2nd Sunday in Advent-2023
JOHN CAME BAPTIZING AND PREACHING Prayer: Dear God of grace: During this season, we struggle to keep our minds on You, that is, on You O Christ, the God-in-human-flesh, and You, God our Father who sent Him. But don’t we also need the Holy Spirit? Isn’t true faith in short supply, and also godly living? Don’t we have pressures, sadnesses, and fears; and we need to be comforted? We need You, Holy Spirit! Show us that Advent is also about…
1st Sunday of Advent – 2023
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we are embarking upon another church year. Help us to know what it’s all about the Gospel. Lord, we of all people should know the Gospel, for to know You is to know the Gospel and to know the Gospel is to know You. Let us know You through repenting of our sins and believing that You save us from these sins. Let this Gospel begin in us, and never end! Amen. The Text, St. Mark…
Last Sunday of the Church Year- 2023
THE END OF THE WORLD Prayer: Praise be to You, Lord, that we do not have to worry about how to answer the scoffers and all who don’t believe in Your coming judgment. You are the answer. Your longsuffering is the answer. It also teaches us not to be dismayed by what others say or do, but show them Your patient love in everything we say and do. We thank You that in the end it won’t be wickedness, torture, persecution…
Thanksgiving, 2023
Prayer: Almighty God, heavenly Father, whose mercies are new to us every morning: You abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul, even though we have in no way deserved Your goodness. We pray You, give us Your Holy Spirit, that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience. For Jesus’ sake we pray. Amen! Sermon Text: Lamentations 3:22-25. Dear fellow redeemed, citizens not only…
3rd Last Sunday of the Church Year – 2023
FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS OF THE GOSPEL Sermon Text, St. Matthew 24:15-28. Prayer: Lord, keep us faithful and watchful in a world spinning out of control, that we may be kept from following those who would deceive us so we receive and hold onto the salvation You’re preparing for us.Amen! Dear fellow watchers for the Bridegroom’s coming: Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Matthew 24 is where we hear what…
Festival of All Saints
MEET THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT Prayer: God, let our heart be in heaven. Amen. [Laache, p. 690] Sermon Text, Revelation 7:9-17. Dear saints: Do you know this name for heaven? – “The church triumphant.” You don’t find this name in a Bible verse. But what do we see in Revelation 7? – We see the church in heaven – not a building, but the people who make up the church – and the only way to describe them is: triumphant –…
The Festival of Reformation
CLEANSING THE TEMPLE Sermon Text: John 2:13-17. Prayer: Almighty God, merciful Father: We thank You that by means of Your servant Martin Luther You restored the light of the pure Gospel. We pray You to grant that we continue to hear Your Word in its truth and purity so that we are preserved in the true faith; through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Dear saints: Jesus’ cleansing of the temple has an obvious application to what Martin Luther did in the…
Trinity 20 – 2023
THE LORD’S SUPPER IS FOR THE ANXIOUS PERSON Prayer: Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to direct us so that we rejoice even when we don’t feel like it, so our anxieties become prayers, and to give us a quiet mind so that we can be content in all situations, dwell on what’s pure and lovely, and trust that You’ll give us strength to do all things that are in front of us, not just for ourselves but for the good…
Trinity 19 – 2023
LAY HOLD ON LIFE Prayer: Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to teach us not to place confidence in our good works – not to look at what we do – but to place all our trust in Christ Jesus our Lord – to look at You, what You’ve done for us and what You give to us in the gospel. Help us not to look back at our sins but to look forward to Your grace and mercy, for which…