Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries
Mark 15:21 – And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry His cross.
Simon of Cyrene is an interesting man. It appears he was a foreigner from Cyrene, a place in Libya, but we have no way of knowing whether he was a Jew by birth or a Gentile convert. He was probably visiting Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Mark says he was coming in from the country, which might mean he was camping outside the crowded city during the holidays.
Simon was on his way somewhere else when he saw Jesus stumbling under the cross. He wasn’t there to watch the procession to Golgotha—chances are Simon had no idea men were going to be executed that day. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And so the Roman soldiers, realizing Jesus wasn’t going to make it without help, grabbed Simon. “Hey, you!” they must have said, “Grab this and follow Him!”
Simon couldn’t get out of it. What, carry a bloody, shameful cross through the streets of Jerusalem? No doubt everybody would think he was the condemned man! But the soldiers wouldn’t listen to any arguments. They had the right to force him, and they did. Simon carried Jesus’ cross.
It probably wasn’t that long before Simon himself became a Christian. Mark tells us the names of his children, which means they were probably well known in the Christian church. If so, that means the Holy Spirit Himself said to Simon and his family the same thing the soldiers would have said the first time: “Here, take up this cross and follow Jesus.” That command—that honor—is repeated every time another person comes to faith.
Every one of us who loves Jesus learns what it means to carry the cross—to follow after Him—to be exposed to shame and mistreatment for His sake. Some of our brothers and sisters learn this in very graphic ways, as they suffer persecution at the hands of those who hate Christ. For others of us, it comes in more subtle ways. But however it comes, we endure it knowing that if we carry Jesus’ cross, it is because He Himself has carried our cross first, suffering, dying—and rising again!—for our sake. Because He loves us.
THE PRAYER: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for carrying our cross for us. Amen.
We rejoice with Micheal and Samantha Henke at the birth of a girl, McKinlee Rae.
Plan to join us for Spring Clean Up tomorrow at 10:00 AM.
We welcome Hope Manor Administrator, Megan Frankl, who will be speaking to us at the end of both services and during the education hour. Hope Manor is our mission focus during the second quarter of 2019 where 1% of plate offerings go to support this important ministry in our community.
Please join us for our special services this week.
April 18 7:00pm Maundy Thursday – “A God Who Loves”
April 19 7:00 pm Good Friday –
April 21 7 & 9 AM The Resurrection of our Lord – “A God Who Rises”
Please also join us for the Tre-Ore Good Friday service at Messiah Lutheran in Mandan from 12:00-3:00 PM.
12:00-12:30 pm “Father Forgive Them” Zellers
12:30-12:55 pm “Truly, I say to you…” Thompson
12:55-1:20 pm “Woman, Behold Your Son” Walla
1:20-1:45 pm “My God, My God…” Schmeling
1:45-2:10 pm “I Thirst” Woodside
2:10-2:35 pm “It Is Finished” Wolfgram
2:35-3:00 pm “Father, Into Your Hands” Marcis
We have set May 18 as Shepherd of the Valley Volunteer Day at Heaven’s Helpers Soup Kitchen. Please consider when during that Saturday you might be able to help. Please visit with Micheal Henke and see the sign up sheet in the narthex.
Zion Lutheran Church is hosting a Lock-In on Friday, April 26, for youth in grade 4-12. Youth will gather at Zion at 10:30 pm at Zion. The evening also involves time at Sky Zone. Cost is $15.00 per participant. Youth in grade 9-12 will go to Messiah Lutheran following the Sky Zone outing and younger youth will return to Zion. The event will end at 6:00 am on April 27. Contact Laith Hintz or Pastor Wolfgram to register or for more information.
Shepherd of the Valley will once again be conducting a “Good Friday Prayer Vigil” starting at 8:00 pm on Good Friday and ending at 7:00 am Saturday morning. The Prayer Vigil consists of one-hour time slots whereby one or more persons will be in prayer in the quiet of the sanctuary each hour. There is a signup sheet on the table at the entrance to the sanctuary along with Prayer Request cards that can be used to submit your prayer requests.
The Rite of Confirmation
The Rite of Confirmation will take place on April 28 during the 10:45 Divine Service. Candidates for the Rite of Confirmation include Bryanna Kitzman, Gabriel Lawyer, Max Nelson, and Lindsey Watson. We pray God’s rich blessing on these youth as they confirm the faith into which they were baptized.
People Matter Could Use Your Help
The third annual People Matter Community Carnival will take place on the grounds of Wachter Middle School on Saturday, May 11, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. We are in need of volunteers to host the Shepherd of the Valley booth and to assist with registration at the event. Please visit with Pastor Wolfgram if you would like to help with this exciting event with well over 1,000 attendees.
VBS Set for May 28, 29, & 30
Miraculous Mission: Jesus Saves The World is the theme for Vacation Bible School 2019. We will meet from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 28-30. We are in search of Bible Challenge Leader, Craft Leader, Mission Leader, Music Leader, Opening and Closing Leader, Snack Leader, and other roles. Go to www.vbsmate.com/sotvbismarck to register or to volunteer. You may also contact Carrie Harling at carrieharling14@gmail.com or 507-514-2713.
Mayfest 2019
Mayfest will take place on May 4 at Wachter Middle School Cafetorium from 5:00-9:00 pm . Tickets are available after services on Sunday or by calling 224-9070. Tickets are $20.00 for the largest fund raiser for Martin Luther School.