NEXT WEEK’S READINGS . . . 2 Chron 28:8–15; Galatians 3:15–22; Luke 10:23–37.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S READINGS . . . A man who was deaf and therefore also had an impediment in his speech was brought to Jesus (Mark 7:31–37). In the same way, all are by nature deaf toward God and therefore also unable to confess the faith rightly. For “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:9–17). Jesus put His fingers into the man’s ears, and He spat and touched His tongue. Even so in Holy Baptism, water sanctified by the words of Jesus’ mouth is applied to us; and the finger of God, that is, the life–giving Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:4–11) is put into our ears in the hearing of the baptismal Gospel. Jesus’ sighing “Ephphatha” opened the man’s ears, and his tongue was loosed to speak plainly as Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah, “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book” (Is. 29:18–24). So also, He who sighed and breathed His last on the cross for us has given us to hear and believe in Him and has opened our lips that our mouths may declare His praise.

THOUGHTS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP . . . 2 Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” We are not sufficient, not enough, not capable in and of ourselves. But God gives us what is enough, what is sufficient, and makes us capable. That is the beginning of wisdom: we are utterly dependent on God’s mercy. Our whole Christian life flows forth from this dependence.

PARENT-PASTOR CATECHISM MEETING . . . Sunday, August 25, 11:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall to discuss what we will learn during the year, what is expected of the student, and what your responsibilities as a parent of a catechism student are.

FIRST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . is Sunday, September 8. The opening begins at 10:20 am in the Sanctuary. Music will be in the choir loft. And then classes in the Sunday School classrooms.

MATINS . . . will begin again on Monday, August 19, 7:30 am.

HELP-A-CHILD FUND . . . The jug to collect milk money for Northward will be set out since school is about to start. The Board of Mission and Evangelism has been in contact with the school about where the funds are needed most. So, the funds collected in the milk money jug will go toward the “Help-A-Child Fund” this year. Thank you for your ongoing support.

WHY? . . . Why is the cross carried in procession? When the processional crucifix is carried through the nave to its place in the sanctuary, it leads the way: for the attendants, for the clergy, for the celebrant, and indeed, for all the people. Although the people do not actually process (except on Palm Sunday and at the Great Vigil of Easter), they with heart and mind join the procession, being led by the cross. This is to express with our actions our agreement with the words of the apostle Paul, “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Therefore the proper response of faith to the entrance of the cross is to turn sideways to face it as it passes one’s pew on its entrance, and to turn toward the altar as the procession passes. It is also appropriate at this time that one may bow the head and make the sign of the cross at the moment when the cross passes, as a gesture of humility toward the Crucified One. At the close of the Divine Service, when the cross processes out, it is fitting to reverence in this way. (It is not necessary to continue to face the cross as it continues all the way to the back of the church, however, as this would result in turning one’s back to the Altar, upon which the body and blood of our Lord is lain.) Reverence to the  crucifix in this manner is a way of acknowledging Christ’s own deep humility, saying in effect, if He would so humble Himself by becoming man and enduring the cross, should I not also humble myself?

FROM LUTHER’S SERMON ON MARK 7:31–37 . . . “Let everybody mark well, that he can never be saved through another person’s faith. But it of course may happen, that by the faith of other persons you may be brought to a faith of your own. Likewise the good works of other persons may be of service to me to obtain works of my own. Therefore those lie, who declare that we may be saved through the works or faith of other persons, whether we ourselves believe or not. No, this is not so! Unless you yourself draw out from God’s kindness and mercy a faith of your own, you will not be saved. Thus it must be; otherwise no other person’s faith or works avail, not even Christ, though he is the Saviour of all the world; his kindness, his help will do you no good whatever, unless you believe in it, and are enlightened by it. . . . These people approach the Lord in strong confidence, praying for the poor man, and their prayer is also heard. In the same manner, when baptism is performed we see this take place in the children’s faith. There are the infants, bare and naked in body and soul, having neither faith nor works. Then the Christian Church comes forward and prays, that God would pour faith into the child; not that our faith should help the child, but that it may obtain a faith of its own. . . . But if it does not obtain faith, our faith is of no value to the child. Therefore my faith can help you in no way except that it may assist you to obtain a faith of your own. Hence, to sum up all, everything depends upon personal faith, as strong as it is, so much does it need the faith and prayer of other people in order to increase in strength. . . . This is a simple explanation of the Story of the Gospel lesson.”

THE ALTAR FLOWERS . . . are given by the Andresen Family to the glory of God in commemoration of Pierce’s birthday.

MEALS, MEALS, MEALS . . . the Ladies of Immanuel have prepared some easy and delicious meals for any member who could use a break from cooking. They are located in the kitchen refrigerator.