The Sunday of Confession

The Sunday of Confession

July 1^st

Readings From Holy Scripture

Malachi 4:1-6

Acts 11:1-18

Luke 21: (5-19) 20-36

Collect of the Day: Lord God, the gift of Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, was given to the Gentile Cornelius so that Christ dwelled in him and he dwelled in Christ.  May that same Spirit of Jesus, which rested on us in Holy Baptism, give us courage to confess His holy name even in the face of the fiercest persecution, so that we might receive the crown of everlasting life; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Defend the Faith

Verse of the Week:       Acts 11:15

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Malachi 4:1-6          Tues: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-16    Wed: Acts 11:1-18

Thurs: Job 11:1-20          Fri: Luke 21:5-36

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.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Nativity of John the Baptist

June 24^th

Readings from Holy Scripture

Isaiah 66:17-24

Acts 10:34-48

Luke 13:22-35

Collect of the Day: Lord Jesus Christ, in Your deep compassion You rescue us from whatever may hurt us.  Teach us to love You above all things and to love our neighbors as ourselves; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Gathered by Education

Verse of the Week:       Acts 10:42

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Acts 10:34-48        Tues: 1 Timothy 4:6-16                 Wed: Isaiah 43:8-15

Thurs: Luke 3:18-23      Fri: Isaiah 66:17-24

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.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Father's Day

June 17^th

Readings From Holy Scripture

Jeremiah 1:4-19

Acts 10:9-33

Luke 4:31-44

Collect of the Day: Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, You opened Peter’s eyes to see that all of creation is good and is to be used by Your people for their delight and joy.  Open our eyes to see that our bodies, restored by You in Holy Baptism, proclaim the goodness of Your creative will, that in paradise we will come to the fullness of what You created us to be; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week  Made Clean

Verse of the Week:       Acts 10:15

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Luke 23:32-43       Tues: Revelation 3:7-13                 Wed: Acts 10:9-33

Thurs: Genesis 9:1-17   Fri: Luke 4:31-44

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).

Third Sunday after Pentecost

Third Sunday after Pentecost

June 10^th

Readings from Holy Scripture

Genesis 15:1-21

Acts 10:1-8

Luke 12:22-34

Collect of the Day: Lord God, heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to 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  Trust and Obey

Verse of the Week:       Acts 10:4

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: Acts 10:1-8              Tues: Deuteronomy 30:11-20   Wed: John 20:11-18

Thurs: Romans 4:13-25                 Fri: Genesis 15:1-21

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.