Hymn Stanza of the Week: Salvation Unto Us Has Come

Salvation Unto Us Has Come (TLH 377, stanza 9)
Paul Speratus

Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone
and rests in Him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known,
with love and hope increasing.
Yet faith alone doth justify,
Works serve thy neighbor and supply
the proof that faith is living.

Today's Prayer: Bless Us in our Baptism

Heavenly Father, remember your children everywhere, as you keep them in your baptismal grace. Help us put to death the old nature, as we were buried with Christ in baptism. Raise us again to new life, as we are risen with Christ in baptism. Help us to grow in knowledge of your Word, that Christ may be formed in us. In His name we pray. Amen.

Pray for our Preschool

Our Preschool year informally began with last night's Parent Orientation. Please pray for the families who have chosen our Early Childhood Center--that they may be exposed to the good news of Jesus Christ here in word and deed. Pray also for our teachers and staff, that they would be strengthened in their tasks and enabled to share the joy of salvation in Christ with the children and parents they serve.

Today's Prayer: For Wise Mentors

Heavenly Father, I thank you for those people who have been Christian role models for me; as well as for those who actively mentor my growth in Christian living. Continue to send Christian mentors into my life, who will guide me in the way of truth, correct me when I need correction, and walk by my side as a fellow redeemed sinner in friendship and unity of faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11: 14

Thinking About "The Call"

"There are similarities between an arranged marriage and a man's call to his first (or second) congregation. If a man's call is from God, and if he is to work in the kingdom of God and not his own program, then he knows that this is where the Lord wants him to be. Thus, it behooves the pastor to make it work. And, through the power of Word and Sacrament there is no reason why it cannot work. If a man instigates his own call like he instigated his own marriage, then he has at his fingertips a whole host of built-in excuses for an unsuccessful pastorate. His excuses sound like a tape recording of the proceedings in a divorce court: he made a stupid choice, or he didn't have all the facts, or the congregation didn't live up to it part of the bargain, and other such horizontal considerations. But if a call is initiated by the Lord of the Church himself, the man can find a built-in impetus for obedience and action, and so can the congregation. A candidate for minsitry may think to himself that he would not have chosen a place like his first call, and in a sense he is right, because he didn't."

Dr. James Bollhagen

Today's Prayer: Dealing with Myself

Dear Lord, I try to be perfect and find that I am hopelessly deficient. Nothing I can do will bring me the perfection you intend for me. Fill me with Your Spirit, and do for me all that I cannot do for myself. Amen.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed. Psalm 6: 2

Interesting Link

If you're looking for some invigorating reading, head over to: http://mercyjourney.blogspot.com It is Rev. Matthew Harrison's blog--right now it has a concentration of ELCA-related articles.