Secret Sins.

ALMIGHTY, Eternal God, through Whom that which is not beginneth to be, and that which is hidden is made manifest: Cleanse the folly of our hearts and purify us of those vices which are secret, so that we may be able to serve Thee, O Lord, with a pure mind; 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.51).

Divine Service Maundy Thursday – April 6, 2023

Order of Confessional Service I, p.308  Lutheran Worship
Psalm 51
Readings:  Exodus 12:1-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-32, St. John 13:1-15
Hymn of the Day: “The Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #26, LW 107, TLH 163)
Sermon
Communion Service, p.144
Hymn “On My Heart Imprint Your Image”  LW 100, TLH 179
Hymn “Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness” LW #239, TLH 305
Psalm 22

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

Service Bulletin:  Maundy-Thursday-Divine-Service-for-Online-4-6-2023.pdf
Insert:  Maundy-Thursday-Insert-THREE-4-6-2023-Full-Page.pdf

Picture:  The Luther Bible 1534: 1 Kings 7:23-26 – Sea of Cast Metal with 12 Bulls, #464

#27 Drive Off the Ungodly Preachers

Isaiah 62:10  “Prepare the way for the people. Build up the highway. Go, go through, Clear it of stones.  …After the godly and honest men have preached, they must work at driving off the ungodly preachers. “Beware of false prophets” (Matt. 7:15). It is their endeavor to put away offenses, ungodly teachings, so that the people may not be offended. It is our task to see to it that a godly people, well taught, can simply proceed on the way without a stumbling block. The chief teaching is already present. There remains the one endeavor, namely, that the teaching be retained. To guard possessions is no less a virtue than to acquire them. Take care that some sectarian does not come who will impose upon you. Thus I, Martin Luther, was in four dangers, and yet, beyond my own planning, I was set free by God. When Satan sees us standing firm in the Word, he begins to set another plan before us and tries to lead us into it, so that the whole world will perish by our counsel. He has a thousand tricks.

Lift up an ensign over the peoples. Thus Ps. 4:6 reads: “Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us.” Raise up the banner. Set yourselves in battle array, and do not be sleepy. For the whole world is against us. The Word is a fighting word. In the first place, by teaching it one wages war against the ungodly. Then that which is taught is attacked by the ungodly. Do not be smug and do not sleep, but lift up an ensign, since the pastors must be on guard, lift up the Word, study, and apply themselves to defending the Word. Therefore let us not be smug, for Satan does not sleep. (Luther’s Works, v. 17, pages 350).

For Deliverance from Temptation.

O LORD, I beseech Thee to renew me inwardly and outwardly, that as Thou wouldest not have me to be hindered by bodily pleasures, Thou mayest make me vigorous with spiritual purpose; and refresh me according to Thy pleasure by things transitory, that Thou mayest grant me rather to cling to things eternal; 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.52).

Tenebrae on Thursday – April 6, 2023

Order of Matins/Lauds (Insert)
Psalmody:  Psalm 2, 22, 27
Readings: Lamentations 2:1-7, 8-15, 16-22, 3:1-9, 10-18, Hebrews 4:11-5:6
After readings Hymn “The Royal Banners Forward Go” LW 103, TLH 168 (insert)
Sermon
Canticle of Habakkuk (3:2-19)
Psalm 147:12-20
Canticle of Zechariah (Benedicus)
Psalm 51

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

Service Bulletin:  Tenebrae-for-THREE-DAYS-NKJV-Online.pdf

Catechesis for Easter Sunday – April 5, 2023

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 PM.

This service is designed to prepare God’s people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ (St. Mark 16:1-8), which is the Holy Gospel for Easter Sunday.

The teaching for Learn-by-Heart will include hymn “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #29, LW 123, TLH 195)

Small Catechism, Christian Questions with their Answers, 17-20, and Job 19:25-27.

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

Service Bulletin:  Catechesis-Resurrection-4-5-2023.pdf
Responsive Prayer for Catechesis:    Responsive-Prayer-for-Catechesis-2023.pdf
Insert for Hymn:  Resurrection-Feast-Day-Insert-4-9-2023.pdf

Divine Service Holy Wednesday – April 5, 2023

Order of Divine Service I, p.136 Lutheran Worship
Hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” LW 114, TLH 175
Readings:  Isaiah 62:11-63:7, Revelation 1:5b-7, St. Luke 22:1-23:43
Hymn “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted” LW 116, TLH 153
Sermon

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

Service Bulletin:  Holy-Wednesday-Divine-Service-for-Online-4-5-2023.pdf


Picture:  The Luther Bible 1534: 1 Samuel 31 – Saul Takes His Own Life, #412

#26 The Lord Himself is Present As Our Helper in Afflictions

Isaiah 50:6. I gave My back to the smiters, etc. Christ is the first to undergo a host of afflictions because of the Word, and thus it is for us disciples the supreme usefulness, strength, wisdom, and power which enables us to bear all things, however difficult, for its sake. This is a theme in the Book of Job. The wisdom of the world cannot be put to shame except through foolishness and weakness.

I hid not My face from shame and spitting. What does that spitting accomplish except extolling the wisdom of the world? Thus our face toward the world, if anyone will look at it with spiritual eyes, is so spit upon, so polluted by endless disgraces, that no profession is less imposing in the world than that of those who profess the Gospel. But for one disgrace a hundred glorious rays will one day appear, because the Lord Himself is present as our Helper. He strengthens, preserves, and liberates the hearers.  (Luther’s Works, v. 17, pages 194-195).

For Control of One’s Tongue 3.

WE beseech Thee, O Lord, that our human mouth being filled with Thy praise, we may ever think in our hearts of that which we offer Thee with acceptable voices; 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.50).

Tenebrae Wednesday – April 5, 2023

Order of Matins/Lauds (Insert)
Psalmody:  Psalm 69, 70, 71
Readings: Lamentations 1:1-14, 15-22, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
After readings Hymn “The Royal Banners Forward Go” LW 103, TLH 168 (insert)
Sermon
Canticle of Moses (Exodus 15:1-19)
Psalm 147:1-11
Canticle of Zechariah (Benedicus)
Psalm 51

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

Service Bulletin:  Tenebrae-for-THREE-DAYS-NKJV-Online.pdf