#8 If There Was No Future Life… We Wouldn’t Need Jesus

Surely, we receive much more of God than we can ever expect to obtain from emperors, or any temporal authorities. If we do not believe that there is a future life, why then, of course, we need no other helpers than rulers, parents, or physicians, whose duty is to see to our temporal welfare. But if we believe that there is a life after this is ended, then, beyond all doubt, we need this our Savior. Neither king, nor father, nor mother, nor physician, nor any one else, yea. not even an angel, can give us that life. It is true, our Lord Jesus will also be with His people in the troubles of this life, and will assist them in their temporal distress, even if kings and parents and friends fail, or are not able to assist. Yet this is not His chief nor highest office; hence we do not preach of it especially.

His special office is to save from sin, from eternal death and the dominion of the devil; hence He proclaims His name Jesus, to be known by all sinners, for they need a Savior. If there were no hell, no dominion of the devil, no eternal punishment or torment, men might live without Jesus the Lord; for then when one dies all would be at an end, as it is with a tree when it falls, or with a cow when she dies. Hence those who do not believe in God nor in a future life, become a wild, licentious brood. But he who believes in a God will immediately conclude that not all is ended with the close of this life, but there is, beyond this, another life, which is everlasting. That God does not principally concern Himself about the present life of man is evident from the fact that He permits so many wicked scoundrels to live, and to flourish here upon earth. But He has promised us an eternal life hereafter, and the Child Jesus came to be our Savior and our Guide to this future existence. If He brings us into that life, then has He assisted us indeed, no matter what trials we may in the meanwhile be called to endure here upon earth; yea, though they be so severe that it might seem as if God had forsaken us, it matters not, since we know that He saves unto eternal life. This must satisfy us, let the world wag as it will.

(Luther’s House Postil, Sermon for the 2nd Sermon for New Year, Volume 1, p. 143)

In the Sacristy 9.

CLEANSE me, O Lord, and purify my heart, that washed in the blood of the Lamb, I may attain everlasting joys; through the Same 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.131).

Divine Service Epiphany One – Sunday, January 7, 2024

The First Sunday after Epiphany, January 7, 2024 at 10:15 AM
Hymn “Within the Father’s House” LW 80, TLH 133
Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-3, Romans 12:1-5, St. Luke 2:41-52
Hymn “Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #10, LW 44, TLH 105)
Sermon
Offertory: “Create in Me…”         p.18
General Prayer………                    p.19-20
Hymn………………………….         “Your Table I Approach” #249
Exhortation                                    p.21
Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship)
“Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure” LW 78
“O Christ, Our Light, O Radiance True” LW #314
“The People That in Darkness Sat” LW 77, TLH 106
Closing Hymn: “What Child Is This” #61

Service Bulletin: Epiphany-One-Divine-Service-for-Online-1-7-2024.pdf
–led by Gary Harroun, Deacon of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL)
–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Picture: The Luther Bible 1534:  Revelation 1:12-20 – The Son of Man and the Lampstands, #949.

#7 The Manifestations of Christ… More than Human

On the festival of Epiphany you heard that it was so called on account of the manifestation of Christ, which occurred that the new-born Babe might not be unknown, but revealed; for if we had not heard of His birth, it would have been of no avail. Hence it is that during these days we preach also upon other Gospel lessons which refer to the manifestation of Christ. Thus we use the one relating to Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan by John, and also the one which speaks of His first miracle, performed at the marriage at Cana, where He manifested Himself as Lord over all. These manifestations took place not only that Jesus should be known among men, but also that He might be acknowledged and praised as One who is more than human, born to have dominion over everything; and also that we should recognize Him as our Savior, upon whom we can depend in every distress and anxiety, and from whom we can obtain our help.

(Luther’s House Postil, Sermon for the 1st Sunday after Epiphany, Volume 1, p. 169)

Sacristy 5

LORD our God, great, eternal, wonderful, in glory, Who keepest covenant and promises for those that love Thee with their whole heart; Who art the life of all, the Help of those that flee unto Thee, the Hope of those who cry unto Thee: Cleanse me from my sin, secret and open, and from every thought displeasing to Thy goodness; cleanse my body and soul, my heart and conscience, that with a pure heart and a clean soul, with perfect love and calm hope, I may venture confidently and fearlessly, to come before Thee, and pray unto Thee; 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.129-130, adapted for lay use).

In the Sacristy 5.

LORD our God, great, eternal, wonderful, in glory, Who keepest covenant and promises for those that love Thee with their whole heart; Who art the life of all, the Help of those that flee unto Thee, the Hope of those who cry unto Thee: Cleanse me from my sin, secret and open, and from every thought displeasing to Thy goodness; cleanse my body and soul, my heart and conscience, that with a pure heart and a clean soul, with perfect love and calm hope, I may venture confidently and fearlessly, to come before Thee, and pray unto Thee; 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.129-130, adapted for lay use).

Live Stream of Divine Service at 7:00 PM on Friday, January 5, 2024

The Eve of the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 5, 2024 at 7:00 PM   Link to Live Stream
Service of Light, LW p.250-255  Lutheran Worship
Psalm 72 (insert) and Isaiah 49:1-7
Hymn “Hail to the Lord’s Annointed” (LW 82, TLH 59)
Divine Service begins with Introit(insert), then Kyrie p.10 of The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6, Mt 2:1-12
Hymn “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #9, LW 47, TLH 92)
Sermon
Offertory: “Create in Me…”    p.18
Prayer of the Church………   p.19-20
Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship)
Communion Hymn:
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” LW 241
“O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright” LW 73
Closing Hymn: “O Jesus King of Glory” LW #79

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: Epiphany-Divine-Service-for-Online-1-6-2024.pdf
Picture: The Luther Bible 1534:  The Book of First Peter, #899.

Catechesis for Epiphany One – January 3, 2024

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 “Jesus in the Temple” (St. Luke 2:41-52), which is the Holy Gospel for First Sunday After Epiphany.

Learn-by-Heart will include “Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #10, LSB 389, LW 44, TLH 105), Small Catechism, Holy Baptism, question #4, and Isaiah 28:21.

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

Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Epiphany-One-1-3-2024-online.pdf
Responsive Prayer: Responsive-Prayer-for-Catechesis-2024-ASBH.pdf
Hymn: Epiphany-One-insert-1-8-2023-Final.pdf