Mandarin Lutheran Church Elca

Mandarin Lutheran Church Elca Bold, Passionate, Faithful people doing God's work with our hands.

A dynamic community of Christians
1) Gathered as people in need of God's forgiveness & love
2) Fed by the Word & Sacraments, creating faith in Jesus Christ as our hope and foundation for life
3) Sent into the world to share the love of God in word & action with other people

Genesis 50:15-21After Jacob’s death the brothers of Joseph begged for forgiveness for the crime they had done against hi...
09/07/2026

Genesis 50:15-21
After Jacob’s death the brothers of Joseph begged for forgiveness for the crime they had done against him. You intended to do me harm, Joseph said, but God used this as an opportunity to do good, and save many lives.

Reflection
This text is about forgiveness and God’s providence. Joseph’s brothers remember what they did to Joseph years earlier - selling him into slavery - and they wonder if Joseph will now seek revenge.

Instead, Joseph responds with remarkable forgiveness. Joseph refuses revenge and he also acknowledges the reality of evil. He doesn’t pretend that what happened to him (brought on by his brothers) was good. He says, “You meant evil against me.” Forgiveness does not require denying the hurt or calling evil good.

God was at work beyond the intentions of the brothers (who did commit a very large evil here). This doesn’t mean that God approved the evil, but that rather, God brought good out of what others intended for evil. Joseph chooses mercy instead of retaliation. So, it’s possible to remember the wrong without allowing the wrong to determine what we do next.

Prayer
Gracious and loving God, help us to trust you when we have been hurt or betrayed. Give us the courage to acknowledge evil without being consumed by it. Teach us to forgive as Joseph forgave, leaving judgment in your hands. Help us know that you can transform evil for good. Amen.

In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we...
09/07/2026

In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation to the world.

https://conta.cc/45VtZAJ

09/06/2026

15th Sunday after Pentecost

Worship service starts in one hour, join us at 11900 San Jose Blvd, or catch the live stream right here on Facebook. Cl...
09/06/2026

Worship service starts in one hour, join us at 11900 San Jose Blvd, or catch the live stream right here on Facebook. Click the link below for the bulletin.
https://conta.cc/4cl5v7s

How Do You See It?Luke 6:20b-21aBlessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are h...
09/04/2026

How Do You See It?
Luke 6:20b-21a
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry, for you shall be satisfied.

Reflection
I saw a sign that had twelve capital letters all bunched together; no spaces between any of them. Here are the letters: GODISNOWHERE. When letters are all bunched together like that, it is difficult to know what they say or mean. What did you see when you first saw those letters? Some of you will say, “I saw the sentence: “God is nowhere.” Other saw, “God is now here.” Wow! That’s a huge difference - isn’t it? That’s like the difference between night and day. It represents the difference between believing that God exists or that God doesn’t exist at all. The point is, how we see and/or hear things is immensely important. Two people can see the same thing and get something totally different from it.

How do you understand the word blessed? What does that mean to you? One who is blessed is one who has been shown favor. The word blessing is defined as “an action or gift that is a sign of divine favor.” It’s something good (godly) that happens to us, but it can also be something we can do for others.

Many are familiar with the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus pronounces many “beatitudes” - many of what he calls blessings on the crowd. You may remember, “Blessed are the poor…” and “Blessed are the hungry…” etc. Jesus realized there were basically two kinds of people in his time, the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Most of the people who followed Jesus were on the fringes of society - they were poor. Jesus was telling them that God was aware of their plight, and God did love them. He related that God is with the poor and against those who keep those folks poor. God is against the oppressor and in favor of the oppressed. God calls for justice for the poor and God calls upon us (the “haves”) to assist and bring justice for the poor.

We can, indeed, be agents of God’s love, justice, and blessedness, if only we are willing to get up, move beyond our worldly selves and treat people as Jesus would treat them. We, my Christ follower friends, have been blessed daily and we need to pass that on and be a blessing to those who have seldom felt blessings in this world. Let’s try to see it as Jesus sees it. Be a blessing to others!

Prayer
God of divine favor, help us to transform our lives from selfishness to selflessness. We are so blessed, may we bless others each day. Amen.

Matthew 18:15-20Jesus offers practical advice to his disciples on how individuals - and the church as a whole - should g...
09/03/2026

Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus offers practical advice to his disciples on how individuals - and the church as a whole - should go about restoring relationships when one member has sinned against another.

Reflection
This passage gives Jesus’ teaching about how a Christian community should deal with conflict. It is not a command to shame or punish someone who has done wrong. Rather it is a process designed to restore relationships and protect the community.

If another has sinned against you, don’t shun them or talk about them, but go directly to them. The goal is not to win an argument but to restore your relationship with them. If you cannot make certain that you still have a good relationship, involve a couple of others, and finally the whole group, if necessary.

The larger message here - to handle conflict - is: Go directly to the person. Listen carefully. Seek help when necessary. Protect the community. Keep the goal of restoration, and remember that Christ is present as you talk through this dilemma.

Conflict doesn’t have to destroy the fellowship community. When handled with humility, honesty, patience, and love, conflict can actually become an opportunity for healing and deeper reconciliation.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, give us wisdom when we are hurt and humility when we have hurt others. Keep us from gossip, anger, and the desire to win at another person’s expense. Be present in our difficult conversations and help your church become a place where truth and love can meet. Amen.

Romans 13:8-14The obligation of Christians is to love one another and so fulfill the heart and goal of the law. Clothes ...
09/02/2026

Romans 13:8-14
The obligation of Christians is to love one another and so fulfill the heart and goal of the law. Clothes make the person as we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and live today in light of the future God has in store for us.

Reflection
This text brings Paul’s teaching about Christian living down to one central command: love. Paul helps us realize that we can never love enough. We can never reach a point where we can say, “I have loved enough.” Love is to be continuous, love every day the way God loves us. Love does no wrong to a neighbor, in fact, if we love the way God wants us to love we would never break any of the commandments.

Paul contrasts two ways of living: the night represents the old life - selfishness, destructive desires, drunkenness, immorality, quarrels, and jealousy. The day represents life in Christ - honesty, self-control, love, and a clear awareness of God’s presence. Paul says to “put on Jesus Christ.” That means to allow Christ to shape who we are and how we live. We intentionally decide to live in a way that reflects Jesus to those around us.

This passage ends with a powerful challenge: don’t keep feeding the desires that pull you away from God. Instead, put Christ at the center of your life.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, wake us from whatever has made us spiritually sleepy. Teach us to love our neighbors - not merely in words, but in deeds as well. Clothe us with your character, your compassion, and your love, so that our love may reflect you. Amen.

Psalm 119:33-40I desire the path of your commandments. (Ps.119:35)ReflectionThis is a prayer for guidance, understanding...
09/01/2026

Psalm 119:33-40
I desire the path of your commandments. (Ps.119:35)

Reflection
This is a prayer for guidance, understanding, and a faithful heart. The psalmist knows that simply knowing God’s commandments is not enough; he needs God’s help to actually live according to them.

Several things stand out; Teach me; Give me understanding; Turn my heart to love; Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; Confirm to your servant your promises; and Give me life - life with you, Lord.

The psalmist says, in effect, “Lord, teach me, guide me, turn my heart, and give me strength to live faithfully.” That makes this a wonderful prayer to start your day.

Prayer
Lord God, teach us your ways and give us understanding. Turn our hearts toward you and our eyes away from the things that distract us from what truly matters. Give us the grace to choose to follow you closely, every day. Amen.

Ezekiel 33:7-11God appointed Ezekiel as a sentinel for the house of Israel. Ezekiel must faithfully convey God’s warning...
08/31/2026

Ezekiel 33:7-11
God appointed Ezekiel as a sentinel for the house of Israel. Ezekiel must faithfully convey God’s warnings to the people. Remarkably, God - who is about to attack Jerusalem - gives a warning with the hope that repentance will make the attack unnecessary.

Reflection
This passage is about responsibility, warning, and God’s desire to save rather than condemn. God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for Israel. A watchman stood on the city wall and warned people when danger was approaching. Ezekiel’s responsibility was to hear God’s word and faithfully warn the people. If he warned them and they refused to listen, their response was their responsibility. But if he failed to warn them, he would be held accountable.

The passage then turns to the people themselves. Israel feels overwhelmed by its sin and says, essentially, “Our sins are too great; how can we live?” God’s response is remarkably hopeful.

God says he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Instead, he calls them to turn from their evil ways and live.

These are the important things to learn from this passage: God takes sin seriously; God gives people responsibilities; God calls upon them to speak; God’s purpose is restoration, not destruction; and God does not give up on his people.

Prayer
Gracious God, give us ears to hear your word and courage to respond to it. Make us people who speak the truth with love, never forgetting that your desire is not for anyone to perish, but for all to turn and live. When others struggle, help us to offer them hope rather than judgment. Lead us to love the way you love us. Amen.

Address

11900 San Jose Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL
32223

Telephone

+19042684591

Website

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