Pastor's Pen 11/20/2018

We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ’s second coming. Jesus’ Return to judge the living and the dead. What do the Scriptures teach about Christ’s second coming?

 

A. Christ will Return Visibly on the Last Day.

The day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3)

B. Christ will Return to Judge the World.

When the Son of Man comes in his glory. He will gather all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (Matthew 25)

C. Christ will Return on a Specific Day Known by God Alone.

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24)

D. Before Christ Returns, there will be Increasing Suffering for the Church.

In later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. (1 Timothy 4)

E. The Return of Christ is a Source of Great Joy for the Christian.

Christ will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9)

 

Christ’s Return is drawing near. How to be ready for Christ’s Return? Hear the Word of the Lord. Believe the Gospel. Live by FAITH in Christ Crucified & Risen for you. When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18)

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5)

The Christian always is – with the Lord. Christ’s promise to you in Holy Baptism “Never to leave you.” God with His people through WORD & SACRAMENT. The Church lives by the Word of God. By every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4)

What is the church to do while we eagerly anticipate the Lord’s Return? Watch and pray. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. (Rev. 22) Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10)

The Lord’s Church never despairs. We are filled up with God’s Word. We stir one another to LOVE & GOOD WORKS. Filled with God’s mercy and love – we love and care for one another. Compassion. Mercy. Kindness. Generosity. The Holy Spirit working through you for the GOOD of your neighbor. The God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5)

Happy encouraging one another in these Last Days. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 03 December 2018 03 December 2018

Last Updated: 03 December 2018 03 December 2018

Pastor's Pen 11/05/2018

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When it comes to your righteousness before God, it does NOT come by works. You are righteous by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11) Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”. (Galatians 3)

The Scriptures teach the doctrine of the TWO KINGDOMS. The Lord is at work in both for your GOOD.

God’s Right and Left Hand Kingdoms

With the left hand, God uses temporal authority which He establishes for the sake of restraining evil in society. This temporal authority is given the tool of the sword to restrain evil. Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.... He is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. (Romans 13)

This authority is exercised in rulers, public servants, judges, law enforcement, and the military. God’s left hand is used for punishment against law-breakers and evil-doers.

Government is NOT to oppose God on – Life, Marriage, Gender, & Children. The church is to call public servants to repentance for those who oppose God. Therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. (Psalm 2)

The Lord commands us to pray for those who serve in government to provide a peaceful place for us to conduct our lives. We ask that the Lord would bless our country with wise and noble rulers. That they would not be given to bribes or corruption. I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2)

God's Right Hand Kingdom He rules by the power of the Gospel. Jesus Christ Crucified, Risen, and Ascended. The Lord is reigning and ruling by the power of His WORD, Law and Gospel, serving you with the Means of Grace.

God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. He put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1)

The church’s God-given job is to rebuke sin and forgive it where there is repentance. The government’s Godgiven job is to keep the temporal peace by establishing civic laws and punishing those who do not obey.

Rejoice that the Lord is at work in both His Right and Left Hand Kingdom for your GOOD. Of these Kingdoms only one is eternal – the Lord's Right Hand Kingdom – in which the Lord serves you with the riches of forgiveness through the WORD OF GOD.

We trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20)

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 03 December 2018 03 December 2018

Last Updated: 03 December 2018 03 December 2018

Pastor's Pen 10/23/2018

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Pharisees had a low view of sin. They thought they could overcome their sin by living a good life – their prayers, keeping of the Sabbath, and good works. (Works righteousness.)

Under the curse of sin we think we can work our way out of sin by being good. A path of futility, trying to please God with good works, will lead either to arrogance or despair. Truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. (John 8) We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. (Isaiah 64)

Scripture teaches that there is ONLY ONE WHO CAN SET YOU FREE. JESUS. The Lutheran Reformation returned back to the truth of Scripture. True freedom is in Christ saving sinners. The Gospel rescues you from the false religion of works righteousness.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3)

The Good News is Jesus saves sinners by His passionate death and glorious resurrection. Good Friday and Easter. We sinners do not deny our sinful condition. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1) Rather, we confess our sins to the Lord. Jesus has taken all your sins away by His Blood.

The beauty of the Reformation is a return back to the truth of the Scriptures. Salvation is not a work, salvation is not achieved, and salvation is not potential. Rather, salvation is a GIFT. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6) No conditions. GIFT, GIFT, GIFT is Christ saving you by His mercy. Christ’s redeeming work is received by faith. Trusting that what Jesus has done He has done for you.

We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law. (Galatians 2)

Rejoice, Christian friends, in hearing the Gospel. The Word goes to work setting you free. Jesus setting you free. Jesus is God's gift to you in His Word. Jesus is God's gift to you in your baptism. Jesus is God's gift to you in Absolution. Jesus is God's gift to you in the Lord's Supper. The gift is not deserved or earned. Rather received and believed.

Men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. (Augsburg Confession IV Justification)

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8) True freedom is lived in Christ. Living in faith toward God and love to your neighbor. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Last Updated: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Pastor's Pen 10/12/2018

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The WORD. The WORD. The WORD. The Holy Spirit is at work in the WORD calling sinners to faith.

Jesus is out preaching the WORD to SINNERS. Mission work is centered on Jesus. Mission work is done through the WORD. Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9)

Jesus is filled with COMPASSION as he sees the crowds without a shepherd. Meaning they do not have a Pastor. Sheep need a Shepherd to care for the Lord’s flock. “Feed my lambs.” Jesus said, “Tend my sheep.” (John 21)

The Lord of the Harvest has heard the prayers of the people of God at Zion. Our church has two shepherds to preach the Word. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3)

The Word of God is at work on you, the sinner. Calling you to REPENTANCE & FORGIVING your sins all for Christ’s sake. Christians regularly gather around the Word of God. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10)

Sinners filled up with God’s mercy are called to be merciful. To live in faith toward God and love to your neighbor. To pray earnestly to the Lord of harvest. God is filled with compassion.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? How are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10) The need for preachers. Pray that the Lord will raise up more men to be Pastors. Pray that from Zion the Lord will raise up men to go to Seminary to be trained in the WORD. To faithfully preach God’s Word of Law & Gospel into the ears of sinners.

There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all... For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Timothy 2)

Mission work takes place every day as the Word of God goes forth. At Zion (Word & Sacrament) where sinners are Repented and Forgiven. In our homes – Mission work takes place as a Father & Mother teach the Word of God to their children. In our vocation. As we witness to others the Good News of Christ as Lord.

Pray earnestly to the Lord of the Harvest. God called Rev. David Preus to serve as missionary to the Dominican Republic. In 2016 Rev. Preus came to Zion to preach. He gave a great insight of the opportunities to preach the Gospel in the Dominican Republic. All that was before his work of Word and Sacrament had begun. This week we get to hear an up-date on God’s Work being done.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1) Pray – Pray earnestly that the Word of God will go forth. That God’s Word would bear abundant fruit in the lives of repentant sinners. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Last Updated: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Pastor's Pen 09/25/2018

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There is a war going on. It is a spiritual war. War arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. (Revelation 12)

Satan wars against Christ. Satan is at war against Christ’s Church. Satan brings his lies and accusations against you. Satan lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8) This war’s weapon is words. Lies versus the truth.

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8)

The Lord sends His Holy Angels to guard and protect you with God's Word. He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91) The word Angel means "messenger". What is their message? The Good News of Christ the Savior.

Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, His ministers, who do his will! (Psalm 103)

The angel Gabriel announced Jesus’ conception to Mary. The angel announced the Good News of Christ’s birth to lowly shepherds.

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…There was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2)

On Easter the Angels announced Christ’s victory over the grave. Christ has risen! He has risen indeed! Two men stood by them in dazzling apparel...Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you. (Luke 24) God's promises fulfilled in Christ for you.

They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. (Revelation 12)

Do not be afraid. God's Word has been signed in the Blood of the Lamb. God's messengers come to deliver GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY TO YOU. God's messengers fight against every evil scheme of the devil. God watches over His little ones – guarding and protecting you in the faith – by the Word of God.

Jesus has bled, Jesus has died, and Jesus has risen for you. Bringing peace. Ministering spirits are sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1) Rejoice! You are called to hear and believe the Gospel. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Last Updated: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Pastor's Pen 09/11/2018

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. (John 3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sin brings the wrath of God. In the desert the Israelites were struck down by fiery snakes. Many Israelites died. God told Moses to place a fiery snake high on a pole, that the people would look in faith and live.

This Old Testament lesson is a PREVIEW of Christ on the Cross for you! The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6) Our sin brings the wrath of God. REPENT. Look to Christ Jesus on the Cross taking the punishment due you. When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. (John 12)

Jesus takes your sin into His Body. Jesus, high and lifted up on Good Friday's Tree, takes the wrath of God for you. Jesus was put to death in your place. Jesus died so that you can live.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...We have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5)

The focus of the bible is Jesus coming to save sinners. Jesus goes to the Cross to rescue us from damnation. Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Matthew 16)

The preaching of Christ Crucified and Risen is what Christians gather to hear week after week. For the unbeliever this is foolishness. The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1)

Helena, the mother of Constantine, went on a pilgrimage in search of the true Cross of Christ. She is said to have found it in her quest. No need for you to go on a search for a relic of dead wood. Rather, turn your ears to the Word of God. Christ Crucified and Risen – brings you life eternal.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Pick up your Cross and follow Jesus. As you suffer in this world, be comforted in the Crucified and Risen Lord for you.

Christ, the center of worship. I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne…Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5)

The faithful Christians gather around our Lord to worship Him. Jesus is with His Church in His Word, in the Waters of Baptism and in the Bread and Wine giving you His Body and Blood. Christ takes your curse and fills you with eternal blessings. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

 

On My Heart Imprint Your Image LSB 422:1

On my heart imprint Your image, Blessèd Jesus, King of grace,

That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures Never may Your work erase;

Let the clear inscription be: Jesus, crucified for me,

Is my life, my hope’s foundation, And my glory and salvation!

 

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Published: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Last Updated: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Pastor's Pen 08/14/2018

I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die. (1 Kings 17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The widow knows what it means to suffer. Her husband is dead. Death is closing in on all sides. She is driven to despair. Hopeless. The curse of sin and death spreads to all peoples. The widow is preparing for the impending doom of the black hole of death. The Lord provided food where there was none. A miracle through the Word of God preached. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah. (1 Kings 17)

Is this only postponing the impending doom of the grave? Death consumes all in its path. The son of the woman became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. She said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” (1 Kings 17)

She has already buried her husband, and now she has to bury her son. Agony. Sorrow all around. What is there left to hope in? JESUS. The Word of God that preached into the darkness to bring life. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11) Elijah proclaims God's life-giving Word. “O LORD my God, let this child's life come into him again.” The LORD listened to the voice of Elijah. The life of the child came into him again, and he revived.

God's Word is LIFE. JESUS goes to the cross to battle your sin and death. As a fisherman baits a hook to catch the fish. The fish bites into the hook for his end. Jesus is on the hook for all our sin. Death comes and bites into Christ. Jesus breaks death’s teeth. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12) Jesus died in your place. He rose after a three day rest. The church gathers around our Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus each Sunday to worship Him. Each Sunday is a little Easter. Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed!

Sinners gather around Christ. We come with our hurts. Struggles. Disappointments. We come with our weak sinful bodies. We come in FAITH, holding onto Christ’s Word. JESUS’ Word goes forth into your ears and heart. Truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5) The Word of God brings life everlasting to you. Death can harm you none.

The widow’s sorrow is gone. The joy and celebration of receiving her son back from the grave. Elijah said, “See, your son lives. “The woman said, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”

How do you know that Christ’s Word is TRUE? Because JESUS has been raised from the dead. Believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4)

Great comfort and peace for you the Baptized Children of God. Living in God's promises. Hearing God's Word of life. If we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6)

When you are sick. When death is stalking you. When your sins haunt you. Run to the living Word of God. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. (John 3) Rejoice in God's Word of life reigning in your ears and hearts forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Last Updated: 23 October 2018 23 October 2018

Steadfast Dads - Family Worship

This article by Pastor Rolf Preus originally appeared on the Steadfast Lutheran website on April 10, 2012

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Bringing your children to church is your first duty. Bringing church to your children is your second duty. The Holy Christian Church is identified by her marks: the pure preaching of the gospel and the right ad-ministration of the sacraments of Christ. The church is where the gospel is proclaimed according to a pure understanding of it and where the sacraments are administered according to Christ’s institution. We don’t identify the church by the faith of her individual members. That’s because God alone can see anyone’s faith. We identify the Christian Church by her marks.

What marks the church as the church marks the Christian home as well. We know that a home is a Christian home when the word of Christ marks it. There can be no hard and fast rules about family worship since every family is different and schedules vary from time to time and place to place. Stake out a time and jealously guard it. Then you will have time for family devotions.

The Christian father is the pastor of his own home. It is the father’s duty to lead the family in prayer. This is a simple, but profound, responsibility. Boys need to see their fathers exercise leadership in this area. This is how they learn that worship is a manly thing to do. Little boys are generally taught mostly by women in pub-lic and parochial schools, Sunday schools, and so forth. There is nothing wrong with that. But it is vital that a Christian father not abdicate his responsibility to teach God’s word personally to his children.

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Published: 17 July 2017 17 July 2017

Last Updated: 10 June 2018 10 June 2018

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Steadfast Dads - The First Duty of a Dad

This article written by Pastor Rolf Preus, was originally published on The Brothers of John the Steadfast website on March 6, 2012.

I would like to thank Pastor Scheer for this opportunity to contribute to Steadfast Lutherans.  The topic of Christian fatherhood is always a vital one, and this is so especially today in the midst of confusion – also among Christians – about what fathers, mothers, and families are.

The first duty of Dad is to know who is boss.  No, it’s not you.  And it’s not your children.  It’s God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.  “I believe that God has made me.”  In making you he has defined for you what you are all about.  The fatherhood of God determines for us Christian fathers what fatherhood is all about.

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Published: 06 June 2017 06 June 2017

Last Updated: 07 June 2018 07 June 2018

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Vigilant in Christ’s Truth

A Message from Pastor Hale

The error of evolution might seem to be a settled matter in the LCMS. It would be nice to assume so because its official statements are quite clear, but that is not the case as evidenced by a recent theological journal “issued by the faculty of the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.” Several articles have surprised and troubled many, in light of what some of our LCMS college and seminary professors are teaching. This is yet further evidence that the truth can never be taken for granted. We must be ever vigilant in defending Christ’s truth and not expect an institution or professional experts to safeguard it for us – it is too important for that!

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Published: 05 June 2018 05 June 2018

Last Updated: 05 June 2018 05 June 2018

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