#41 Suffering Becomes Sweet and Easy

Look what happens then: the suffering would be sweet and easy and no longer an eternal suffering, but only a modicum which lasts only a short time and soon passes away, as St. Paul [II Cor. 4:17], and St. Peter [I Pet. 1:6], and also Christ himself says in the Gospels [John 16:16–22]. For they look to that great, immeasurable gift, which is that Christ with his suffering and merit has become altogether ours. Thus the suffering of Christ has become so mighty and strong that it fills heaven and earth and breaks the power and might of the devil and hell, of death and sin. And then if you compare this treasure with your affliction and suffering, you will consider it but small loss to lose a little property, honor, health, wife, child, and even your own life. But if you refuse to regard this treasure and to suffer for it, so be it; go on and let it lie. He who does not believe will also receive none of these unspeakable goods and gifts. (Luther’s Works, v.51, p.200)

Offenbarung or Apoc. [Revelation] 18 v. 4 . 5
“Depart from their ecclesiastical Babel, that you do not become infatuated with their sins.  The richness of their sin reaches to heaven, and God remembers your sacrilege.” (A short paraphrase by Wenceslaus Hollar.)
“4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.  5. For her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities.”   .

[All of the pictures for this year’s posts are from an etching entitled “Augsburg Confession” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) and found in the Royal Collection Trust.]

Catechesis on Trinity One 2017 (St. Luke 16:19-31)

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church(Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00.

In this video from June 14, 2017, we learned stanza 5-6 of “Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove” (Lutheran Worship, #156), the Scripture passages under the Table of Duties for Workers(Eph 6:5-8), Employers (Eph 6:9), Youth(1 Peter 5:5-6), Widows (1 Tim 5:5-6), and Everyone(Rom 13:9, 1 Tim 2:1, Gal 3:7).  This service is designed to prepare God’s people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains the story of the beggar Lazarus and the rich man (St. Luke 16:9-31), which is the Holy Gospel for the First Sunday after Trinity.

The service concludes with “Recite Word by Word” (pdf link below).  [Length: 53 minutes]

Bulletins: Catechesis-Trinity-One-6-14-2017-online.pdf
Responsive Prayer: Recite Word by Word

For Wisdom 3

O GOD, the Searcher of deeds and hearts, to Whom every thought of man maketh confession: Strengthen the weakness of our minds by the might of Thy blessing, that we. may think such things as be just and holy, and by a good life pay our faithful vows to Thee, our Lord God; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen  (Oremus, 1925, p.38).

Divine Service for Trinity Sunday, May 30, 2021

Order of Divine Service I, p.136  Lutheran Worship
Hymn “Glory Be to God the Father” LW 173, TLH 244
Readings:  Isaiah 6:1-7, Romans 11:33-36, St. John 3:1-17
Hymn “Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire” LW 157
Sermon
Communion Hymns: “Isaiah, Mighty Seer, in Spirit Soared” LW 214, TLH 249
“Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face” LW 243
“Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord” LW 154, TLH 224
“Triune God, Oh, Be Our Stay” LW 170, TLH 247
“Holy God, We Praise Your Name” LW 171, TLH 250

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin:  Holy-Trinity-Divine-Service-for-Online-5-30-2021.pdf

Above is the video, below is the audio.

#40 Two Choices: Either Suffer or Deny Christ

So we see that the very ones who boast and teach so much about cross and suffering know the least either about the Cross or of Christ, because they make their own suffering meritorious. Dear friends, it isn’t that kind of thing at all; nor is anybody forced or compelled to it. If you don’t want to do it for nothing and without any merit, then you can let it lie and so deny Christ. The way is at hand, but you must know that if you refuse to suffer you will also not become Christ’s courtier. So you may do either one of these two, either suffer or deny Christ.

If you are willing to suffer, very well, then the treasure and consolation which is promised and given to you is so great that you ought to suffer willingly and joyfully because Christ and his suffering is being bestowed upon you and made your own. And if you can believe this, then in time of great fear and trouble you will be able to say: Even though I suffer long, very well then, what is that compared with that great treasure which my God has given to me, that I shall live eternally with him? (Luther’s Works, v.51, p.199-200)

Art. XXI  Das man die abgestorben Heÿtige Zwar Ehrë  aber nicht anrüffen sol.
“That one should not call upon the dead saints indeed nor appeal to them.”
 Matt. 4, v. 10 ; Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan : for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Ps. 50, v. 15 ; And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

[All of the pictures for this year’s posts are from an etching entitled “Augsburg Confession” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) and found in the Royal Collection Trust.]

Ember Friday Matins after Pentecost May 28, 2021

Order of Matins, p.208  Lutheran Worship
Pre-Service Hymn: “Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord” LW 154, TLH 224
Office Hymn “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive”  HS98 #877
Psalmody:  Psalm 104, 68
Readings:  Joel 2:23-27, Luke 5:17-26
Catechism;  Lord’s Prayer
Sermon

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).

Service Bulletin: 2021-Pentecost-Ember-Matins-Cover-May-26-28-29-2021-Online.pdf
Psalms:  2021-Pentecost-Ember-Days-Psalms-On-Line.pdf

Above is the video, below is the audio.

 

Catechesis on Holy Trinity Sunday 2017 (St. John 3:1-17)

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church(Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00.

In this video from June 23, 2017, we learned stanza 3-4 of “Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove” (Lutheran Worship, #156), the Scripture passages under the Table of Duties for Parents(Eph 6:4) and Children (Eph 6:1-3).  This service is designed to prepare God’s people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains the night meeting of Nicodemas with Jesus (St. John 3:1-17), which is the Holy Gospel for Holy Trinity Sunday.

The service concludes with “Responsive Prayer for Catechesis 2017” (pdf link below).  [Length: 52 minutes]

Bulletins: Catechesis-Trinity-Sunday-6-7-2017-online.pdf

Ember Wednesday after Pentecost, May 26, 2021

Order of Matins, p.208  Lutheran Worship
Pre-Service Hymn: “Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord” LW 154, TLH 224
Office Hymn “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive”  HS98 #877
Psalmody:  Psalm 104, 68
Readings:  Acts 2:14-21, John 6:44-52
Catechism;  Lord’s Prayer
Sermon

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: 2021-Pentecost-Ember-Matins-Cover-May-26-28-29-2021-Online.pdf
Psalms:  2021-Pentecost-Ember-Days-Psalms-On-Line.pdf

Above is the video, below is the audio.

Pentecost Monday Divine Service, May 24, 2021

Order of Divine Service I, p.136  Lutheran Worship
Hymn: “Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord” LW 154, TLH 224
Readings:  Isaiah 57:15-21, Acts 10:42-48, St. John 3:16-21
Hymn “God Loved the World So that He Gave” LW 352, TLH 245
Sermon

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin:  Pentecost-Monday-insert-5-21-2021.pdf

Above is the video and below is the audio only.