Giving Vimeo the Left Foot of Fellowship

 

We are done with Vimeo. It shut down sound during the sermon. A reboot did not restore sound.

I hope to have the new system working soon. 

Palm Sunday, 2022

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

 

Live service on Vimeo - below

 

The Hymn #160         All Glory, Laud             

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution

The Introit p. 16

Be not Thou far from me, O Lord: O my Strength, haste Thee to help me.

Save me from the lion’s mouth: and deliver me from the horns of the unicorns.

Psalm. My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Why art Thou so far from helping Me?

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation                                       

The Collect p. 19

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast sent Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of His patience and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual 

Thou hast holden me by my right hand: Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory.

V. Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart: but as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped; for I was grieved at the ungodly.

Tract. My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?

V. Why art Thou so far from helping Me: and from the words of My roaring?

V. I am a worm and no man: a reproach of men and despised of the people.

V. Be not Thou far from Me, O Lord; O My Strength, haste Thee to help Me.

V. I will declare Thy name unto My brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee. 

V. They shall come and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born: that He hath done this. 

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Sermon Hymn # 162                 Ride On                 

Promises Fulfilled

The Communion Hymn #339            All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

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 #341              Crown Him with Many Crowns                          

Prayers and Announcements

• Medical care - Kermit and Maria Way, Pastor James Shrader and Chris Shrader, Callie and her mother Peggy, C.
• Maundy Thursday Holy Communion, 7 PM Central Daylight Time.
• Good Friday Vespers, 7 PM.
• Easter Sunday Holy Communion.

KJV Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

KJV Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes t hat went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Palm Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast caused Thy beloved Son to take our nature upon Himself, that He might give all mankind the example of humility and suffer death upon the cross for our sins: Mercifully grant us a believing knowledge of this, and that, following the example of His patience, we may be made partakers of the benefits of His sacred passion and death, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Promises Fulfilled

KJV Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 

Background

The setting is described in the Gospel of John, which gives us so many details associated with all that Jesus did. It is very important to see how the Gospels together give us the entire drama of Holy Week, as if four people were telling the story and each one had details to add.

For example, one verse is easily overlooked, the details about crowds coming out to greet Jesus and following after him -

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

This engulfing crowd was stirred up by the raising of Lazarus, dead in his tomb for days. The crowds came out of the city because Jesus and Lazarus were together. They heard about the raising of Lazarus and came out to see this wealthy and influential man and the Lord who raised him from the dead. Naturally, the Bethany residents followed Jesus from their nearby city and hailed Him as well. Lenski is very good at showing how much is in the tiniest details of the New Testament. 

We must always remember that the raising of Lazarus, found only in John's Gospel, was the trigger point for the arrest and execution of Jesus. Everything had to be done in order, as the Father commanded and promised in the Old Testament. 

Jesus did not merely walk into Jerusalem, but rode on a donkey, symbolizing His return as the Son of David. This has been done before with Judas Maccabeus entering as conqueror, palms before his feet, but there can only be one Son of David, which was soon proven by Jesus. 

2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

By the way, several clergy on the ALPB discussion page told how they did not preach sermons during various parts of Holy Week, but "let the Scriptures speak for themselves." How noble! How gracious! They boasted ignoring the cornerstone of the true Church - preaching faith in Jesus Christ and explaining the meaning of so many unique events. But alas! that is the problem with liberal preaching, whether it is marketing theories from Pasadena, or explaining how everything is mythical because they do not believe the very texts they read to their members. This very common today, because the apostate clergy do not want to expose their lack of faith to the same people who come to Church because they do have faith or want that faith strengthened and supported. Many feel they are themselves dimming burning wicks and resent having that bit of faith, like a mustard seed, snuffed out.

Lenski has a funny, rational statement about Jesus knowing the owner beforehand, though the text says nothing about this guess by Lenski. ("We draw the obvious conclusion that these owners were very good friends of Jesus and of his disciples. Matthew, Lenski p. 801)The Son of God did not need to use friendship or advance training for the owner. The will of Jesus was carried out on both sides, by his two disciples and by the owner or even the bystanders. This is an example of God making the most unlikely things happen, and those divine interventions or commands giving people hope and greater faith.

God gives us these talents and drives to accomplish His will, often providing the very people who will help carry out the plan, the circumstances that will save the day.

4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

This is a double message for Palm Sunday: one is Jesus riding into Jerusalem as the Son of David, Messiah, Lord and Savior. The other is His humility, carrying out the role of Servant. Those are the Two Natures of Jesus, united in One Person.

KJV Zechariah 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

The crowds saw a great religious leader with power over life and death. The Roman leaders feared the opposition of a king. The Jewish leaders, as recorded by John, feared they would lose everything - which is fact happened 40 years later. They plotted against Jesus and Lazarus, the well known man raised from the dead and proof of the divinity of Jesus. 

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

The disciples obeyed the cryptic commands of Jesus and brought the two animals to Him. All the Promises were being fulfilled, 

1. from the Star of Bethlehem, 
2. to His presentation at the Temple 
3. and later His astonishing talk with the scholars there, 
4. to His public ministry of preaching and miracles.

There were several attempts to make Jesus the King earlier, 

and attempts to kill Him. This event was so powerful for the people that no one dared to question it, but that did motivate the leaders to use someone to turn against Jesus.

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

KJV John 12: 13 - “Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

The crowds were hailing Jesus for fulfilling the Promises of the Old Testament. Many already believed without seeing Him. 

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

In effect, the crowds celebrating the raising of Lazarus, right there, were also celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Much is often said about the crowds jeering Jesus and mocking Him in short order, but they did indeed celebrate. What God the Father accomplished through His Son and the disciples - all this came from the raising of Lazarus and two others before and the Old Testament Scriptures teaching them the Gospel, even before they understood large parts of it.

This gives us confidence, that the infinite majesty of God not only has the power to forgive sins, through the Son, witnessed by the Holy Spirit, but also has the power to help us in our daily lives. 

That power keeps us from despair and overwhelming sorrow, because we know the rest of the story will follow the teaching of the Gospel. Our generation is troubled because we think we know so much, and so little is credited to God. We think our wisdom and cleverness are overwhelming traits, when they are nothing compared to to infinite power, grace, and wisdom of God. My Old Testament students, when asked for their favorite passage in Proverbs, inevitably say, 

KJV Proverbs 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

From Camera to Mike

I started the day with the new camera and its supposed mike, only the mike was not. After fussing around about the partial package, I began searching for an alternative. Yes, I can return the other one to that store. 

A look around the Net showed me one that would work with our set up, and it could arrive on Sunday. No, not fast enough for Palm Sunday, but a good start on Holy Week.

I have gone from Kindergarten to high tech in a short period of time. Vimeo was a challenge for me at first.

RESI? I did not know what HDMI cameras were. Since the camera must send video/audio on an integrated signal, I also had to convert the HDMI signal on its way to the hardware encoder (also new to me). From there it trips along at fiber optic speed and gets distributed on the blog page. That will be permanent front page viewing with provisions for storing previous videos.

We are on Vimeo for Palm Sunday. I am asking two of our leaders to monitor the sound for me and notify me on the cell phone if there is a major problem. 

Just a Thought

 Banksy - Heaven's Gate. Bunyan's interpretation was a bit different.

I remember a night at Walmart where the assistant manager said in the backroom, "That does it. No more deliveries." A few seconds later we heard the backup beeps and saw a semi slowly backing toward the door for deliveries.

Panicked, the assistant manager said, "No! We do not have another one on the schedule!" He did some immediate checking, whether the truck was lost, or the driver confused. No, the palettes had to be pulled off the truck by forklift and broken down on the carts which were used to place the canned and boxed food near the aisles for the night crew.

I expressed no desire to drive a forklift. "Do you want to learn how to fix the machine that binds  the cardboard?" I said, "No." 

"Why not?"

I said, "If I learned how, I would be called upon to fix it every time it jammed." The stocker who asked me about the machine was promoted to the night shift, which made him very happy.

Now Sassy is demanding her morning time, which includes a drive to the gym after a walk to Pat and John's house. Today will be a summer break before the next storm moves through.

Balanced Research - Matters in Nutrition Too

I looked up Joel Fuhrman on Wikipedia, partly because Wiki causes some joking among us. I learned quickly in blogging that finding a good explanatory source for a given topic was going to have me combing through boring, academic journal articles or locked up precious articles. Wiki is fairly general and often has important footnote links to extra information. My defense in using Wiki is: "I start at Wiki and work toward the truth."

I finally looked him up, and the Wiki piece looks like it was funded by Brach's Candy, KFC, and the animal and factory oils aisle at Walmart. It is a seething, angry, here's-another-caustic attack article.

Admission #1 - All my life I knew nothing about nutrition, other than vitamins, proteins, etc. 

Admission #2 - I ate what I wanted and never suffered from it, until my pancreas went beyond its 70 year warrantee. 

In my own library, I opened a brand new copy of Eat To Live, by Furhman after I found my blood sugar (A1C) had reached higher than the previous year. I also knew  - from decades of experience with a diabetic - that insulin is not an answer.

I thought the basic Fuhrman suggestions were quite good and sensible, not fanatical. To test them, I looked up those charts on the "nutritional benefits of..." for all those vegetables and fruits he praised and promoted. They come from various sources on the Internet, and they back up the wonder of vegetables and fruits, not to mention nuts and seeds.

The collection of healthy foods is so great that I can avoid what I do not like and enjoy much more of what I have always liked - asparagus, peas, beans, spinach, tomato (paste), onions, green peppers, oranges, prunes, and apples.

I followed the Furhman suggestions (the initial six week plan) and eliminated ice cream, all desserts, overuse of bread, and soda pop. I lost about 30 pounds and saw my blood pressure drop to normal, no longer using bp medicine. I replaced high fat, high sugar, high salt, high grease foods with greens, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The fact is - the foods I favored left little room for nutritious food. Four fruits a day when I could have PBJs? One excludes the other.

I backslid a bit but still weigh every morning to avoid the "I can lose it again" excuse.

The healthiest plants for us defeat the major causes of illness, especially among the older ones among us, but also among the very young. I get sick when I see morbidly obese young children, because they will start paying the price very early. Arkansas is famous for sweet tea, gravy biscuits, and morbid obesity.

So here is a little test, reflecting my previous ignorance:

1. Why is spinach good to eat?

2. Why would anyone eat chickpeas?

The younger and ignorant blogger would say, "Spinach is fiber, and fiber is good for digestion, but why would anyone eat chickpeas?"

Spinach super-star status -

Health benefits of spinach -

1. "For example, spinach is an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, and iron. It also serves as an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C and niacin and folate."
2. "Spinach contains a compound called Factor C0-Q10 that has muscle-strengthening properties. This could help those arm muscles develop, but scientists find that it is especially beneficial for the heart muscles."
3. "Researchers have discovered that it contains lutein and other elements that protect against vision loss. There is scientific evidence that eating spinach can stop the progress of the Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) that damages the vision of the over 60's age group."
4. " Spinach is one of several vegetables that someone who often suffers from stomach ulcers ought to start eating regularly."
5. "It is extremely low in fat and calorie content, but it is also packed full of nutrition."
6. "Some recommend eating red meat to boost iron but eating spinach has many health advantages over getting iron from red meat — spinach is low in fat, and it lacks cholesterol content."
7. "The generous amounts of antioxidants in a portion of spinach improve the body's capabilities to resist the attacks of free radical compounds against cell tissue."
8. "The nutrients and antioxidants derived from eating spinach have a key role in maintaining hair condition. In particular, its calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium minerals combine with vitamins B, C, and E to promote hair growth. The boost to iron levels also removes one of the more common hair loss causes. Also, spinach helps combat hair loss because its folate content enables the body to produce more red blood cells, and the iron ensures a good oxygen supply to these cells."
9. "Natural medicine experts state that besides easing arthritic and gout pains, it protects the heart from inflammation, and might even have a role in cancer prevention."
10. "Pregnant women do well to include spinach in their diet. Spinach supplies folate that is essential for normal fetal development. Spina bifida and other serious congenital disabilities sometimes develop due to a lack of folate. Spinach also benefits women through its high vitamin A content."

Chickpeas? You Must Be Kidding!

Healthline

"Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, have been grown and eaten in Middle Eastern countries for thousands of years. Their nutty taste and grainy texture pair well with many other foods and ingredients. As a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, chickpeas may offer a variety of health benefits, such as aiding weight management, improving digestion, and reducing your risk of disease. Additionally, this legume is high in protein and makes an excellent replacement for meat in many vegetarian and vegan dishes."

1. "Chickpeas also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as a decent amount of fiber and protein. A 1-cup (164-gram) serving of cooked chickpeas offers:

• Calories: 269
• Protein: 14.5 grams
• Fat: 4 grams
• Carbs: 45 grams
• Fiber: 12.5 grams
• Manganese: 74% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Folate (vitamin B9): 71% of the DV
• Copper: 64% of the DV
• Iron: 26% of the DV
• Zinc: 23% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 22% of the DV
• Magnesium: 19% of the DV
• Thiamine: 16% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 13% of the DV
• Selenium: 11% of the DV
• Potassium: 10% of the DV

2. "The protein and fiber in chickpeas may help keep your appetite under control. Protein and fiber work together to slow digestion, which helps promote fullness. In addition, protein may increase levels of appetite-reducing hormones in your body."

3. "Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein, making them an excellent food for people who don’t eat meat or animal products. A 1-cup (164-gram) serving provides about 14.5 grams of protein, which is comparable to the protein content of similar foods like black beans and lentils."

4. "Chickpeas may aid weight management due to their filling effects. The protein and fiber in chickpeas may reduce your appetite, which may then lower your calorie intake at meals.

Trusted SourcIn one study, those who ate chickpeas regularly were 53% less likely to have a body mass index (BMI) over 30 and more likely to have a lower waist circumference than those who didn’t eat chickpeas (14

Trusted SourceWhile BMI remains a common health metric, keep in mind that it’s limited in its effectiveness.

Nonetheless, another review found that those who ate at least 1 daily serving of legumes, such as chickpeas, lost 25% more weight than those who didn’t eat legumes."

Trusted SourceThe protein in chickpeas may help promote fullness and keep your appetite under control. Protein is also known for its role in weight management, bone health, and muscle strength

Etc. etc.

 This happy graduate of the Nutrition Academy will lead a healthier life, as long as the treats keep coming.

Newsletter - Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry - Alec Satin

 

Newsletter from The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry

In This Issue

Sweet First Fruits: A Tale To Muslims On The Truth And Virtue Of The Christian Religion by Sir William Muir Columbus Theological Magazine Volume 1, Matthias Loy, Editor The Life and Deeds of Martin Luther by Fick and Loy The True Church: Its Way of Justification and Its Holy Communion by Emanuel Greenwald New Testament Conversions by George H. Gerberding

Featured

Sweet First Fruits: A Tale To Muslims On The Truth And Virtue Of The Christian Religion by Sir William Muir “Sweet First Fruits is a… story primarily designed to give scope and opportunity for presenting to the Muslim reader the proofs of the Christian faith, the purity and genuineness of our Bible, its attestation by the Koran, and the consequent obligation on Muslims to obey its precepts. The argument is developed, in the dialectic style, between a party of Christian converts and their former companions. The Muslim world has never, since the rise of Islam, had an appeal made to it under more favorable circumstances, nor one more likely to ensure respect, if not force conviction. Differing from all former treatises, it contains not one word offensive to the Muslim, beyond the strength and conclusiveness of the reasoning, which, indeed, is mainly drawn from the Koran itself.” Book Contents Preface. Introduction. 1 The Epistle 2 Deep Waters. 3 Second Conference. 4 Danger Threatens. 5 Third Conference. 6 Intimidation And Alarm. 7 Brought Before The Court, And Sent To Prison. 8 Conspiracy To Entrap Omar Al Haris, Who Is Condemned And Beheaded. 9 Results Following The Execution — Riot In City — Friends Visit The Converts. 10 Conference With Cazi And Mufti On The Claims Of Christianity. 11 Discussion Continued Between The Cazi And Sheikh Ali. 12 Exile To Deyr Al Camr, And Return. 13 Death And Funeral Of Sheikh Ali — Conclusion. Download the eBook PDF EPUB - [Apple, Kobo and other devices] MOBI+AZW3 - [Kindle] If you request an EPUB or MOBI version, you can expect to receive it within a few hours. If you don't hear back by the next day, check your spam or junk mail folder. This is especially true for yahoo mail. You can also request a copy of this or any Lutheran Library e-book by sending an email with the title and format you'd like. Enjoy the book! Publication Information Lutheran Library edition first published: 2019-05-31 Updated: 2019-05-31 Copyright: CC BY 4.0 Read more

Recent Books and Articles Published

Sweet First Fruits: A Tale To Muslims On The Truth And Virtue Of The Christian Religion by Sir William Muir “Sweet First Fruits is a… story primarily designed to give scope and opportunity for presenting to the Muslim reader the proofs of the Christian faith, the purity and genuineness of our Bible, its attestation by the Koran, and the consequent obligation on Muslims to obey its precepts. The argument is developed, in the dialectic style, between a party of Christian converts and their former companions. The Muslim world has never, since the rise of Islam, had an appeal made to it under ... Read more Columbus Theological Magazine Volume 1, Matthias Loy, Editor Has the Lord declared the whole world righteous? The answer to this question shapes one’s deep understanding of the gospel. The Columbus Theological Magazine dedicated its first volume to examining this subject in depth. The contents of this book have never been successfully refuted. “The doctrine which has been taught in the Lutheran Church during these three centuries has been established by the Scriptures, and defended against all foes, to the satisfaction of a host of eminent ... Read more The Life and Deeds of Martin Luther by Fick and Loy “Formerly the whole Evangelical Lutheran Church was unanimous in the conviction that Luther was the divinely commissioned Reformer of the Church and the herald of divine truth. But now (many) deny him this honor. They maintain, of course without the least proof, that he erred in various articles of faith, and do not hesitate to dispute his vocation as a Reformer. How easily, under such circumstances, may not even faithful Lutherans be led to waver in their faith, especially when ... Read more The True Church: Its Way of Justification and Its Holy Communion by Emanuel Greenwald “The doctrine of Justification by Faith alone, was the turning point of the Reformation; it was the experience of its necessity and efficacy in the heart of Martin Luther that constituted his best qualification for the work of the Reformation; and as it distinguished the Lutheran Church from the Church of Rome, so it has come to be regarded as the distinguishing mark of separation between Protestantism and Romanism.” — Emanuel Greenwald Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject ... Read more New Testament Conversions by George H. Gerberding “In these godless and worldly times we must earnestly and diligently preach conversion. We must insist on its necessity. We must reason, exhort, convince, beseech, and plead; ‘Turn ye, turn ye; why will ye die?'” “We must explain from the divine Word what is the nature of this change. We must labor to have the plainest hearer understand this vital subject and his personal relation to it. We must show how God, who alone has the power to give the new life, yet has ... Read more The Optimist's Good Morning: Prayers and Quotations for Every Day of the Year by Florence Nightingale Perin “Once family devotions were general, now they are rare… Yet the need of spiritual adjustment is ever the same… But how and when? Why not the breakfast table? Surely one or two minutes may be spared. Thirty seconds of silence, then the reading of a noble sentiment from some one who has been thinking for us,—another pause,—and a few words of prayer, framed by some one with more leisure than we have, but who puts us in the mood of prayer and so starts us right upon the duties of the day,—this ... Read more Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant by Gregory L Jackson “Only one, true Christian Church exists, and that Church is made up of all those who sincerely believe in Christ as their Savior. The true Church, then, is invisible, including members of all denominations, even those without a denomination or formal affiliation. Only God can judge the heart, so one cannot judge whether a person has saving faith from his membership in one denomination or another.” — Gregory L Jackson We are pleased to offer this book with the express approval ... Read more May God cause his face to shine upon you and bring you peace. From Your Lutheran Librarian editor@lutheranlibrary.org