This Past Sunday at St. Thomas: Feast of St. Bartholomew
Believers of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church,
This past Sunday was...
+ The Feast of St. Bartholomew +
The Sunday About the Faithful Ministry of Our Lord’s Apostles
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: Proverbs 3:1-8; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10; Luke 22:24-30
Our Hymn of the Day for this past Sunday: Lord Jesus, Refuge of Mankind, WH 164
St. Bartholomew, Apostle
According to ancient tradition, Bartholomew (also called Nathanael in John) was martyred by being flayed alive. His death bore witness to the truth of Christ’s words: His apostles are not to be lords, but servants who share in His trials (Luke 22:24–30). They are “jars of clay,” bearing the treasure of the Gospel, so that the surpassing power may be seen to belong to God and not to them (2 Cor. 4:7). They are afflicted in every way, always carrying in their bodies the death of Jesus, so that His life might also be manifested (2 Cor. 4:8–10). On the foundation of this apostolic witness the Church is built, Christ Himself being the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20–21). Bartholomew preached and confessed Christ, “the Son of God” and “the Son of Man,” who opens heaven by His wounds (John 1:49–51). We too bear sufferings, not trusting in our own understanding, but entrusting ourselves to the Lord (Prov. 3:5–7), who will bring healing and life to our mortal bodies on the Last Day (Prov. 3:8). For this reason, Bartholomew is often depicted holding his flayed skin—a reminder that even this will be restored in the resurrection of the flesh.
Prayer for the Feast of St. Bartholomew
Lord Jesus, we listen with comfort and joy when You say, "Worldly kings exercise lordship, and powerful ones are called gracious lords," for we thereby understand that ordered authority has been presented by You for our benefit and protection, which we are obligated to obey for Your sake. Grant that we, with thankful hearts toward You, we may also recognize these blessings and gracious care and regard Your order in love and esteem. May You also, in mercy, preserve and bless such instruments of Your grace for the salvation, prosperity, and blessing of Your Church and our Christian youth. Amen.
—Esaias Heidenreich, Betbüchlein (translation from Treasures from the Lutheran Church)
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS | From LCMS Stewardship Ministry
Luke 22:26 – “He who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.” The world uses wealth and power to exalt itself. Jesus teaches us to use all that we have in service — to our families, our neighbors, and His Church. True greatness is not in being served but in serving, just as our Lord did.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PICTORIAL DIRECTORY We are in the process of putting together our first pictorial directory! As a part of this process, please check the booklet in the back of the chapel to verify your contact information and either approve the use of the existing photo we have, or request/provide a new one. Lynea will be taking pictures on Sunday mornings for the next several weeks, so please see her before or after the service for a new photo! If your contact info needs to be updated or provided, please add it to the booklet. If your information isn’t in the booklet, please contact the church office to be added. The deadline for new photos/updated information is Sunday, September 7!
FALL FRESH START Check out the back of the propers insert for a full announcement about the kick-off of our schedule for the academic year, including Beginning Catechesis, music, Youth Night, and Saturdays in the Park. We’ve got a lot going on this Fall and we’d love for you to be a part of it!
CHOIR REHEARSALS RESUME in September for ages high school through adult! We will rehearse each Sunday following Family Catechesis for about half an hour, and once a month on the second Saturday we will have an intensive rehearsal at Lynea’s house for about an hour and a half in the morning. We will be singing during the service once or twice per month depending on the season. If you’d like to join the Choir, please contact Lynea!
BIBLE STUDY SERIES Join us during the 10:30 am Family Catechesis hour for our current Bible study series on St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
BREAKFAST TACOS will be offered on the first and third Sundays of the month during the summer. Tacos are $2 each, with proceeds going to our youth’s Higher Things trip. Thank you for all your support!
EVENTS
TEXAS CONFESSIONAL LUTHERANS FREE CONFERENCE TCL will be holding its annual free conference at Grace Lutheran in Brenham on September 5-6. The presenter is Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau, professor at Luther Classical College in Wyoming, author, and retired military chaplain. He will present on the benefits of Lutheran classical education on Friday, and the Pastor as Seelsorger on Saturday. The conference is free to attend, and the BBQ lunch on Saturday is $17/plate. Fliers with more information are available on the table at the back of the chapel.
LUTHER CLASSICAL COLLEGE PRESENTATION Dr. Harold Ristau, one of the faculty at Luther Classical College (LCC) in Casper, Wyoming will be at Memorial Lutheran Church for a wine and cheese reception on Sept. 6th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Rev. Dr. Ristau will speak and answer questions about the ways LCC could benefit students in their college studies and retain a Lutheran Christian faith. RSVP to Ruth Hanson at rhanson@mlchouston.org.
Blessings,
Pastor Lacey
For more about who we are and what we believe, visit the St. Thomas homepage.
