St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter —June 2020

The Cornerstone

“I was glad when they said to me,

‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’”

Psalm 122:1

Page 2 Cornerstone

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Count It All Joy Page 3

News and Notes Page 4-5

Resources for Sunday Morning Worship at home Pages 6-9

Poems by Bonnie Buchhop & Life Quotes Page 10

The Last Word— “That’s Greek to me, or is it Latin?” Page 11

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 2551 W. Bacon Rd. Hillsdale, MI 49242 (517)437-2762 www.stpauls-hillsdale.org email: officestaff.stpauls@gmail.com Acknowledgements: Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.

Cornerstone Page 3

Count It All Joy

Dear friends in Christ,

I have no doubt that you have suffered countless

struggles and burdens over the last few months.

We could list them, but we’d run out of space be-

fore running out of trials. Some have tried to bring

context to our current sufferings by suggesting

that in comparison to our ancestors we have it

pretty good. Maybe. I don’t know. Not receiving

Holy Communion for months because of a deadly

virus (and government orders) is a terrible thing to

suffer. Holding a funeral with less than ten people

is a sorrow not easily washed away. What I do

know is that this present age has plenty of suffer-

ing, sorrow, trial, struggle, and burden to go

around. And none is immune.

The Holy Scripture is clear about suffering and tri-

al, “Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet

trials of various kinds, for you know that the test-

ing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let

steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be

perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James

1:2-4) Trial in itself is a terrible burden to bear,

(these months have done nothing if not prove

that) but it isn’t without purpose from God. It’s of-

ten at the worst of times that the best is brought

out. That’s a cliché of course, but it’s also true.

When we face down trial clinging firmly to our

faith in Christ, we find that our faith isn’t broken,

but rather strengthened.

Consider that in nearly every way imaginable your

faith has been pressed into action. You’ve had

more to pray about. More questions to search the

Holy Scripture for answers. More doubts that need

the assurance of the resurrection. More more

more. Trial brings a focus to your faith. You need

comfort and peace and healing and protection now

and for this specific thing. So you pray and think

and read about that, intensely. In many ways

suffering makes you more effective spiritually. As

St. James says, it produces steadfastness.

But notice that it doesn’t make you superhuman,

or even superfaithful. The challenges of daily life,

when seen through the lens of faith, don’t drive us

back to ourselves to buckle down and solve the

universe’s problems with our efforts. As though we

could heal someone if we only prayed hard

enough. No, they drive us back to the One who be-

came man and took the world’s problems upon

Himself and overcame them, winning the victory

over sin, death, and devil for you. Knowing that

God can heal we pray that He would heal, and con-

fess the same to those in need. We are driven to

seek help in time of need from the Word of God

and His Holy Sacraments. These are where God in

His Son Jesus Christ is present for you now with

His forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

This is the great comfort of Pentecost: God has not

left us as orphans, but is with us in the Holy Spirit

through His Word and Sacraments bringing us the

benefits of the cross of Christ. That’s a mouthful,

but it’s a great comfort in the midst of trial. Thank

God for these current times. Count it all joy. Christ

is with you.

In Christ, Pastor Willman

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Church Groups and Events this Summer

We are all very anxious to get back to work and enjoy our church groups and service activities. The present order from the governor lasts until June 12. We don’t know if there will be an exten-sion. With that in mind we are going to be actively monitoring the situation and keep your informed. The church council will be meeting to discuss plans and make decisions. We encourage your prayers for all in this matter.

At this point we will only be meeting for church services on Sunday. All other activities and meet-ings will be started as we know more about the governor’s orders and our ability to open to various groups in a reasonable manner. We have many groups represented in the ministry of our church. We will do our best to accommodate all in a safe and responsible manner.

Communication is important. If you have specific questions about your group or Bible study, please contact your group leader. Group leaders, please be in contact with the pastors, church office, or a council member.

Good things are in store for us as we trust in the Lord Jesus in all things. Thank you for your kind and supportive communications with us at the church, and for your faith and interest in the Lord’s work.

The Pastors

What about the Education Hour?

At this point, our plan is to continue our on-line Christian Education hour at 9:15 AM on Sunday Morning. If things change, we can change our plans.

Vacation Bible School plans are still under discus-sion. We do know that there will be no Vacation Bible School program scheduled for June. We’ll let you know more as plans develop.

All other Bible classes are on hold for now, but cer-tainly not forever. Please know that our desire is to open as there is interest and as soon as possible.

Baby Shower for baby Willman this June!

St. Paul’s Life Team is heading up a baby shower for the new arrival at the Willman household. The baby is expected later in June. Since having a tra-ditional baby shower isn’t practical under the pre-sent circumstances, the Life Team would like to encourage you to consider a card/gift shower. You can bring your gift to church and place it in a box near the coffee nook. Or you may mail your gift to the Willman family directly at:

Pastor Sean and Anna Willman 2651 W. Bacon Rd. Hillsdale, MI 49242

News and Notes

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Dear Friends in Christ,

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” Psalm 122:1

By the grace and mercy of God, we are planning to resume all regularly scheduled church services on May 31, 2020. With this in mind, please note the following.

If you choose to attend a service there is an in-creased risk of exposure to illness. We will do all we can to reduce this risk, but it can-not be eliminated. By coming to church, you acknowledge this reality.

If you are sick or showing any symptoms of ill-ness, please stay home.

There will be a variety of opinions concerning topics related to the health crisis. As God’s people we will strive to be understanding and supportive of one another.

If you need to avoid large gatherings, please schedule private communion with the Pas-tors.

There will be changes. We thank you in ad-vance for your patience and cooperation.

We will offer all three regular services, 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, & 6:00 PM. The 10:30 service will be livestreamed.

To offer additional protection for health con-cerns we will begin with the following pro-cedures.

We will only utilize every other pew to maintain six feet of distance between families or individuals. Pews marked with a CROSS are to be used for seat-ing. Please pick up a hymnal as you enter the church and return it after the service. This will assist us with sanitizing them for next week.

We will not require masks, but if you would like to wear a mask, you are free to do so.

Offering plates will be on the table in the back of the church, and by the aisle during communion. The offering plates will not be passed down the aisle.

We will be offering Communion using a continuous line. Please place your Communion cards, and offerings in the plates that will be in the front of the church by the aisle. If other di-rections are necessary, they will be given in the service.

If you will not be communing, you may leave after the prayer of the church if you choose.

After the service, you are encouraged to exit the church immediately. Any visiting will be enjoyed outside the building in the open air, maintaining the six feet distance rule.

Since the 10:30 service is the largest, please consider coming at 6:00 PM. If a few of us would come at 6:00 PM it would help our attendance to be more evenly distributed between the services. Service attendances will bal-ance out naturally, as we move for-ward. We have no plans to assign services or make reservations.

Thank you for your attention to this note. We an-ticipate that things will be clearer as time passes. Please keep this matter in your prayers.

God’s blessings in Jesus always!

Pastors and Elders

A Letter from the Elders Concerning Resuming Sunday Services

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June 7, 2020 - The Holy Trinity

The Order of Service Divine Service Setting 4 p.203 The Scripture Readings Genesis 1:1-2:4a Acts 2:14a, 22-36 Matthew 28:16-20 The Hymns 906 O Day of Rest and Gladness 498 Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest 500 Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid 840 Christ High-Ascended, 507 Holy, Holy, Holy

COLLECT Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the con-fession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forev-er.

THE SCRIPTURE SUMMARY The Holy Triune God Recreates Us in the Image and Likeness of Christ Jesus The holy Triune God “created the heavens and the earth,” and “behold, it was very good” (Gen. 1:1, 31). However, after Adam and Eve fell into sin and plunged God’s good creation into decay and death, the Son of God would be “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” to be “crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23). As Jesus “received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:33), He also raises up all the baptized and pours out the Spirit upon them through the preaching of His Gospel. He sends out His apostles to “make disciples of all nations” by “baptizing them in the name of the Fa-

ther and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and “teaching them to observe all that [He has] com-manded” (Matt. 28:19–20). Through such baptizing and teaching — Gospel and Sacraments — the ho-ly Triune God recreates us in the image and like-ness of His incarnate Son, Jesus, the Christ, and behold, it is “very good” (Gen. 1:31). 498 Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

1 Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, And make our hearts Your place of rest; Come with Your grace and heav’nly aid, And fill the hearts which You have made.

2 To You, the Counselor, we cry, To You, the gift of God Most High; The fount of life, the fire of love, The soul’s anointing from above.

3 In You, with graces sevenfold, We God’s almighty hand behold While You with tongues of fire proclaim To all the world His holy name.

4 Your light to ev’ry thought impart, And shed Your love in ev’ry heart; The weakness of our mortal state With deathless might invigorate.

5 Drive far away our wily foe, And Your abiding peace bestow; With You as our protecting guide, No evil can with us abide.

6 Teach us to know the Father, Son, And You, from both, as Three in One That we Your name may ever bless And in our lives the truth confess.

7 Praise we the Father and the Son And Holy Spirit, with them One, And may the Son on us bestow The gifts that from the Spirit flow!

Text: Public domain

Sunday Online Service Materials

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June 14, 2020 - Second Sunday after Pentecost

The Order of Service Divine Service Setting 1 p.151 The Scripture Readings Exodus 19:2-8 Romans 5:6-15 Matthew 9:35-10:20 The Hymns 830 Spread the Reign of God 834 O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth 856 O Christ, Who Called the Twelve 562 All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall 753 All for Christ I Have Forsaken COLLECT

Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

THE SCRIPTURE SUMMARY The Lord Our God Saves Us in Love and Cares for Us by the Ministry of His Gospel The holy Triune God “shows his love for us in that while we were still sin-ners,” ungodly and at enmi-ty with Him, “Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). The in-carnate Son has justified us by His blood and recon-ciled us to His God and Fa-ther (Rom. 5:9–10). Where-as sin and death originated with Adam, forgiveness and life abound for all his children “through the one man Je-sus Christ” (Rom. 5:12–17). As the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, so does He bring us to Himself by the Gos-pel and make of us “a kingdom of priests and a holy na-tion” (Ex. 19:6) by our Baptism into Christ. For “all that the Lord has spoken” (Ex. 19:8), Christ has done for us. As He has gone up to God by His cross and resurrection, so does He bring us to the Father in Himself (Ex. 19:3–

4). Nor does He leave us “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36), but He sends men with authority “to heal every dis-ease and every affliction” by His forgiveness of sins (Matt. 10:1). In their proclamation, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 10:7). 834 O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth

1 O God, O Lord of heav’n and earth, Thy living finger never wrote That life should be an aimless mote, A deathward drift from futile birth. Thy Word meant life triumphant hurled In splendor through Thy broken world. Since light awoke and life began, Thou hast desired Thy life for man.

2 Our fatal will to equal Thee, Our rebel will wrought death and night. We seized and used in prideful spite Thy wondrous gift of liberty. We housed us in this house of doom, Where death had royal scope and room, Until Thy servant, Prince of Peace, Breached all its walls for our release.

3 Thou camest to our hall of death, O Christ, to breathe our poisoned air, To drink for us the dark despair That strangled our reluctant breath. How beautiful the feet that trod The road that leads us back to God! How beautiful the feet that ran To bring the great good news to man!

4 O Spirit, who didst once restore Thy Church that it might be again The bringer of good news to men, Breathe on Thy cloven Church once more, That in these gray and latter days There may be those whose life is praise, Each life a high doxology To Father, Son, and unto Thee.

Text: © 1967 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission: CPH Limited Promotional License no. 119000000

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June 21, 2020 - Third Sunday after Pentecost

The Order of Service Divine Service Setting 3 p.184 The Scripture Readings Jeremiah 20:7-13 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:5a, 21-33 Introit Psalm 56:3-4, 10-11; antiphon: v. 13 659 Lord of Our Life 666 O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe 756 Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me 728 How Firm a Foundation COLLECT

O God, because Your abiding presence always goes with us, keep us aware of Your daily mercies that we may live secure and content in Your eternal love; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

THE SCRIPTURE SUMMARY

Delivered from Sin and Death, You Now Live before God in the Righteousness of Christ The outcome of sin is death, “but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). He has set you free from the slavery of sin and has brought you “from death to life” (Rom. 6:13). No longer are you under the condemnation of the Law, but you live “under grace” (Rom. 6:14). Such is your courage in the face of “those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matt. 10:28). For though “you will be hated by all” and maligned by the world for the name of Christ (Matt. 10:22, 25), you abide in the care of your Father in heaven, who numbers “even the hairs of your head” and values you more “than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:30–31). By the Word of Christ, you have become like Him, your Teacher and Master in whom you endure to the end, and “will be saved” (Matt. 10:22, 25). For He is with you “as a dread warrior,” who has overcome your enemies (Jer. 20:11). By the righteousness of faith, He delivers your heart, mind, body and life “from the hand of evildoers,” and He brings you into the land of the living (Jer. 20:12–13).

659 Lord of Our Life

1 Lord of our life and God of our salvation, Star of our night and hope of ev’ry nation: Hear and receive Your Church’s supplication. Lord God Almighty.

2 See round Your ark the hungry billows curl-ing; See how Your foes their banners are unfurling And with great spite their fiery darts are hurl-ing. O Lord, preserve us.

3 Lord, be our light when worldly darkness veils us; Lord, be our shield when earthly armor fails us; And in the day when hell itself assails us, Grant us Your peace, Lord:

4 Peace in our hearts, where sinful thoughts are raging, Peace in Your Church, our troubled souls as-suaging, Peace when the world its endless war is waging, Peace in your heaven.

Text: Public domain

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June 28, 2020 - The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost The Order of Service Divine Service Setting 4 p.203 The Scripture Readings Jeremiah 28:5-9 Romans 7:1-133 Matthew 10:34-42 The Hymns 656 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 685 Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus 619 Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior 750 If Thou But Trust in God 753 All for Christ I Have Forsaken COLLECT

Almighty God, by the working of Your Holy Spirit, grant that we may gladly hear Your Word proclaimed among us and follow its di-recting; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

THE SCRIPTURE SUMMARY The Lord Jesus Brings Division on Earth for the Sake of Peace with God in Heaven False prophets preach what their hearers want to hear, promising peace even when the Lord has spo-ken “war, famine, and pestilence” (Jer. 28:8). But if “the Lord has truly sent the prophet,” he speaks what the Lord has spoken, and “the word of that prophet comes to pass” (Jer. 28:9). The preaching of God’s Law is hard, because it confronts sin, brings it to light and makes it worse, “sinful beyond measure,” thereby “producing death” in the sinner (Rom. 7:13). But through our Baptism into Christ, “we are re-leased from the law, having died to that which held us captive” (Rom. 7:6). Now we belong “to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God” (Rom. 7:4). Belonging to Him puts us at odds with the world and divides us from all earthly ties, not only from our human family, but each per-son from his own life. For Christ does not come “to bring peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34). Yet, whoever

takes up his cross to follow Christ, and “loses his life” for Christ’s sake, finds new life in Him (Matt. 10:38–39). 685 Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus

1 Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure, Through a world that would deceive us And to sin our spirits lure. Onward in His footsteps treading, Pilgrims here, our home above, Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father’s bidding. Faithful Lord, with me abide; I shall follow where You guide.

2 Let us suffer here with Jesus And with patience bear our cross. Joy will follow all our sadness; Where He is, there is no loss. Though today we sow no laughter, We shall reap celestial joy; All discomforts that annoy Shall give way to mirth hereafter. Jesus, here I share Your woe; Help me there Your joy to know.

3 Let us gladly die with Jesus. Since by death He conquered death, He will free us from destruction, Give to us immortal breath. Let us mortify all passion That would lead us into sin; And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven. Jesus, here with You I die, There to live with You on high.

4 Let us also live with Jesus. He has risen from the dead That to life we may awaken. Jesus, You are now our head. We are Your own living members; Where You live, there we shall be In Your presence constantly, Living there with You forever. Jesus, let me faithful be, Life eternal grant to me.

Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: CPH Limited Pro-motional License no. 119000000

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Everyday Poems

by Bonnie Buchhop

"Corona 2020"

We are at war with a virus.

We are facing many unknowns.

Wearing masks and keeping our distance,

Staying for months in our homes.

The daily numbers are alarming,

the deaths and the hospitalizations.

The savage bow to our economy,

the lost jobs across the nation.

But there are no bombs exploding,

no soldiers coming in the night.

We won't be taken prisoner,

or over taken by foreign might.

So try to look for blessings,

this time with your family,

the abundant food at the grocery

that the world never sees.

Spring is here, enjoy the season,

catch up on all your chores.

Call friends you rarely see.

Spend time on you hobby more.

Read your Bible and do devotions.

Pray for renewed faith.

God is forever and unchanging.

He's beside us on this path.

Life Notes from Lutherans for Life

June 7 “As you love the Savior, and through Him the members of your family, seek to remember how it is when Christ attends a wedding. He is not only to be a permanent and prominent Guest in your home; He should be its most visible centerpiece, enriching your

marriage and empowering your relationships with others.” Rev. Dr. Armin Oldsen, former speaker of “The Lutheran Hour” – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org

June 14 “If you’re married and afraid your vows of faithfulness are fading like the mist, lean on Jesus. His words, ‘Do not be afraid,’ can allow you to for-give, rebuild, and rediscover hope and love. If you’re an unmarried mother worried about your child growing up without a father, come to Jesus with your little one. Hear Him say, ‘Do not be afraid. I will give you guidance.’ Today is the day the Holy Spirit is calling you to introduce you to the Savior. His Name is Jesus. If you don’t know Him, call on Him. If you do know Him, draw closer. Jesus offers you a new life—courageous, inspired, and given by God Himself.” Rev. Ken Klaus, former Speaker of “The Lutheran Hour” – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org

June 21 “So how do we handle Father’s Day? First, thank God for your father and for any lessons he taught you, either through positive or negative ac-tions. (If Dad is still around, thank him too.) Sec-ond, thank your Father God that He fills in all the gaps where earthly fathers don’t always measure up.” Linda Kerr, Time of Grace – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org

June 28 “The family is universal. Individuals meet-

ing from different cultures do not have to explain to

each other what a family is. The family lies at the

quantum level of human society. Family life is

deeply rooted in an area of mystery we do not fully

understand. Like a tree, it is living, rooted, and

nourished by the soil of the past and reaching up

into the future. It is not manufactured. Although

socially reinforced, it is not ‘socially constructed.’ It

is a precious Gift.” James M. Kushiner, The Fellow-

ship of St. James – A Life Quote from Lutherans For

Life • www.lutheransforlife.org

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You may recognize the symbol in the middle

of this page. It is a common symbol for the

Holy Trinity. On the first Sunday of June we

celebrate Trinity Sunday. How is this sig-

nificant to us?

When we confess the creed we are outlining

the Gospel. We are confessing, and remind-

ing ourselves, of all the good things that God

has done and is still doing for us. God is

faithful, kind, gracious, and lov-

ing. Yet, we are very forgetful of

His mercies and are all the poor-

er for it.

Trinity Sunday is a long-

standing tradition in the church.

It is a different kind of festival,

because it isn’t about a particu-

lar act of God. It isn’t about the

incarnation of our Lord Jesus

(Christmas). It isn’t about Jesus’ resurrec-

tion from the dead (Easter.) It isn’t about

the coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost.) It

is about a profound truth about God’s very

nature revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

Trinity Sunday is about ALL the acts of God,

past, present and future. Yes, it’s a big deal.

Without a proper understanding of God’s

nature we are prone to fall into many errors

and risk losing the Gospel itself.

I found this nice graphic in our files, but I

was rather sad to see that it was all in Latin.

“It’s all Greek to me!” is an old saying that

some used to say that something is beyond

one’s understanding. Most people don’t

speak Greek, so the old saying fits. But, this

little symbol isn’t all that hard to under-

stand.

Pater means Father. Filius means Son.

Spritus Sanctus means Holy Spirit. Deus

means God. Non est means “is not.” Est

means “is.” There you go! All the words, but

what do they mean in the symbol?

We will confess the beautiful Athansian

Creed on Trinity Sunday. But,

in a brief overview, the symbol

reflects the reality that God is

one in three persons, Father,

Son, and Holy Spirit. The Atha-

nasian Creed clearly talks about

how each of the persons of the

Trinity is distinct. And yet,

there are not three God’s, but

one God.

This baffles the human mind,

yet, it is exactly how the scriptures speak of

God’s person, one God in three persons.

Through this Holy Trinity we receive all the

blessings of the Father in creation each day.

Through this Holy Trinity we are redeemed

from our Sins through Jesus and given the

gift of the resurrection. Through this Holy

Trinity we are brought to faith by the Holy

Spirit and kept in faith unto everlasting life.

Trinity Sunday may just be difficult to un-

derstand because it is a big deal. God’s na-

ture touches everything in our experience.

It should require our thought and prayerful

meditation in thanksgiving. For in the Holy

Trinity we see the Gospel in full measure.

Pastor Dan Johnson

The Last Word—That’s Greek to me, or is it Latin?

Sunday Divine Services

8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 6:00 PM (Also available online at 10:30 AM)

Celebrating the Goodness of God Father + Son + Holy Spirit

Home, Church, and Community

Sunday Morning Bible Study & Sun-day School - Online at 9:15 AM

For other events please check the calendar or call the church office (517) 437-2762

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

2551 W. Bacon Rd.

Hillsdale, Michigan 49242