Tomorrow Sunday November 1st 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “Our Shepherd Through Tribulation” (Revelation 7:9-17)
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Divine Service: 9:30 am
Bible Study for adults, high school, and Sunday School for junior youth and little children starts at 11:00 am.
Location: Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine: 12500 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA 92618
Directions: Exit Sand Canyon from the 405 or 5, head East towards the hills, cross Irvine Blvd., turn right on Saint's Way (this will put you on the campus of Crean Lutheran South High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today is Reformation Day. This is the day of the return to the Gospel -- that we are saved through faith alone in Jesus -- and it is ALSO (this evening) All Holy Saint's Eve. This is an important time in the life of the Church, in the life of Faith.
In Christian freedom, there are many things we can do when the rest of the world celebrates its own day called "Halloween," having lost the true meaning of the night. It is now a night that besides having Christian roots, is now associated with the culture's strange romance with the entertainment value of being frightened; however, it also mixes the night with occult themes, the things of darkness and things belonging to the realm of the devil and demons. It is a confusing time and in some cases, a dangerous time. Be careful dear Christian.
In Christian freedom, some Christians may dress up and despise the evil one; ignoring the enemies desire for more attention. Instead, snubbing him and making the day about having fun as Captain America or your favorite candy! Other Christians might distribute with candy, tracks or pamphlets on the Gospel. Others focus on the liturgical themes and offer special prayers of thanksgiving for the saints who have gone before us. Back at St. John, Covina when I served there as pastor from 1991-1996, we held a family event in our school (pre-school - 8th grade) gym on All Hallow's Eve. It included a costume contest. I became known as the pastor who was also known as Batman in a pretty sharp costume (ah yes, the glory days)!
But in getting back to the theme tonight -- the real theme, the holy theme -- we celebrate the promise of eternal life, the glory of heaven, our certain inheritance, but we celebrate esp. the lives of Christians in glory. This is the reason we gather in Divine Service and pray with (not to) angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven. We believe, teach, and confess in the communion of saints.
Remember to keep the definition of "saint," the biblical definition: "holy one," one who was given the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. In Christ, this one is made holy (declared holy). They are holy in Jesus, the HOLY ONE. Thus St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus: "To the saints in Ephesus..." they were living, breathing Christians -- like you -- and St. Paul called them "saints." This is what "saint" means. You are -- therefore by the definition of God's Word -- a saint. You are a holy one baptized into Christ, given the gift of faith from God having worked through the Word and Sacraments. You are holy in Christ. God sees your sin no more since Jesus covers it!
By virtue of God's declared holiness upon us, our hearts and minds are full of thanksgiving and having been given the gift of the Holy Spirit (through Word and Sacrament), we eagerly seek to serve God as we love Him and serve our neighbors as we love them. Let us love people tonight on this All Hallow's Eve. Let us show all the love of Jesus. If you hand out a candy, consider doing so with the declaration: "Jesus loves you!" It's your house, your candy...go for it!
Tomorrow morning is quite special. It is our annual prayer of thanksgiving to God for the saints who have gone before us, loved ones who died in Christ. We will pronounce their names and have a tolling of the bell connected to each name. If for some reason you missed submitting names, you may give a name or names to Pastor Mueller or myself BEFORE the service and we will add them to the prayers!
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. for this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." -- 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18
I hope to see you tomorrow in God's house!
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor
Tomorrow Sunday October 25th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “Constant Reformation and Knowing the Truth” (John 8:32)
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Divine Service: 9:30 am
Bible Study for adults, high school, and Sunday School for junior youth and little children starts at 11:00 am.
Location: Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine: 12500 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA 92618
Directions: Exit Sand Canyon from the 405 or 5, head East towards the hills, cross Irvine Blvd., turn right on Saint's Way (this will put you on the campus of Crean Lutheran South High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our Lord Jesus said, "and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) What truth is this? Cal Tech -- one of the most prestigious institutions in the world -- has these words on their campus. Many people quote the words in various settings and contexts. There are a plethora of popular applications.
But think about the words. They are stupendous words. Whatever truth our Lord was referring to has an immense reward and benefit. We cannot afford not to know this truth.
But what does it mean to "know" this truth? And again, what is the truth?
Tomorrow we celebrate the Reformation by simply getting back to Scripture. We do not take pride in tradition for tradition's sake; our confidence is not in being labeled "orthodox," "catholic," or "evangelical." Our goal is to know -- to really know -- the truth, THE truth.
Let's get to the foundation of our faith and to the miraculous benefits of knowing this truth. This is what tomorrow is about.
Also, come and receive the Holy Sacrament. The true body and blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins! Do you need forgiveness Christian? I pray that all of you will not hesitate to say, "But of course I do, because I always sin." Or to put it as Ambrose did: "I always need the medicine, because I always sin." The LORD keeps us in His grace; in His forgiveness! Thank God we know where it is found. Not in "nature," not in tantalizing shows, not in sports, and not in feasting on food and drink (though we thank the LORD for all of these gifts of life and pleasure), but grace and forgiveness is found in the Sacrament, in the Word, because in these Jesus comes to you with His love and mercy!
This is why we come to Divine Service!
You eat food to keep your body alive; you eat the Word and Sacrament to keep your spirit alive. That's why we gather.
Tomorrow we will also take the time to fill-out a short half-sheet for those departed beloved Christians who have gone to heaven, who have fallen asleep in the Lord. We will add these submitted names to our Sunday, November 1st Commemoration of the Faithful Departed service. Please come and fill one out and then hand it to an usher or to me and your loved one/ones will be added to that service a week from tomorrow.
I hope to see you in the morning!
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor
Tomorrow Sunday October 18th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “The First Last” (Mark 10:23-31)
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Divine Service: 9:30 am
There is no Bible Study or Sunday School tomorrow due to our voter's meeting immediately after Divine Service.
Location: Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine: 12500 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA 92618
Directions: Exit Sand Canyon from the 405 or 5, head East towards the hills, cross Irvine Blvd., turn right on Saint's Way (this will put you on the campus of Crean Lutheran South High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In tomorrow's gospel our Lord Jesus taught about what is impossible for us -- and this causes great sadness -- but He also taught about what is possible for God (and what He actually does for us) -- and this is our joy.
What is possible for God and what He actually does for us also leads us to know how to live: 1) for Jesus' sake; and 2) for the sake of the gospel (Mark 10:29). These two things provide a guide for living and both of these form in our lives through receiving Jesus' Word and Jesus' body and blood. Through these faith is formed and made stronger.
This is a basic reason why we come to faith so that our faith would not die.
Come to be fed and nourished! Come to have yours sins forgiven! Come to receive the ministry which leads us to know the life Jesus describes in Mark 10.
_____
Dear Christians,
I also will ask you to pray for our brother and sister in Christ, Ray and Aubrey Hulett. Early Thursday morning (October 15th), their 19-week old baby -- Ruby Ann Hulett -- was born prematurely and then after being alive for a short time, fell asleep, left this world, and went to be with the Lord. Ray -- a true spiritual leader of his family -- baptized his baby girl.
I cannot begin to tell you what an example of faith Ray and Aubrey have been. They have every reason to be filled with sorrow (and they are of course), but they have also been given true hope in the Lord. They rejoice that their baby kicked in mommy's womb when she heard the Word in Divine Service, that they knew her by name (more importantly, that the Lord knew her and knows her by name), that she was baptized, and that they will see her again. We are currently planning a memorial service for Ruby Ann. We will be getting that information to you. In the meantime, just love the Huletts with the love of Christ.
______
By the grace of God, our congregation is growing. If we stay on schedule for the next New Member Sunday on November 22nd, we will eclipse 200 baptized members! One of our members is Kristin Lange who -- while keeping her membership with us -- is now also a missionary in the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod who is being sent to Wittenberg, Germany. She is the new managing director for the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg. She will provide oversight of The Wittenberg Project and the International Lutheran Center. This is very much an intentional gospel outreach to residents of Wittenberg and to those who will come to the ILC.
Tomorrow Kristin is joining us in worship and will share an important presentation with us after Divine Service and during the voter's assembly meeting. Please come to hear about this wonderful opportunity we have to support Kristin and the spread of the gospel in Germany. Keep in mind that this gospel outreach is for both Germans and the many immigrants and refugees coming into Germany.
______
We have so much to be thankful for! And I look forward to administering and distributing -- with Pastor Mueller -- Jesus' gifts of life to you in the morning.
The Lord bless you and keep you always!
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Espinosa
Tomorrow Sunday October 11th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “What Must I Do?” (Mark 10:17-22)
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Divine Service: 9:30 am
Bible Study for adults, high school, and Sunday School for junior youth and little children starts at 11:00 am.
Location: Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine: 12500 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA 92618
Directions: Exit Sand Canyon from the 405 or 5, head East towards the hills, cross Irvine Blvd., turn right on Saint's Way (this will put you on the campus of Crean Lutheran South High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Christians,
Tomorrow morning, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, the Way, the Truth and the Life will be in Church giving His Word and Sacraments to His people to strengthen their faith, to give peace to their hearts.
We hope to see you for the great celebration!
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Espinosa
Tomorrow Sunday, October 4th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “Married Children” (St. Mark 10:2-16)
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Divine Service: 9:30 am
Bible Study for adults, high school, and Sunday School for junior youth and little children starts at 11:00 am.
Location: Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine: 12500 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA 92618
Directions: Exit Sand Canyon from the 405 or 5, head East towards the hills, cross Irvine Blvd., turn right on Saint's Way (this will put you on the campus of Crean Lutheran South High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Salt preserves and produces endurance (last Sunday) and one of those preserving aspects in which Christians have a most powerful way of witnessing to the world is holy marriage. This Sunday (tomorrow) is about that bond of marriage. The Christian husband and Christian wife have God's call to demonstrate in their marriage the greatest marriage: the one between Christ and His Bride The Church.
It is a theme applicable to every one of us whether or not we are currently married to another person.
All Christians are married to the Lord. Our baptism has sealed us in this union; communion is the wedding feast that celebrates our union. The Lover of our souls speaks to us His Word and keeps our union strong, full of forgiveness and grace.
The text is also challenging in discussing divorce. We will take an approach to this subject matter that will not play the game of Christian legalists. We don't treat this text to make distinctions among Christians, but rather to see our universal need for mercy...and Jesus does not disappoint.
Tomorrow we also conduct the holy baptism of Tina Wang. Tina was a helper this past summer at our Vacation Bible School on the beach. She was one of our puppeteers and did a great job in sharing the gospel with the kids. She is a recent graduate of University of California, Riverside and is engaged to be married to Christopher Mueller, son to Pastor Steve and Nina Mueller. We are very excited about welcoming Tina to our congregation!
Let us also gather to receive the Lord's body and blood in the Holy Sacrament. Jesus said, "Do this." This has unfortunately become one of the most neglected gifts from the Lord and yet, it is perhaps the greatest gift He has left His Church. We at Saint Paul's will not go along with the cultural trend which is to forget about this heavenly medicine.
The Lord bless you as you prepare to receive Christ's Word and Sacraments. Pastor Mueller and I hope to see you in the morning!
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Espinosa