Slow is when someone laps you in the hundred yard dash.
‹anonymous›
Atlantis: the domain of the Stingray
27Jun
2012
Wed
09:48
author: Stingray
category: Sermons
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Service of Prayer and Supplication

Isaiah 43:1-3a; Matthew 24:32-35

Service of Prayer and Supplication 0627 2012 Wordle
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It is easy to look around us and ask, “Why?” “Why is this happening?” “What has happened that we are being inundated with flames and smoke and ash?” The simple, short answer is that these things God has sent to bring us to Him, to remind us that we must rely only on Him for all that we need, most especially forgiveness and salvation.

24Jun
2012
Sun
08:30
author: Stingray
category: Sermons
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Presentation of the Augsburg Confession (observed)

Articles I-IV of the Augsburg Confession; John 15:1-11

Presentation of the Augsburg Confession 2012 Wordle
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Churches, with common consent, do teach that the decree of the Council of Nicaea concerning the Unity of the Divine Essence and concerning the Three Persons, is true and to be believed without any doubting; that is to say, there is one Divine Essence which is called and which is God: eternal, without body, without parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, the Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible; and yet there are three Persons, of the same essence and power, who also are coeternal, the Father the Son, and the Holy Ghost. And the term “person” they use as the Fathers have used it, to signify, not a part or quality in another, but that which subsists of itself.
Also they teach that since the fall of Adam all men begotten in the natural way are born with sin, that is, without the fear of God, without trust in God...and that this disease, or vice of origin, is truly sin, even now condemning and bringing eternal death upon those not born again through Baptism and the Holy Ghost.
Also they teach that the Word, that is, the Son of God, did assume the human nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, so that there are two natures, the divine and the human, inseparably enjoined in one Person, one Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, that He might reconcile the Father unto us, and be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men. He also descended into hell, and truly rose again the third day; afterward He ascended into heaven that He might sit on the right hand of the Father, and forever reign and have dominion over all creatures, and sanctify them that believe in Him, by sending the Holy Ghost into their hearts, to rule, comfort, and quicken them, and to defend them against the devil and the power of sin. The same Christ shall openly come again to judge the quick and the dead, etc., according to the Apostles’ Creed.
Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight.
17Jun
2012
Sun
18:59
author: Stingray
category: Sermons
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Third Sunday after Pentecost

Mark 4:26-34

Pentecost 3B 2012 Wordle
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It’s that time of year again. Depending on where you are, as you drive down this street or that, you’ll see banners on the properties of many churches across the country advertising their Vacation Bible School program, inviting parents to sign their children up for a week of fun with Jesus. In many cases, the program is sold to parents as a place to drop their kids off and be without them for a week—more a vacation for parents than for the children, I suppose—some planners have even designed their programs for this purpose.