 |
| Norma A. Boeckler |
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Have respect, O Lord, unto Thy covenant:
oh, let not
the oppressed return ashamed!
Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause:
and forget not the
voice of Thine enemies.
Psalm. O God, why hast Thou cast us off forever?
Why doth Thine anger smoke against the sheep
of Thy pasture?
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase
of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain that which Thou dost
promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command; through Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
Have respect, O Lord, unto Thy covenant:
oh, let not
the oppressed return ashamed!
V. Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause:
and forget not the voice of Thine enemies.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. O Lord God of my salvation:
I have cried day and night
before Thee. Hallelujah!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Jesus is the Good Samaritan
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #660 I'm But a Stranger Here
- The flowers on the altar are from Augsburg Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, in memory of Christina Jackson. Many arrangements were distributed at the graveside ceremony.
- Andrea's third birthday is coming up.
- In treatment: John Hicks.
- Medical care: Pastor Jim Shrader and his wife Chris; Dr. Kermit and Dr. Marie Way.
 |
| Thank You! Pastor Jim Shrader (preacher) his wife Chris Shrader (organ), Zach Engleman, liturgist. Thank you for the visits and help for Christina Jackson's funeral - Dr. and Mrs. Kermit Way (Maria, her younger sister); Robert Northcut (neighbor); Seth Adams (MG Group); Allen and Kris Jackson (Gregory's brother); Dottie Hagar's family; Martin and Tammy Jackson, Josie, Danielle, Alex (son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren); Pat and John (neighbors); Karen (neighbor), Bill Blumenschein (friend); Terry and Lori Howell (members); Alec Satin (Lutheran Librarian, member, Lutheran Publishing Ministry). |
 |
| Norma A. Boeckler |
Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, we most heartily thank Thee that Thou hast granted us to live in this accepted time, when we may hear Thy holy gospel, know Thy fatherly will, and behold Thy Son, Jesus Christ! We pray Thee, most merciful Father: Let the light of Thy holy word remain with us, and so govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may never forsake Thy word, but remain steadfast in it, and finally obtain eternal salvation; through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Jesus is the Good Samaritan
Introductory
The opening verses are especially true today, because the correct explanation of the Good Samaritan has been taught, but is largely lost today. Now - we are the Good Samaritan. We are ordered to make the world a better place. The problem is - we have not done enough.
If people hear this parable in the modern setting, they can only despair, because there are so many individual actions they must copy - and work, work, work.
Simply understanding the parable puts listening in the top 1% of all those who have heard the parable and comprehend it. Jesus is the Good Samaritan. All other explanations are completely wrong.
KJV Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
The basic Gospel - Isaiah 53 - plants faith in the hearts who hear it for the first time, whether as babies or as adults. Faith alone, the work of the Holy Spirit can do this, because man unaided cannot grasp the Gospel or get a clear view of it. So, if you grasp this today, you know what kings and prophets never learned in their day - or social workers in our day - that Jesus is the topic, as He is through the Bible from Genesis 1:1 onward.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
The lawyer is an expert in Jewish law. The back and forth between Teacher and audience member is basic to Judaism and is found in Leo Rosten's The Joys of Yiddish. That shows how old - and new - this is. Challenging the teacher is good for the audience and the teacher. Sick societies have dictators and priests who simple declare "the truth" and do not debate. "What is truth?, said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer." (Francis Bacon, Truth essay.)
The lawyer answered Jesus correctly (and this happens to be found in many if not all religions - the liberals say because they are all alike; Christians realizing that other religions are a shadow of the One Truth but may help people listen to the Word of the Gospel).
By asking, Jesus allowed the lawyer to expose his pride by challenging the Son of God with a follow-up. The lawyer then challenged, as Jesus knew would happen, the definition of neighbor.
The parable, possibly the greatest of them all, makes us realize that every action of the Samaritan, the Despised One in Judaism,
- is both a description of the Savior's attitude, work, and ministry AND
- the example or the fruit of faith in Him.
- Compassion is the first response of Jesus. When someone is wounded, which can happen in many ways, His response is to "suffer with" that person, the meaning of compassion. Many times when we see a mess, our inclination is hardness or the Law. The Gospel teaches us not to look down but to identify with the suffering, whether emotional or physical. Nurses are the prime example (mothers too) - They see the most disgusting messes and rush to help, to love, to clean up, to prevent, and to say, "No I enjoy this. It is my calling." Components of the church do the same, when faith in Christ is foremost. They look to the suffering and respond.
- Jesus does not wait but moves to the suffering. Moving to is so much more alien than avoiding. In many cases, it does not seem to help, but does that matter in a congregation or a person's life? Success is not in winning but first of all in going there and being there. God does the work.
- The Jesus figure does not allow bleeding to death, but immediately addresses it. Compassion addresses the pain - which can be fears, loneliness, lack of money, robbery, broken hearts, something as simple as decent clothes. Simple fact - most congregations that close have piles of cash bearing interest in Certificates of Deposit. I was told one bishop's assistant spent a lot of time with the laity fussing over getting better interest rates. Lack of faith -- yes! Lack of money -- No!
- Luther describes the oil and wine as the sharpness of the Law and the soiling effect of the Gospel. Jesus went to open sinners - no one doubted what their sins were. He taught them the righteousness of faith in Him. Unfortunately, people often start with the sharpness of the Law and stay there. When we kids complained about anything, our father would day, "Do you know what's wrong with you?" Kids - "No, Dad." He would respond, "You are spoiled, spoiled rotten. That's what's wrong with you." Christianity teaches the Ten Commandments, but also the Gospel. There is no healing without the Gospel, and we need that until the last moment.
- On His own beast - The Holy Spirit created the Church so that people would be brought to the Savior, or the Savior brought to them. Not just invite with silly post cards but boldly say the Name when it is appropriate and timely, yet without holding back. We were in a cafe when the tree began waving, with no breeze. I said, "Call an ambulance. There is a wreck." There was no time to ask, "Can this benefit me in some way? Or not hurt me?"
- Church bus ministry. There are many ways to do this. The Samaritan did more than bind wounds.
- He took care of him - Jesus cares for the individual through the congregation (the inn). That is going to happen when the Gospel and faith are present. God makes things develop in many ways, but those things happen with divine timing and divine power.
- The minister and laity are the staff at the end. Payment in advance - but only two pennies. Ministers should not get rich or aim at getting rich. Congregations should pile of cash for their own glory and luxury. UOP's policy was NOT to get stuck with real estate. They rented almost everything. We can now see how congregations are buried by their own costs in maintaining someone's dream or fantasy or other problems.
- The congregation takes care of the person brought in by Jesus Christ the Savior. That is their job, not to get angry because someone does not show up!
- Jesus - I will repay, with a few more pennies. Pastors and congregations worry about pay, in many cases, as if there is some gold standard. Jesus Christ is saying, "Put the need of souls first, and always first. Worry about the budget later."
