Our Savior Lutheran’s February 2O2O iÉ|vx For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:13-14 (ESV) Lent Begins with Ash Wednesday Worship Service February 26 @ 7:00 pm with the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion
Transcript
Our Savior Lutheran’sFebruary 2O2OiÉ|vx
For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes ofa heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Hebrews 9:13-14 (ESV)
Lent Begins with
Ash Wednesday Worship Service
February 26 @ 7:00 pmwith the imposition of ashes and
Holy Communion
Voice 2
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ:Article II of the Augsburg Confession (ACII) deals with the fundamental problem faced by humanity, sin. The existenceof sin cannot be denied by any reasonable person since it is abundantly evident in the world around us. Yet despite thisevidence of sin, the Biblical teaching concerning sin continues to be denied by many in our age, making this article justas valuable today as it was when it was first written in 1530.
Scripture clearly reveals the cause of sin in the world. When God created the world and man, they were created perfect.But this world would not remain perfect for long. The Bible states the cause of sin is Satan who tempted Adam and Eveto disobey the command of God, bringing about “the fall” (Gn 3). This was the most devastating event in the history ofthe world, bringing sin into the lives of all people from that time forward.
In ACII, the reformers make a distinction between Actual Sin (sins actually committed) and Original Sin (inheritedsin). Very few deny actual sin, but many deny original sin. In ACII original sin is described, “…this inborn sicknessand hereditary sin is truly sin and condemns to the eternal wrath of God all those who are not born again throughBaptism and the Holy Spirit.”
The doctrine of original sin is clearly taught in Scripture. Sin is not a product of our environment or something wegrow into with age but is a “disease” we are conceived in. When God created Adam and Eve, He created them in Hisown image (Gn 1:27). The image of God consists of true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24) and perfect knowledge(Col 3:10).
But after the fall, when Eve bore a son, we are told that he was not born in the image of God, but was born in the likenessof his (now sinful) father: “And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after hisimage, and named him Seth” (Gn 5:3). Seth inherited his father’s sinful nature, just as we all have.
The result? All people are born with sin. (Rm 3:10-12). All people have a natural inclination to do evil. (1 Co 2:14).Without Spiritual rebirth sinners stand condemned before God. (Eph 2:11-12). The punishment for sin is eternal death.(Eph 2:11-12).
ACII continues by rejecting those false teaching which still plague us today. Pelagians were followers of a British monkwho taught that man’s nature is not depraved since the fall but is in a state of moral indifference. Pelagius taught thatwe are born without virtue or vice, though capable of both, depending solely on the will of the individual.
Modern day Pelagians are Unitarians who teach that good is inherent in all people. Quakers, who teach that all humanbeings can choose between the good and evil inside them. And Mormons who do not believe in original sin and teachthat human beings are not inherently evil.
Today we also fight against the false teachings of Semi-Pelagians who hold that free will was only partially impaired bythe fall, so that salvation depends on grace and the correct use of our natural powers. Roman Catholics teach salvationby works.
Arminians were followers of Arminius who taught that humans beings can and must aid in their own conversion (calledsynergism). Synergism is taught by many Protestant churches today who are well known for their “decision theology”.
Any teachings which minimize the problem of our sinful state or elevates the power of the human being to save himselfundermines the work of Christ for our salvation. The false teachings above, in one way or another, all destroy theScriptural teaching of Grace Alone. The Biblical teaching of sin and our total inability to save ourselves is an essentialpart of God’s plan of salvation, because it reveals to us our great need for salvation through Christ. If we are without aninclination to sin, and can save ourselves, then Christ would havedied in vain! (Gal 2:21)
Therefore, this month, as you continue your Scripture reading,remember God’s forgiving love for you in Christ and confess yoursins so that you may know the magnitude of the grace of Christ.
In Christ’s Service and Yours,
Pastor Krieg
Voice 3
MEN ALIVE IN CHRIST 22nd ANNUAL RETREAT
January 31, Feb 1 & 2
Kaiserhof Retreat Center, Tomball, Texas
Cost is $175.00 for the weekend, $75.00 for Saturday only(with Dinner), first time participants is 50% of the statedcost and same for college students. We encourage all menof Our Savior to attend to study and see in action thoseof Christian men in our church. Doctor/Professor ofAncient History Karl Baughman will deliver the topic on“Render unto Caesar; Christians and Civil Society.”Competitive events such as Ping Pong, Corn hole,Foosball and Skeet Shooting will be played, as well asDominoes and Texas Hold’em. Church service will beheld Sunday Morning, lead by Pastor Krieg. Pleaseregister at www.oslmenalive.com, or call Ben Schoppe at713-858-5701 for more information.
Lenten Wednesdays &
Fellowship Meals!
We thank all our groups who volunteered toserve for our upcoming Wednesday Lentenmeals, which are served in the Bible Class Room,from 5:45-6:30 pm. This year, Cindy Blake willhead up the preparation of the meals, so ourvolunteers will be doing the setup, serving, andcleanup. Anyone is welcome to help these groupseach week as a wonderful way of fellowship withyour church family.
February 26- Fellowship March 04 - Men AliveMarch 11 - Parish Ed / Youth March 18 - LWML March 25 - Altar GuildApril 01 - OSL Teachers
Voice 4
Mardi Gras BINGO!Join Us for a Fellowship Mardi Gras Pot-Luck & BINGO PartySaturday, February 8, at 6:00 pm, in the Bible Class Room!Bring the family and your favorite pot of New Orleans’style/Cajun dish to share, and we will provide the King Cakeand drinks!
Remember your white-elephant gifts for the BINGO prizes!
Good time to clean out your CDs, toys & books, or bringsomething fun & new.
We will also have some CASHprizes as well!
Epiphany comes from aGreek word that means“to show.” Jesus first showed himself to the 3 wise men and to the world on this day. As a symbol of thisHoly Day, a tiny plastic baby is placed inside each King Cake.
Voice 5
Memorials &Honors:Memorials are given in memory of our loved onesfor the glory of God to the “Forward FaithfullyFund,” unless otherwise noted.
Dear OSL Church Members:Thank you for the thanksgiving basket. It is alwaysnice to see a visitor from OSL. I am at Park ManorHumble if anyone is ever in the area.
God Bless You!Floyd Pless
We would like to thank you for the many prayers thatwent out when Chandler Jahn was in ICU, andcontinued after his passing. Special thanks to PastorWhite for being with us at the most critical time andalso for him performing the graveside service. Thecards, calls, memorials, and most importantly theprayers are greatly appreciated.
Blessings to all,The Jahn &MitschkeFamily
Holy Land Classic Tour
Rev. Richard Kurth, former pastor at St. Mark,
is leading a tour to the Holy Land, March 15-24, 2021.
If interested, information is available in the church office, or ...
www.EO.travel
800-247-0017
Our Savior Lutheran School–
Serving Families for Jesus Christ
Re-Enrollment for 2020-2021
Re-enrollment for the 2020-2021 remains open to current students only through January 31. Enrollment willopen to the public on February 1, 2020. Current students must re-enroll for each school year — students arenot automatically registered. ALL church tithes, tuition, lunch accounts, extended care accounts and bandmust be current in order for families to re-enroll. Enrollment packets will be available in RenWeb/FACTSFamily Portal to current accounts. Re-enrollment is not complete until the registration fee has been paid andpayment plan for 2020-2021 school year has been selected. We are pleased to announce that there will be noincrease in registration fees for the 2020-2021 school year. RenWeb charges a $10 processing fee per studentregistration.
Step-Up Day for PS-4th Grade
Tuesday, January 21, Preschool - 4th grade had their annual “Step-Up” day where the students visit their 2020-2021 classroom for 20-30 minutes to meet the teacher and learn about the exciting things they will be doingthroughout the next school year. This is an exciting event for the students in these classes.
Mother Daughter BanquetSaturday, March 7 at 6:00 pm
The Ladies of the Altar Guild invite all Moms, Daughters, Sisters andGirlfriends to join us for our 29th Annual OSL Mother Daughter Banqueton Saturday, March 7 at 6:00 pm. Enjoy an evening with Phil Nichols’Ventrilo-Magic Show and his entourage of funny characters and super magicfor audiences of all ages. Tickets for the dinner and show are $25 each andtables are set for parties of 10. Tickets go on sale Sunday, February 2, afterchurch outside the Bible Class Room.
Proceeds from this Banquet enable our Altar Guild to decorate ourSanctuary to the Glory of God and the enrichment of the worship experience.
Please check the Sunday bulletins for more information.
Voice 11
Our Savior LutheranChurch & School5000 W. Tidwell Rd.Houston TX 77091-4633
Serving Families for Jesus Christ
Return Service Requested
**Article entry deadline is February 15 for March’s issue**
Mardi Gras BingoFebruary 8 @ 6:00 pm, in the Bible Class Room
