This Past Sunday at St. Thomas: Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Believers of St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church,
This past Sunday was...
+ The Eighth Sunday after Trinity +
The Sunday About About Knowing False Prophets By Their Words and Actions
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: Jeremiah 23:16-29; Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 7:15-23
Our Hymn of the Day for this past Sunday: O Lord, Look Down from Heav’n, Behold, TLH 260
Beware of False Prophets
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Deceit has its strength in masquerading as the truth. False prophets speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord (Jer. 23:16–29). They deny the judgment of the Lord, speaking peace to the unrepentant, when in truth there is condemnation and wrath. “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:20). The “fruits” of a true prophet are not outward righteousness or success but faithfulness in proclaiming the Word of the Lord. This is the will of the Father in heaven, that pastors take heed to the flock, the Father’s adopted ones (Rom. 8:12–17), warning them against the wolves and their lies, and shepherding the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:27–38). For indeed, the cross is that good tree bearing good fruit—namely, the body and blood of Christ, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS | From LCMS Stewardship Ministry
Matthew 7:17 – “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit.” As fruit follows from a good tree, so our good works flow from the cleansing the Lord has given us in Holy Baptism. In Baptism we have a new identity—we are the “new man in Christ” as St. Paul says. Of course, on this side of glory we still have the world, the devil and the flesh to wrestle with. That means that our growth in sanctification is a struggle. So if it's sometimes a struggle for you to be generous—don't give up! Keep fighting the good fight of faith, trusting in your Lord and His provision.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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!
NEW WEBSITE Check out our new/updated website: www.stthomastx.church Pastor Lacey posts there once or twice weekly, including the sermon and other information from the previous Sunday. Please remember to share our Facebook and Instagram posts to help get the word out about St. Thomas!
Blessings,
Pastor Lacey
For more about who we are and what we believe, visit the St. Thomas homepage.
