St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Feb 6, 2012, 12:50 pm
Life’s tough…and then Jesus died. Order of Service:  Word and Sacrament, CW p26 Lessons:  Job 7:1-7, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 Hymns: 353, 371:1-4, 93, 363
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jan 30, 2012, 10:00 am
The new Sunday morning Bible class — “What Luther says about…” — has something Bible studies at St. Mark haven’t for the past couple of months:  worksheets that are downloadable. Go to the Bible Studies page and scroll all the way down and you’ll be able to access the lessons from t...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jan 29, 2012, 3:02 pm
Him you shall hear Order of Service: Morning Praise (CW, p45) Lessons: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 Hymns: 82, 395 Downloadable Version In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The people of Capernaum were of two minds about Jesus.  On the one hand, what He said...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jan 28, 2012, 5:17 pm
A new hymn has been added to the hymnody page.  You can read it below.  At the “Hymnody” page you can download a Word file of the hymn. My soul boasts in the Lord alone Psalm 34 My soul boasts in the Lord alone, at all times, even when I groan. I glorify the Lord’s great name, Whose
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jan 28, 2012, 9:43 am
We’ll be starting some new Bible class topics soon, which means it’s a great time to jump into Bible class (or jump back in if you’ve been gone for a little bit). On Sundays (9:15am), we’ll take a break from our study and comparison of Bible translations to see some various Biblical and doc...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jan 23, 2012, 10:50 am
Jesus Comes and Calls You Order of Service: Common Service, CW p15 Lessons: Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 Hymns: 85, 770, 452, 542 Pr. Andrew Naumann, recruitment director at Michigan Lutheran Seminary (Saginaw, MI), preached this sermon for St. Mark’s Ministerial Education ...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jan 15, 2012, 1:47 pm
Jesus finds what He needs Order of Service: Common Service, CW p15 Lessons: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 Hymns: 283, 403, 86, 47:1, 4-5 Downloadable Version In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Sometimes the temptation overwhelms you to cry out, “God, you just ...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jan 7, 2012, 4:14 pm
Not too long ago St. Mark’s little website/blog reached a mini-milestone — our 50,000th visit!  It’s hard to believe it has been almost three years since we established this site. We pray that the content of this site — the posts, the sermons, the pages, the links, the Twitter feed, etc. �...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jan 2, 2012, 12:02 pm
We need this… Order of Service: Word and Sacrament, CW p26 Lessons: Numbers 6:22-27, Philippians 2:9-13, Luke 2:21 Hymns: 70, 708, 76, 584 Downloadable Version In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. I’m going to say something radical, “We need Jesus.”  There, aren’t you glad yo...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Dec 25, 2011, 1:43 pm
The Word became flesh Order of Service: Divine Service II (CW: Supplement) Lessons: Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-9, John 1:1-14 Hymns: 55, 62, 750 (1, 5-6), 35, 61 Downloadable Version In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. After church, on your way out, we’ll shake hands, or, as some sa...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Dec 25, 2011, 1:38 pm
God’s Christmas Truce Downloadable Version In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. December 24, 1914.  The first Christmas of World War I dawned.  Along the dreaded Western Front the armies of the Allies and the Central Powers dug deeply into their trenches to fight the war they though...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Dec 24, 2011, 10:42 am
“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”  For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God (John 5:17-18). Over the last few
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Dec 20, 2011, 9:23 am
The news from Penn State assaults us and sickens us.  A football coach sexually abuses young boys.  That’s bad enough.  Terrible.  Horrible.  Sickening.  But then we hear about how those around him handled it.  Each day reveals one moral and ethical failure after another.  And the terror, ...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Dec 19, 2011, 11:06 pm
St. Mark will have Divine Services on Christmas Eve (Sat., December 24, 6:30pm) Christmas Day (Sun., December 25, 10:30am, Lord’s Supper celebrated) New Year’s Day (Sun., January 1, 10:30am, Lord’s Supper celebrated). We will not have our normal midweek services on December 21 or December 28 b...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Dec 18, 2011, 4:04 pm
Gabriel’s got the best job ever Order of Service: Common Service, CW p15 Lessons: 2 Samuel 7:8-16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 Hymns: 23, 29, 31, 19, 24 Downloadable Version In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. “Hail, Mary, God’s favored one!  Blessed are you among women!” No...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Dec 15, 2011, 9:10 am
The Holy Spirit Makes His Report Order of Service: Meditation on the Creed, CW: Supplement, p72-73 Lessons: Luke 1:57-80, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 Hymns: 190, 753, 271:3, 6 In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.  Have you ever called the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, God the Holy Spirit,...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 31, 2011, 12:00 pm
These are the theses for discussion which Martin Luther posted on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517.  Note well, that when he wrote these theses he still felt himself a faithful follower of the pope and believed in things like purgatory.  He hadn’t yet totally broke...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 31, 2011, 9:30 am
From Luther’s Preface to the Complete Edition of Luther’s Latin Works (translated by Bro. Andrew Thornton, OSB; copyright St. Anselm’s Abbey, 1983):
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 31, 2011, 9:06 am
He went back… Lessons: Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 Hymns: 200, 280, 293, 203 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Because today we celebrate the Reformation, you may have come expecting to hear some great stories about Martin Luther and worms – or is it “vorm...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 30, 2011, 6:00 pm
A Mighty Fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from every need that has us now o’ertaken.  The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; on earth is not his equal. With might of ours can naught be
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 30, 2011, 2:06 pm
Has your God been able to rescue you? Order of Service: Divine Service II (CWS, p28) Lessons: Daniel 6:10-12, 16-23, Galatians 5:1-6, Matthew 10:16-23 Hymns: 201, 550, 203 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.  A king says, “Your God will deliver you!”  And the...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 25, 2011, 12:49 pm
Starting this Sunday — October 30 — the adult Bible class on Sunday mornings at St. Mark will begin a study of some of the different Bible translations that are available for use in public worship. The study will use one or two of the appointed Scripture lessons for the week and compare them acr...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 24, 2011, 9:34 am
God’s Game Changer Order of Service: Common Service (CW, p15) Lessons: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 21:28-32 Hymns: 385, 347, 494, 593 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. What turns a Jesus-damning, Christian-killer into the guy who goes thr...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 19, 2011, 2:40 pm
As October comes winding to an end, we look forward to more than the World Series (Go Rangers!) and Trick-or-Treating.  We look forward to commemorating a festival of the Church remembering how God preserves His Word among us — the Festival of the Reformation. Celebrating the Reformation isn’t ...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 10, 2011, 5:52 pm
Order of Service Downloadable version I am making everything new.  Now there’s some pie in the sky if I ever heard it.  You know that you can’t turn back time.  On eBay or Amazon you peruse items that are in good, acceptable, and very good condition.  Some, a choice few, list as “like new....
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 9, 2011, 1:33 pm
Stuck in the middle with you Order of Service: Service of the Word (CW, p38) Lessons: Genesis 50:15-21, Romans 14:5-9, Matthew 18:21-35 Hymns: 392, 117, 490, 327 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Let’s just put it out there.  In the Christian Church some matte...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Oct 2, 2011, 2:46 pm
Rejoice? Always? Really? Yes. Order of Service: Word and Sacrament (CW, p26) Lessons: Ezekiel 33:7-11, Romans 13:1-10, Matthew 18:15-20 Hymns: 493, 308, 311:1-3, 6-7, 505:1, 3-5 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. I imagine two things struck you about that verse fr...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Sep 25, 2011, 3:58 pm
The Word — it’s what’s for dinner! Order of Service: Common Service (CW, p15) Lessons: Jeremiah 15:15-21, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:21-26 Hymns: 104, 469, 355, 434 In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. “I found a fry on the floor, Dad, so I ate it.”  Sitting in a booth at a Mc...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Sep 18, 2011, 5:23 pm
Let God be God Order of Service: Common Service (CW, p15) Lessons: Exodus 6:2-8, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20 Hymns: 382, 537, 529, 538 audio http://www.powercleanersoftexas.com/stmark/Pent14_2011.mp3] Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Hurricane Irene batter...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Sep 14, 2011, 9:36 am
If you came over and saw Katherine and Samuel happily playing, you probably wouldn’t be too shocked (or disappointed).  If you ate with them, you’d probably have a great time. Unless you watched them playing with scissors and power tools.  Unless they ate pills from medicine bottles.  Then yo...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Sep 4, 2011, 1:30 pm
Don’t forget… Order of Service: Word and Sacrament (CW, p26) Lessons: 1 Kings 19:9-18, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:22-33 Hymns: 384, 433, 315, 415 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. It’s easy to forget what Jews are.  Perhaps you mostly think of Jews as people...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 28, 2011, 6:09 pm
One of those days Order of Service: Common Service (CW, p15) Lessons: Isaiah 55:1-5, Romans 8:35-39, Matthew 14:13-21 Hymns: 353, 395, 445, 332 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. You ever had “one of those days”?  Jesus did.  Jesus is.  He hops on a boat wi...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 21, 2011, 2:47 pm
Know God as He is Order of Service: Common Service (CW, p15) Lessons: 1 Kings 3:5-12, Romans 8:28-30, Matthew 13:44-52 Hymns: 477, 377:1-6, 386, 421 Downloadable version Hated by his brothers.  Thrown into a well.  Sold into slavery.  Falsely accused of rape.  Imprisoned.  That’s Joseph.  An...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 14, 2011, 4:34 pm
The Spirit helps us get it right Order of Service: Service of the Word (CW, p38) Lessons: Joel 3:12-16, Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Hymns: 181, 541, 413, 613 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Why do Catholics pray to Mary and the saints?  Because the...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 14, 2011, 11:15 am
“You buy, you buy!”  That call hounded us throughout Greece and Turkey.  Strangers, young and old, hassled us American tourists, trying to get us to buy guidebooks and postcards and Kenneth Cool jackets and Rulex watches and Chanel #6 perfumes. I got so sick of it, that when one of the street ...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 13, 2011, 10:00 am
Order of Service: Christian Memorial Lessons:  Ecclesiastes 7:1-4, John 10:14-18, 25-30 Solomon confuses us terribly, doesn’t he?  I say that because most people agree that he authored Ecclesiastes.  And many also agree that it’s one of the more puzzling books of the Bible. If you know it fo...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 8, 2011, 11:32 am
After a brief summer hiatus, Bible classes and Sunday School are back in action.  A recap of what’s going on: On Wednesday mornings (9:30am, Education Building) we’re studying Genesis 12-25.  We’ll be doing chapter 13 this week. On Sunday mornings (9:15am, Education Building) we’re wrappin...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 7, 2011, 2:23 pm
This morning Pastor Tomczak announced that he is returning the two Divine Calls he received to serve as pastor at parishes in California and Colorado and will remain at St. Mark to serve as her pastor. Please pray that the Lord of the Church swiftly sends new shepherds to serve His people in Califor...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 7, 2011, 2:19 pm
It’s apples and oranges… Order of Service: Word and Sacrament (CW, p26) Lessons: Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 8:18-25, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Hymns: 280, 544, 322, 538 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The pope finally did it.  After many petitions and requests, i...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Aug 2, 2011, 1:29 pm
One of the highlights of this (and any) Synod Convention is the theological essay.  Here is one of this year’s essays, presented by Pr. Jon Zabell, for your consideration: Cleansed and Fed Pr. Zabell simply, yet thoroughly reminds us of what the Scripture’s and our Lutheran Confessions teach ab...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 31, 2011, 2:18 pm
Choose Jesus! Order of Service: Morning Praise (CW, p45) Lessons:  Exodus 33:12-23, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:25-30 Hymns: 471, 338 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.  “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathe...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 29, 2011, 1:05 pm
The Wisconsin Synod met in Convention this week at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI.  You can see pictures, read the minutes, peruse the resolutions, see election results, and follow come delegate blogs here: WELS Convention 2011
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 24, 2011, 3:05 pm
You’re dead to me Order of Service: Common Service (p15) Lessons: Jeremiah 28:5-9, Romans 6:1-11, Matthew 10:43-42 Hymns: 294, 736, 737, 293 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. I know a husband who, while watching his favorite college football team lose to his wi...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 19, 2011, 12:28 pm
WELS View: Scripture Alone Because of the amount of media attention given to the “controversy” over Michelle Bachmann’s former membership in the Wisconsin Synod and the Wisconsin Synod’s view of the Antichrist, WELS President, Pr. Mark Schroeder released this op-ed piece through the Religion...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 18, 2011, 12:04 am
This afternoon, St. Mark’s pastor, Benjamin Tomczak, received two Divine Calls to serve as the pastor of other parishes in the Wisconsin Synod. The first (chronologically) Call was to serve as pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and School, Belmont, CA (1/2 hour south of San Francisco and 1/2 hou...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 17, 2011, 3:00 pm
It’s not unfair Common Service (p15) Lessons: Jeremiah 20:7-13, Romans 5:12-15, Matthew 10:24-33 Hymns: 396, 419, 378, 754 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Paul says in Romans 5, Death came to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12).  Death reigned from the...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 10, 2011, 6:15 am
What would you do? Order of Service: Service of the Word (CW, p38) Lessons: Exodus 19:2-8a, Romans 5:6-11, Matthew 9:35-10:8 Hymns: 573, 385, 487, 277 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The case made most local and national papers.  I think it’s safe to say tha...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 4, 2011, 10:00 am
A prayer for the fourth of July: Christ, by heavenly hosts adored, gracious, mighty, sovereign Lord, God of nations, King of kings, Head of all created things, by the Church with joy confessed, God o’er all, forever blest — pleading, at your throne we stand:  Save your people, bless our land. O...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 3, 2011, 1:31 pm
“This hereditary sin is such a deep corruption of nature that no reason can understand it.  Rather it must be believed from the revelation of Scripture” (Smalcald Articles III:1:3). Luther hit the nail on the head with this one.  Do most people understand that they’re not perfect?  Yes.  I...
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St. Mark L. posted an article on The Blog of St. Mark - Jul 3, 2011, 1:26 pm
God or government?  Or is it God and government? Order of Service: Word and Sacrament (p26) Lessons: Deuteronomy 6:4-7 and 17, Romans 13:1-17, Matthew 22:15-22 Hymns: 617, 253, 618, 619 Downloadable version In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.  The conspirators gather in an out-of-the...
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