Reaching the Lost. Discipling the Saved. Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.

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ASH WEDNESDAY, 2025

Join us on WEDNESDAY, March 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM for Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes.

“REDUCTION”

May our evil ways, by God’s mercy, be left in the ash heap and may we be ever recipients of His loving goodness!

  • Genesis 3:19

The purpose of repentance is not to be swallowed up by guilt. It is to be freed from a dark and destructive direction by God’s wakening Word, and to be sent on a new path by the sin-conquering Savior. It’s what we all need.

THE REV. MIKE NEWMAN
PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS DISTRICT OF THE LC-MS

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey, which culminates on Easter Sunday with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.

On that night at worship we mark our foreheads with an ash cross and, as that cross is marked, we are reminded of our sins. As we are marked by Jesus’ sacrifice; we are drawn to the realization that “[we] are dust, and to dust [we] shall return” (Genesis 3:19).

On Ash Wednesday and throughout the season of Lent, we also focus on our sins, on repentance, and on our broken world; seeing how we and all of creation has fallen far short of God’s intention and glory.

But we do not despair because we look to the certain hope that is ours through the forgiveness of our sins given to us freely by God’s grace through faith in Jesus.

THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES

Everything we experience in life is finite and temporal, including our own lives. As the Scripture reports, we came from the dust of the ground and we will return to the dust of the ground. (Genesis 3:19 & Ecclesiastes 3:20)

For many centuries the use of ashes has symbolized repentance. Imposing ashes in the form of a cross on the forehead of the worshipper on Ash Wednesday is a vivid reminder that such a person has been redeemed by Christ the Crucified. It is a symbol, not primarily of our sins, but upon the forgiveness of them through faith in Jesus.

As Ash Wednesday is a somber time as we remember that Jesus willingly suffering and death come as a result of our sins and His love. As such, at the conclusion of worship that day, we exit the church in silence.


“Repentance slays selfish pride, turns us from sin’s siren call, quiets arrogant arguments, tames out-of-control egos, pulls us back from distraction, leads us to restoration of relationships, places us on the pathway of walking with God, and restores our hearts with compassion and grace.

We need this personally. We need this as schools and congregations. We need this as a District. We need this as a Synod. We need this as Christ’s Church.”

The Rev. Mike Newman
President of the Texas District of the LC-MS

Posts About Ash Wednesday Worship

ASH WEDNESDAY, 2025

Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
Read More

ASH WEDNESDAY, 2021

Ash Wednesday worship and the Imposition of Ashes on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 7:00 PM.
Read More

Fishers of Men

It’s always kind of interesting when you come to a major realization that you weren’t expecting. Something big that was unforeseen. Something major out of the blue.

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

Luke 5:10b

The disciples had to have a lot of those times. Time after time Jesus was making the unexpected happen. You would think that after a while they would get used to it and actually start expecting those types of things. Well, if that ever happened, we don’t see much evidence of it.

In today’s gospel lesson we get one of those situations where the unanticipated happens and it has a consequence beyond what was expected. It’s a familiar story that most of us probably know. It culminates in Jesus going out with some of the disciples to fish even though they had been there all night. Jesus tells Peter put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch and Peter, after explaining that they had already tried this all night with no results complies, taking Jesus at His word, almost resigned to the fact that he needs to do this because of his Teacher’s request, but he isn’t expecting anything different.

But what he gets is vastly different! Not because of the large number of fish that they end up catching, but the realization of why they caught that many of Who it really is that was with them. The fact that Jesus commands fish and waves and boats and weather and everything. The fact that this Jesus – Who is right there in the boat with them – is holy; and he isn’t. The unexpected realization and encounter with his own sinfulness and Jesus’ holiness. “Depart from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man,” he says. That was unexpected. We were just going out and doing some fishing and hanging out. “Depart from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man.”

But the story doesn’t end there. The story ends with Jesus comforting Simon saying “Do not be afraid! From now on you will be catching people!” Another unexpected twist! Another different – wonderful ending! It doesn’t end with Peter’s sinfulness. It ends with Jesus using Peter despite his sinfulness because of Jesus’ holiness.

God uses us too. Even when we’re unholy; when we’re sinful; when we’re far away: He makes the unexpected expected. Because of Jesus’ holiness, we are forgiven and no longer sinners. We are no longer stuck with an unfruitful bounty, but rather bountiful in His harvest, in His catch, and what He desires of us.

Jesus has saved us and forgiven us and now He uses us to share Him for unexpected results for everyone else. Praise the Lord!

Scriptures

  • Luke 5:1-11
  • Psalm 138
https://youtu.be/UqCW54uiDUM?t=1921

Order Your 2025 EASTER LILIES!

It’s time to ORDER YOUR EASTER LILIES!

They are coming from Brookwood (great organization!) and are $11/each.

Put “Easter Lilies” in the memo line by mail or online at lifebridgesealy.com/donate. Deadline for ordering is February 23, 2025. Table for ordering at the back of the sanctuary.

These lilies will be on display at the Easter Service on April 20. (Don’t forget to pick up your lily following the Easter worship service!)

Contact Patsy or Bev for more information.

Appreciation Dinner for the Sealy Christian Pantry

The Sealy Christian Pantry is moved out, but not forgotten!

LifeBridge is having an appreciation dinner for Pantry volunteers to thank them for all the wonderful work they do.

The dinner will be a BBQ pork and chicken dinner with sides and desserts and will take place at 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

There will be a sign-up in the sanctuary to ensure we have enough food.

A free-will offering will be taken.

Come have some food and fellowship and show your appreciation for those who help those in our community eat every week!

If anyone would like to help, please contact Zeus or Mary.

All In

What would you be willing to give up? What is your level of commitment?

Most of us, if pressed, would say that we would die for Jesus and our faith (I hope!). That’s good. That’s as it should be. But sometimes there are other commitments – smaller than death – that we don’t seem able to, well, commit to; Work through; play through. They seem too much; be they financial requests, time commitments, or requests to volunteer. Or maybe they are helping someone out when it’s inconvenient.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12

In our Scriptures for today we hear about a young Christian, Timothy, who is “all in” on his commitment. This is someone who was – as an adult – circumcised in order to be a better witness of Jesus to the audience that he was going to.

That is a commitment! That’s putting yourself on the line; “out there” (literally)!

In our lesson from First Timothy we’re told to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, and gentleness.” We’re told to “fight the good fight of faith.” That’s not just in the big things, that’s not just our life and death situation, that’s for our living situation as well. It’s for the little things. It’s for all the things. It’s for the small commitments and the big. It’s “all in.” That’s what God wants of us – all of us: our heart, mind, soul, strength – everything. He wants us to be “all in” because Jesus was all in. He didn’t just come and give His life. He came and gave us living. He lived so we might live abundantly. He died so we might live forever. He desires and wants all of us because He gave all for us.

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being “all in” for us. Help us in our commitment to be all in for You in everything; for You and others. Amen.”

Scriptures

  • Acts 16:1-5
  • 1 Timothy 6:11-16
https://youtu.be/s_Xp-nVGCJo?t=2393

Fellowship Luncheon for Missions

Come get a great lunch and support missions at LifeBridge!

Here are the details:

WHAT Fellowship Luncheon for Missions
WHEN Sunday, February 23
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
WHERE LifeBridge Café
COST Free-Will Offering
MENU Pork Sandwiches
Easton’s 1st Place Chili
Chicken Spaghetti
Desserts
WHY Raise monies for LifeBridge folks going on mission trips next summer
CONTACT Angie at 979/627-5817

“from GENESIS to JESUS” — A Lenten Series

Genesis tells us of the beginning; creation, beauty, and then the Fall. It tells us of the need for a Savior who would restore what He made and gave.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.

Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

This Lent we will look at a part of the Genesis account and tie it to Jesus. We will start with Ash Wednesday and go through Easter. Our journey will include:

  • “Reduction” on Ash Wednesday (March 5)
  • “Requirement” (March 9)
  • “Rebellion” (March 16)
  • “Ramifications” (March 23)
  • “Repentance” (March 30)
  • “Redemption” (April 6)
  • “Rejoicing” on Palm/Passion Sunday (April 13)
  • “Remembrance” through the Seder meal and service on Maundy/Holy Thursday (April 17)
  • “Reparation” on Good Friday (April 18) and ending with
  • “Resurrection” on Easter Sunday (April 20)

Join us on this solemn yet satisfying sojourn through the story of salvation!

The Good Word

What rule book do you base your life upon? What do you use as the basis for the decisions that you make? What foundational tool do you use as the basis for right and wrong?

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:7-9

The answer for this is the Bible. Holy Scripture. The Word of God.

It is the only rule, source, and norm for our basis of right and wrong, good and bad, godly and ungodly, dos and don’ts. Everything else comes from the mind and aspirations of man. But the Bible is truly the Word of God.

Scripture testifies to this about itself. That might seem contradictory, but it’s not. Everyone has a foundation, and every other foundation is wanting; every other foundation is fallible; every other foundation changes with the times, with the culture, with attitudes and desires.

But God’s Word is the same as God — the same yesterday, today, and forever. God doesn’t change and His Word doesn’t change.

There may be some different applications depending upon the world, our environment, and the culture. But God’s Word remains the same.

It still tells us about God and His desires, His plan, His salvation. It still points us to the Messiah, to the Christ, to Jesus. It still tells us what is objectively right and wrong, not subjectively changing by what is desirable and undesirable.

God’s Word still saves, because God’s Word still tells us about the Savior. It tells us of our need for a savior because of sin and that this Savior died for that sin. It tells us about life that is to come and a new creation that awaits. It tells us about a future that is certain. What better foundation do you want as you live your life? There is no better!

“Thank you, Lord, for Your Word which is unchanging; which is edifying; which is helpful; which is loving; which is perfect; which is right. Help us to read it, to learn it, to live it, and to share it. Through faith in Jesus and in His name, Amen.”

Scriptures

  • Nehemiah 8:1-3, Nehemiah 8:5-6, Nehemiah 8:8-10
  • 2 Peter 1:20-21
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • Psalm 19:1-14
https://youtu.be/pPhApfJ70TU?t=1893
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