All Saints Sunday

All Saints Sunday

November 5^th

Readings From Holy Scripture

Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Matthew 5:1-12

Collect of the Day: Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; 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  Wisdom for His Saints

Verse of the Week:       Ecclesiastes 2:26

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16           Tues: 1 John 3:1-3            Wed: Luke 12:13-21

Thurs: Numbers 15:22-31           Fri: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Catechism Reading:

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

 These words,

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,"

shows 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.

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things,

but the words written here:

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking,

are the main thing in the Sacrament.

Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say:

"forgiveness of sins."

Who receives this sacrament worthily?

 Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training.

But that person is truly worthy and well prepared

who has faith in these words:

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them

is unworthy and unprepared,

for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe.

Reformation Sunday

Reformation Sunday

500^th Aniversary of the Reformation

October 29^th

Reading of the Holy Gospel

2 Samuel 11:26-12:17

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Luke 7:36-8:3

Collect of the Day: Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people.  Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; 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  Open Eyes

Verse of the Week:       2 Samuel 12:13

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1       Tues: Romans 3:19-28  Wed: Matthew 5:1-12

Thurs: Luke 7:36-8:3     Fri: Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

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.

Seventh Sunday of Israel

Seventh Sunday of Israel

October 22^nd

Readings from Holy Scripture

2 Samuel 1:1-16

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Luke 9:1-9

Collect of the Day: Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.  Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; 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  Speaking the Truth

Verse of the Week:       2 Samuel 1:16

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13           Tues: Acts 5:27-41          Wed: Nehemiah 5:6-13

Thurs: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21    Fri: Luke 9:1-9

Catechism Reading:

The Sixth Petition

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean?

God tempts no one.

We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us

so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature

may not deceive us or mislead us

into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice.

Although we are attacked by these things,

we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

The Seventh Petition

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean?

We pray in this petition, in summary,

that our Father in heaven would rescue us

from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation,

and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end,

and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow

to Himself in heaven.

Sunday of Ruth

Sunday of Ruth

October 15^th

Readings From Holy Scripture

Ruth 1:1-22

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Luke 17:1-19

Collect of the Day: Faithful God, You promised to preserve Your people and save Your inheritance, using unlikely and unexpected vessels in extending the genealogy that would bring about the birth of Your blessed Son.  Give us the loyalty of Ruth and her trust in the one true God, that we, too, might honor You through our submission and respect and be counted among Your chosen people, by the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit, who reign together with you, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Love of Family

Verse of the Week:       Ruth 1:16

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Ruth 2        Tues: Ruth 3       Wed: Ruth 4

Thurs: 2 Timothy 1:1-14              Fri: Luke 1:67-80

Catechism Reading:

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not despise or anger our parents

and other authorities,

but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.

The Fifth Commandment

You shall not murder.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body,

but help and support him in every physical need.