Devotion by Kari VO with Lutheran Hour Ministries
Matthew 27:29 – And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
It must have been terrifying. There were hundreds of men in a Roman battalion, and they gathered in the governor’s headquarters for a sadistic game of “king” with Jesus. They stripped Him and put a reddish-purple robe on Him. They crowned Him with thorns and gave Him a reed to be His scepter.
And then they began to brutalize Him. They hit Him and spit on Him. They knelt before Him and cried, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They took the reed scepter away and beat Him on the head with it. They abused their prisoner gleefully, never suspecting for a minute that this bruised, bleeding man was God who had come to save them.
This was God in disguise—the true King mocked as a false king, the One who came to help us all treated as helpless and without power. They didn’t recognize Him. But He recognized them. Nothing they did that day was unexpected. He knows what lives in human hearts. He was not surprised.
He knows what lives in our hearts, too. That is enough to make us hide our faces in shame, except that we know what those soldiers did not—that “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Our sin is not enough to make Jesus turn His face from us. He knows us through and through—and He loves us anyway. He died for us. He rose from the dead for us. And He continues to recognize us as God’s own children and care for us today. As Paul says, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the One who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
Jesus recognizes us as His own. Thanks be to God.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking us out and calling us Your own. Amen.
Thank you to all who contributed to our efforts in support of Christ’s Care For Children, Kenya. Our first quarter mission offering was $1,700 for this mission effort. God be praised. This money will be given through our ND District in addition to 1% of offerings for the first quarter. Our new focus for the second quarter is Hope Manor Recovery and Sober Living Homes. Megan Frankl, Hope Manor Administrator will present to us on April 14 during education hour.
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.
Join us Wednesday as we continue our journey through the Lenten season under the theme: “Behold The Man.” This week we consider “A God Who Thirsts”. The service begins at 7:00 PM.
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.
VBS volunteers wanted: Please visit with Carrie Harling to let her know that you desire to help with VBS which is scheduled May 28, 29, & 30 from 9am to noon. Online registration for students and helpers can be found at www.vbsmate.com/sotvbismarck. Email Carrie at carrieharling14@gmail.com.
Bismarck-Mandan LCMS Youth Council Revival!
An opportunity to share ideas and work together to minister to Bismarck/Mandan LCMS students and their friends! Sunday, April 7, 7 PM
South classroom at Martin Luther School (413 Ave D East, Bismarck)
Meeting for students, parents, pastors, staff and Board members.. and anyone else interested from Bethel, Holy Cross, Messiah, SOTV and Zion congregations.
“Behold The Man”
We continue our Lenten Journey with Christ toward the cross under the theme, “Behold The Man.” Please join us for our mid-week services each Wednesday at 7:00 PM and for our special services during Holy Week. We will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord with two services on Easter. The service times will be 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM with breakfast served by the youth at 8:00 AM.
April 10 “A God Who Thirsts”
April 18 Maundy Thursday – “A God Who Loves”
April 19 Good Friday – “A God Bleeds, A God Who Dies”
April 21 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
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.
Mayfest 2019
Mayfest will have a new look this year. Please plan to attend Mayfest 2019 as it takes place on May 4th at the Cafetorium at Wachter Middle School. Cost for tickets will be much less than in the past at $20.00 per person. Silent and live auction items will be available along with the paddle game and other opportunities to support Martin Luther School. Call 224-9070 to reserve your spot or to ask any questions you may have. Save May the Fourth on your calendar and plan to attend!
Men’s Network Work Day
Men’s Network will again participate in the Mandan Clean Up Day scheduled for April 27. Meet at Dykshorn Park at 9:00 AM. Bring your work gloves!
The April “Hangout” will take place on Tuesday, April 23, 6:00 PM at the home of Brent and Lyric Purdy. . We’d love to have you join us for Bible Study, food, and fellowship.