We are continuing our journey through Deuteronomy! Today we are at Deuteronomy 16:18ff.
Let’s go!
Category: Community (Page 3 of 86)
Join us on WEDNESDAY, March 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM for Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes.
“REDUCTION”
May our evil ways, by God’s mercy, be left in the ash heap and may we be ever recipients of His loving goodness!
- Genesis 3:19
The purpose of repentance is not to be swallowed up by guilt. It is to be freed from a dark and destructive direction by God’s wakening Word, and to be sent on a new path by the sin-conquering Savior. It’s what we all need.
THE REV. MIKE NEWMAN
PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS DISTRICT OF THE LC-MS
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey, which culminates on Easter Sunday with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
On that night at worship we mark our foreheads with an ash cross and, as that cross is marked, we are reminded of our sins. As we are marked by Jesus’ sacrifice; we are drawn to the realization that “[we] are dust, and to dust [we] shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
On Ash Wednesday and throughout the season of Lent, we also focus on our sins, on repentance, and on our broken world; seeing how we and all of creation has fallen far short of God’s intention and glory.
But we do not despair because we look to the certain hope that is ours through the forgiveness of our sins given to us freely by God’s grace through faith in Jesus.
THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES
Everything we experience in life is finite and temporal, including our own lives. As the Scripture reports, we came from the dust of the ground and we will return to the dust of the ground. (Genesis 3:19 & Ecclesiastes 3:20)
For many centuries the use of ashes has symbolized repentance. Imposing ashes in the form of a cross on the forehead of the worshipper on Ash Wednesday is a vivid reminder that such a person has been redeemed by Christ the Crucified. It is a symbol, not primarily of our sins, but upon the forgiveness of them through faith in Jesus.
As Ash Wednesday is a somber time as we remember that Jesus willingly suffering and death come as a result of our sins and His love. As such, at the conclusion of worship that day, we exit the church in silence.
“Repentance slays selfish pride, turns us from sin’s siren call, quiets arrogant arguments, tames out-of-control egos, pulls us back from distraction, leads us to restoration of relationships, places us on the pathway of walking with God, and restores our hearts with compassion and grace.
We need this personally. We need this as schools and congregations. We need this as a District. We need this as a Synod. We need this as Christ’s Church.”
The Rev. Mike Newman
President of the Texas District of the LC-MS
Posts About Ash Wednesday Worship
ASH WEDNESDAY, 2025
Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
ASH WEDNESDAY, 2024
Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
ASH WEDNESDAY, 2023
Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
You Will Be Satisfied
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt…
ASH WEDNESDAY, 2022
Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
ASH WEDNESDAY, 2021
Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 7:00 PM.
ASH WEDNESDAY, 2020 — Ashes & the Freedom Found in Jesus
Come to our Ash Wednesday service for ashes, prayer, worship, and most of all, God’s Grace!
ASH WEDNESDAY, 2019 — Ashes, Repentance, & the Passion of Jesus
Come to our Ash Wednesday service for ashes, prayer, worship, and most of all, God’s Grace!
The Sealy Christian Food Pantry will hold a Pancake Supper on Fat Tuesday!
Here are the details:
| DATE | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 |
| TIME: | 5:00-7:00 PM |
| LOCATION: | Trinity Lutheran Church 402 Atchison St., Sealy, TX 77474 |
| COST: | Free Will Offering Benefiting the Pantry and those in need. |
| MENU: | Pancakes, Sausage Patties, Coffee or Juice |
| OTHER: | Entertainment will be provided. |
Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
Luke 5:10b
The disciples had to have a lot of those times. Time after time Jesus was making the unexpected happen. You would think that after a while they would get used to it and actually start expecting those types of things. Well, if that ever happened, we don’t see much evidence of it.
In today’s gospel lesson we get one of those situations where the unanticipated happens and it has a consequence beyond what was expected. It’s a familiar story that most of us probably know. It culminates in Jesus going out with some of the disciples to fish even though they had been there all night. Jesus tells Peter put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch and Peter, after explaining that they had already tried this all night with no results complies, taking Jesus at His word, almost resigned to the fact that he needs to do this because of his Teacher’s request, but he isn’t expecting anything different.
But what he gets is vastly different! Not because of the large number of fish that they end up catching, but the realization of why they caught that many of Who it really is that was with them. The fact that Jesus commands fish and waves and boats and weather and everything. The fact that this Jesus – Who is right there in the boat with them – is holy; and he isn’t. The unexpected realization and encounter with his own sinfulness and Jesus’ holiness. “Depart from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man,” he says. That was unexpected. We were just going out and doing some fishing and hanging out. “Depart from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man.”
But the story doesn’t end there. The story ends with Jesus comforting Simon saying “Do not be afraid! From now on you will be catching people!” Another unexpected twist! Another different – wonderful ending! It doesn’t end with Peter’s sinfulness. It ends with Jesus using Peter despite his sinfulness because of Jesus’ holiness.
God uses us too. Even when we’re unholy; when we’re sinful; when we’re far away: He makes the unexpected expected. Because of Jesus’ holiness, we are forgiven and no longer sinners. We are no longer stuck with an unfruitful bounty, but rather bountiful in His harvest, in His catch, and what He desires of us.
Jesus has saved us and forgiven us and now He uses us to share Him for unexpected results for everyone else. Praise the Lord!
Scriptures
- Luke 5:1-11
- Psalm 138
Good food; good cause!
This year during the Fridays in Lent, there will be awesome fish dinners available to pick up at LifeBridge.
The organization, “Charitable Heroes Achieving Memorable Performances” (aka: “CHAMP”) will be doing this at LifeBridge as a fundraiser while their permanent location is being finished.
CHAMP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity organized to raise funds to promote Youth Activities, (Scouts, Special Olympics, Little League), provide scholarships to graduating High School Seniors, and assist Veterans organizations.
These Fish Dinners help them raise money for these and other causes.
Dinners include the following:
- Fish
- Potato Salad
- Pinto Beans
- Coleslaw
- Hush Puppies
- Tartar Sauce
Just $12 / Plate!
They can be picked up on during the following:
| March 7 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM |
| March 14 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM |
| March 21 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM |
| March 28 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM |
| April 4 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM |
| April 11 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM |
| April 18 (Good Friday) | 3:30 – 6:00 PM |
Why cook? Pick up dinner at LifeBridge on Fridays this Lent and help others out while doing it!
It’s time to ORDER YOUR EASTER LILIES!
They are coming from Brookwood (great organization!) and are $11/each.
Put “Easter Lilies” in the memo line by mail or online at lifebridgesealy.com/donate. Deadline for ordering is February 23, 2025. Table for ordering at the back of the sanctuary.
These lilies will be on display at the Easter Service on April 20. (Don’t forget to pick up your lily following the Easter worship service!)
Contact Patsy or Bev for more information.
The Sealy Christian Pantry is moved out, but not forgotten!
LifeBridge is having an appreciation dinner for Pantry volunteers to thank them for all the wonderful work they do.
The dinner will be a BBQ pork and chicken dinner with sides and desserts and will take place at 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
There will be a sign-up in the sanctuary to ensure we have enough food.
A free-will offering will be taken.
Come have some food and fellowship and show your appreciation for those who help those in our community eat every week!
If anyone would like to help, please contact Zeus or Mary.
Join us, ladies!
| WHO | Ladies |
| DATE | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 |
| TIME | 9:15 AM |
| LOCATION | The Bellville PERK 540 W Main St, Bellville, TX 77418 |
What would you be willing to give up? What is your level of commitment?
Most of us, if pressed, would say that we would die for Jesus and our faith (I hope!). That’s good. That’s as it should be. But sometimes there are other commitments – smaller than death – that we don’t seem able to, well, commit to; Work through; play through. They seem too much; be they financial requests, time commitments, or requests to volunteer. Or maybe they are helping someone out when it’s inconvenient.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
In our Scriptures for today we hear about a young Christian, Timothy, who is “all in” on his commitment. This is someone who was – as an adult – circumcised in order to be a better witness of Jesus to the audience that he was going to.
That is a commitment! That’s putting yourself on the line; “out there” (literally)!
In our lesson from First Timothy we’re told to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, and gentleness.” We’re told to “fight the good fight of faith.” That’s not just in the big things, that’s not just our life and death situation, that’s for our living situation as well. It’s for the little things. It’s for all the things. It’s for the small commitments and the big. It’s “all in.” That’s what God wants of us – all of us: our heart, mind, soul, strength – everything. He wants us to be “all in” because Jesus was all in. He didn’t just come and give His life. He came and gave us living. He lived so we might live abundantly. He died so we might live forever. He desires and wants all of us because He gave all for us.
“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being “all in” for us. Help us in our commitment to be all in for You in everything; for You and others. Amen.”
Scriptures
- Acts 16:1-5
- 1 Timothy 6:11-16
We are continuing our journey through Deuteronomy! Today we are at Deuteronomy 15ff.
Let’s go!
Come get a great lunch and support missions at LifeBridge!
Here are the details:
| WHAT | Fellowship Luncheon for Missions |
| WHEN | Sunday, February 23 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| WHERE | LifeBridge Café |
| COST | Free-Will Offering |
| MENU | Pork Sandwiches Easton’s 1st Place Chili Chicken Spaghetti Desserts |
| WHY | Raise monies for LifeBridge folks going on mission trips next summer |
| CONTACT | Angie at 979/627-5817 |
It’s been a long time coming, but the Sealy Christian Pantry is now in their new home!
We praise the Lord for the partnership and opportunities we have had and look forward to how the Lord will connect us in the years to come!
Sealy Christian Pantry
412 Old San Felipe Road; Sealy, TX 77474
(979) 885-3866
sealychristianpantry.org
