The Transfiguration of our Lord – Divine Service

 

God reveals His majesty to Moses in flame, shrouded in a mysterious cloud, ultimately preparing Moses to receive the Law of God.  Peter, James, and John also bear witness to Jesus’ majesty on the Mount of Transfiguration.  But of paramount importance is not just the glorious appearance of Jesus but also the revelation of the prophetic Word.  This is the very Word that demands our listening, inspires our believing, and confirms our confessions.  

 

Exodus 24:8-18

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

 

O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“’Tis Good Lord to be Here”     LSB 414

“O Wondrous Type!  O Vision Fair”     LSB 413

“Not All the Blood of Beasts”     LSB 431   (February hymn of the month)

“Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory”   LSB 416

“Jesus On the Mountain Peak”     LSB 415

“Alleluia!  Sing to Jesus”     LSB 821

“Alleluia!  Song of Gladness”  LSB 417

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Prayer and Preaching

 

To know God intellectually, merely to exercise a fasting ritual without faith, can be devoid of purpose.  But through the Holy Spirit, the wisdom of God is made known to us in our hearts and minds.  Then acts of mercy for those enmeshed in poverty, wickedness, and hunger season the world with God’s graciousness and righteousness.  In these moments, God’s favor is made known, light shines, good works are done, and God alone is glorified. 

 

 

O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“This Little Light of Mine”        

“Thy Strong Word”     LSB 578

“Not All the Blood of Beasts”     LSB 431   (February hymn of the month) 

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany- Divine Service 3

 

While the wisdom of this world promotes prosperity, Jesus teaches humility.  Those characteristics that the world might look down on, God calls blessed.  While we might be persecuted for these things, God reminds us that our reward is in heaven.  For what may seem wise to the world is truly foolish, and what seems foolish to the world – Christ crucified – is wise.  Just as He redeemed the Israelites, and calls them His own people, so also has He rescued us from our sin. 

 

Micah 6:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Matthew 5:1-12

 

Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Not All the Blood of Beasts”     LSB 431   (February hymn of the month)

“Son of God, Eternal Savior”     LSB 842

“Blest Are They ”     LSB 982  (not in pew hymnal)

“Jesus Sat with His Disciples”     LSB 932

“In the Cross of Christ I Glory”     LSB 427

“Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me”     LSB 683

“Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us ”     LSB 851

“We Give Thee but Thine Own”     LSB 781

The light of Jesus dispels darkness where His Gospel is preached in purity and truth.  His Word illuminates the power of the cross, uniting believers in the one Christian faith.  To follow another besides Jesus is complete folly.  Jesus’ call to repentance and invitation to follow Him begets an immediate response.  When believers are in the company of Christ Jesus, we witness that through Him demons are defeated, diseases are healed, and the almighty power of God is unconstrained.  

 

Isaiah 9:1-4

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Matthew 4:12-25

 

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“O God of Light”     LSB 836   ( January hymn of the month)

 “O Christ, Our True and Only Light”     LSB 839 

“There Is a Balm in Gilead”     LSB 749

“Be Still My Soul”     LSB 771

“Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness”     LSB 849

“O Christ, Who Called the Twelve”     LSB 856

“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”     LSB 643

“’Come Follow Me’, the Savior Spake”     LSB 688

 

 

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).  This confession is an axis in the Divine Service, where saints of every land contemplate that Jesus bears the sin for the whole world.  In the aftermath of this Agnus Dei, believers anticipate receiving the bread and wine of the Messiah.  This divine forgiveness food sustains our faith until we, too, are found guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus.   

 

Isaiah 49:1-7

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

John 1:29-42a

 

Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“O God of Light”     LSB 836   ( January hymn of the month)

“The Only Son from Heaven”     LSB 402 

“O Love, How Deep, How High, How Broad”     LSB 544

“All Glory Be to God Alone”     LSB 948

“The Gifts God Freely Gives”     LSB 602

“Lamb of God”     LSB 550

“Lamb of God, Pure and Holy”     LSB 434

“O God, My Faithful God”     LSB 696

 

The Baptism of our Lord – Matins

 

The triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, converges on this day of Jesus’ own Baptism – confirming the revelation of the prophet Isaiah.  Behold  Jesus, the servant, claimed by the father as beloved, will now unleash uncommon justice to the earth, its nations, all its inhabitants.  His light will obliterate darkness.  His Word will exonerate guilt.  Resurrection trump death.  The mortal will claim immortality!  All this because Jesus died once for all.   

 

 

Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“O God of Light”     LSB 836   ( January hymn of the month)

“To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord”     LSB 406 

“God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It”     LSB 594

 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel”  (Isaiah 7:14).  A stunning truth, unthinkable circumstances for a child, expectant mother, and pensive father.  All are faithful, yet all would be shunned.  And yet no one well intentioned, unnerved, or suspect would redirect God’s plan of salvation.  Mary bore Jesus, Joseph named Him Jesus, and Jesus is the very Son of God – in the flesh, for the salvation of sinners.    

 

Isaiah 7:10-17

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

 

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“What Hope!  An Eden Prophesied”     LSB 342

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”     LSB 338

“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came”     LSB 356

“At the Name of Jesus”      LSB 512

“Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love”     LSB 900

“How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds”     LSB 524

“Arise, O Christian People”     “LSB 354”

 

People lament the arduous task of waiting in the midst of grief, illness, despair, and injury.  To remain steadfast in faith like Job seems unattainable.  Hearts are anxious, tongues muted, ears deafened, and bodies crippled.  Anguish thrives in the hearts, minds, and bodies of men.  Yet followers of Jesus confess and believe the truth – the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the maimed are healed.  In Jesus, compassion and mercy prevail, as we wait! 

 

 

Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”     LSB 398

“Hark!  A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding”     LSB 345

“What Hope!  An Eden Prophesied”     LSB 342