Third Sunday in Lent

Third Sunday in Lent

March 4^th

Readings From Holy Scripture

Isaiah 12:1-6

Philippians 2:19-30

Luke 15:11-32

Collect of the Day: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; 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  Dead and Now Alive

Verse of the Week:       Luke 15:24

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Genesis 46:28-34                   Tues: Luke 15:11-32      Wed: Luke 5:17-26

Thurs: 1 Peter 4:1-11    Fri: Philippians 2:19-30

Catechism Reading:

The Introduction

Our Father who art in heaven.

What does this mean?

With these words God tenderly invites us to believe

that He is our true Father

and that we are His true children,

so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him

as dear children ask their dear father.

The First Petition

Hallowed be Thy name.

What does this mean?

God's name is certainly holy in itself,

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

How is God's name kept holy?

God's name is kept holy

when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity,

and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it.

Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven!

But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God's Word

profanes the name of God among us.

Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

Second Sunday in Lent

Second Sunday in Lent

February 25^th

Readings from Holy Scripture:

              Ezekiel 33:10-20

Philippians 2:12-18

Luke 13:1-9

Collect of the Day: O God, you see that of ourselves we have no strength.  By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; 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  Repent and Do Better

Verse of the Week:       Luke 13:4b-5

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Job 4:1-21                 Tues: Acts 28:1-10          Wed: Luke 19:1-10

Thurs: Ezekiel 33:10-20                Fri: Philippians 2:12-18

Catechism Reading:

What is the Office of the Keys?

 The Office of the Keys is that special authority

which Christ has given to His church on earth

to forgive the sins of repentant sinners,

but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant

as long as they do not repent.

Where is this written?

 This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty:

The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and said,

'Receive the Holy Spirit.

If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven;

if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven' (John 20:22-23).

What do you believe according to these words?

 I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us

by His divine command,

in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners

from the Christian congregation

and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better,

this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven,

as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.

The First Sunday in Lent

The First Sunday in Lent

Martin Luther, Doctor & Confessor

February 18^th

Readings From Holy ScriptureDeuteronomy 26:1-15

Philippians 1:12-30

Luke 4:1-13

Collect of the Day: O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land.  Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; 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  Without Sin

Verse of the Week:       Luke 4:13

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Deuteronomy 6:10-19       Tues: 2 Corinthians 13:1-10       Wed: Philippians 1:1-30

Thurs: Luke 18:9-14      Fri: Deuteronomy 26:1-15

Catechism Reading:

The First Commandment

You shall have no other gods.

What does this mean?

We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.

The Second Commandment

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts,

lie, or deceive by His name,

but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

The Third Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not despise preaching and His Word,

but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

The Sunday of the Transfiguration

The Sunday of the Transfiguration

February 11^th

Readings from Holy Scripture

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Acts 20:17-38

Luke 9:28-36

Collect of the Day: O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah.  In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace.  Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; 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  Passing on Testimony

Verse of the Week:       Luke 9:35

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Kings 2:1-14        Tues: 2 Peter 1:16-21    Wed: Mark 9:2-8

Thurs: Deuteronomy 34:1-12   Fri: Luke 9:28-36

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.