For Choirs 2.

O GOD, to Whom the Cherubim and Seraphim adoringly sing, Holy, Holy, Holy: Grant that as our voices are uplifted in this service to Thy praise, so we may continually sing and make melody in our hearts 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.133).

Divine Service Epiphany Two St. Bartholomew Ev. Lutheran Mission January 17, 2024

The Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 17, 2024 at St. Bartholomew Mission (Fort Myers, FL)
Hymn “Oh, Blest the House What’er Befall” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #47)Hymn “O Blessed Home Where Man and Wife” (LW 466)
Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal
Readings: Romans 12:6-16, St. John 2:1-11
Hymn “Happy the Man Who Feareth God” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #11)
Sermon
Offertory: “Create in Me…”  p.18
Prayer of the Church………   p.19-20
Hymn: “O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright” TLH 550
Communion Service, p.21
Distribution Hymn: “An Awe-full Mystery Is Here” TLH 304
Communion Hymn:  “Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Hast Prepared” TLH 306
Recitation of the Small Catechism, Questions 208-218 (Part III, The Lord’s Prayer. Of Prayer in General, pages 108-111)

Bulletin:  The-Order-of-Worship-01-14-24-Epiphany-2.pdf

–This Divine Service conducted by Pastor Michael D. Henson (Herrin, IL)
–The St. Bartholomew Ev. Lutheran Mission, Fort Myers, Florida (ELDoNA) is served by Pastor Jerald Dulas (spplc.org).

Catechesis for Transfiguration from January 25, 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.

In this video from January 25, 2023, we learned “O Wondrous Type, O Vision Fair”(The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #15, LW #87), Small Catechism, Confession, Question Three, and 1 Corinthians 10:16(Lord’s Supper), 1 Corinthians 15:49 (glory) or 2 Corinthians 3:18 (glory)Romans 15:4.
This service is designed to prepare God’s people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service. The dialog sermon explains “Jesus’ Transfiguration” (St. Matthew 17:1-9), which is the Holy Gospel for Transfiguration Sunday.
The service concludes with “Responsive Prayer for Catechesis” (pdf link below).

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

Service Bulletin:  Catechesis-Transfiguration-01-25-2023-Final.pdf
Responsive Prayer for Catechesis:    Responsive-Prayer-for-Catechesis-2023.pdf
Insert for Hymn:  Transfiguration-of-Our-Lord-insert-1-29-2023-Final.pdf

 

#9 Miracles Teach that We Come to Him in Time of Need

This is the first miracle which the Lord Jesus performed upon earth, thereby manifesting His glory unto His disciples, that they, as John distinctly relates, might thus learn to recognize Him as the Son of God and as the true Messiah; for He does here what no other human being can do: He changes that which is created, and makes wine from water. Such a deed can only be performed by God who is Lord over all creation; men cannot do it. This miracle chiefly serves to teach us who Christ the Lord is, so that with full confidence we may in time of need and trouble hasten to Him to 177seek from Him help and blessing, which we shall surely obtain at the proper time. This is the chief lesson of our Gospel today. But inasmuch as we derive this same truth and comfort from all the miracles of Christ, we will on this occasion dwell principally upon the fact that this miracle was done at a marriage; and we do this to the end that the doctrine concerning matrimony may be well known among Christians. This is a matter of great importance.  (Luther’s House Postil, Sermon for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Volume 1, p. 176-177)

Divine Service Epiphany Two – January 14, 2024

Hymn “O Blessed Home Where Man and Wife” (LW 466)
Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal
Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Romans 12:6-16, St. John 2:1-11
Hymn “Happy the Man Who Feareth God” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #11)
Sermon
Offertory: “Create in Me…”         p.18
General Prayer………                    p.19-20
Hymn: “I Come, O Savior, to Your Table” LW 242, TLH 315
Exhortation                                    p.21
Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship)
Communion Hymns:  “Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad” LW 424, TLH 535
“Song of Thankfulness and Praise” LW 88, TLH 134
“When Christ’s Appearing Was Made Known” LW 81, TLH 131

–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).
Service Bulletin: Epiphany-Two-Divine-Service-for-Online-1-14-2024.pdf

Picture: The Luther Bible 1534:  Revelation 4 – The Throne in Heaven, #952.

Liturgical Elements, Class #23 – January 14, 2024

We continue our look at the liturgical elements in the Common Service.  Today we examine the proper preface and sanctus of the holy communion.
Handout 1: The-Preface-and-Proper-Preface-in-the-Divine-Service.pdf

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

Picture: The Christmas tree at Immanuel Lutheran Church (founded in 1857) in Altenburg, MO.  This congregation was founded by members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg as the result of a dispute concerning chiliasm that had begun in 1856. Our congregation participated in a Christmas Country Church Tour on December 14, 2023.

As Occasion Permits 2.

O GOD, to Whom every heart is open, every desire known, from Whom no secret is hid: Purify the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may love Thee perfectly and praise Thee worthily; 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.132).

Catechesis for Epiphany Two – January 10, 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.

This service is designed to prepare God’s people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service. The dialog sermon explains “Jesus’ first miracle of turning the water into wine” (John 2:1-11), which is the Holy Gospel for Second Sunday After Epiphany.

Learn-by-Heart will include “Happy the Man Who Feareth God” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #11), Confession, questions one through three from the Small Catechism, and John 1:14.

Bulletins:  Catechesis-Epiphany-2-01-10-2024-Final.pdf
Responsive Prayer: Responsive-Prayer-for-Catechesis-2024-ASBH.pdf
Hymn: Epiphany-Two-Insert-1-15-2023-Final.pdf
–Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL).

Divine Service Epiphany One and Baptism of Louisa Ruth Henson Jan 7, 2024

The First Sunday after Epiphany, January 7, 2024 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Peoria, IL)
Hymn “To Jordan Came Our Lord, the Christ” (ASBH #4)
Order of Holy Baptism for Louisa Ruth Henson
Hymn “He that Believes and is Baptized” TLH #301
Divine Service, p.15   The Lutheran Hymnal
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-3, Romans 12:1-5,
Sequence Hymn: “Within the Father’s House” TLH 133, LW 80
St. Luke 2:41-52
Nicene Creed p.22
Hymn “Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men” (TLH 105, The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #10, LW 44, )
Sermon
Offertory: “Create in Me…”   p.22
Prayer of the Church………   p.23-24
Hymn “An Awe-full Mystery is Here” TLH #304
Exhortation, p.47
Communion Liturgy, p.24 (TLH)
Recessional Hymn: “Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain” #288

Service Bulletin: Bulletin-for-January-7-2024.pdf
–Benjamin M. Henson, Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Peoria, IL).

#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)