EChurch@Wartburg – 6.14.15

Welcome to Our Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Day_%28United_States%29#/media/File:Betsyrosshouse.jpg

Betsy Ross House — In the U.S., Flag Day is celebrated on June 14

Here Is Our Order of Worship

A Prayer on Flag Day (link)

Father, God in heaven, we give thanks on this day of celebration. We ask your mercy and blessing on the nation symbolized by these patterns of cloth.  May the colors and patterns of this flag seem to always bring to mind the purpose of the nation it represents.

May the whiteness of the stripes and stars always be bright for purity and never dim or yellow.  May the red of the shed blood never be forgotten.  May the blue of the sky and the brightness of the stars always represent the striving of our nation toward higher purposes and heavenly goals. 

It is only a symbol, Father, but let it today and always be a symbol of freedom.  May it always be flown in honor and never in shame. And may we be ever mindful of the constant conflict against freedom that surrounds us and the victory that our flag symbolizes for us in that conflict.  Guard our hearts and spirits and keep us from idolatry, but bless us in our honoring of this piece of cloth and all it represents. Amen.

A Prayer of Ambrose (c 339-97) link

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore thee,
a heart to delight in thee,
to follow and to enjoy thee,
for Christ’s sake.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Scripture Reading:  Luke 8:1-3 (NASB Bible Gateway)

Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

The Lord's Prayer

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen.

(Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

Prayer of Benedict of Nursia (c. 480–547) link

O gracious and holy Father,
give us wisdom to perceive you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to behold you,
a heart to meditate upon you,
and a life to proclaim you;
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen

Comments

EChurch@Wartburg – 6.14.15 — 8 Comments

  1. Excellent! It is wonderful to hear a message like that. The entire worship service was deeply strengthening.

  2. As always, I’ve been blessed by EChurch this morning! Thank you, Wade, Deb & Dee!

    Luk 8:3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were (G1247)contributing to their support out of their private means.

    G1247

    diakoneō

    From G1249; to be an attendant, that is, wait upon (menially or as a host, friend or [figuratively] teacher); technically to act as a Christian deacon: – (ad-) minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon.

    Same word used here:

    1Tim 3:10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve (G1247)as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
    1Tim 3:11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

    1Tim 3:13 For those who have served (G1247) well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

    Apparently these women were serving as deacons!

  3. the sermon left me in doubt about what kind of ministering and gifts the pastor is talking about. the examples are of women that financially supported Jesus, then women serving Jesus according to their gifts is mentioned and then tithes to the church and pastor support in particular is talked about. Is the pastor only referring to financial ‘gifts’ or is he willing to address women in other types of ministry besides supporting financially men who are preaching the word. i get the story about the women who first started sunday school but this leads to the impression that women can minister (as several complimentarian churches have allowed) as ‘deaconess of sunday school’ and ‘deaconess of ladies bible study, financial supporters of ministry, etc.’ i am wondering if the pastor wants to elaborate on what other kinds of female ministy is approved of by him or his denomination. ‘according to their gifts’ is said after financial gifts to Jesus and before financial gifts to the church, but never addressed in another context, hoping i am misunderstanding.

  4. Sam,

    We believe if a woman is gifted to teach, whether men are present during the teaching time is as irrelevant as women being present when gifted men teach. Also, women fill half of our Leadership Team and chair half our committees. They serve as our men. Yes, there are more men serving on staff than women, but that is slowly changing. Progress is not always as fast as some would like.