The Baptism of the LORD

The Baptism of the LORD

January 7^th

Readings From Holy Scripture

Isaiah 43:1-13

Acts 15:1-21

Luke 3:18-23

Collect of the Day: Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Named by Water

Verse of the Week:       Luke 3:22

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Isaiah 42:1-9           Tues: Romans 6:1-14     Wed: Acts 15:1-21

Thurs: Isaiah 43:1-13    Fri: Luke 3:18-23

Catechism Reading:

Third

How can water do such great things?

 Certainly not just water,

but the word of God in and with the water does these things,

along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water.

For without God's word the water is plain water and no Baptism.

But with the word of God it is a Baptism,

that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace,

and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit,

as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three:

"He saved us through the washing of rebirth

and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

whom He poured out on us generously

through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that, having been justified by His grace,

we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

This is a trustworthy saying" (Titus 3:5-8).

First Sunday after Christmas

First Sunday after Christmas

December 31^st

Divine Service Setting Five

Reading of the Holy Gospel

Isaiah 62:1-5

2 Corinthians 1:12-24

Luke 2:22-40

Collect of the Day: O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature.  Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Redeemed First Born

Verse of the Week:       Luke 2:30-31

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Numbers 18:12-20               Tues: Ephesians 1:15-23               Wed: Luke 2:22-40

Thurs: Isaiah 62:1-5       Fri: Luke 13:31-35

Catechism Reading:

Fourth

What does such baptizing with water indicate?

It indicates that the Old Adam in us

should by daily contrition and repentance

be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires,

and that a new man should daily emerge and arise

to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

 St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six:

"We were therefore buried with Him

through baptism into death

in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead

through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4).

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Fourth Sunday in Advent

December 24^th

Reading of the Holy Gospel

2 Samuel 7:1-16

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Luke 1:26-38

Collect of the Day: Stir Up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Possibilities Above

Verse of the Week:       Luke 1:35

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Luke 2:1-21             Tues: Luke 1:26-38         Wed: John 1:1-14

Thurs: Romans 8:1-11  Fri: Isaiah 7:10-25

Catechism Reading:

The Second Article: Redemption

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.

From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God,

begotten of the Father from eternity,

and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary,

is my Lord.

Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person,

purchased and won me from all sins,

from death, and from the power of the devil;

not with gold or silver,

but with His holy, precious blood

and with His innocent suffering and death,

that I may be His own

and live under Him in His kingdom

and serve Him

in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness,

just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.

This is most certainly true.

Third Sunday in Advent

Third Sunday in Advent

December 17^th

Readings From Holy Scripture

Exodus 2:1-10

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Luke 1:39-45

Collect of the Day: Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Blessed are you Child

Verse of the Week:       Luke 1:42

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Exodus 2:1-10        Tues: Romans 15:8-13  Wed: Luke 3:18-22

Thurs: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10    Fri: Luke 1:39-45

Catechism Reading:

First

What is Baptism?

Baptism is not just plain water,

but it is the water

included in God's command

and combined with God's word.

Which is that word of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew:

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,

 baptizing them

in the name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).