Jesus Promises Help, Guidance, and Peace
By James Wiese on June 3, 2022
Pentecost – Confirmation Address June 5, 2022
Text: Based on the Gospel: John 14:23-27 CW-21 Series C 22:2327
Theme: Jesus Promises Help, Guidance, and Peace.
Are you nervous? That’s okay. I remember that I was nervous on my Confirmation Day too. And guess what – I’m still alive. Are you wondering if you will answer the questions correctly? Then look to the Lord and we will get through it alright; I promise you.
Let’s begin by just thinking about Confirmation. It’s a time that is filled with sacred memories for many older Lutheran Christians, and I hope that one day the same will be true for you. For example, 55 years ago, 55 years ago!!!! I sat where you are, not in that chair/pew, but in the church in which I grew up. Ten of us sat facing the congregation of several hundred people. I was nervous, wondering which questions Pastor Schumann would ask me. I gave you a series of questions to help you prepare. But back then we had no idea of the questions he would ask.
The questioning lasted for over an hour, a full hour of questions, one right after the other as we went through the entire Catechism, and I mean all of it. Some would say that the way we question you today is good, because it makes you think about matters of faith and the need to express it. Some would say it’s not so good because it puts you on the spot and makes you nervous. But think of it as practice because as you go on in life, people will put you on the spot at times about your Christian faith, and Christians need, like the Apostle Peter says, “to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you” (1Pt.315)
I am convinced – confirmation is good, for the whole process that you went through the past 2-3 years is one in which the Holy Spirit has strengthened your faith and understanding of God’s grace to you. You want to give the right answers, but don’t worry about it. Think of what Jesus promises here: “He loves you, and the Father loves you for holding on to God’s Word. They will both be with you. And more, Jesus sends you the Holy Spirit as your Helper and Counselor. He will teach you all things and remind you of everything that the Savior has told us. And you will not be afraid but will have peace.”
You see, confirmation is not so much about you; it’s about our God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and what they do for you. The Father creating you through the Son; the Son redeeming you because the Father sent Him; and the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus from the Father to confirm, comfort, and guide you in faith. Then you will have peace and can testify to the truth whenever someone asks you the reason for the hope that is within you.
So, don’t think about yourselves and your nervousness today as I ask you questions about matters of faith. Think about God and how good He is to help you understand and believe in the many different things we talk about.
May God always confirm your faith in these blessings of His grace. And as you confirm here what you believe, with the help of the Holy Spirit, never fall from it. Always boldly confess it openly.
Ok, are you ready? Here we go:
The Closing: At the end of another confirmation service, I wish you God’s richest blessings. I pray that I will see you time and time again in this House of the Lord, receiving the promises of His blessing through Word and Sacrament. May He hold you firm in the faith that you confess today, and may you never waver or fall from it.
And you, dear family and congregation, open the arms of Christian love to receive her/them as fellow-confirmed in the faith. Do all you can, as the Lord gives you strength, to watch over her/them, to comfort, to guide, to help her/them continue to walk in Christ through life until He receives her/them to Himself above.
That these blessings may come to pass in our lives, let us rise in prayer for her/them and for us all here at the end of our service:
Lord Jesus Christ, at the end of confirmation instruction You have asked this/these young adult(s) if she/they will be faithful to You. In her/their own ways she/they has/have answered like Your disciples did: “Yes, Lord, where else shall we go? Only You have the words of eternal life; only You can help us stand firm; only You can lead us safely onward, productively to the life that awaits us above.”
With her/their mouth(s) she/they has/have confessed faith in You, the Savior. In You alone will she/they find forgiveness, comfort, strength, and salvation.
Therefore, dear Lord, remain with her/them like You have promised. Prosper the work of her/their hands. Give her/them success in everything that is pleasing to You. Bind her/them fast to Your heart for if You do not hold her/them, she/they cannot hold You.
She is//They are Yours, purchased by Your blood. Therefore, have mercy on her/them, preserving her/them in Your Word of truth. In grace guard her/them for we cannot guard her/them like You can. We place her/them into Your lap and give her/them to You for time and eternity. Watch over her/them; help her/them in every need; bring her/them safely through life and death that she/they might enjoy the crown of glory that You have prepared above for those who love You.
Remind us all that of ourselves we are not worthy that You should hear our prayers. But it is Your mercy we rely on, Your grace that we cling to, Your love that forgives and gladdens our hearts. Thus, we can and do offer this prayer to You, trusting Your promise to bless us. Hear us for Your name’s sake as we join in the prayer that You have taught us: (Lord’s Prayer).
The Benediction.
Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield
(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)
Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244
www.zionluthchurch.com email: revelehmann@gmail.com
You can also find us on Facebook
Pentecost Sunday– The Coming of the Holy Spirit
Confirmation Day – June 5, 2022
“The Counselor, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I told you. Peace I leave with you.” John 14:26f
F o r O u r V i s i t o r s
The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.
U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e
How many are Your works, O LORD. In wisdom You made them all. The earth is full of Your creatures. You send Your Spirit – they are created, and You renew the face of the earth” (Psalm 104).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
Confirmed in Faith. When the Holy Spirit came to the disciples on Pentecost, it was in fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send another Counselor who would teach and remind the disciples of everything He said. With His coming the disciples were comforted and strengthened in faith to boldly confess His name to people everywhere.
In a similar way we pray that the Holy Spirit would come as Counselor, Comforter, Guide, and Friend to our Confirmand and us today, guiding all into the pathway of truth. May His grace and power ever rest upon us as she and we continue to hold fast to God’s Word in the years ahead.
To that end we pray: Holy Spirit, God and Lord, come to us this joyful day with Your sevenfold gifts of grace. Rekindle in our hearts the holy fire of Your love that in a true and living faith we may tell abroad the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Be with our Confirmand now and always to keep her strong and growing in faith. We ask this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
– T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y –
The Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 11:1-9
When God created the world, He gave mankind one language. As men fell further into sin, their disobedient pride became so great that God had to intervene to stop them and scatter the people over the earth. He scattered them by confusing their languages.
The Epistle Lesson: Acts 2:1-21
On Pentecost the confusion of tongues at Babel was reversed somewhat as the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in many languages. They proclaimed the Gospel. The time of prophecy was passed; the age of fulfillment in Christ had arrived and many were brought to faith.
The Gospel Lesson: John 14:23-27
On Maundy Thursday evening Jesus told His disciples that He was returning to the Father. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and teach them. With the Spirit by their side, there was no reason to fear for He would remind them of Jesus’ words and give them peace.
O u r P r a c t i c e o f H o l y C o m m u n i o n
Out of deep love for the truth of God’s Word and precious souls, we follow the practice of Close Communion in our congregation. This has been the practice of Christians for centuries and reflects the Bible’s teaching on unity of faith in the reception of the Supper (1 Cor.10:17). It does not judge a person’s heart but anticipates agreement in that which God says. Since we do not wish to put anyone in the position of declaring such agreement with us before study in the Word is possible, we ask that only those who are communicant members of this or another Wisconsin Synod or ELS congregation come to receive the Sacrament.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Organist: Jane Rips The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
The Confirmand: Emily Mabra
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Point to Ponder: “Besides giving us Himself, the Spirit gives wisdom, making us wise unto salvation; He gives us understanding, the ability to distinguish properly concerning things; He gives us counsel, or good advice for ourselves to share with others; He gives us might, the power to prevail in and through faith; He gives us knowledge, knowing and believing in the true God and in Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Finally, He gives us fear, which is not terror but proper respect for God and His Word.” Rudolph Norden on A Guest Bearing Gifts
Outline of Our Worship
(No offering will be taken during the service this morning. The offering plates will be found in the narthex where you may leave your gift in gratitude to God after the service.)
The Preparation
Opening Hymn: #708
Prayer
The Ministry of the Word
Opening Address: John 14:23-27
Review of Our Confirmation Study:
Part 1: God’s Word Strengthens Us
Hymn: #642
Part 2: It Leads Us to Saving Faith
Hymn: #593
Part 3: It Gives Us Eternal Blessings
Hymn: #581
The Response to the Word
The Rite of Confirmation
Confirmand’s Hymn: #821: On Eagle’s Wings
The Lord Blesses Us
The Consecration & Distribution of Holy Communion
(Visitors: Please read box inside about our practice of Holy Communion)
Distribution Hymn: #661
Closing Address
Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer
The Benediction
Closing Hymn: #930
Silent Prayer
The Day of Pentecost – Series C
The Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 11:1-9 – The Tower of Babel
1The whole earth had one language and a single vocabulary. As people traveled in the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they settled there. 3They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used mud brick instead of stone for building material, and they used tar for mortar. 4They said, “Come, let’s build a city for ourselves and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5The Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the people were building. 6The Lord said, “If this is the first thing they are doing as one people, who all have one language, then nothing that they intend to do will be too difficult for them. 7Come, let’s go down there and confuse their language, so that they cannot understand one another’s speech.”
8So the Lord scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city. 9It was named Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Epistle Lesson: Acts 2:1-21 – The Coming of the Holy Spirit
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the rushing of a violent wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw divided tongues that were like fire resting on each one of them. 4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, since the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak fluently.
5Now there were godly Jewish men from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6When this sound was heard, a crowd came together and was confused, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7They were completely baffled and said to each other, “Look, are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them speaking in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, and of Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya around Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; 11Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring in our own languages the wonderful works of God.” 12They were all amazed and perplexed. They kept saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others mocked them and said, “They are full of new wine.”
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and spoke loudly and clearly to them: “Men of Judea, and all you residents of Jerusalem, understand this, and listen closely to my words. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day. 16On the contrary, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17This is what God says will happen in the last days:
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. 18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and a rising cloud of smoke. 20The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21And this will happen: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Gospel Lesson: John 14:23-27 – The Coming Helper and His Testimony
23Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will hold on to my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24The one who does not love me does not hold on to my words. The word that you are hearing is not mine, but it is from the Father who sent me.
25“I have told you these things while staying with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I told you.
27“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid. Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project.
C a l e n d a r & A n n o u n c e m e n t s f o r Z i o n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h
| Today
June 5 |
Monday
June 6 |
Tuesday
June 7 |
Wednesday
June 8 |
Thursday
June 9 |
Friday
June 10 |
Sat.
June 11 |
Next Sun.
June 12 |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online -Facebook Confirmation & Holy Communion 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Pentecost – Confirmation |
WELS Minnesota District Biennial Convention Monday-Thursday in New Ulm, MN | No
Bible Class
No Confirmation No Choir |
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online – Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Holy Trinity Sunday Guest Preacher: Pastor Witt, |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
Once God made people speak many languages because of their disobedience. When the Spirit came on the great day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, God filled people with the ability to speak languages to spread the amazing, good news of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Epistle Lesson: Acts 2:1-21 (answers are found on the back side)
- What two dramatic signs came from heaven and showed the presence and power of the Holy Spirit (vv. 2,3)?
- How do those signs display and fit the work of the Spirit?
- Why did God promise to pour out His Spirit on all people (vv. 17–21)?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; Lou Schulz; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Dave Ballou; John Workentine; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Lois Wiese; Greg Pierson (the Long’s son-in-law); Libya, Jodi Milam’s granddaughter, diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; Elizabeth Lisenby, looking in the near future at shoulder surgery; Barbara Long, at home; past member, Roy Merritt underwent another open heart surgery last weekend.
Meditations next edition of daily devotions began last Sunday. If you missed receiving a copy, you will find plenty of copies for family and friends in the narthex. Also, the June edition of the Forward in Christ is available in the narthex.
The Minnesota District Convention will be held this week at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. The convention is held every two years, the off year being the synod convention. However, the districts have not held their conventions since 2018 because of Covid. The convention looks at the plans for mission and ministry in our district for the upcoming 2 years and comments on the synod’s proposals. Glenn Schulz and Pastor will be attending the convention to represent our congregation and the Southern Conference of the District and will not be back home until late Thursday.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, June 5 – Pentecost Sunday and Confirmation Sunday for Emily Mabra
Sunday, June 5-Tuesday, June 7 – WELS/ELS Family Camp at Heit’s Point
Monday, June 6-Thursday, June 9 – WELS Minnesota District Biennial Convention at MLC, New Ulm
Sunday, June 12 – Pastor James Witt will be the guest speaker in our worship service; Pastor and Elizabeth will be attending the wedding of their niece in Kansas City on the weekend.
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 22; Bible Class: 13; Midweek Bible Class: 4; Offering: $1026.
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Holy Trinity: Numbers 6:22-27; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 (CW-21, Series C)
Answers to Today’s Epistle Lesson Brief Study:
- The two signs were a) a sound of a rushing wind that came from heaven and filled the whole house and b) tongues of fire that appeared on the heads of each in the house.
- Like the wind, the Holy Spirit works invisibly, but powerfully. (In Greek and Hebrew “wind” and “spirit” are the same word.) Like fire, the Holy Spirit warms and energizes us with the good news of all Jesus has done in our place.
- God promised to pour out His Spirit on all people so that they would call on Jesus’ name and be saved.
This week I am praying for……