Bearing the cross, hearing Jesus, sitting in glory

Crucifixion, St. John of the Cross c. 1550

The Lord has graciously brought us to another Wednesday in this Lenten season. As He does so, we are maintaining the “regular” orders of Services used here for Wednesdays. That means that each Lent Wednesday morning we continue to receive God’s gifts through the 20th century order called Divine Service, Setting 4. Each Lent Wednesday evening we continue to receive God’s gift of the Word through the ancient order of Vespers. …For more, click on the title above.

We are all beggars living under God’s Grace

Drawing of the Ash Cross on the Forehead of the Faithful, Custom on the Ash Wednesday in Bavaria, Germany. Artist Unknown.

Our homily for this Ash Wednesday is based upon a Psalm that is familiar to us
who have been receiving God’s gifts through the ancient public services (liturgies) of
the Church. It reveals that we are all beggars living under God’s grace. We pray the
Holy Spirit will guide our thoughts today as we contemplate the following translated
verse:
Mercy me, O Elohim, as to Your steadfast love, as to Your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions; cause to thoroughly wash me from my iniquity, and
from my sin cleanse me….For more, click on the title above.

Make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation

Copyright: www.cph.org LSB Icon used with permission

For many of this congregation’s members and friends, the words of a major portion of today’s Psalm, the 95th, may sound more familiar than those of any other Psalm. The words of today’s Psalm have continued being heard ringing out from this holy hill on most Monday mornings since last year. They echo among us during Holy Week, at each Resurrection Dawn service, and on this nation’s National Day of Thanksgiving. Today’s Psalm may also be chanted on a few Wednesday mornings when a pastor is not present among us to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. …For more, click on the title above.

God’s gift of the crown of righteousness

The Way, the truth and the Life by J & R Lamb Studios

This morning God has called and gathered us together into His House that He established decades ago in Catalina. He did so that, even today with the real earthly loss we’ve suffered we might hear God’s Word and respond to it in thanks. God planted this congregation to be a light on this hill in Catalina in the Divine Hope that all that takes place here would reflect and shine forth the Light of Christ to us, and through us, to our neighbors near and far. For more, click on the title above.