Redeemer s Christian Connection 1000 Pioneer Road, Delta, CO Phone: Website:

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1 Redeemer s Christian Connection 1000 Pioneer Road, Delta, CO Phone: Website: rlclcms@deltalutheran.org August Newsletter Preparation for the Sacrament: Christian Questions and Their Answers St. Paul writes, Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup (1 Cor. 11:28; ESV). Why? Because, says Paul, anyone who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner will be guilty of concerning the body and blood of the Lord (v. 27), and anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks to his own judgment (v. 29). The Lord s Supper is a big deal. It is a powerful gift from Jesus, His true body and blood under bread and wine, given and shed for us, for the forgiveness of sins. We should receive the Sacrament with joy, but we should not receive it thoughtlessly or carelessly. Let a person examine himself Before eating and drinking, it is good to be prepared. For this reason, Martin Luther wrote his Christian Questions with Their Answers for those who intend to go to the Sacrament. [1] What ought a Christian to know and believe before receiving Jesus body and blood in the Supper? He ought to know who he is before God apart from Christ, and how he has been saved. He ought to know what the Sacrament is and why he needs it and should desire it. 1. Do you believe you are a sinner? Yes, I believe it. I am a sinner. The line of questioning grows out of this foundational question and answer, which at once and succinctly exposes our standing before God apart from Christ and our great need for His salvation. The Ten Commandments show us that we have not kept them. We have not lived up to God s will for us. 3. Are you sorry for your sins? Yes, I am sorry that I have sinned against God. Repentant sinners are grieved that they have offended their God and separated themselves from His fellowship. We know that we deserve only wrath from God, death, and eternal condemnation. We know we cannot save ourselves. Dead men cannot raise themselves from the dead. Sinners cannot make themselves righteous. If we are to be saved, God must do it.

2 And He does. 5. Do you hope to be saved? Yes, that is my hope. 6. In whom then do you trust? In my dear Lord Jesus Christ. Faith does not hope in salvation from anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Faith does not look to its own worthiness or works. It looks to Jesus on the cross and risen from the dead, for you, for the forgiveness of sins. There is only one God, the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the Son who took on flesh, born of the Virgin Mary, who died for me and shed His blood for me on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. The Father did not die for me. The Father did not become flesh, as did the Son, and so could not die. He is God only, as is the Holy Spirit; but the Son is both true God and true man. He died for me and shed His blood for me. I know this from the Holy Gospel, and particularly the words by which Jesus instituted the Sacrament, and what He gives by virtue of these words, namely, His true body and blood under the bread and wine. Here Dr. Luther has us recite the Words of Institution. These words answer all the Christian Questions: Who am I apart from Christ? How am I saved? What is the Sacrament and why do I need it? Here we learn that this bread is His body, the wine is His blood. Jesus gives it to real sinners, who are to take it and eat it, take it and drink it, for the forgiveness of sins. The sinner cannot make himself righteous. Here God makes you righteous with the righteousness of Jesus. These benefits are given to those who discern the body, as Paul says. The Words of Jesus in the Sacrament give faith to discern the body of Jesus under the bread, His blood under the wine. The Words of Jesus are the heart and center of the Christian Questions with Their Answers. They are the touchstone by which you examine yourself in preparation for the Supper. And there is also this: You eat and drink in remembrance of Jesus, and as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:26). Eating and drinking in remembrance of Jesus isn t just an exercise in calling Him to mind, as if you d forgotten. According to St. Paul, it is actually a participation in His body and blood (1 Cor. 10:16). And it is a confession to all present that Jesus died for your sins, and is risen, and lives and here places in your mouth His very body and blood for your life and salvation. 16. Why should we remember and proclaim His death? First, so that we may learn to believe that no creature could make satisfaction for our sins. Only Christ, true God and man, could do that. Second, so we may learn to be horrified by our sins, and to regard them as very serious. Third, so that we may find joy and comfort in Christ alone, and through faith in Him be saved. Christ died for you out of His great love for His Father and for you, to save you, and in the Supper He distributes all His saving benefits. This ought to drive you to the Sacrament often, for Christ commands this for your good and invites you to receive it, and you know that you need it. The body and blood of Jesus are the saving medicine for the wounded conscience and the broken heart, mind, body, and soul. So what should you do if, upon self-examination, you do not hunger and thirst for this Sacrament, or feel your great need? First, Luther says, touch your body and see if you still have flesh and blood. And if you do, believe what the Scriptures say of it in Galatians 5 and Romans 7. Second, look around and see if you re still in the world, and remember that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say in John and in 1 John 2 and 5. Third, remember that the devil will let you have no peace. With his lying and murdering day and night, he will not relent, as the Scriptures picture him in John 8 and 16; 1 Peter 5; Ephesians 6; and 2 Timothy 2. Perhaps a quick review of the above Scripture passages would be in order as part of your preparation. Having thus examined yourself, you now know what you ought to know before receiving the Sacrament. You are a sinner condemned to death and hell, but Christ has saved you by His innocent suffering and death on the cross. He is risen from the dead, and in this Sacrament, He gives you the same body that was nailed to the cross for you, the same blood He shed for you. He does this for your forgiveness, life, and salvation. He gives you these gifts, hidden under bread and wine. The aim of this preparation is best summed up in Luther s explanation of the Sacrament of the Altar: that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, thus believing, go joyfully to the altar, where Christ gives you Himself. Quotations from Luther s Small Catechism [see LCMS 500th Anniversary of the Reformation website: lutheranreformation.org]

3 Hymn of the Month #763 When Peace, like a River When peace, like a river, attendeth my way; When sorrows, like sea billows, roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate And has shed His own blood for my soul. He lives oh, the bliss of this glorious thought; My sin, not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend; Even so it is well with my soul. This hymn of the month was written in the midst of great tragedy in the life of the hymn writer, Horatio Spafford. The first was the death of Horatio s son at the age of 2 and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone ". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. Later in life the Spafford s settled in Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony. Colony members, later joined by Swedish Christians, engaged in philanthropic work among the people of Jerusalem regardless of their religious background. During and immediately after World War I, the American Colony played a critical role in supporting these communities through the great suffering and deprivations by running soup kitchens, hospitals, orphanages and other charitable ventures, becoming a great Christian witness of the love of God in Christ. The colony later became the subject of the Novel, Jerusalem, by the Nobel prize-winning author, Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

4 The Toddler Session The Younger Preschool Session The Older Preschool Session A Thank You From Barb Nagoda Dear, dear Redeemer Family, A simple thank you doesn t seem like enough to say for all the kindness you showed to Tom and me at the organ anniversary celebration. We were truly honored (and somewhat overwhelmed, but obviously NOT speechless well, one of us anyway). It s humbling to be praised for something God does we musicians just pass it on to you, and then you tell us what a great job WE do. Good thing God is so gracious! So simple as it is, THANK YOU for the cards, gifts, and kind words (as well as all the work that went into the celebration). Tom and I really are blessed to be part of such a wonderful congregation! With love and gratitude, Barb Nagoda

5 Birthdays Mary Miller August 3rd Nicholas Jetley August 10th Zach Yarbrough August 14th Hartland Clubb August 15th Jane Kelly August 16th Frances Tuttle August 17th Rachel Gilleece August 20th Kaitlyn Heinecke August 22nd Dwayne Reeder August 23rd Rita Riem August 26th Janell Oberheu August 29th Wedding Anniversaries Jim & Karen Black August 10th Jim & Beth Gilleece August 12th Mel & Eileen Mertens August 16th Harold & Kathy Wacker August 24th Rick & Rachel Oberheu August 26th Marion & Nancy Hofman August 28th Jeff Sidor August 2nd Baptismal Birthdays Brooks Oberheu August 8th Eileen Mertens August 10th Nicholas Jetley August 12th Amber Miller August 14th Joshua Heinecke August 17th Casey Bieth August 22nd Hartland Clubb August 25th Kylee Wilbur August 29th Maysen Wilbur August 29th John Lewis August 30th Mike Moreland Tita Wilbur Our Farewell to Karen Madrid On Sunday, August 20, 2017 after the service we will say farewell to Karen Madrid with heavy hearts. She has blessed us here at Redeemer in so many ways for so long. Please plan to join us at Fellowship to say our goodbyes. THE LORD S MINISTRY Redeemer Lutherans attendance figures and financial blessings that were given for the month of July to further maintain the Lord s ministry. Date Attendance Communicants Offerings Received Needed Operating Gen./Designated Funds Budget $7,293.00/$1, $4, $2,624.00/$80.00 $4, $2,846.00/$ $4, $3,655.00/$94.00 $4,455.06

6 L i f e T h o u g h t s i n t h e C h u r c h Y ea r August 6 Ninth Sunday After Pentecost Jesus shows God has as much concern for physical essentials as for spiritual necessities (Matthew 14:14). His people also care so much that we point out the world s ways that do not sustain or save (Isaiah 55:2). Instead we put before all people (Matthew 14:1619) the grace of God and faith in Christ that satisfies body and soul. Holy One, God over all, draw us into Your compassion to serve the vulnerable ones before us. Amen. August 13 Tenth Sunday After Pentecost He who commands the winds and waves (Matthew 14:27, 32), who controls all human history and destiny (Job 38:4-18), also manages the sufferings and situations in our lives. Even the unborn, unconscious, unhealthy, and unproductive do not fall outside His everlasting arms. His incarnate love bestows riches without distinction (Romans 10:12-13). Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, take hold of all who fear and save us. Amen. August 20 Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost Our words of respect and works of protection even for discarded lives (Isaiah 56:6, Matthew 15:27) often appear to crumble under the force of popular opinion. Nevertheless, our Lord, the Father Almighty, attends to these prayers and effects life-giving mercy through them (Matthew 11:15, 29-32). Son of David and Son of God, gather us and all our fellow outcasts into Your holy house forevermore. Amen. August 27 Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost Utilizing death to address disappointment makes sense to our sinful minds. Certain circumstances don t feel worth living, and God s ways often seem unsearchable (Romans 11:33). Yet even amid pain the very gates of hell cannot prevail against Christ s righteous will (Matthew 16:18-19, Isaiah 51:5). His Gospel alone comforts what all others dismiss as waste places (Isaiah 51:3). Son of the Living God, transform our people into Your heavenly kingdom by renewing our minds in Christ. Amen.