Preparing for Sunday
Sunday, April 19, 2026
The Third Sunday of Easter
Divine Service One
A crooked generation instinctively clings to wealth and riches, grasps human logic, and understands ordinary fact. The baptized fervently cling to forgiveness and grace in Christ, believe divine mysteries, and confess Christ crucified. Jesus’ death was necessary that we would know imperishable life. Without His death, the breaking of the bread would be empty ritual. But in the Eucharist, we receive the broken bread and body of Christ that sustains extraordinary faith and enables us to confess divine truths.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“Father Welcomes” LSB 605
“With High Delight Let Us Unite” LSB 483
“At the Lambs High Feast We Sing” LSB 633
“Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide” LSB 585
“Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen” LSB 474
“Stay with Us” LSB 879
“Abide with Me” LSB 878
“Rise Up O Believer” OAR 265
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Sunday, April 12, 2026
The Second Sunday of Easter – Matins
Persecution cannot silence those who teach and preach Christ crucified, dead and risen. This unwavering testimony is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Trials, sorrows, and temptations will never eclipse the revelation of Jesus to whom belongs all glory and honor. Just as Jesus, risen and scarred, stood in the midst of His disciples, so also He remains steadfast in the church, through bread and wine, reminding us of His wounds, nourishing our faith, and bestowing peace on all who see Him.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“Rise Up O Believer” OAR 265
“O Sons and Daughters of the King” LSB 470
“We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God” LSB 941
“Christ the Eternal Lord” LSB 829
“O Sons and Daughters of the King” LSB 470
“We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God” LSB 941
“Christ the Eternal Lord” LSB 829
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Sunday, April 5, 2026
The Resurrection of our Lord – Divine Service
From catastrophic death emerges the mighty salvation of God. Israel witnesses the destruction of its Egyptian adversaries and in revelry sings: the Lord has triumphed gloriously. The apostle Paul, once a vehement assassin of Christians, marvels that the grace of God grips him and inspires his preaching so that others may believe in Jesus. Mary is seized with astonishment at the sight of the risen Jesus and proclaims Him “Teacher.” This is the day for resurrection rejoicing.
Readings
Exodus 14:10-15:1
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns
“Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” LSB 458 (Not in pew hymnal)
“He’s Risen, He’s Risen, Christ Jesus the Lord” LSB 480 (Choir)
“I Know that My Redeemer Lives” LSB 461
“Our Paschal Lamb that Sets Us Free” LSB 473
“Rise Up O Believer” OAR 267
“Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” LSB 466
“Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” LSB 465
“At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing” LSB 633
“The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done” LSB 464
“Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” LSB 457
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Sunday, March 29, 2026
Palm Sunday – Divine Service
Crowds pursue Jesus to see Him, hear Him, ridicule Him, and finally crucify Him. The sequence from popularity to persecution unfolds on this Sunday of the Passion. Hosanna accolades would be stifled by jeering mockery. The imagery of palm branches would be obscured with the bloodied palms and wounded head of Jesus. Within a week, Christ is adorned in beauty and fame, scorning and shame. For us, He decidedly unravels death’s hideous sting!
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” LSB 443
“Jesus, Remember Me” LSB 767
“All Glory, Laud and Honor” LSB 442
“Lift High the Cross” LSB 837
“No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet” LSB 444
“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” LSB 699
“My Song Is Love Unknown” LSB 430 (March hymn of the month)
“Ride On, Ride On in Majesty” LSB 44
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Sunday, March 22, 2026
The Fifth Sunday in Lent – Divine Service
Decaying skeletons are revived in hearing the prophesies of God. Graveyards are opened; the dead are raised – and the Lord does it all! Lifeless creatures respond to the breath of the Holy Spirit. Hostile flesh wars against God and dies, but those continually revived by the Spirit live in peace. Dead Lazarus is three days entombed in stench, and yet, when Jesus speaks, he rises, he lives! Lazarus sheds the shroud of death, and the Lord has done it all!
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“Give Me Jesus” LSB 976 (Not in pew hymnal)
“Jesus, Remember Me” LSB 767
“My Song Is Love Unknown” LSB 430 (March hymn of the month)
“We All Believe In One True God” LSB 954
“Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared” LSB 622
“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” LSB 576
“Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” LSB 685
“Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing” LSB 421
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March 15, 2026
The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Divine Service
People endure debilitating disabilities – blindness, deafness – and these ailments are not punishment for sin. Without intervention, people in darkness and utter silence remain isolated. Jesus attends wholeheartedly to those who live in darkness and silence. He illuminates minds and hearts with faith, so that people would confess Him as Lord. He heals the blind so that people would see who He is! Christ’s amazing miracles confound the arrogant and enlighten the repentant.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“My Song Is Love Unknown” LSB 430 (March hymn of the month)
“Jesus, Remember Me” LSB 767
“Church of God, Elect and Glorious” LSB 646
“Amazing Grace” LSB 744
“Beautiful Savior” LSB 537
“Christ the Life of All the Living” LSB 420
“Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing” LSB 421
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Sunday, March 8, 2026
The Third Sunday in Lent- Prayer and Preaching
Sin mars living, distorts perceptions, ignites quarrels, and endorses lies. This is the journey that believers navigate – suffering, enduring, and hoping. It is the singular hope in Christ that catapults us through our own difficult wilderness journey. We know that Jesus in justice and truth brings down the gavel on sin and the sinner. But in His definitive care, He refreshes with Word, water, bread, and wine. In these sacred and forgiving gifts, Christ is among us and for us.
Readings:
Exodus 17:1-7
Romans 5:1-8
John 4:5-26
Collect of the Day:
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“My Song Is Love Unknown” LSB 430 (March hymn of the month)
“What Wondrous Love Is This” LSB 543
“Lamb of God, Pure and Holy” LSB 434
“May God Bestow on Us His Grace” LSB 824
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Sunday, March 1, 2026
The Second Sunday in Lent – Divine Service Three
Faith is Abraham’s legacy – nothing more! He believed God’s credibility in fulfilling the incredible. How could an aged, childless father boast of countless heirs. How could a rich pharisee be born again through water, word, and Spirit? How could a condemned world be redeemed by the death of a Son? All these things are grasped, believed, and confessed by God’s gift of faith – nothing more!
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“My Song Is Love Unknown” LSB 430 (March hymn of the month)
“There Is a Redeemer” LSB 971 (not in pew hymnal)
“The God of Abram Praise” LSB 798
“When I Behold Jesus Christ” LSB 542 (sung by Youth Choir)
“Lord, The I Love with All My Heart” LSB 708 (sung by Adult Choir)
“Jerusalem, My Happy Home” LSB 673
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