Author Archive: luther

Divine Service Holy Trinity Sunday – May 31, 2026

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Order of Divine Service I, p. 136 Lutheran Worship
Hymn: “O Holy Spirit, Enter In” LW 160, TLH 235
Readings:  Ezekiel 18:30-32, Romans 11:33-36, St. John 3:1-15
Athanasian Creed, p.39-40
Hymn of the Day: “We All Believe in One True God” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #38, LW 212, TLH 252)
Sermon
Offertory: “Create in Me…”         p.18
General Prayer………                    p.19-20
Hymn: “Holy God, We Praise Your Name” LW 171, TLH 250
Exhortation                                    p.21
Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship)
Communion Hymns: “Glory Be to God the Father” LW 173, TLH 244
“Come, Holy Ghost, Our Soul’s Inspire” LW 157
“From All That Dwell Below the Skies” LW 440
“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” LW 247

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

Service Bulletin: Holy-Trinity-Sunday-Cover-5-31-2026-Online.pdf

Picture:  Illustrated German Bible of 1483 (I:132  Numbers 1), The Census

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Bible Class #4 Galatians – May 31, 2026

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Today, we will continue our study of the book of Galatians.

Handout 1: Chronology-for-Galatians-Acts-Updated-May-31-2026.pdf
Overhead 1: Galatians-Bible-Study-Landscape-Chapters-1-3.pdf
Overhead 2: Acts-15-Jerusalem-Council.pdf
–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).

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Vespers on Ember Saturday in Pentecost – May 30, 2026

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Order of Vespers, p.224  Lutheran Worship
Office Hymn:  “Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord” LW 240
Psalmody:  Psalm 104, 68
Readings:  Joel 2:23-27, Luke 5:17-26
Catechism;  Lord’s Supper
Sermon

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: 2026-Ember-Pentecost-Vespers-Cover-5-30-2026-online.pdf

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Matins on Ember Friday in Pentecost – May 29, 2026

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Order of Matins, p.208  Lutheran Worship
Office Hymn:  “Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord” LW 240
Psalmody:  Psalm 104, 68
Readings:  Joel 2:23-27, Luke 5:17-26
Catechism;  Lord’s Supper
Sermon

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: 2026-Ember-Pentecost-Matins-Cover-5-27-29-2026-Online.pdf

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#29 Art. IV “Justification” of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.

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We shall now show, that this faith, and nothing else, justifies us before God. First I would remind the reader, that as the truth, that Christ is our only Mediator, must and shall always stand, irrefutably, so also no one can deny, that through faith we are justified without works. For how can Christ be and remain the Mediator, unless, through faith, we hold to him as the Mediator, and thus become reconciled to God; unless we firmly believe, that for his sake we are just before God? Now this is faith, to confide in and rely on the merits of Christ, that for his sake God will assuredly be merciful to us.

As clearly as the Scriptures say, that besides the law the promises of Christ are necessary for salvation, they also teach that faith justifies. The law does not preach remission of sins through grace. Again, we cannot fulfill or keep the law, till we receive the Holy Ghost. Accordingly we must insist, that the promises of Christ are necessary to salvation, and no one can comprehend or receive them except through faith alone. Those therefore, who teach we are not justified before God through faith, suppress Christ and the Gospel, and teach the law. (Henkel Translation, p. 170).

Catechesis for Trinity Sunday – May 27, 2026

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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 night meeting of Nicodemas with Jesus (St. John 3:1-17), which is the Holy Gospel for Holy Trinity Sunday.
Learn-by-Heart will include the hymn “Come Thou Almighty King” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal), Small Catechism, the Daily Prayers from Luther’s Small Catechism(Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer),  and St. John 3:5-6

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

Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Trinity-Sunday-5-27-2026.pdf
Insert for Hymn: ASBH-Come-Thou-Almighty-King.pdf
Prayers: Order of Vespers, p.29-30 and then p.36-38 form ASBH Psalter Book

 

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Matins on Ember Wednesday in Pentecost – May 27, 2026

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Order of Matins, p. 208 Lutheran Worship
Office Hymn:  “Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord” LW 240
Psalmody:  Psalm 104, 68
Readings:  Acts 2:14-21, John 6:44-52
Catechism:  Lord’s Supper
Sermon

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: 2026-Ember-Pentecost-Matins-Cover-5-27-29-2026-Online.pdf

Picture: Illustrated German Bible of 1483 (I:114  Leviticus 10), Unauthorized Fire

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Divine Service Pentecost Tuesday – May 26, 2026

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Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal
Hymn of the Day: “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #37, LW 154, TLH 224)
Readings:  Isaiah 57:15-21, Acts 8:14-17, St. John 10:1-10
Hymn “I Am Trusting You, Lord Jesus” LW 408
Sermon

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: Pentecost-Tuesday-Cover-2026.pdf

https://vimeo.com/1195148683?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Picture: Illustrated German Bible of 1483 (I:107  Leviticus 1), God Speaks to Moses, Aaron and his Sons

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#28 Art. IV “Justification” of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.

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When they speak of love, or of their habitu dilectionis†, they introduce their own dreams, that men earn or merit this habitum by their works; but do not say a word about God’s promises and Word, like the Anabaptists of the present time. Now we cannot barter with God; he cannot be known, sought, or comprehended, except in and through his Word alone; as Paul says, Rom. 1:16: “The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth;” again, Rom. 10:17: “Faith cometh by hearing.” This, of itself, shows clearly enough, that we are justified before God by faith alone. For, if we come before God and are justified alone through his Word, and if no one can comprehend that word, except by faith, it follows, that faith justifies. There are other considerations, however, that better illustrate this subject. Thus far, I have endeavored to show, how we are born anew, and what the faith, of which we speak, is and is not.

(Henkel Translation, p. 169-170, † literally “habit of love” toward God ).

Divine Service Pentecost – May 24, 2026

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Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal
Hymn “Come Holy Spirit, Come” TLH #225
Readings:  Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:1-13, St. John 14:23-31
Hymn of the Day: “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #37, LW 154, TLH 224)
Sermon
Offertory: “Create in Me…”         p.18
General Prayer………                    p.19-20
Hymn: “Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared” LW 246, TLH 306
Exhortation                                    p.21
Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship)
Communion Hymns: “The Church’s One Foundation” LW 289
“Holy Spirit, Light Divine” LW 166, TLH 234
“You Will I Love, My Strength” LW 375
Closing Hymn “Come, Oh, Come, O Quickening Spirit” LW 165

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: Pentecost-Cover-5-24-2026-Online-b.pdf

Picture: Illustrated German Bible of 1483 (I:100 Exodus 34), The New Tablets of Stone

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