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
This Sunday September 27th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “Have Salt” (Mark 9:38-50)
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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 -- esp. in the ancient world -- was viewed as that which gave purifying, seasoning, and preserving qualities and was a symbol of endurance and value.
Scripture is full of describing the people of God as being salted, having salt lives. The salt of course in this case is symbolic for something else. By the Word of Christ and the Holy Spirit, God's people salt the world, preserve the Word and therefore God's presence in the world, they "season" the world with the love of God and the proclamation of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. And the Christians themselves are salted so that they may endure...through all trial and tribulation. And they have value, the value of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
We will expound on the salt theme as it relates to our Gospel this Sunday in Mark 9. It is the salt of discipleship and will address:
1. The radical words of Jesus to cut off the hand, cut off the foot, and tear out the eye.
2. Further teach on hell...something the world tries desperately to ignore or "water down"...if you get my meaning.
3. The biblical teaching of TWO fires, there is a bad kind and a good kind.
4. How salt relates to the Word and the Word to salt in the life of the Christian.
You will grow in your knowledge of the Word and beyond that, you will receive the Spirit's working through the Word to bless you and strengthen your faith...you will be salted.
We will as always receive the pure Gospel through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
This has been a week of the reminders of issues that Christians are concerned about -- like defending life at all stages -- but without the life of Jesus all of our social efforts for good will be for naught. We need Jesus Himself. This is why we come to Divine Service: to get Jesus and the life that flows from Him.
Also this Sunday:
1. A special blessing and Godspeed to Robby Flores who is off to Oxford for a semester.
2. Children's Message in the service.
3. Adult Bible Study and Children's Sunday School.
We rejoice in God's gifts to us!
Also, please pray for a wedding service being conducted on Saturday, September 26th. Our ministry (I'm conducting on our behalf) is facilitating the holy matrimony of Juan Valles and Sierra Alexis Mays (daughter of members of Saint Paul's, Jeff & Vicki Mays). Keep Juan and Sierra in your prayers. I am so very proud of their testimony of Jesus in their lives. The two will become one and we rejoice with Jeff & Vicki!
Also, please pray: Ruby Cavanaugh, mother to our brother in Christ, Doug Cavanaugh has entered into hospice care. The family has welcomed our ministry to Ruby during this sacred season in her life. Please keep Ruby, Doug, and the entire Cavanaugh family in your prayers.
The Lord bless you this weekend. Live for Jesus...He lived, and died, and lives for you!
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Espinosa
Tomorrow Sunday September 20th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “Servant of All” (Mark 9:30-37)
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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,
We are primed in our culture not to think about what others need, but to think about what we need (and want) first. We live in the "me, myself, and my" culture. The pursuit of immediate gratification is insatiable. At the end of the day, it seems like everyone is "in it" for themselves.
This makes the true Gospel all the more amazing. The One with all things, the richest, the greatest, the most inherently fulfilled and perfect, gave it all up to become a Servant of All. As a result, we are rescued from our mad pursuits to be the greatest, to be first.
But this salvation does more than forgive our sins (which is of course the greatest gift), but it also impacts the way we live. In Christ, we are put first -- perfectly loved by God -- and we receive all things. Jesus speaks to all of us not to fear, because He has given us the Kingdom. God is on our side. We who were bankrupt on account of sin, have been made rich in the love of God!
This does something to us...we become followers of the Servant of All by becoming servants ourselves. The servant of God is the servant of people.
This is where life gets interesting, because the moment we enter this new status, we want to revert to the old standards: "But does this person DESERVE my service?"
What does that have to do with anything?
Did we DESERVE Christ's service?
Of course not.
Rather, the new standard is grace. And in this grace we are propelled to SERVE...serve who? Serve ALL. We become little Christs.
Come to God's house tomorrow to be enriched in the Gospel (the sermon will also have some practical counsel for walking with the Lord), receive the saving body and blood of Jesus, and tomorrow -- after a couple of Sundays off for confirmations and installations -- we will have the Children's Message back!
We will also continue our Bible Study on "Power for Daily Living"...it is very, very easy to underestimate the significance of our Holy Baptism. But to live in it is to live in God's guarantee of His work in our lives, setting us free from sin and death. Please come.
REMINDER: tomorrow is the youth-sponsored breatkfast. Any donations go to the high school program.
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Espinosa
Tomorrow Sunday, September 13th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “I believe [Lord]! Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24)
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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 High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Christians,
Sometimes our minds whirl: ISIS, prayer, rising ocean levels, Divine Service, abortion, the crucifix, the economy, holy baptism, physician assisted suicide, confession, sexual degradation, the full armor of God, immoral media, the body and blood of Christ...the good, the bad, the holy, the evil...how do we form our platform, our stall, our position?
Think of life as a wheel with a hub in the middle and integral spokes radiating from the hub to attach to the rim and to finally form a functioning wheel. Our worldview is like this, and for the Christian, we have a definite "hub."
Once the hub is clear then we know which "spokes" to advocate, we know what to stand for, we know what to defend, and we know what to rejoice in. We will know how to live.
So what is the hub? And with this hub in place, we will also know how to deal with our doubt...it is God's answer; it is God's hub.
Tomorrow I will proclaim the hub, without which, none of the rest of it matters.
Come to hear about and to receive the hub.
____
This morning we conducted our Vigil in Remembrance of the Victims of Abortion...those dead and alive; the little babies and the adults who live with the burden of their decision...and everyone else who did not do enough to defend the unborn and to protect the consciences of those who gave in...for all of us who give in to sin and who need forgiveness. For these we remembered and for these we prayed.
Tomorrow morning you will have access to receive a free copy of the beautiful worship bulletin and if you desire, you'll be given the opportunity to contribute to the free-will offering. The free-will offering will go to three families within our fellowship who either recently had a new-born or have babies in the womb. We celebrate and affirm our love for and protection of the little ones. The offering basket will be kept on the side where the bulletins are if you wish to contribute.
Tomorrow we will receive Word and Sacrament that we may live with faith in a world where it is becoming increasingly difficult to have faith at all, but with the Lord feeding and nourishing us, we are kept strong in the faith.
Tomorrow we will also get back to Bible Study and continue our study for adults and teens which is entitled "Power for Daily Living."
Tomorrow we also install our parish council officers.
Come and be blessed and celebrate the Lord's gifts to His Church...to each and every one of you.
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor
Tomorrow Sunday, September 6th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “Jesus Our Savior Who Heals” (Mark 7:31-37)
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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.
NOTE: Tomorrow morning we will not have Bible Study and Sunday School as we will welcome our new members with a fellowship-reception!
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 High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Healing is one of the most controversial and confusing topics in the Christian Church. What should the Christian expect when their health is compromised? How should the Christian pray? How does God heal? Are there different types of healing? How does the Lord's Law and Gospel relate to these things? In Mark 7 a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment was brought to Jesus. In this gospel text, Jesus pours out compassion and heals the man...the text presents a details "process" to Jesus' ministry to the man and it is packed with meaning! I hope to share it with you tomorrow morning!
In addition to receiving the Word and Sacrament of the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and eternal-overflowing life, but we will have other celebrations!
Tomorrow is "New Member Sunday" (with another one to follow on October 11th!), but tomorrow we will receive:
Logan Gallina through confirmation
Collette Kelly through confirmation
Ben Fisher through transfer
Joel Stichler through transfer
Raquel Flores through transfer
Gerald Dahlin through transfer
Jeanette Dahlin through transfer
In addition, tomorrow we are installing our new ORGANIST! Gerald "Jerry" Dahlin!
We are being blessed with a wonderful new organist and we praise God for sending Jerry to us!
Tomorrow morning promises to be a very special Sunday in our lives at Saint Paul's. We will be distributing a new, updated directory to all of our members tomorrow morning.
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Espinosa
Tomorrow, Sunday, August 30th, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “What Defiles a Person?” (Mark 7:14-23)
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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 High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What goes on, on the INSIDE, is what is really important! Just one problem: when the Lord diagnosed our INSIDE in Mark 7:14-23, it was and is pretty alarming to say the least!
Tomorrow we are going to look at how the Lord heals us from the INSIDE even while His serious diagnosis about our INSIDE is constant. That's tricky...it's as if inside defilement has already gotten the best of us, and YET something ELSE has also been given to us on the INSIDE. Here, we will let the Word of God be our guide! The good news is that there is a way -- the Lord's way -- that gives hope and healing!
ALSO: tomorrow we combine adults and high schoolers for a brand new Bible Study entitled, "Power for Daily Living." All first attendees will receive a FREE book. I look forward to spending this time in the Word with you from 11 to 12 noon.
In the meantime, we look forward to Divine Service tomorrow morning at 9:30 am. Come and receive the Lord's gifts of life and salvation! In holy absolution, the Word proclaimed, and holy communion you receive Jesus Christ and to receive the Lord is to receive all that you need and to receive even far more than what we can ask for. The Lord of Life comes to bless!
I look forward to seeing you in the morning!
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Espinosa
Tomorrow, Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “Good Tradition, Bad Tradition” (Mark 7:1-13)
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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 High School...we worship in the event center/gym)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Traditions are important and every one of us have them. What are your traditions? They give shape to your life. These traditions fill your life and your life reflects your traditions. But what we have to keep in mind is that not all traditions are created equal. Some are great traditions, others not so good.
In our Gospel tomorrow morning we have the opportunity to look at tradition and traditions. We have a chance to see which ones serve our relationship with God in powerful ways and which ones actually stand in the way of our walk with the Lord and our ability to experience His blessing and healing. Some traditions are marked by grace. Some are marked by rebellion...some establish our new identity in Christ; others build shame and guilt. All of this means that we ought not underestimate traditions.
In addition, we will receive the tradition that is God's tradition handed down to us to keep us alive in the Lord Jesus Christ...in fact more than that; we will receive the holy tradition of the Holy Supper which makes our "cup overflow" when we receive His cup...His cup of life that has no end. This is a tradition we eagerly keep and with great joy! It is the tradition of the reception of overflowing life!
We will also offer Bible Study and Sunday School. Let us gather around the Word of Christ and continue to be equipped for our daily walk...in our holy tradition of faith in Jesus Christ!
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Espinosa