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First Looks - Sunday May 4

April 30, 2008

 

FINDING "FAMILY"
Peter was writing to the church on the brink of persecution, when being known as a Christian could be costly or even fatal. Christians nevertheless learned how to find one another. One thing making it difficult must have been the fact that with believers coming from every stratum of society, the only thing they held in common was their faith.
One method of identifying one another was through symbols that only Christians identified. One example is the Cirencester Word Square.

“One of the earliest textual evidences for the presence of Christianity in Britain is a graffito found scratched into the wall-painting of a Roman house uncovered at Cirencester in 1818. The inscription is a word square in Latin consisting of the words ROTAS, OPERA, TENET, AREPO, SATOR, arranged as depicted below, and usually translated as:

"Arepo the sower, holds the wheels with care."
A
P
O
A
T
E
R
P
A
T
E
R
N
O
S
T
E
R
A
O
O
S
T
E
R
Cirencester Word Square 
“At first glance, this phrase is seemingly meaningless. However, scholars soon realised that the letters could be rearranged into a cruciform pattern formed from the words PATER NOSTER or ‘our father’, with two each of the letters A and O left over, which in Greek are alpha and omega. These are both undoubtedly of powerful Christian symbolism, proving that the Cirencester word-square is an early Christian cryptogram, whose secret meaning was known only amongst those professing the Christian faith. The same word square has been found twice at Dura Europos on the River Euphrates in Mesopotamia where it has been dated to the year AD256, also twice at Pompeii in Campania which must have existed prior to the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. The Cirencester word square cannot be dated with great certainty, but estimates range from the early-second century to the late-third, making it one of the earliest evidences of Christian worship in Britain.”[1]
In this season leading up to Pentecost, we reflect on the love that comes to us from the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament, and how this love is reflected to one another. Even if we have nothing else in common – language, color, education, wealth, nationality, culture – we have a common faith in Jesus our Savior.
 



 

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2008 Youth Group Lock-In

April 23, 2008

St. Timothy’s annual lock-in started April 18th at 8pm and lasted until April 19 at 8am.  We had a great group of teenagers.  We got to know some new friends, played games, did activities and most importantly had a Bible Study.

Lombard Church Youth Group Lock In
We did a lot of activities ranging from taping balloons on people, duct taping kids to the walls, building structures with old newspapers, sardines, human foosball with tennis rackets and pingpong balls and made pizzas.
 

Lombard Church Youth Group Lock In

At 6am, after no sleep, we started watching The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  Our next youth group event will be to go see the sequel Prince Caspian on May 17th.

 

 

 

Topics: For Teenagers

Sermon from 04-20-08 Online

April 23, 2008

The sermon from 04-20-08 is online.  Enjoy.

 
icon for podpress  Sermon from 04-20-08 [23:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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First Looks - Sunday, April 20, 2008.

April 17, 2008

FIRST LOOKS:  Here we take a look at the theme of the coming week. 

 
MAKE ROOM!
At the pastoral conference in Michigan earlier this week the pastors spent some extended time dealing with a common concern: There is no room for God’s word in the lives of our people. Although we still have 24 hours in a day, they are all used up for something other than God’s word.
The issue arose when one pastor mentioned that his high school age members all had games or practices on Sunday morning. Others chimed in, pointing out that there was no time in the week that could be scheduled without interference. Youth activities, confirmation class, Bible class, and now finally Sunday school and church could not be scheduled without conflict from school, athletics, or social events.
In our text for this Sunday, James reminds us what a precious gift God’s word is to us because through it God has given us spiritual life and salvation. The life of the Christian has come from God through the word, and is dependent upon that word for endurance unto everlasting life.
For that reason, we not only push aside and get rid of the filth and evil that competes for a place in our lives, we also recognize the conflict between what is good and what is better – even essential!
Make room for Christ, who comes into your life through His word.

Topics: News

Next Youth Group Event

April 15, 2008

The next youth group event will be on 05/17/08 to go see the movie Prince Caspian.

St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Lombard, IL Youth Group Event

After the movie, we will come back to church for ice cream and some fun.  The time for the movie has yet to be determined.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics: For Teenagers

First Looks: Sunday, April 13

April 12, 2008

FIRST LOOKS:  Here we take a look at the theme of the coming week. 

THE COMING JOYFUL DAY

               This Sunday is Jubilate,or “Joyful.” On this day we consider what it means to live in joyful anticipation of the coming perfect and everlasting Joy that will be ours when we are fully united with our Savior in heaven.

On this Sunday get a sense of just why the Gospel of Christ is so relevant to everyone on earth – and yet a little strange. The Gospel of Christ is for every human being of any human culture, but it is not of any human culture. The Gospel of Christ is important to every person on earth precisely because none of us will live forever on this earth.

In our Epistle reading for today (and sermon text) Peter helps us ponder the fact that we live in this world as foreigners, as outsiders – and yet we do live in this world. Therefore our lives very much involve day-to-day living, and are wrapped up in the very physical life of eating, sleeping, being sick or well, marriage, becoming parents, age, and finally death.

But here is the key: As Christ went through the suffering of this life to a very real and physical resurrection, with a very real and physical joy in heaven, so we also pass through this world as “on-the way” to perfect joy in the place that He has prepared for us.

This world dies; we look forward to eternal life.

This world suffers under sin’s curse; we are on the way to a place where the curse is lifted.

The world has no hope in itself; our hope is in the true and perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.

This “otherworldness” shows in the way that we live – giving comfort and help to those in the trials of life, yet reserving our full and final hope for heaven.

This “otherworldness” shows in the way that we worship – with relevant applications of God’s word, but joining with all the saints on earth, and all the saints and angels of heaven to give praise to Christ for a salvation that counts not only on earth but in heaven.

Topics: News

Sermon from 03-30-08 Online

April 7, 2008

The semon from 03-30-08 is now online.  Enjoy.

 
icon for podpress  Sermon from 03-30-08 [23:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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First Looks: Sunday, April 6

April 3, 2008

FIRST LOOKS:  Here we take a look at the theme of the coming week.

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
Historically this is called Misericordia Domini Sunday. That is the Latin phrase for “the goodness of the Lord.” Not surprisingly, though, this Sunday is usually remembered as “Good Shepherd Sunday,” because of the wonderfully comforting image of Jesus as our good shepherd.
When we think of Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we frequently think of Him as He is pictured on the bulletin cover. He is carrying a little lamb to safety while the rest of the flock follows Him. That is a very appropriate image in fact, for He is the One who leaves the 99 sheep safe while He seeks out the lost.
In our readings for today, however, we see instead the shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Savaged by wolves, suffering and bleeding, in an agony of pain, the Good Shepherd drives off the wolves and saves the flock at mortal cost to Himself.
In the Gospel, John 10:11 ff, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” In the Old Testament Lesson Ezekiel writes (34:11 ff) “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them… I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” In the Epistle, Peter says, (1 Peter 2:25) “for you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
In all three of the lessons there is the element of danger with the shepherd as the rescuer. Truly, Jesus is our rescuer, our savior, from sin. He is also our rescuer from the spiritual perils of this world, leading us by means of His word.

 

Topics: News

First Looks: Sunday, March 30

March 26, 2008

 

FIRST LOOKS:  Here we take a look at the theme of the coming week.  For the Sunday after Easter we look at I John 5:4-12, which ends with these words: 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

 

WHO REALLY WINS?

Modern aircraft are marvels of engineering. They are incredibly strong for their weight. Nevertheless, they all have limits. A pilot has to know and respect the limits of his aircraft. There is the Vne, the never-exceed speed. There are g-force limits. There is the limit to the icing that the aircraft can tolerate.

The limits are included in the Aircraft Operation Manual and often the key ones are on placards in the cockpit. In addition the Federal Air Regulations make it clear that violating the noted limits is against regulations.

The limits are a matter of physics. Even with margins built in, aircraft cannot operate far beyond the physical limits without fatal results. 

Every so often, however, a pilot comes along who views the restrictions as a personal limitation on his freedom. “They won’t even let you do loops in this thing! That isn’t fair!” But there is no “they,” and the laws of physics aren’t fair or unfair, the just “are.”

Sad to say, many such pilots eventually make the “what went wrong” safety articles in the aviation magazines. They push an airplane beyond its limits with fatal results. They “won.” They showed that they could go beyond the operational limits. Do you think they really won?

In our text for today, we have a similar situation. John writes, 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. He makes it clear that without Christ, there is no salvation. Only Jesus has redeemed the world. Only by faith in Him do we receive the gift of His redemption.

There are people who respond in various ways: “Narrow minded!” “Unfair!” “Bigots!” “Who do those Christians think they are?!” You can add to the list.

But John isn’t being bossy. He is just telling us the facts. Nobody can make another person put their trust in Christ. Those who are offended can reject Christ and denounce those who bring the good news of His redeeming work. They can assert themselves and avoid anybody telling them what to do or believe. Do they really “win” against John and others who invite them to know and trust Christ?

The fact is that there is only one Savior for mankind.

12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) That’s just the way it is.

 

Topics: News

Good Friday Sermon Online

March 26, 2008

Our Good Friday sermon from 2008 is online.

 
icon for podpress  Good Friday 2008 [12:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Topics: Podcast


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