Welcome to the Live Worship Page of Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church!
For our 10:00 AM worship service this morning:
Please click HERE for the worship folder.
Please click HERE for the Bible class slides.
Jesus Models A Compassionate Shepherd’s Heart
In the ancient Middle East, a shepherd needed certain skills to do his job well: knowledge of edible grasses, ability to trim hooves, capacity to fend off predators, competency to birth lambs. However, the greatest qualification of a shepherd is much simpler. A good shepherd needed to care for his sheep. Without that, none of those other skills would be fully utilized.
In Scripture meaningful ministry is often pictured as a compassionate shepherd caring for his sheep: Jesus’ care for us; a spiritual leader’s care for his “flock.” Certainly, gospel ministry requires specific skills: ability to actively listen to people, aptitude for applying the gospel to someone’s situation, etc. But ultimately, meaningful ministry requires a compassionate heart—a profound caring for others. An individual might know God’s Word backwards and forwards. But if they lack compassion, they will not fully perform meaningful ministry. Today, we ask the Spirit to see how Jesus models a compassionate shepherd’s heart so that we might be filled with that same compassion.
Meaningful Ministry
“Ministry” is one of those churchy words that is often used, yet perhaps not fully understood. Ministry comes from the Latin word for “service.” Ministry involves serving others with love, compassion, and empathy. Helping someone with physical needs is sometimes called “compassion ministry.” Helping someone with their spiritual needs, sharing the good news of Christ, is generally called “gospel ministry.” We misunderstand ministry if we think of it as something only ministers do. While pastors are called to perform gospel ministry on behalf of others, ultimately every believer is called by God to reflect Christ-like love and share the message of salvation as God provides those opportunities.
In this worship series we will see our efforts to meet the needs of those God brings into our sphere of influence as meaningful ministry. In our service to them, those people see God’s love and God sees our faith. Our worship follows this pattern.
Not Glee and Gratitude, but Rejection and Resentment
Sent with God’s Own Authority
Jesus Models a Compassionate Shepherd’s Heart
God Meets Our Needs to Meet Others’ Needs
Fear Not, for the Lord Is with You
Please click the image below to watch the video introducing our series.
Quick Tips for Online Worship
#1 Be Present
There are bound to be digital and physical distractions around you once the service begins. Make wise choices with your environment in an effort to limit those distractions.
#2 Worship
You are not meant to be a spectator in online worship. Your are a participant. Do whatever you can to engage your heart and mind. Sing along with the songs. Participate in the prayers. Take notes on the sermon. You can even ask questions and/or comment in the chat box. Our prayer is that this is an experience that allows you to grow your faith relationship with God.
#3 Share
Please invite your friends and family to online worship by sharing the link in an email, in a text, or through Facebook. There are so many people in our communities that are looking for hope during these times and our online service is a perfect place for them to be encouraged.
Please click HERE for a list of questions to help with your personal preparation prior to attending the Lord’s Supper.
