In our Old Testament reading for today, the voice of the Lord speaks to a despairing prophet in the desert wilderness of Egypt on Mount Sinai. But this isn’t where the story begins. It begins in the fertile highlands of northern Israel on Mount Carmel. It begins with the theological showdown for the ages….For more, click on the title above.
Category: Worship
Trinity 5_2025
Trinity 5
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Living in grace and mercy
Freed to forgive from the heart
The Collect Prayer for this week gives direction for the emphases contained in the Word for this day. The weekly collect prayers often remind us of the ancient patterns in the readings that are followed, and rediscovered annually, through the various times of the Church year. That which we prayed before we heard today’s primary readings revealed to us first, that God is merciful and gracious. That is particularly shown whenever He calls His people to turn from their sins. With that in mind, in the prayer we reminded ourselves that God will graciously forgive us and provide for all our bodily and spiritual needs. …For more, click on the title above.
Trinity 4_2025
Trinity 4
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The Sacrament of the Altar
Hear Martin Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week.
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.
VI. The Sacrament of the Altar
Second
What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?
These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation…For more, click on the title above.
Lost and Found
Before we explore the reading from Luke’s Gospel, we need to set the table for the parable Jesus tells. Throughout Luke’s account the Pharisees repeatedly test, challenge, and oppose Him. If Jesus is the protagonist or main character of the story, then the Pharisees clearly function as the antagonists, opposing His mission at every turn. They challenge His authority, they attempt to trap Him with Sabbath laws, and they test Him over purity practices.
That’s why when the ruler of the Pharisees invites Jesus to dine with him on the Sabbath, we should understand that their intentions are far from pure….For more, click on the title above.
Trinity 3_2025
Trinity 3
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Blessed reversal
The fullness of time had come. God honored His promise and acted on His mercy when He sent the messenger Gabriel to Mary. Gabriel said, “You have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”
Mary responded to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” …For more, click on the title above.
Biblical narrative in the liturgy
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central event in salvation history, the culmination of the true biblical story. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Every Sunday is the Lord’s Day and a day of celebrating His Resurrection. Every Sunday is a “little Easter.” The Resurrection is the heartbeat of the Church that pulses throughout the Church Year in every
service. Your salvation was earned by Christ and given for you on Easter. Everything hangs on this event as Paul says, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” Easter is the day the firstborn from the dead became the first fruits of the
new creation. …For more, click on the title above.