This Past Sunday at St. Thomas: Cantate
Believers of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church,
This past Sunday was...
+ Cantate +
The Sunday About the Promised Sending of the Paraclete
Join us this Sunday for the Divine Service at 9:00am and Family Catechesis at 10:30am
If you couldn’t be with us this past Sunday, click here for a recording of Divine Service from another congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
RESOURCES FOR HOUSEHOLD PRAYERS THIS WEEK
Our Around the Word Devotions and Family Catechesis Sheet are always available during Family Catechesis. Digital copies of these as well as more notes from Family Catechesis can be found by clicking here!
The Readings for this past Sunday: Isaiah 12:1-6; James 1:16-21; John 16:5-15
Our Hymn of the Day for this past Sunday: Dear Christians, One And All, Rejoice, LSB 556
Jesus Promises to Send His Holy Spirit, the Helper
Though Jesus has departed from us visibly to the right hand of the Father who sent Him, yet this is to our advantage. For Jesus—who is Lord over all creation, who intercedes for us before the Father, who is preparing a place for us in heaven—has sent the Helper, the Spirit of Truth (John 16:5–15). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” through Jesus Christ (James 1:17). The Holy Spirit helps us by taking what is Christ’s and declaring it to us. In the Word of truth, the Spirit works repentance and delivers to us the forgiveness of sins, the righteousness of Christ, and victory over the devil. For the ruler of this world is judged and defeated by the cross. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we have been brought forth to new life in Him who is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Confident of our resurrection with Christ we confess, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid” (Is. 12:2).
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS | From LCMS Stewardship Ministry
James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” The thought James captures here is repeated over and over again in the Bible. Everything good we have is from God. He loves to give. He loves to bless. He loves to show us generosity time and again. And He desires that we grow into His image and reflect His love. That is why God wants us to give to the ministry of His church. God can do anything He wants to without our help. But He commands us to give so that we will grow in our imitation of His own generosity.
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SUNDAY
Readings for Rogate: Numbers 21:4-9; James 1:22-27; John 16:23-33
Hymns for Rogate: 668, 766, 155, 468, 464, 480
The Father Answers Our Prayers Because of Jesus
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you” (John 16:23). To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray as one who has been baptized. For it is in the water that He put His name upon you, claiming you as His own, making you a son of God with access to the Father. By His incarnation and crucifixion, our Lord Jesus broke through the barrier of sin which separated us from God, opening a portal to the Father. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray with faith in Him as the one Mediator between God and men, who gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:1–6). Like Moses in the wilderness, Jesus is our go-between and intercessor before the throne of heaven. He was lifted up for us on the cross that we might be saved and restored to fellowship with the Father (Num. 21:4–9). Looking into this perfect teaching of liberty (James 1:22–27) we pray with boldness and confidence as dear children of God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BAKE SALE The youth of St. Thomas will be holding a bake sale next Sunday, May 11! Pick up a treat or two for Mother’s Day! All proceeds will go towards funding our trip to the Higher Things conference this summer.
BIBLE STUDY SERIES Join us during the 10:30 am Family Catechesis hour for our current Bible Study series: Biblical Foundations for Our Constitution & Bylaws. Explore key topics such as the church's mission, confessional faith, biblical leadership, stewardship, and governance. All are welcome!
BREAKFAST TACOS are available for $2 each following the Divine Service. Proceeds go towards our senior youth’s trip to the Higher Things conference this summer.
EVENTS
CHURCH PICNIC Join us for the 2nd Annual St. Thomas Church Picnic at the Spannagel home on Saturday, May 24 at 4:00 PM. We will be having burgers and dogs, you just bring the sides and desserts! BYOB, as there will be tea, water and juice available. 1008 Holly Drive, Conroe, TX 77301
Blessings,
Pastor Lacey
For more about who we are and what we believe, visit the St. Thomas homepage.
