The First Sunday in Advent

The First Sunday in Advent

December 3^rd

Readings From Holy Scripture

Malachi 3:1-18

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Luke 3:1-17

Collect of the Day: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  People Turned Aside

Verse of the Week:       Malachi 3:7

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15        Tues: Colossians 3:1-17                 Wed: Luke 2:22-35

Thurs: Isaiah 40:1-11    Fri: Luke 3:1-17

Catechism Reading:

What is confession?

 Confession has two parts.

First, that we confess our sins,

and second, that we receive absolution,

that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself,

not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven

before God in heaven.

What sins should we confess?

 Before God we should plead guilty of all sins,

even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord's Prayer;

but before the pastor we should confess only those sins

which we know and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

 Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments:

Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker?

Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy?

Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome?

Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds?

Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything,

or done any harm?

The Sunday of the Prophet Daniel

The Sunday of the Prophet Daniel

November 26^th

Readings from Holy Scripture

Daniel 6:10-24

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Luke 9:18-27

Collect of the Day: Almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You.  Grant us so firmly to believe in Your Son Jesus that our faith may never be found wanting; 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  Remain Faithful to God

Verse of the Week:       Daniel 6:16

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Corinthians 10:1-18        Tues: 2 Timothy 4:9-18                 Wed: Daniel 6:6-27

Thurs: Luke 9:18-27      Fri: Luke 23:50-56

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.

Third Sunday after Reformation

Third Sunday after Reformation

November 19^th

Readings From Holy Scripture

Jeremiah 24:1-10

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Luke 8:4-18

Collect of the Day: O God, the source of all that is just and good, nourish in us every virtue and bring to completion every good intent that we may grow in grace and bring forth the fruit of good works; 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  Good Figs

Verse of the Week:       Jeremiah 24:6

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15           Tues: Jeremiah 4:1-4      Wed: Luke 8:4-18

Thurs: Jeremiah 24:1-10               Fri: Galatians 5:16-26

Catechism Reading:

Second

What benefits does Baptism give?

It works forgiveness of sins,

rescues from death and the devil,

and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this,

as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are these words and promises of God?

 Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark:

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,

but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16).

Second Sunday after Reformation

Second Sunday after Reformation

November 12^th

Readings from Holy Scripture

1 Kings 21:1-16

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Luke 12:35-48

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  Lying, Stealing, Coveting, and Murder

Verse of the Week:       1 Kings 21:15

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15           Tues: 1 Samuel 26:6-16                  Wed: Luke 12:35-48

Thurs: 1 Kings 21:1-16                                     Fri: Acts 6:8-15

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.