Evening Prayer for Saturday.

255. God, be merciful unto me and forgive me all my sins and transgressions, in the name of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ. For there is salvation in none other, and there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, except alone the name of Jesus Christ, Thy Son; and we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as were all our fathers. (Acts 15:11.)

Merciful God and Father, most heartily do I praise Thee and give thanks that Thou hast so paternally cared for me all the days of my life, and hast this day and during the whole week, even to this moment, graciously defended me against every evil to body and soul. By the grace which all repentant sinners find before Thee, I beseech Thee, cover and remember no more the sins which I this day and all this week have consciously or unconsciously committed against Thee or against my neighbor. Graciously grant, that I may step out of this dying week into a new Christian life, to be acceptable unto Thee and all the elect in heaven. And in the darkness of the night now falling, let me be commended into Thy most gracious arms, to rest and sleep in peace, and rise again refreshed and strong unto Thy further glory. And when my last day comes, receive me unto Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, for I am Thine and Thou art mine. O how gladly would I come soon and dwell with Thee. Amen. (Seed-Grains of Prayer: A Manual for Evangelical Christians by William Loehe, Wartburg Publishing House, 1914, Pages 427-429)

Matins on Ember Friday in Lent – March 14, 2025

Order of Matins, p. 208  Lutheran Worship
Pre-Service Hymn: “Baptized into Your Name Most Holy” LW #224
Office Hymn “O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day”  (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #20, TLH 313)
Psalmody:  Psalm 25, 6, 91
Readings:  Fri-Ezekiel 18:20-28, St. John 5:1-15

Catechism: Lord’s Supper
Sermon

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

Bulletin:  2025-Lenten-Embers-Matins-Friday-March-12-2025-online-.pdf
Psalms:  2025-Psalms-for-Ember-Days-in-Lent-b.pdf

https://vimeo.com/1065099418?share=copy

Picture: Ottheinrich Bible 1430  (IV:38) Jesus Before the High Priest in John 18:12-24

#22 Part 3 Second, The General and Broad Use of the Term Godliness.

Next, it is also used generaliter ac late (in general and broadly) when it encompasses obedience both towards the first and second table of the holy Ten Commandments and also the entire Law—indeed, also the font and source of this holy obedience; namely, true, proper, contrite repentance and the true living faith in Christ. It is used this way when it is plainly composed for such and there is no other word to be found alongside that would especially indicate obedience towards the second table of the holy Ten Commandments and the service which we are obligated to offer to our neighbor. Thus, in 1 Tim. 6:3, the entire Christian religion is briefly and skillfully described: that it is a doctrine of godliness; namely, in that we are instructed and correctly informed by it to conduct ourselves in holiness and righteousness towards God and our neighbor. Even in the very same chapter (6:6), the holy apostle says: It is a great gain for anyone who is godly, that is, anyone who rightly confesses God the Lord from His Word, fears Him, glorifies, loves, serves Him, calls upon Him, thanks Him, and offers Him grateful obedience. Along with this, that with his works he zealously practices his calling and shows Christian love to his neighbor. In Tit. 1:1, all of Christianity is comprehended as possessing faith and the knowledge of the truth for godliness. Along with this is immediately revealed in v. 2, the indescribable hope of eternal life which is promised to the person who does not disavow it. (Schola Pietatus-Volume 1 by Johann Gerhard, Repristination Press, p. 10-11)

Catechesis for Reminiscere – March 12, 2025

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 Canaanite Woman” (St. Matthew 15:21-28), which is the Holy Gospel for Lent Two.

The teaching for Learn-by-Heart will include hymn “Look From Thy Sphere of Endless Day” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #82), Small Catechism, Sacrament of the Altar, questions 4, and Philippians 3:9 or 1 Corinthians 2:14.

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

Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Reminiscere-3-12-2025.pdf
Responsive Prayer: Responsive-Prayer-for-Catechesis-2024-ASBH.pdf
Insert for Hymn: March-17-St-Patrick-.pdf

Matins for Ember Wednesday in Lent – March 12, 2025

Order of Matins, p. 208  Lutheran Worship
Pre-Service Hymn: “Baptized into Your Name Most Holy” LW #224
Office Hymn “O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day”  (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #20, TLH 313)
Psalmody:  Psalm 25, 6, 91
Readings:  Wed-Exodus 24:12-18, St. Matthew 12:38-50
Catechism: Lord’s Supper
Sermon

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Bulletin:  2025-Lenten-Embers-Matins-Wednesday-March-12-2025-online-.pdf
Psalms:  2025-Psalms-for-Ember-Days-in-Lent-b.pdf

https://vimeo.com/1064051716?share=copy

Picture: Ottheinrich Bible 1430  (IV:38) Jesus Before the High Priest in John 18:12-24

#21 Part 2 First, The Strict and Narrow Use of the Term Godliness.

The little word godliness is used by the Holy Scriptures in a two-fold manner. First, specialiter act stricte (specifically and narrowly) when it indicates obedience towards the first table of the holy Ten Commandments and to the true worship which we offer to God the Lord with heart and mouth. It is used in such a manner when the words righteous integrity, or some other similar words, are added on, by which obedience to the second table of the holy Ten Commandments is indicated. So also St. Paul in this first epistle to Timothy (2:2) admonishes that a person is to pray for those in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life under them with all godliness and integrity; that is, in obedience to the first and second table of the holy Ten Commandments to love God and the neighbor in order to glorify God and for the benefit and good of the neighbor.

In this same epistle (6:11), he says to Timothy: You man of God, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and humility. Here we see that godliness—that is, the service and obedience by which we deal with God without means—is distinguished from the righteousness of faith, love, patience, and humility. In the epistle to Titus, he states in 2:11-12: The salutary grace of God which has appeared for all men disciplines us that we deny the ungodly way, and live chastely, righteously and godly in this world—chaste towards ourselves, righteous towards the neighbor, godly towards God the Lord; chastity within us, righteousness next to us, godliness over us; chaste in word and conduct, righteous in deed, godly in heart. This is the understanding with which it is clarified as the “fear of God” in Acts 10:2 and “holiness” in Luke 1:75. (Schola Pietatus-Volume 1 by Johann Gerhard, Repristination Press, p. 9-10)

Divine Service Invocabit Sunday – March 9, 2025

Hymn “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us” LW 402
Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal
Readings:  Genesis 3:1-24, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, St. Matthew 4:1-11
Hymn of the Day: “O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #20, TLH 559)
Sermon
Offertory: “Create in Me…”         p.18
General Prayer………                    p.19-20
Hymn: “Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior” LW 236, TLH 311
Exhortation                                    p.21
Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship)
Communion Hymns: My Faith Looks Up to Thee” LW 378, TLH 394
“Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain” LW 477
“We Have a Sure Prophetic Word” LW 340

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: Invocabit-Cover-3-9-2025-Online.pdf
Picture: Ottheinrich Bible 1430  (I:27) The Temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11

Bible Class #26 on Exodus 21-23 – March 9, 2025

We continue our study of the book of Exodus with chapter 23.
Overhead 2: Reasons-the-Law-was-Given-b.pdf  (blue sheet)
Overhead 3: Reasons-for-the-Jewish-State-Online.pdf (pink sheet)
Overhead 4: Text-for-Exodus-20v22-23v33-Feb-2025.pdf

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

Evening Prayer for Friday.

227. The Lord defend my soul. The Lord deliver me from all evil. The Lord preserve my going out and my coming in from this time forth and even forevermore. Amen.

Lord God, heavenly Father, whether we wake or sleep, live or die, we are Thine. I heartily beseech Thee, care Thou for me, and let me not fall into destruction through works of darkness; but, let the light of Thy countenance arise in my heart, that, by faith, true knowledge of Thee may increase in my soul, and I may ever do Thy will. Guard and defend me against every deception of the evil one. Preserve me from all evil visions and horrid dreams, and let me this night rest peacefully in Thee, to attain unto the morning in joy and health, and to fulfil my calling unto the glory of Thy holy Name and the salvation of my soul. Amen. (Seed-Grains of Prayer: A Manual for Evangelical Christians by William Loehe, Wartburg Publishing House, 1914, Pages 378-379)

#20 Part 1 Concerning the Practice of True Godliness, Introduction.

The holy apostle Paul prescribed this kind of rule for his disciple Timothy and others in 1 Tim. 4:8: Train yourself in godliness; for the exercise of the body is of little use, but godliness is good for everything; and it contains the promise for this and the future life. The first part is a seria ad pietatis studium exhortatio (a serious exhortation to strive for godliness), a sincere, faithful admonition that Bishop Timothy and all true Christians should train themselves in godliness. The second part is an exhortationis illius pondus ac ratio, a very important reason for Timothy and all Christians to be motivated to train themselves in godliness.

The first part consists of these words: Train yourself in godliness. In order that we properly understand this apostolic principle, we need to take note of two things: First, what is meant by godliness. Secondly, what it entails for one to train himself in godliness. (Schola Pietatus-Volume 1 by Johann Gerhard, Repristination Press, p. 9)