Newsletters - St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Saginaw MI

Jeff Mallinson is a professor of Philosophy and Theology at Concordia University, Irvine, California. He used to do a podcast trying to protect Christians from spiritual wolves that would hurt their faith. It was called "Protect your Noggin." In a sad twist of irony, Dr. Mallinson has now himself both become devoured by the wolves and become a wolf himself.

After the tragic death of his adult son, Dr. Mallinson spoke words at the memorial service for his son. He cited some modern songs, he quoted a hat from Portland that said, "Breathe in Joy, Breathe out Peace," and he never mentioned Christ once. His memorial statement, as well as those of his family, are recorded on the website taosurfers.com, where this "Lutheran" professor explores the new guiding philosophy of his life, Taoism, basically a loose group of teachings that helps you get through life (the memorial statements can be found here: https://www.taosurfers.com/auggie-memorial/2021/12/8/memorial-statements-from-the-family-about-auggie).

Why bring this up? The seeming tragic death of this man's faith points to several lessons the Bible has for us:

1) Cling to your faithful God; don't get "cocky." 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, "So let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall... But God is faithful."

2) Watch out for and correct sin and false teaching, but don't get caught in it! Galatians 6:1 says, "Brothers, if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual should restore such a person in a spirit of humility, carefully watching yourself so that you are not also tempted."

3) Always look to your very real Savior and what he has done. Mallinson seems to have gotten tired of the "old, old, story" as he explored other teachings. But his straying into Taoism has brought him nothing but airy, spiritual-sounding platitudes that cannot help anyone in concrete times of sin and death. They cannot save us from hell. We have a better "philosophy." We have a flesh-and-blood Savior who rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to die. He bowed his head to all mortal pain in our place, not to give us spiritual-sounding advice that cannot help us by the grave. Jesus suffered mortal pain so that we would have true hope of a future without it. After taking away our sins, he rose again from the dead. He does not leave us to "ride the waves" of this life; Jesus has taken up his pow'r to reign forever, and to reign in our hearts now through his powerful Word.

"I will not die. No, I will live, and I will proclaim the works of the LORD (Psalm 118:17)."

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Midweek Worship @ 3:30 & 6:30

This week: Pastor Buelow

Sunday Worship @ 8 (Livestream) & 10:30am

Bible Class and Sunday School @ 9:15 at the School

This Sunday: 2 Corinthians

Wednesday Bible Classes on hold during Lent

Thursday Bible Information Class @ 6pm

Bulletins & Calendar

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Funeral for Carol Smith

The funeral for our sister in Christ Carol Smith will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2022, at the W. L. Case and Co. Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Rd. Visitation from 1-4pm.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

Obituary: https://www.casefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Carol-Ann-Smith?obId=24474604

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Holy Week Services

Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday:

Normal service times on Sunday, April 10th

Maundy (Holy) Thursday: 6:30pm

Good Friday: 1:30 traditional & 8pm Service of Darkness

Easter: Sunrise 7am & Festival with Communion 10:30am

Think of family and friends to invite! Pray that God gives opportunity.

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Easter Breakfast

The men of St. Paul's are once again planning to make breakfast burritos the day before Easter to serve between services on Easter Sunday. Any men who are interested are invited to meet at 8am on April 16th in the kitchen at school to prepare burritos!

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LWMS Rally & Envelopes

The Lutheran Women's Missionary Society rally envelopes that are periodically distributed are for anyone who wishes to support mission work. There is a box in the narthex for collecting them. They will be brought along to the Mid-Michigan LWMS rally at Bethel, Bay City, on April 23rd @ 9:30am. For more about the work of LWMS, go to lwms.org .

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WELS International Youth Rally

This summer's International Youth Rally is in Knoxville, TN, under the theme: "Here and Now."

For information about the rally, go to https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/discipleship/youth-rally/. To sign up, please contact or email Allen or Ginny Ash (alginash at yahoo.com), who are planning on going and willing to chaperone. Our deadline to sign up will be April 20th so we can get the early bird discount.

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Prayers:

-For the family and friends of Carol Smith

-For Mr. Needham and Mr. & Mrs. Korth as they deliberate calls

Bring prayers of thanksgiving and intercession to God!

Palm/Passion Sunday: Jesus Rides on in Majesty to Die

Passion Sunday is an idea that has Christian roots dating back to the middle ages. "By the time Bach (1685-1750) arrived in Leipzig it was customary for there to be a performance of the St Matthew Passion on Palm Sunday and of the St John Passion on Good Friday.(http://www.aberdeenbachchoir.com/April2012/ProgrammeNotesHistoryPassion.shtml)." A recent article from the WELS interviews certain pastors about this custom at their churches (https://wels.net/wtl-sunday-of-the-passion/).

This weekend's service begins with the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and then moves to the monumental story of his suffering and death. Having these two readings side-by-side emphasizes that Palm Sunday leads directly to Good Friday. Both days were part of our Savior’s saving work. While their tone could not have been more different, their purpose was the same: the salvation of all people.

Traditional Second Lesson (used in place of the Creed this Sunday): Philippians 2:5-11

What is the Christ-like attitude that St. Paul encourages in us here?

We Christians are to have the humility, self-sacrificing spirit, and attitude of our Savior. He “made himself nothing” to redeem us, though he is very God. We are already nothing except damnable sinners. How could we not live in humility before our God and serve him and others?

Describe the contrast that we see here as Paul sketches the life and mission of Christ.

God became man. Jesus took on himself the humble nature of a human being, although he is the holy, almighty God. But God the Father exalted him again as Jesus returned to honor and glory as God in heaven.

Who will acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and King? When? Why?

All people will have to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and King on the Last Day, whether they want to or not, for his power and glory will be so evident to all. That acknowledgment will be too late for the unbeliever but an eternal joy for the believers in heaven.

Gospel Reading: Luke 19:28-40

How did Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem resemble that of an earthly king?

Jesus rode into Jerusalem like a king who had been victorious in battle with a crowd shouting his praise. Any people in the crowd who considered Jesus an earthly king was wrong, but Jesus was and is King—the almighty, eternal Savior-King of all people.

How was Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem different from that of an earthly king?

Jesus rode on a donkey, not a proud war stallion. He entered Jerusalem on a borrowed, lowly donkey, not a horse decked out with the finery and jewels of an earthly kingdom; in lowliness and humility although he is the Son of God. But this humility he bore as one of us. He bore even death on a cross for us and for our salvation.

Hymns: 413, 412, 411, 424 (with soloist), 947:3, 414, 415, 437

Setting: Printed

Some notes from: https://wels.net/worship-help/

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St. Paul's Weekly Update

Then take, O Christ, your pow'r and reign!