. However, let’s take the time to make sure we understand the thing we are starting to feel passionate about. Let’s do some research. Take a few minutes to have a conversation with someone we respect for their wisdom.
At worst, you might end up being disappointed finding out your passion was misplaced. You might, however, save yourself from acting like a fool. You may save some time and money.
Then again, you may be right. In which case, you are now more informed and better able to actually accomplish what you feel passionate about.
Heavenly Father,
Give me a passion for what is good and true. Keep me from foolish ideas and from being misled. Make me wise and show me where I can have a good impact on people’s lives.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
In this blog, I thought I would talk about one of my favorite bible characters.
Gideon.
Now in the grand scheme of things, he is kinda overlooked. He doesn’t have a long story, rather kind of small, in the Bible. God saved Israel through Gideon, but Gideon was not sure of himself to lead Gods people. I mean, who wouldn’t be? It is a huge job!!
So Gideon asked for signs from God and God delivered the signs to Gideon to lead his people.
My Take
What I take away from the story is that Gideon is just like us. Sometimes we feel that God has a made a mistake in choosing us to serve people, do some ministry, or speak to people about His Word.
I know in my life, I have questioned God over and over and asked Him to send a sign to let me know I am doing the right thing. While God, Himself, does not come down and tell me, He leaves His Word and other Christians to help me on my spiritual journey.
That is also what He does for all of us.
When you think you cannot do something, look to Judges 6 and read the story of Gideon. It may inspire you to not be nervous to talk about God because He is always with us and God will lead us on the correct path.
‘Till next time,
Terrell
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” – Colossians 1:15
Have you ever wanted to see God?
I grew up loving Michael W. Smith. I remember the first time I got to see him in concert. It was a great concert. Up until that point, I had only been able to listen to his music. At the concert, I was able to see him. Beyond that, they did some really great, original things with his music.
Have you ever wanted to see a personal hero in person? Maybe it was a musician or an actor or someone who did amazing things in a field you loved.
What about God? Would you want to see God?
For me, the answer is, yes…and no.
I long to see God. I would love to physically be in His presence. At the same time, though, I know it wouldn’t be quite how I would like. I can’t think of a single example in the Bible where someone comes into the immediate presence of God the Father and it doesn’t result in absolute fear. Think of Moses.
“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,’ he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.’” – Exodus 33:18-20
Man cannot stand the full glory of God in our present state. However…
People have seen the image of God.
Jesus is the image of the Father. Jesus even said,
“Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.’” – John 14:8-10
Such is the unity of the Trinity. If you’ve seen the Son, you’ve seen the Father and Spirit. If you have heard the Son, you have heard the Father and Spirit.
We could not be in the presence of the full glory of God and live, but God came to us as man, Jesus. This is why the Father keeps telling us to “listen to Him.” When you listen to Jesus, you listen to the Father and the Spirit. When you believe in Jesus, you believe in the Father and Spirit. They always come together.
You will see God in all of His glory one day.
For those who do not believe in Jesus is will be a day of great fear and death. However, for those who are in Jesus Christ, it will be a day of great joy and celebration. On that day, all those who are in Christ will be able to be in the presence of God in all of His glory as we are raised uncorrupted by sin.
So, yes, some people have seen God in the form we could survive, but one day we will all see Him. By the grace of God, I pray you and I will see Him with joy and celebration.
Dear Jesus,
You have revealed the Father and the Spirit to us. Hold me steadfast in the faith You have given me that I would, one day…and every day after, see You, the Father, and the Spirit in Your glory and do so with great joy, forgiven of my sins and made fully righteous by Your grace.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
As we continue through the season of Lent, we contemplate God’s great love and how God paid for our salvation with the greatest of all sacrifices.
Each week, we will have a new online mid-week devotional service this Lent. Watch for the new service each week as we explore the enormity of God’s love for us.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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