Weekly Newsletter of Memorial Lutheran Church Houston, Texas
Memorial Messenger
22 December 2017
Holiday Worship Services
The holidays are almost upon us. Please join us for our upcoming worship services:
Sunday 24 December Christmas Eve
Fourth Sunday in Advent - 10:00 AM
Children's Service - 5:00 PM
Lessons and Carols - 7:00 PM
Candlelight Mass - 10:00 PM
Monday 25 December 10:00 AM
Christmas Day Service
Sunday 31 December 8:15 AM and 11:00 AM
First Sunday in Christmas
Saturday 6 January 7:00 PM
Epiphany Service
From the Pastor
To Save
God sent the angel, Gabriel, to announce the conception of our Lord to his mother, Mary. Gabriel even gave the divinely appointed name for her son. That name is Jesus.
Mary was confused by Gabriel's message. While it was true she was betrothed to Joseph, that marriage had not yet been consummated. How could she become pregnant? Why was God helping with baby names?
As Gabriel explained, the son Mary would conceive and then birth was no ordinary son. That son conceived and then born of the virgin Mary was no less than God, the eternally begotten Son, now taking on human flesh in her womb.
What would be the purpose of such a birth, the coming of God into our own flesh? His divinely appointed name tells us all we need to know. Jesus (Greek) or Yeshua (Hebrew) has the meaning of God saves. This is the reason Jesus came into our flesh: to save.
is a beautiful tradition dating back to Medieval times. The choir is stationed at the four corners of the sanctuary, symbolizing the proclamation of the Good News of Christ's birth to the four corners of the world. Part of the choir also sings the story of Christ's birth from the balcony. This is a simple, beautiful way to sing with the choir. If you are interested in singing the Quempas Carol at the 10:00 PM candlelight Service on Christmas Eve, or would like more information, please contact Pastor Ahlman. Older children and adults are encouraged to participate!
If you have suggestions about things that you'd like to see in the Memorial Messenger, please let the office staff know. We would love to hear from you.
