The Epistle reading for today, in its original language, appears to be divided into just three sentences. It is composed of just 81 words that are recorded in texts with the
best testimony as to that which was long ago contained in the Autographs. (Those are the original New Testament manuscripts of the Apostles and Evangelists).
As today’s I Peter text is combined with the other readings chosen long ago for public proclamation on this day named Exaudi, that is, “’Hear,” Sunday, the Holy Spirit continues to use it to call the faithful to continue clinging to God’s Word. We are freed to do so with the biblical surety that He does hear us….For more, click on the title above.
Author: kyriss
The ascended Christ and the earthbound church
We have this attitude about us sometimes, don’t we, when we’re approaching the apostles within the Scriptural narrative, that we are supposed to find a way to fold ourselves into them. That is, we’re supposed to identify with the apostles in some kind of Christological way. I can say that our lives are supposed to be cruciform, that is, grafted into Christ’s pattern of suffering and exemplifying His love. But that’s done through the power of the Holy Spirit and was a clear promise from the Father echoing throughout both the Old and the New Testaments. We have no such promise regarding the apostolic life. …For more, click on the title above.
The peace that surpasses every human mind
Today, that you might hear what the assembled pastors and other professional Church workers heard at Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zionsville, IN, the text of that sermon with be soon proclaimed from this pulpit. This is, in part, because pastors that are called to this congregation are responsible to inform our members of that which we are asked to proclaim elsewhere.
Before that, though, it can be helpful for us to remember that, during this week of the Church Year, God’s Word leads us into an annual time that is specifically set aside for prayer. …For more, click on the title above.
God builds His church
Today the Christian Church remembers two pieces of this foundation: St. Philip and St. James. Through his prophets and apostles, God laid the foundation. God built the house, every wall, room, and floor on the Cornerstone of Christ Jesus, not with brick and mortar, but with his holy precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. …For more, click on the title above.
Kyrie Eleison
what is this week in the Easter season? Cantate Sunday. Cantate is Latin for sing; so that makes this Singing Sunday. This name is based on the incipit of the Introit (which we learned about in Bible class a few weeks ago) for this Sunday which comes from Psalm 98, “Oh sing to the Lord a new song.”…For more, click on the title above.
United in the promise of their Resurrection inheritance
The sermon for this celebration of Ryan and Jessica’s one-flesh union in Christ is drawn from the inspired readings chosen for today. Those have been entering our ears through the Lord’s Service. In addition, from our mouths, by means of the hymns Ryan and Jessica chose for us to sing this day, we have also been proclaiming God’s Good News to one another. From and out of all of that which is in the Lord’s Service to us today, we are now led into hearing this joyful day’s central theme text:
No longer (do) they remain two, but one flesh. That which the God has yoked together, man must not separate. …For more, click on the title above.
St. Mark, Evangelist
Today we give thanks for the faith and ministry of Saint Mark the Evangelist. Saint Mark was presumably a world-traveling evangelist in addition to the author of the second and shortest Gospel. It is well attested that he served as the Bishop of Alexandria for some time and spread the Gospel to Egypt. It is also well attested that he suffered martyrdom in the eighth year of Emperor Nero’s reign. Commonly depicted as a lion, Mark is mentioned in two verses of the Bible, both of them found in the book of Acts. He is called “Mark surnamed John” and his mother’s house in Jerusalem was a place where the disciples would frequently gather for prayer. ..For more, click on the title above.
Truly special people in the eyes of the Lord
Today’s ancient order of readings points you, the believer, to the sure and certain hope that the central message of Holy Scripture declares. This is another Sunday, among the 52 each year, that is God’s gift to you. This day is especially for you who are numbered among the people continually confessing Christ-crucified for the forgiveness of all your sins….For more, click on the title above.
The beautiful Shepherd calls His people
The beautiful shepherd of the soul
What is the traditional nickname for this Sunday of the Church Year?
Yes, it is, “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are seen before God as sheep who have strayed—sinners all—and yet have been led back to the courtyard of the Faith by none other than Jesus Himself. That is the heart of today’s message, founded upon the eternal reality that the Beautiful Shepherd, Jesus, once laid down His life for us, then was raised from the dead, for us, for you!…For more, click on the title above.