Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Labor Day Weekend

September 2^nd

Readings From Holy Scripture

Genesis 25:19-34

James 5:1-20

Luke 10:25-37

Collect of the Day: O Lord, let Your merciful ears be open to the prayers of Your humble servants and grant that what they ask may be in accord with Your gracious will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Pray for Your Neighbor

Verse of the Week:       James 5:14

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Luke 10:25-37       Tues: Galatians 3:1-14  Wed: James 5:1-20

Thurs: Leviticus 19:9-18              Fri: Genesis 25:19-34

Catechism Reading:

The Second Petition

Thy kingdom come.

What does this mean?

The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer,

but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.

How does God's kingdom come?

God's kingdom comes

when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit,

so that by His grace we believe His holy Word

and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.

The Third Petition

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What does this mean?

The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer,

but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is God's will done?

God's will is done

when he breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose

of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature,

which do not want us to hallow God's name

or let His kingdom come;

and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith

until we die.

This is His good and gracious will.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 26^th

Readings from Holy Scripture

Deuteronomy 11:1-32

James 3:13-4:10

Luke 6:1-11

Collect of the Day: O God, You have commanded us to love You above all things and our neighbors as ourselves.  Grant us the Spirit to think and do what is pleasing in Your sight, that our faith in You may never waver and our love for one another may not falter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Not Double Minded

Verse of the Week:       James 4:8

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Luke 6:1-11             Tues: Luke 8:4-18            Wed: James 3:13-4:10

Thurs: Deuteronomy 11:1-32   Fri: 1 Kings 22:13-28

Catechism Reading:

The Ninth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor's house.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor's inheritance or house,

or get it in a way which only appears right,

but help and be of service to him in keeping it.

The Tenth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife,

or his manservant, or maidservant, his ox or donkey,

or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor's wife,

workers, or animals, or turn them against him,

but urge them to stay and do their duty.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 19^th

Readings From Holy Scripture

Jeremiah 7:1-15

James 3:1-12

Luke 19:41-48

Collect of the Day: O God, You have prepared for those who love You such good things as surpass our understanding.  Cast out all sins and evil desires from us, and pour into our hearts your Holy Spirit to guide us into all blessedness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Control the Tongue

Verse of the Week:       James 3:4

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Luke 19:41-48       Tues: 1 Peter 2:1-12       Wed: James 3:1-12

Thurs: Jeremiah 7:1-15                  Fri: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29

Catechism Reading:

The Sixth Commandment

You shall not commit adultery.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life

in what we say and do,

and husband and wife love and honor each other.

The Seventh Commandment

You shall not steal.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions,

or get them in any dishonest way,

but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.

The Eighth Commandment

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

that we may not deceitfully belie,

betray, slander, or defame our neighbor,

but defend him, [think and] speak well of him,

and put the best construction on everything.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 12^th

Readings from Holy Scripture

Isaiah 65:1-10

James 2:14-26

Luke 8:26-39

Collect of the Day: O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your final judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You in perfect joy hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Judgment by Works

Verse of the Week:       James 2:18

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Deuteronomy 6:1-15          Tues: Luke 8:26-39         Wed: James 2:14-26

Thurs: Matthew 7:12-20               Fri: Isaiah 65:1-10

Catechism Reading:

The Close of the Commandments

What does God say about all of these commandments?

He says, "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,

punishing the children for the sin of the fathers

to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me,

but showing love to a thousand generations

of those who love Me and keep My commandments" (Exodus 20:5-6).

What does this mean?

God threatens to punish all who break these commandments.

Therefore, we should fear His wrath

and not do anything against them.

But He promises grace and every blessing

to all who keep these commandments.

Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him

and gladly do what He commands.