Yes, I Am Back on the Computer

 We three - have landed - back from Sleepy Eye, after a priceless gathering for Thanksgiving - which was a recent loss to Glen Kotten, his mother, his siblings, and many other warm and friendly relatives.

We Had Some Glitches But Will Try Again - Weather Allowing in a Few DaysThanksgiving Holy Communion

  

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86049568517?pwd=Ui2fTH3nRvZ8hagpUehD17gfr3TW9q.1

The Hymn #574            Come Ye Thankful     
The Order of Vespers p. 41
The Psalmody Psalm 100 p. 144
The First Lection Philippians 4:4-7
The Second Lection Luke 17:11-19 

The Sermon Hymn #577      God Bless Our Native Land

Thankfulness

The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer p. 44
The Collect for Peace p. 45
The Benediction p. 45
The Hymn #644     Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

 Author - Bishop Ken - name a bishop hymn-writer today!

In Our Prayers

• Cancer treatment and diagnosis, good news - Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader; Doc Lito Cruz; Alicia Meyer; Lori Howell is doing well.
• Our military, President Trump, and those who defend the U. S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The Hymn # 651                    Be Still My Soul 

Philippians 4:4-7. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

KJV Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Sermon Points for All Thanksgivings, 2025 and Beyond

1. I am using points so people can remember what God teaches us so clearly. We just finished St. John's Revelation - it is all there, all of His work - the Savior and the Lamb.

2. No matter how bad things can be, God is the One who knows and guides us. The Savior is the most glorious and the most suffered - His work.

3. Every point of Psalm 91 should be in a prominent place. Be thankful.

4. The Bible is saturated with the divine, from Genesis 1:1 on.

5. We are the strongest when we feel weak and helpless. The disciples folded more than once, but they persisted through His support.

6. I have seen the most crippled, avoided, diseased, but I have also seen them smiling, laughing, and enjoying what God has given them - more than we can imagine. 

7. Seven is for-real! The number includes the four points of God being universal and three points for the Holy Trinity. The Bible begins with the Trinity and ends with the Four Letters - AMEN.

Holy  Communion 

from Page 24 in The Lutheran Hymnal

Members and friends have asked for the address for offerings -

Kotten Law Firm

C/O Pastor Gregory Jackson

14 7th Avenue  N.

St. Cloud MN 56303.

Yesterday was rainy until the cold front moved in, dropping snow over the landscape as the weather turned cold.

Because of family travel, we will have Holy Communion at 7 PM tonight. That service will be kept up through Sunday because of travel recent loss of Mrs. Kotten.

St. Peter Lutheran Church in Kitchener Ontario - And Trilium?

 

Latest on St. Peters in Kitchener, Ontario

St. Peter's Church in Kitchener, Ontario, is currently involved in several significant projects that reflect its commitment to community and social justice. Here are the latest updates:

• Affordable Housing: The church is building 41 new affordable housing units within its walls, addressing the ongoing housing crisis in the community. These units are expected to be ready by fall of 2024, providing much-needed housing for those in need. 

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• Worship Services: St. Peter's Church offers a variety of worship services, including community worship on Sundays, in-person or online, and recordings of services for those who cannot attend in person. 

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• Community Engagement: The church actively engages with community issues such as Truth and Reconciliation, racism, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, promoting a gospel of liberation and inclusivity. 

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• Redevelopment: The church is also involved in the redevelopment of Magnolia Apartments, aiming to create a renewed place for faith, justice, community, and the arts. 

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  These initiatives demonstrate St. Peter's Church's dedication to serving the community and addressing pressing social issues. [^image1^]
• 

  

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I was shocked when I first saw the stories about my vicarage church, decades later, being turned into housing. The sister church, not far away from St. Peter, seemed to be 100% gone - except for housing. 

St. Peter is definitely radical now and the Lutheran seminary has just a hint of Lutheran training. The seminary's highlight is the chapel turned into floor space for dogs and cushions. So cute!

Five or more seminary faculty or students have now passed into another life. I am in the center row. Martin, our first-born, was soon to be delivered at Yale Divinity School.

This is the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary chapel, where I was one of the students, part of practice to teaching and learning more about traditional Lutheran worship and music. Dogs were never invited.

The Message for All People - Psalm 91

 

KJV Psalm 91 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

The Methodist Collapse 2025 - Shivering and Trembling - Since Many Decades Past Before.

 

 M104 We cannot fathom one galaxy, let alone myriads of them!

United Methodist Church ratifies major UMC restructuring

"Post-splintering, UMC ratifies restructuring, gives autonomy to non-US churches"

No traditional Christian is going to accept the radicalism promoted by the Methodist Church in the last 50 years. Many of the supposed conservatives are increasing the speed of their exits and compromises.

I saw the gaping foolishness among a group of Methodist clergy - a rally of some sort - Midland, Michigan. I was invited so I listened to them all. Some of the liberals were shocked to have me in their midst, but their posters were passed around the area and some conservative Methodists urged me on.

Have they improved in the last 40 years, these rejectors of the most Biblical norms? Not at all! One Methodist minister - in charge of increasing incoming - said, "I feel like I'm a Prostitute in my job!" Nothing is worse that faux-pity, eh?

Are they worse than ELCA? No doubt. ELCA has been smearing the noses of the radicals in the woolen rugs - for a long time. Oh, how they rejoice, until the results ae too revolting to accept in any form!

Keep a weather-eye on both collapsing denominations. Yes! I use big words on purpose, because the leaders are too dense to admit their follies. By chance I found the highly acclaimed clergy monster who ordained his wife and his daughter - who married a lady. That made him a star of stars in his denomination, but did not quite let him land on the top - demi-semi-bishop yes! but not Archbishop. 

The Episcopal bishops have been worse, more blatant, more eager to steal parishes, money, property and more.

Maren Olson (Jamie McBride

There is a major theme in the last book of the Bible. That is - One Jesus Christ - the Son of God - the Good Shepherd - the Final Authority on the End of the World. Take your fish-hats and golden rings, they will mean nothing in the last two chapters of Revelation. 

Getting Settled in Minnesota

 

                                            The Butterfly Nebula

• Saturday was for driving to Kansas City.
• Sunday landed us in Sauk Rapids, near St. Cloud.
• Monday gave us time to do some area driving in the morning.

Members and friends have asked for the address for offerings -

Kotten Law Firm

C/O Pastor Gregory Jackson

14 7th Avenue  N.

St. Cloud MN 56303.

 

People have been wonderful. I will post more today. 

Onward to Sauk Rapids, Minnesota

 

Two hours north of Sleepy Eye, Sauk Rapids reminds me of Blackhawk, the famous Indian leader who is named for many tokens of the Mississippi - Black Hawk College, Black Hawk Historic State Park, Abraham Lincoln as a brief soldier in the Black Hawk War, 1932.

The Sauk tribe moved West and North, which completes my journey from Moline, Illinois.

Vespers - Holy Communion - Tomorrow at 7 PM Central. Our Last in Arkansas

 

The Hymn #574            Come Ye Thankful     
The Order of Vespers p. 41
The Psalmody Psalm 100 p. 144
The First Lection Philippians 4:4-7
The Second Lection Luke 17:11-19 

The Sermon Hymn #577      God Bless Our Native Land

Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.3w

Holy  Communion 

from Page 24 in The Lutheran Hymnal

The Hymn # 651                    Be Still My Soul 

Some New Adventures - Blackhawk - My Home Town

 

Growing up in Moline, Illinois meant going to the park in his honor. They named the junior college after him, streets as well.

I often heard the name Sauk after his tribe, which expanded toward the Northwest and Minnesota.

That is where I found Sauk Rapids on the map of Minnesota, close to St. Cloud -  a larger and better known city.

Sauk Rapids has around16,000 for its population. St. Cloud is more like 70,000.

Sauk Rapids is two hours north of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota - which is West of New Ulm (where Christina and I lived) - further East is - Mankato.

The Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity 2025 - November 16 - 10 AM

  

The Hymn #4          God Himself Is Present        

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #239            Come Thou Almighty King

Be Followers of Christ

The Communion Hymn #316                O Living Bread
The Preface p. 24
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 # 339              All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

Prayers and Announcements

• Sarah Buck; Lori Howell; Dr. Lito Cruz and his father. 
• Pray for those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.
• Pray for those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.

KJV Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation [ πολιτευμα, citizenship ] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

 Followers of Christ

Philippians is called the Letter of Joy, because he is telling the people they have good reason.  It was an era where people could cause a great deal of trouble, and Paul could suffer more. The congregation gathered and prospered. Lydia - the chemical merchant - she supported and encouraged them.

This reminds me of our members who burst into smiles and laughter over the sudden order that I had to leave this apartment after 14 years. The joy came from the switch - to going somewhere else. And a whole crew from here were glad to participate. What looked grim became quite a gathering of the area and a family one as well.

I counted many impossibles in a row and remembered those fleeting panics. The message of Philippians is to trust in the coming events even when they look overwhelming, because of trust in Jesus Christ.

The more threatening the dark clouds, the more we should concentrate on all that the Savior gives us - in losses, illnesses, and being alone. Pilgrim's Progress lists all of his sorrows in prison., 2000+ printings based on Bible stories.

Dr. Bradly Reed - NW Medical, Springdale, Arkansas.

He talked me out of walnuts and ice cream - high blood sugar.

I gave him an excellent book on nutrional medicine, which he devoured 80%.

My latest results were 100% once I added Vitamin D and B12.

That is how the Faith of Jesus works, where one blessing promotes many more.

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KJV Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Twenty-Third Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father: we thank Thee that Thou hast hitherto granted us peace and graciously spared us from war and foreign dominion: We pray Thee, graciously let us continue to live in Thy fear according to Thy will, giving no cause for wars or other punishment; govern and direct our magistrates, that they may not hinder the obedience due to Thee, but maintain righteousness, that we may enjoy happiness and blessing under their government, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.