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

Romans 4:13-25Paul presents Abraham as a living model of right relationships. For Abraham and for us, a right relationsh...
06/03/2026

Romans 4:13-25
Paul presents Abraham as a living model of right relationships. For Abraham and for us, a right relationship with God involves trusting that God’s promises will be fulfilled because God makes the dead alive and calls into existence what otherwise does not exist.

Reflection
In this passage Paul explains that God’s promises are received through faith, not through perfect obedience to the law. He uses Abraham and his life as the great example of a human trusting God when it seemed impossible that Abraham would truly be the “father of many nations” - when he was almost 100 and still had no offspring with Sarah, his wife. We humans have salvation through faith - by trusting God - not by earning our own salvation (it is a gift from God). God’s promises are gifts of grace rather than rewards for us for flawless behavior (which is impossible for us to achieve). We must have hope beyond human possibility. God is all-powerful and can do things that seem impossible for humans. Remember, Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.” God’s power is so great that God can bring humans (and Jesus was in human form when he was on the earth) back from the dead - as he did Jesus. This same God gave life (and off-springs) to Abraham when it seemed biologically impossible for him and Sarah to have any children. We should: trust God even when situations seem impossible; rely on the grace of God rather than on self-righteousness; and to find hope in the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead. He did that for us - so that we all might be saved. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
God of faith, strengthen our faith in the many promises you have made to humankind. When things seem desperate, help us remember your great power, plus your grace and mercy. Thank you for Jesus - who lived among us and helped us understand you, your love, your grace, and your power. Help us be faithful each day. Amen.

Psalm 50:7-15Call upon me in the day of trouble, says your God. (Ps.50:15)ReflectionThis is a powerful psalm about true ...
06/02/2026

Psalm 50:7-15
Call upon me in the day of trouble, says your God. (Ps.50:15)

Reflection
This is a powerful psalm about true and worthy worship. In this text God speaks directly to his people and corrects their misunderstanding about sacrifice and devotion. The major themes are these: God owns everything. Humans cannot give God something that he lacks. Worship is not us supplying God’s needs. True worship comes from the heart. God values gratitude, trust, obedience, and faithfulness more than empty rituals. Relationship over performance. This psalm warns against treating religion mechanically or in a transactional manner. God invites trust. Prayer and dependence on God are central acts of worship. Jesus echoes this message when he criticizes outward religious behaviors that lack mercy, faith, and love.

Prayer
God of mercy, teach us to worship you with thankful hearts and faithful lives. Help us to trust you and honor not only your words but sincerely love and obey you. Amen.

🎉🧠 TRIVIA EXTRAVAGANZA IS COMING! 🧠🎉Get ready for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and amazing prizes! 🎟️✨🎁 Raff...
06/01/2026

🎉🧠 TRIVIA EXTRAVAGANZA IS COMING! 🧠🎉

Get ready for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and amazing prizes! 🎟️✨

🎁 Raffle tickets are ON SALE NOW for your chance to win one of our general raffle prizes featured on the flyer!

⭐ You do NOT have to be present the night of the event to win! Purchase your tickets now and you'll still be entered for a chance to take home a great prize.

Gather your friends, test your knowledge, and support a great cause while having a blast!

🎟️ Get your raffle tickets today!
📅 Trivia Extravaganza Event
📍 See flyer for event details

Don't miss your chance to win, good luck, and we'll see you at Trivia Extravaganza!

Hosea 5:15-6:6Because the people have trusted in the military powers instead of God and have engaged in idolatrous worsh...
06/01/2026

Hosea 5:15-6:6
Because the people have trusted in the military powers instead of God and have engaged in idolatrous worship practices, God decides to withdraw until Israel acknowledges its guilt and seeks God’s face. The response of the people does not acknowledge this guilt and is as fickle as fog or dew burned away quickly by the sun. God desires loyalty rather than words or meaningless deeds.

Reflection
The prophet Hosea ministered during a period when Israel had turned away from God. The people continue religious rituals, but their hearts were divided between God and idols, alliances, and self-interest. In this text God speaks through Hosea to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a time of unfaithfulness and political corruption. The passage moves from judgment, to repentance, to God’s desire for genuine love rather than empty religion. The key messages in this passage are: God wants: steadfast love, mercy, faithfulness, and a genuine relationship with God’s people. God doesn’t just want them to outwardly perform religious rituals when they have no religious feelings tied to them. Jesus later quotes this verse twice in Matthew to challenge the religious leaders who emphasized rules while neglecting compassion for the people.

Prayer
Lord God, teach us to seek you sincerely and not just in times of troubles. May we have faithful hearts that love you and love humankind as you desire. Heal what is broken within us and lead us to love the way you and Jesus love. Amen.

Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners - th...
06/01/2026

Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners - the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s Day we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world.

https://conta.cc/4nRtZcV

05/31/2026

The Holy Trinity

Worship service starts in one hour, join us at 11900 San Jose Blvd, or catch the live stream right here on Facebook. Cl...
05/31/2026

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/4dC20e0

The Different GospelJohn 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.ReflectionHav...
05/29/2026

The Different Gospel

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Reflection
Have you ever wondered why the Gospel of John is so different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke? John is very different. His writing is very different than the other three. He was writing for a very specific purpose (most likely after the other three were written). Notice the words at the beginning of the Gospel of John. The Word, in John’s writing, is the Son of God, his name being Jesus when he lived among the humans of the earth. John is saying very clearly, from the very beginning of his gospel, that the Son of God was with God the Father at the creation of the universe. If you want John’s own words regarding why he wrote this gospel, here they are: “Jesus did many other things in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you might know that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). John was a witness to all that Jesus did here on earth. His gospel is compelling and true. Read it! Heed it! Believe it!

Prayer
Triune God, we thank you for the writers of scripture. They give us guidance on how you want us to live and love. May we be diligent in our efforts to make Christ known. Amen.

Matthew 28:16-20After his resurrection, Jesus summons his remaining disciples and commissions them to baptize and teach ...
05/28/2026

Matthew 28:16-20
After his resurrection, Jesus summons his remaining disciples and commissions them to baptize and teach all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Reflection
This text is often called “The Great Commission.” This is a mission statement for the entire church on earth. We see in these words that some of the disciples still doubted. They respond with worship, awe, and yet some uncertainty. Jesus grants the disciples the same authority to preach, teach, and heal that he had. This allows the disciples to go out into the world with confidence. The mission is now worldwide - not just in the Judean/Jerusalem area. This Christian faith is expected to cross ethnic boundaries, national boundaries, and social divisions. Jesus wants them to not just tell them what he said and did, but to obey all of the commands that he gave. And he gives one final promise: “I am always with you, even to the end of the age.” Jesus hasn’t gone away after over 2,000 years and he won’t go away in the future.

Prayer
Risen Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise to always be with us. Teach us to do the things you would have us do as we love and serve those around us. May your grace guide us each day. Amen.

Address

11900 San Jose Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL
32223

Telephone

+19042684591

Website

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