“The Trinity of Love” — John 3:1-17

May 31, 2015 – Holy Trinity Text: John 3:1-17

Dear Friends in Christ,

Have you ever had those moments when you just weren’t being yourself? Something or someone made you grumpier than usual. Maybe it was lack of sleep, a bad review at work or your favorite team lost. At our house we have a little code phrase, “You are a little salty.” We all have said or been told, “Hey, that’s just not like you”? We know who people are by what they do. What we do expresses who we are.
This is true of God as well. We know God by what He does. We can’t travel to find God and then study his habits and write a paper on what He’s made of. No, we know Him by what He does, by His actions. He reveals himself to us in His saving work. Today we focus on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and as we do we focus on the love of God Himself.
“THE TRINITY OF LOVE”
I find it crucial in life to be true to who you are. One thing that bothers me in life is “fake” people who are not being themselves. A local couple I recently read about were being true to themselves. In the local anniversary announcements for their 35th Wedding anniversary it didn’t say they were taking a cruise or having a family dinner like so many others. It said this: “(They) celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary by monitoring the calving barn for their beef cattle operation.” Now that is being who you are.
That’s a picture of God. God is three persons who love. Jesus leads Nicodemus to see that in our text. This one God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Nicodemus understands that Jesus comes from God. “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (v. 2) In verse 13 Jesus hints to Nicodemus that He is the Son. Verse 5 completes the Trinity. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” What binds these three together is love. John writes, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). At the baptism and transfiguration of Jesus, the Father says, “This is my Son, whom I love.” The God who is a Trinity is a God of love. Thus He is “being himself” when He sends his Son to die on the cross, and we can trust and rejoice in his never-changing love. God loves us!
Unfortunately this has never been enough for sinful man. One of the great architects of the American Republic in its founding years was Thomas Paine. Some might think that Paine was a Christian from things he said or wrote. For example, in The Age of Reason (1795), he wrote, “I believe in one God and no more.” If you read some of his other writings or read even further in The Age of Reason, you see that Thomas Paine was a Deist who believed in God, and nothing more. That is, he believed in God’s existence, in a general sense, but he would affirm no particular God as the true God, nor any particular doctrines revealed by or about that God.
How many today believe that way. They believe God exists in some way but nothing more. Some don’t even go that far. Pagans in Touch, a local group that made the paper, had this to say. The pagan belief system has them worshipping an array of gods, which have been purposely chosen to suit their needs.
Nothing new here. People worshipping God how they want Him. But if all one knows about God is that He exists, one will never know what is necessary for eternal salvation. It is a pity, because it is very simple. It was true for Old Testament Israel when they confessed the one and only Lord (Deut. 6:4). It was true as Jesus spelled it out, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (v. 16) The Trinity of Love is all we need to be saved.
Math in the Bible is not always the same as our math. Take marriage as an example. The Bible says that because of the God-given love in marriage, the two partners become one. So it is with God Himself. Because of divine love, the three persons are united in one God.
On this day we give thanks for the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. We are assured that The Trinity of Love is not temporary but is eternal. Jesus was sent by the Father not to condemn the world but to save the world. The Holy Spirit is part of that.
You have the love you need from those being true to themselves: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When it comes to your eternal destiny and eternal happiness, The Trinity of Love is a blessing for you.
Amen.

Bulletin Announcements – June 7, 2015

† Bulletin Announcements  †

June 7, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Mark 3:35:  “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”  Doing the will of God starts with trusting in His Son Jesus Christ.  Once we have faith in Him and have been reborn as new creatures through Holy Baptism, we strive to grow in this faith and in a life that agrees with our faith.  Growing in generosity, in kindness, and in love across our callings in the home, in church, and in society is growing into the family of God: for all who do His will are his brothers, and sisters, and mothers.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying a DVD-based topic, “The Great Deceiver”.  The focus is on the work of Satan from the Bible and how Christ has overcome him through His death and resurrection.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL students investigate “The Case of the Broken Debris: Tower of Babel.”  They will learn that God calls us to repent of the sinful desire to make a name for ourselves, seeking glory apart from God. Instead, God makes a name for us and blesses us through His Spirit. Parents might ask, “How does God bless us today?”

NEXT SUNDAY, June 14th, and the 2nd Sunday of July and August, we will have a door Offering for Reverend Michael Kearney and family as they continue to pay down debt from Michael’s Seminary years.  Beginning in September, we will be assigned a new student from the Seminary that we will support during the school year.

TUTION ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE:  Please contact a member of the Board of Christian Education or the church office for more information.  Forms are available in the office.

FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE:  The 20th Church Anniversary Committee has sent out invitations to former members who have moved away.  We were able to find many of them but there are a few we could not find addresses for.  They are: Barb Parry, Russ & LeAnne Perry and Family, Lloyd and Donna Smith.  If you know their current address or can contact them through social media, please pass on their information to the church office.  Thank you!

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell.  We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee.  If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled.  We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.

YOU ARE INVITED to VBS at Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N. Hershey, in Normal.  Children ages 3 through those who will start 6th grade this Fall are welcome!  Registration is quick and easy at: bit.ly/clcvbs2015 or go to christlutherannormal.org and click on the “Registration” link at the bottom of the page. We look forward to seeing your children June 7-11 from 6:00-8:15 p.m. and helping them discover how Jesus works in us and through us.

TEACHING ASSOCIATE NEEDED:  Trinity Lutheran School is in need of an Afternoon Teaching Associate in our All Day 4 year old program. The hours are Noon until 3:30 p.m. on regular school days.  Please contact Laura Busse at: laurabusse@trinluth.org or Cindy Guetschow at (309)829-7513 for more information or to submit a cover letter and resume.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “God’s Great Work of Faith” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Mark 4.  Faith if God’s work, not ours.  The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz.  Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Tune in!  You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.

PRAYER CHAIN:  If you have a prayer request please submit them by email to Mary Anne Kirchner at makirchner@yahoo.com or you may phone a Prayer Request to Mary Anne; her home # is (309) 661-6522; her cell phone# is (309) 532-2582.  The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.

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Elder, Usher, and Acolyte Schedules for June 2015

Elder and Usher Schedule

Date
8:00
Elder
10:30
June 7Gene Fuller, Matthew Holland, Mike Field, Richard RossPaul GerikeBrian Dirks, Karson Lueck
June 14Joshua Parry, Steve ParryMike FieldGreg McNeely, Mike Huth, Ryan Kleiboeker
June 21Charles Nottingham, Craig Culp, Jeff Piper, Paul GerikeNathan KluenderBryan Reichert, Marvin Huth
June 28Daryle Schempp,
Nathan Kluender
John HardyBud Kessler, Holden Lueck, Nick Henson

Acolyte Schedule

Date
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
June 7Katey ParryPastor/Elder
June 14Pastor/ElderChristian Dowell
June 21Lucas PiperPastor/Elder
June 28Pastor/ElderJustin McNeely

Celebrating June 2015

Birthdays

6/2 Paula Hardy
6/6 Brad Gerike
6/7 Diane Benjamin
6/7 Deborah Huber
6/7 Eric Orr
6/8 Mike Field
6/11 Kent Warren
6/13 Penny Culp
6/13 Chris Parker
6/14 William McNeely
6/14 Richard Ross
6/15 Ruth Gerike
6/16 Marlene Hitch
6/17 Kathy Vize
6/18 Isabella Kessler
6/20 Katie Nord
6/21 Erin Dirks
6/23 Eugene Fuller
6/24 Kathy Hitch
6/26 Tammy Brewer
6/29 Steve Davis
6/29 Martha Prescher
6/30 Bryan Reichert

Baptismal Birthdays

6/1 Craig Culp
6/1 Christian Dowell
6/1 Dorothy Herberts
6/2 Harriet Campbell
6/3 William Dowell
6/7 Brad Gerike
6/17 Casey Scott
6/19 Diane Benjamin
6/20 Gerald Semelka
6/21 Erica Kearney
6/24 Jillian Sompong

Pastor’s Notes June 2015

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the joys of our congregation is the conversation that we have in Adult Bible Class.  We have been known to get through only one question in a study!  Here in the gathering of our fellow Christians we have junior high through senior citizens sharing experiences and gaining strength from their brothers and sisters in Christ.  We talk about the struggle of living in these times and the challenges that face us.

Frustrations can occur when we want others to have our same worldview.  We may have friends, family, or co-workers that see things differently than us.  I get dragged into many of these situations because I am a Pastor.  What I try to remind all of us is this: “We cannot change hearts; only God can.”  This does not mean we sit on the sidelines though.  We need to be in the arena, participating in the dialogue game.

I recently read in one of my theological journals an essay by a Lutheran clergyman in Norway.  It doesn’t paint a very good picture of what has happened to the church.  He writes, “The sad story of the downfall of the Lutheran churches in Scandinavia…is the story of what happens when false doctrine, un-Biblical teaching, is not refuted.  It is like gangrene:  if it is not cut off, it will spread and in the end lead to death.  The guarding of Biblical doctrine to the Christian Church is the same as the immune system is to our bodies.  It safeguards us from dangerous infections that might threaten life itself.  We all know what happens if the immune system fails.”

Lutherans in these countries are an endangered species.  He says that Lutherans are represented in name only, not in reality.

This Pastor’s message though is to be of good courage.  He says to build on God’s Word because through this foundation we have the strength no matter what the world throws our way.  He reminds us as I have heard over and over that “during times of adversity and trouble…the church of Christ has gained health and found her way back to her true identity.”

We “Stand Up, Stand Up, For Jesus” because Christ died and rose for us.  Be of good courage and we will see you in worship and Bible Class where we gain the Lord’s strength for battle through His Word and Sacraments.

In Christ,

Pastor

Bulletin Announcements – May 31, 2015

†  Bulletin Announcements  †

May 31, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 3:6:  “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”  In Holy Baptism we receive a new birth: spirit from Spirit.  With that rebirth we receive new desires, new lives, new purposes.  To the (fleshly) world, Christian generosity makes no sense – a total minus a percentage is less than the original total.  But Spirit-reborn Christians now that God’s math works differently (as we might expect from the Trinity!): a blessing received from God becomes more of  blessing when it is used in generosity to bless others.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying a DVD-based topic, “The Great Deceiver”.  The focus is on the work of Satan from the Bible and how Christ has overcome him through His death and resurrection.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:  On this last Sunday of the spring quarter of Sunday School, students study “John’s Vision of Heaven.”  Those who believe that salvation has been accomplished by the all-availing sacrifice of Jesus’ blood on the cross will bear the name of Christ, written on their forehead in Holy Baptism, and will have the right to the tree of life.  Consider discussing, “How does John describe heaven?  How is the promise of eternal life in heaven ours?”

TODAY we have a large container in the narthex for you to leave your contribution for our special project which is the Organ Repair and Update.  Our next Collection will be Sunday, July 5th and Sunday, July, 12th.  Thank you!     The 20th Church Anniversary Committee

FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE:  The 20th Church Anniversary Committee has sent out invitations to former members who have moved away.  We were able to find many of them but there are a few we could not find addresses for.  They are: Barb Parry, Russ & LeAnne Perry and Family, Lloyd and Donna Smith.  If you know their current address or can contact them through social media, please pass on their information to the church office.  Thank you!

TUTION ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE:  Please contact a member of the Board of Christian Education or the church office for more information.  Forms are available in the office.

THE CHURCH FLOWER BED:  I want to replace the yellow Iris in the flower bed with different colors.  If you have any to share please contact Diane Benjamin at (309) 724-8520.  Thank you!

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell.  We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee.  If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled.  We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Life Under God’s Construction” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1.  Do you see a “Road Construction Ahead” sign?  Did God put it there?  The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz.  Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Tune in!  You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.

PRAYER CHAIN:  If you have a prayer request please submit them by email to Mary Anne Kirchner at makirchner@yahoo.com or you may phone a Prayer Request to Mary Anne; her home # is (309) 661-6522; her cell phone# is (309) 532-2582.  The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.

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