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

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!   

 

 

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.

 

“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

The First Sunday in Lent – Divine Service Three

 

The Lord Jesus crushes Satan and his wily deceptions.  The demise of Adam and Eve shrouds creation with turmoil, sin, and death.  One man’s disobedience reaps justification.  His sole abundant grace obliterates the gruesome consequence of one man’s trespass.  In all things, Jesus contends against Satan and triumphs.  Jesus combats countless temptations and strips evil deception of its sway.  Jesus casts out Satan completely, remaining steadfast as our Lord, God, and Savior.  

 

Genesis 3:1-21

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

 

O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; 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)

“Jesus Remember Me”     LSB 767

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”     LSB 656

“The Tree of Life”   LSB 561

“Creator of the Stars of Night”     LSB 351

“Christ, the Lord of Hosts Unshaken”     LSB 521

“Before the Throne of God Above”  LSB 574

“Jesus, Lead Thou On”  LSB 718 

 

 

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