GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, 801 N Elm Gordon, NE

Category: COVID-19

A Prayer in Time of Widespread Sickness

A Prayer in Time of Widespread Sickness

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On November 22, 2020

In COVID-19, Devotions

O strong and mighty God, great is your wrath against willful sinners who will not permit your kindness to lead them to repentance. For a time You deal with people like a loving father, who seeks with much patience to draw back his disobedient children to himself, but then, when people willfully abuse Your grace, You manifest Yourself as a stern judge. We, too, are experiencing this now, O just God We hear that in many places a contagious disease has appeared, devouring many thousands of people, so that death is a guest in many homes….We are consumed by Your anger, and by Your wrath we are troubled. Have we not strong reasons to fear that You will send this spreading contagion also into our borders and our city? O jealous God, we need not think that those on whom Your heavy rod is now descending are worse sinners than the rest; rather, we confess that we all deserve to perish like them. There is found among us security in our sinfulness, contempt of Your Holy Word, fornication, unrighteousness, worldliness and pride. Yes, there is scarcely any fear of God in our land; the godly ceases and the faithful fail among the children of men. If You, O Lord, kept a record of iniquity, O Lord, who could stand?

O Lord, when you said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’ (Psalm 27:8). You have no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but that the sinner turn from his way and live. Therefore, we abhor ourselves and repent in dust and ashes. Do not look upon our countless sins; graciously pronounce us not guilty. Comfort us in our distresses and remove all punishments from us. We have sinned with our ancestors; we have committed iniquity and done wickedly. Command the destroying angel who is wielding the sword of vengeance to cease, and say to him, ‘It is enough.’ Let us live, and we will glorify Your name. Although we do not deserve any mercy, we are in need of it. Although we are children of death, You have promised the penitent that You would exercise mercy instead of justice toward them.

Oh, grant us Your grace and life, for Jesus’ sake, our only mediator and advocate. Have mercy, have mercy upon us, O God of mercy! Be gracious to us; help us, good Lord! Be gracious to us; help us, good Lord, our God! Have mercy on the poor  and afflicted who have been seized with this violent pestilence, who must suffer hunger and grief, [and are in need of great care]. Lead them to the knowledge of Your grace in Christ, Your dear Son. Aid them with Your comfort and let Your Spirit witness to their spirit that they are God’s children, though they have to die of this plague. O Lord, hear our prayer! Protect our country, and we shall say: The Lord has done great things for us. Yes, You can deliver all who come to You.

Since He is ours, We fear no powers, Not of earth nor sin nor death. He sees  and blesses In worst distresses; He can change them with a breath. Wherefore the story Tell of His glory With hearts and voices; All heav’n rejoices in Him forever: Alleluia! We shout for gladness, Triumph o’er sadness, Love Him and praise Him, And still shall raise Him Glad hymns forever: Alleluia! Amen. (LSB 818 v. 2)

“Believing Christians Pray in Time of Widespread Sickness,” (Starck’s Prayer Book, Revised Concordia Edition, CPH, 2009.)

2020 Youth Banquet: Quarantine Edition

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On April 29, 2020

In COVID-19, LYF

https://www.facebook.com/gracelutherangordon/posts/133566994955464

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On April 26, 2020

In COVID-19, Generosity, Online Services, Uncategorized

Livestream Services
Give to Grace Online

On the Waters of Babylon: A Note on this Weekend’s Services

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On April 9, 2020

In COVID-19, Devotions, Online Services

Livestreaming services is not great. It is what we have for now, but it is not ideal, and I can’t wait for it to be over. The Church is meant to be God’s people gathered together at a particular time and place, having God’s Word spoken into their ears together and joining together songs the grow from the lungs and throats God has given us with which to praise Him.

This weekend, the livestream will mostly consist of what works best at this point, and that will be the spoken sermon, and a few prayers.

The Word of God does not return void, so I continue to preach the Word and cast it on the waters in hopes that some will hear it and find comfort and life by it.

Music, on the other hand is such a part of what we do gathered together, and it is hard to do satisfactorily without the congregation. So instead of trying to do that poorly on the livestream, here are a couple of suggestions of music to listen to for your Holy Week Devotions.

If you would like to add your voice to God’s people singing this weekend, this is a project worthy of your time. Record yourself singing Easter hymns according to their directions, and they will make a video with everyone singing. They did one for Palm Sunday and it was really good!

https://www.facebook.com/kloriapublishing/posts/3156808217685253

And if art is your thing, check out this page, and download some coloring sheets for the kids!

God’s richest blessings to everyone this weekend. Let us die to sin and rise to life with Jesus Christ, the first fruits from the dead!

Help with Masks and Gowns

Help with Masks and Gowns

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On April 2, 2020

In COVID-19, Generosity

Can you sew? Do you have extra fabric lying around? Looking for ways to help?

The Gordon Hospital is accepting masks donations. Contact Anita Easton @ 308-282-0401.

See instructions here and here.

A Christian Response to Plague and Pandemic

A Christian Response to Plague and Pandemic

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On March 31, 2020

In COVID-19, Devotions

During the last few weeks, the threat of the novel coronavirus has gone from something foreign and unknown to something that we’re dealing with close to home. Schools have been moved online, ESPN has been showing the national rock-skipping championship because all the other sports are cancelled. People are being asked to stay home in some places. In other places they are being told.

As Christians, how are we to respond to all of this? We hear reports of people panicking and hoarding basic toiletries on the one hand. On the other, some people say this is something only old, sick people have to worry about, so they’re not going to be too concerned or change what they are doing.

Neither response is appropriate for those who follow Jesus.

Our calling is to trust in the Lord Jesus who has defeated death by His death, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

When any kind of disaster strikes, we should remember that these are not random acts of nature, but acts of God (as even insurance companies acknowledge). For example,  in 2 Samuel 24, when  King David sinfully took a census of the people, the LORD sent a plague that killed seventy thousand people.  David’s response was to pray “Let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for His mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.” (2 Sam 24:14).

God works through His Word and in the world to call us to repentance, to teach us to cling to Him for our salvation, to remind us that we depend on Him for our body, and soul, our possessions, and all we have, and to renew our love for our neighbors. We repent of our sin that still brings death into the world: our forgetfulness of God, our habit of damning with God’s name rather than praying or blessing, our neglect of God’s house and His Word, the way we all forget our families and parents like we’re stuck in a Harry Chapin song, our murderous thoughts and words, our lustful and adulterous ways, our greed for gain that is never satisfied, and so much else. Repent and hide in the blessed wounds of Christ, be washed clean and made white in His precious blood, and learn to live in His patience, His humbleness, His love.

Our life may be demanded from us any hour of any day. We like to hide that truth from ourselves. A pandemic quickly spreading through nations pulls that truth into the light of day.  Now is as good a time as any to prepare to meet Your God. Examine your heart. Are you ready to see Jesus sitting on His judgment throne? Confess your transgressions unto the LORD that He may forgive the iniquity of your sin. Seek Him while there is time yet to find Him, for in the flood of great waters we shall not draw near to Him (Psalm 32:5-6). If sin burdens your conscience, I am available to hear the confession of your sins and assure you of the forgiveness of sins,  life, and salvation that our Savior won for you by His suffering and death and His precious blood.

We also make ourselves ready by reconciling with anyone we have sinned against, or anyone who has sinned against us. We have no promise that we will get another day to do it. We would do well to make sure our earthly affairs are in order, so that we can provide for the ongoing needs of the people the LORD has placed into our care even after our lives are ended.

If we do fall sick, it gives us a chance to suffer with our LORD, and to show our faith and confidence in His resurrection and the promise of everlasting life.

With all of that taken care of, while God still grants us our breath, we still must live in the world He has made and still upholds. And in this life, our calling is to serve our neighbor. The Fifth Commandment calls us to help and support out neighbor in every physical need. Right now, we serve our neighbor best by following the advice and directives of the leaders God has given to us in our government and our communities (and by so doing, we also follow the Fourth Commandment). We wash our hands, and do all that we can to avoid spreading disease. We do this not out of fear for our own lives, but out of love for our neighbor: for the elderly, and those whose bodies are already compromised by other diseases and underlying conditions. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems show responsibility by following doctor’s orders.

In practical day-to-day things you can do, make a list of everyone you know who may need extra help if things get worse. Give them a call, let them know you’re thinking about them. Ask them if they need help getting medicine and groceries. Share the hope of Christ that you have within you. Pray that our Lord would forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in His will and walk in His ways to the glory of His holy name.

And in all things, pray that we fall into the hands of the Lord, hands marked by the wounds of His love for the whole world, His everlasting love for each of you.

In the peace of Christ, Pastor Sherman

Congregational Giving

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On March 26, 2020

In COVID-19, Generosity

One of the challenges that we may be facing during this time of crisis and uncertainty is in our congregational finances. It is understandable. Fewer of us are able to attend church right now, which is when our tithes and offerings are normally given. We also appear to be heading toward a time of economic uncertainty.

This video is a Bible Study on how New Testament churches handled giving in times of scarcity. The presenter is Rev. Bernard Ross, pastor at Trinity Lutheran (LC-MS) in Alma, Missouri.

It is important for us to remember that God has not spared His only Son, and we can be confident that He will also provide for us in all things. We continue to look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ who might be facing hardship. They may need help with groceries. They may need help through a rough spot if they are laid off from their job because business are closed. We provide for our families. We also look out for those in community who have needs and seek to find the best ways to help them.

As Pastor Ross points out, we still also continue to give to the Church during times of need. First, it is our way of acknowledging to God that He is still caring for us, and trusting that He will continue to do so. Secondly, we recognize that because we need God’s Word and Sacrament now as much as ever, the workers of the church need to be taken care of.

As a church, we pray for each other and support each other, bearing each other’s burdens.

If you are unable to attend church, there are three ways available to continue to give. The first is to mail your offering to the church or drop it off during the week.

The second is to enroll in the Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s Joyful Response Program. This program allows you to set an automatic weekly offering from your bank account. To enroll, you can download this form and mail it back to the church, care of the treasurer.

Joyful Response Enrollment FormDownload

The second way can be done completely online. The payment is handled by Thrivent, and they pay the transaction fee so that the church receives the full amount. For a time, they will even be matching $1 for every $2 given. To give that way, click the button below and enter your information.

Give to Grace Online

Finally, as a Church, we also pray for all of the individuals, families, and business affected by this disease. We pray for health and hope in the face of death. We also pray for the industry and commerce of our nation.

Lord Jesus Christ, as you once shared in our human toil, and thus hallowed the work of our hands, bless and prosper those whose work gives us our daily bread in the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors of our nation. Give them a right regard for their labors, and grant them the just reward of their work that they may find joy in serving you and in supplying our needs; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Laugh to scorn the gloomy grave”-Singing hymns in the face of death

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On March 25, 2020

In COVID-19, Devotions

Spotify playlist for the hymns mentioned

The hymnals of our churches are a treasury of the music and poetry, the prayers and devotions that have been handed down from our fathers in the faith. Christians before us have face the threat of death and disease. They have awakened in the dark of night searching for the promises of God. They have suffered and watched as those they loved suffered. They prayed to their Good Shepherd to come and shelter them. They looked to His Word to see what blessings He had for people in need, and what hope He would give in the face of death.

These hymns are very frank about the realities of sin, suffering, death, and dying. But they are even more frank about the realities of salvation won by our Savior, who heals us with His stripes.

Here are some hymns of comfort for the days and weeks to come. They will not puff you up full of false, vain hope, but they will deliver the promises of Jesus who has conquered death by His death and by His rising again gives the assurance of eternal life.

–Behold a Host Arrayed in White

Behold a host, arrayed in white,
Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright!
With palms they stand; Who is this band
Before the throne of light?
These are the saints of glorious fame,
Who from the great affliction came
And in the flood of Jesus’ blood
Are cleansed from guilt and shame.
They now serve God both day and night;
They sing their songs in endless light.
Their anthems ring as they all sing
With angels shining bright. (Lutheran Service Book 676 v. 1)

–For All the Saints

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia! (Lutheran Service Book 677 v. 1, 5, 6)

–From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee

From depths of woe I cry to Thee,
In trial and tribulation;
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
Lord, hear my supplication.
If Thou rememb’rest ev’ry sin,
Who then could heaven ever win
or stand before Thy presence?

Therefore my help is in the Lord
And not in mine own merit;
It rests upon His faithful Word,
To them of contrite spirit
That He is merciful and just;
This is my comfort and my trust.
His help I wait with patience. (Lutheran Service Book 607 v.1, 3)

–I Know that My Redeemer Lives

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives my ever-living head.

He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there. (Lutheran Service Book 461 v. 1, 5, 7)

–In the Very Midst of Life

In the very midst of life
Snares of death surround us;
Who shall help us in the strife
Lest the foe confound us?
Thou only Lord, Thou only!
We mourn that we have greatly erred,
That our sins Thy wrath have stirred.
Holy and righteous God!
Holy and all merciful Savior!
Eternal Lord God!
Save us lest we perish
In the bitter pangs of death.
Have mercy, O Lord! (Lutheran Service Book 755 v. 1)

–In Peace and Joy I Now Depart

In peace and joy I now depart since God now wills it.
Serene and confident my heart; stillness fills it.
For the Lord has promised me that death is but a slumber.

Christ Jesus brought this gift to me, My faithful Savior,
Whom you have made my eyes to see by your favor.
Now I know He is my life, My friend when I am dying.
(Lutheran Service Book 938 vv. 1-2)

–Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart

Lord, let at last thine angels come,
To Abr’ham’s bosom bare me home,
That I may die unfearing.
And in its narrow chamber keep
My body safe in peaceful sleep
Until Thy reappearing.
And then from death awaken me,
That these mine eyes with joy may see,
O Son of God, Thy glorious face
My Savior and my fount of grace.
Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend,
And I will praise Thee without end.
(Lutheran Service Book 708 v.3)

–Christ the Life of All the Living

Christ, the life of all the living,
Christ, the death of death, our foe,
Who, Thyself for me once giving
To the darkest depths of woe:
Through Thy suff’rings, death, and merit
I eternal life inherit.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee. (Lutheran Service Book 420 v. 1)

–Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands

Bands: Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
For our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands
And brings us life from heaven.
Therefore let us joyful be
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of alleluia!
Alleluia!

It was a strange and dreadful strife
When life and death contended;
The victory remained with life,
The reign of death was ended.
Holy Scripture plainly saith
That death is swallowed up by death,
Its sting is lost forever.
Alleluia!

Here our true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree—
So strong His love—to save us.
See, His blood now marks our door;
Faith points to it; death passes o’er,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Alleluia! (Lutheran Service Book 458 vv. 1, 4-5)

–Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense

Jesus Christ, my sure Defense
And my Savior, now is living!
Knowing this, my confidence
Rests upon the hope here given,
Though the night of death be fraught
Still with many an anxious thought.

I am flesh and must return
To the dust, whence I am taken;
But by faith I now discern
That from death I shall awaken
With my Savior to abide
In His glory, at His side.

Glorified, I shall anew
With this flesh then be enshrouded;
In this body I shall view
God, my Lord, with eyes unclouded;
In this flesh I then shall see
Jesus Christ eternally.

Then take comfort and rejoice,
For His members Christ will cherish.
Fear not, they will hear His voice;
Dying they will never perish;
For the very grave is stirred
When the trumpet’s blast is heard.

Laugh to scorn the gloomy grave
And at death no longer tremble;
He, the Lord, who came to save
Will at last His own assemble.
They will go their Lord to meet.
Treading death beneath their feet. (Lutheran Service Book 741 vv. 1, 4-7)

–For Me to Live is Jesus

For me to live is Jesus,
To die is gain for me;
So when my Savior pleases,
I meet death willingly.
?
For Christ, my Lord, my brother,
I leave this world so dim
And gladly seek another,
Where I shall be with Him. (Lutheran Service Book 741 vv. 1-2)

–God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It

God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It: Death, you cannot end my gladness:
I am baptized into Christ!
When I die I leave all sadness
To inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes,
Faith’s assurance brightly flashes:
Baptism has the strength divine
To make life immortal mine.

There is nothing worth comparing
To this lifelong comfort sure!
Open-eyed my grave is staring:
Even there I’ll sleep secure.
Though my flesh awaits its raising,
Still my soul continues praising:
I am baptized into Christ;
I’m a child of paradise! (Lutheran Service Book 594 vv. 4-5)

–I Am Jesus Little Lamb

Who so happy as I am,
Even now the Shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By His angels host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast,
There within His arms to rest.” (Lutheran Service Book 740 v. 3)

–O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

What joy to know, when life is past,
The Lord we love is first and last,
The end and the beginning!
He will one day, oh, glorious grace,
Transport us to that happy place
Beyond all tears and sinning!
Amen! Amen!
Come, Lord Jesus!
Crown of gladness!
We are yearning
For the day of Your returning! (Lutheran Service Book 395 v. 6)

–O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Be Thou my consolation,
My shield, when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion
When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well. (Lutheran Service Book 449 v. 4)

–What God Ordains is Always Good

What God ordains is always good:
This truth remains unshaken.
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
I shall not be forsaken.
I fear no harm,
For with His arm
He shall embrace and shield me;
So to my God I yield me. (Lutheran Service Book 760 v. 6)

–When Aimless Violence Takes Those We Love

When Aimless violence takes those we love,
When random death strikes childhood’s promise down,
When wrenching loss becomes our daily bread,
We know, O God, You leave us not alone.

Through long grief-darkened days help us, dear Lord,
To trust Your grace for courage to endure,
To rest our souls in Your supporting love,
And find our hope within Your mercy sure.
(Lutheran Service Book 764 vv. 1, 5)

–When Peace Like a River

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows, like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trails should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hat shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
(Lutheran Service Book 763 vv. 1-2)

–This Body in the Grave We Lay

This body in the grave we lay
There to await that solemn day
When God Himself shall bid it rise
To mount triumphant to the skies.

And so to earth we now entrust
What came from dust and turns to dust
And from the dust shall rise that day
In glorious triumph o’er decay

The soul forever lives with God,
Who freely hath His grace bestowed
And through His Son redeemed it here
From ev’ry sin, from ev’ry fear.

All trials and all griefs are past,
A blessed end has come at last.
Christ’s yoke was borne with ready will;
Who dieth thus is living still.

We have no cause to mourn or weep;
Securely shall this body sleep
Till Christ Himself shall death destroy
And raise the blessed dead to joy.

Then let us leave this place of rest
And homeward turn, for they are blest
Who heed God’s warning and prepare
Lest death should find them unaware.

So help us, Jesus, ground of faith;
Thou hast redeemed us by Thy death
From endless death and set us free.
We laud and praise and worship Thee.
(Lutheran Service Book 759)

Other Appropriate Hymns:
+Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
+ Amazing Grace
+ Beautiful Savior
+ How Great Thou Art
+ Holy, Holy, Holy
+ Crown Him with Many Crowns
+ Glory Be to Jesus, Who In Bitter Pain
+ Just As I Am
+ My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
+ Chief of Sinners Thou I Be
+ For All the Saints
+ Children of the Heavenly Father
+ Precious Lord, Take My Hand
+ I’m But a Stranger Here, Heaven is My Home
+ Be Still My Soul
+ O Bless the Lord, My Soul
+ Lift Hight the Cross
+ Abide With Me
+ At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing

Verses of Comfort in the Face of Death and Despair

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On March 24, 2020

In COVID-19, Devotions

Some of you probably grew up saying the prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep.” When I learned the prayer, it ended “and if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” I’m not sure whether we’re comfortable teaching our children to pray that anymore. It seems morbid.

That kind of stuff is all over in old hymnals and church services and in the Bible as well. We live in a time where we mostly have been able to pretend that we have conquered death. We don’t really want to think about it.

Sometimes, however, the Lord reminds us, as He does in Lent every year, that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Our world right now has been forced to confront the possibility of death. Some of you reading this will be caring for people facing death. Some of you may be facing the death of a person you love. Some of you will be facing your own illness and possible death. Some of you will be trying to figure out what your place in the world is now that everything seems to be coming apart. Do we have hope in the face of death? Will God provide for us in time of need? What are His promises to me and the people I love?

I have been working on putting together a funeral planning guide. I included a list of verses from our church body’s guide to funeral planning from Lutheran Service Book: Agenda. I want to share these verses with you for your comfort.

Death is a reality. But so is our Savior rising from the grave, having conquered death by His death. Let these verses comfort you in times of trouble. Share them with those you serve who need the comfort of these eternal promises. Come to Him, all you who are weary, and He will give you rest.

Psalms

  • Psalm 23: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
  • Psalm 25: “Guard my soul and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.”
  • Psalm 42: “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.”
  • Psalm 65: “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts”
  • Psalm 71: “O God, who is like You? You…will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up.”
  • Psalm 73: “You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory.”
  • Psalm 84: “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise!”
  • Psalm 116: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.”
  • Psalm 118: “This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.”
  • Psalm 121: “From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
  • Psalm 126:  “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy”
  • Psalm 130: “Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!”

Old Testament Readings

  • Job 5: “[God] wounds, but He binds up; He shatters, but His hands heal.”
  • Job 19: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.”
  • Isaiah 25: “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces”
  • Isaiah 26: “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!”
  • Isaiah 40: “He will tend His flock like a shepherd He will gather the lambs in His arms”
  • Isaiah 46: “Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
  • Isaiah 53: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.”
  • Isaiah 61: “Comfort all who mourn…grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them…the oil of gladness instead of mourning.”

Epistle (Letters of the Apostles) Readings

  • Acts 10: “They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised Him on the third day”
  • Romans 5: “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
    • “Grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
  • Romans 6: “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.”
  • Romans 8: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”
    • “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.”
    •  “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
  • Romans 14:  “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”
  • 1 Corinthians 15: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
    • “The Last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
    • “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  • 2 Corinthians 4: “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence.”
  • Philippians 3: “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.”
  • Colossians 3: “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
  • 1 Thessalonians 3: “Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.”
  • 2 Timothy 2: “If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him”
  • Hebrews 11: “They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city”
  • Hebrews 13: “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come”
  • 1 Peter 1: “According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you”
  • 1 John 3: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and…we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.”
  • Revelation 7: “The Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
  • Revelation 14: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
  • Revelation 21: “They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away”

Gospel Readings

  • Matthew 5: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”
  • Mark 10: “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it”
  • Luke 2: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation”
  • Luke 23: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And He said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
  • John 3: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”
  • John 5: “Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life”
  • John 6: “This is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day”
  • John 10: “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
  • John 11: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though He die, yet shall He live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
  • John 14: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Verses of Comfort in the Face of Death and Despair
James Tissot, The Death of Christ. Brooklyn Museum of Art.

Church in the Time of Coronavirus

By

On March 18, 2020

In COVID-19

Live Stream Services
Give to Grace Online
Church in the Time of Coronavirus
https://www.facebook.com/scjournalstar/posts/2875651479137450
[Update 3]

[Update 2: Due to continuing recommendations, we have decided to switch to live-stream services only for the time being. 4/4/20]

[Update: Community spread cases have begun in the Panhandle. Because of this, a Directed Health Mandate has been issued for Sheridan County and others, which gives the ten person limit the force of law, and extends the date to May 11th.]

Our church has a Facebook page: facebook.com/gracelutherangordon. It will mostly be used for posting things that have appeared here and for live-streaming services.

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Resources

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Information

Panhandle Public Health District Information

We’re trying our best to stay on top of all the changes that are coming our way. Here’s what you need to know:

Church services will be live-streamed only! Live services will begin Sunday at 8:30am, and an archived view can be watched anytime here.

Weekend Service times (subject to change pending future considerations):
  • Sunday: 8:30am (Live-stream only)

Until March 31st May 11th, we are required to limit gatherings to less than 10 people, including the pastor. This will be strictly enforced. Per clarification from Governor Ricketts, we can have ten people in the church building and another ten in the fellowship hall. After we have met our capacity, we will ask people to return for the next service at a later time. If there are people turned away from the 10am service, we will consider holding another service afterward.

We will be attempting to live-stream services, and we will do our best to make that video available to as many people as we can who may not be able to attend weekend services.

Please Note!

If you are in one of the at-risk groups because of age, underlying health conditions, if you have been asked to self-quarantine due to possible infection, or if you are infected already, Pastor asks you to stay home to avoid infection and protect your neighbor. Please call Pastor and inform him so he can determine the best way to provide you with God’s gifts for the time to come.

We will ask people to maintain a proper distance from each other to avoid spreading disease. We will sterilize the communion vessels before, during, and after distribution. We will follow proper hygiene procedures. We will clean the worship space after each service.

After March 31st if there are no community spread cases of COVID-19, the Nebraska government will revisit these restrictions.

This disease will be a test from God, a time to grow in our faith and dependence on Him for all good things through Jesus Christ His Son. One thing that will be especially important is to make sure that even though our opportunities to gather as brothers and sisters in Christ are limited, we are still letting God’s Word dwell richly in our hearts and our homes. In order to help with this:

Governor Ricketts has said he thinks very highly of our state’s churches and the service to community that the people of God provide. In a conference call with Nebraska clergy, he especially asked for help from the churches in four areas:

  1. That we pray for our government leaders; doctors, nurses, and all medical staff, first-responders and law enforcement, for the sick and dying, and for all their families. Here are some prayers that we use at church that can help in those prayers:
    • Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
    • Lord God, be with the doctors and nurses and all others who minister to the needs of those who are ill. Through their wise and compassionate service, grant relief to the suffering and hope to the afflicted so that all may know of Your boundless care; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
    • O Lord God, by the sudden deaths of many people in these days, You have shown that Your thoughts are not our thoughts nor Your ways our ways. We thank You for the blessings of body and soul that You have bestowed on the departed. Comfort the members of their families who mourn their deaths, and assist us ever to prepare for Your final summons when we will depart and be with Christ in blessedness and glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
  2. That we identify the people among us who are self-isolating and quarantined. We should know who they are and what needs they may have in the days to come. This may include:
    • phone calls so they do not feel alone
    • seeing if they need help with groceries or medicine
    • seeing if they need meals delivered
  3. That we consider providing childcare, especially for those called to work extra through all of this, especially medical personnel and first-responders. [I’m really not sure how to do this while still complying with government mandates, and trying to limit the spread of disease. If anyone has any ideas, we’re all ears.]
  4. That we not forget the poor and needy among us. This may take the form of financial assistance for specific needs and providing food and clothing items. (The governor also noted that they are seeking to make it easier for people to access SNAP, unemployment, etc.).

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