Jesus, The Friend of Sinners
Let’s prepare our hearts and minds for the Sunday, August 22 worship service and the sermon by reviewing the bible readings, confession, and reflection.
Bible Reading 1: Romans 4:1-8 (ESV)
4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in[a] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Confession/Creed: The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Bible Reading 2: Matthew 11:19 (ESV)
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Reflection
Jesus relates to you as a person, because he became a person. Jesus is not the idea of friendship, abstractly; he is an actual friend. - Paraphrase of Dane Ortlund.
See you Sunday at 10:00 AM!
We hope you can join us August 22 at 10:00 AM, in-person or via Livestream, as Pastor Martin speaks about these verses. Here are the complete details for Sunday’s Service. The link for Sunday’s Livestream is below. Lastly, if you like, listen to Sunday’s song selection.
July 11 Sermon by Pastor John Yenchko is at 10:00 AM In-Person and here via YouTube.
Miss a recent service/sermon? Here is the "Worship Service Archive" page.