Tuesday, September 29, 2009

St. Michael and All Angels

September 29: St. Michael and All Angels- Every year the church sets aside a day to learn about and give thanks for the ministry of angels. Spirits created by God, angels have an important calling to serve mankind and protect us from evil. Angels are called "saints" (which means "holy ones") because those who did not rebel against God are holy. The rebellious angels are demons or devils, and St. Michael was the commander of the angelic armies who threw the devil and his angels out of heaven. Immanuel will celebrate this day with a transferred Divine Service on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.


Saturday, September 26, 2009

Readings and Memory Work - Trinity XVI (September 27)

Daily Readings:
Sunday:
Malachi 3:6—4:6
Matthew 4:12-25

Monday:
Deuteronomy 1:1-18
Matthew 5:1-20

Tuesday:
Deuteronomy 1:19-36
Matthew 5:21-48

Wednesday:
Deuteronomy 1:37—2:15
Matthew 6:1-15

Thursday:
Deuteronomy 2:16-37
Matthew 6:16-34

Friday:
Deuteronomy 3:1-29
Matthew 7:1-12

Saturday:
Deuteronomy 4:1-20
Matthew 7:13-29


Bible Verse for Memorizing
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)


Small Catechism for Memorizing - The Ten Commandments
The Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.

Life Chain: Sunday, October 4

Lutherans for Life will be participating in the Life Chain on Sunday, October 4th at 2:30PM. The Life Chain is a silent protest where participants hold signs which witness to the sanctity of human life in the womb. We will meet on Franconia Rd in Springfield between Frontier and Elder Sts. at 2:30PM. The Life Chain lasts only one hour, and will take the place of our October meeting. Questions? E-mail Dennis Di Mauro atdennisdimauro@yahoo.com

Friday, September 25, 2009

Looking Forward: Trinity 16

September 27: Trinity XVI- Continuing the theme from the previous Sunday, we see that we need not worry even about death. On this Sunday, we hear the wonderful Gospel from Luke 7.11-17, where Jesus stops a funeral and brings the son of the Widow of Nain back to life.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Readings and Memory Work - Trinity XV (September 20)

Readings:
Sunday:
Nehemiah 4:7-23
1 Timothy 3:1-16

Monday:
Nehemiah 5:1-16; 6:1-9, 15-16
1 Timothy 4:1-16

Tuesday:
Nehemiah 7:1-4; 8:1-18
1 Timothy 5:1-16

Wednesday:
Nehemiah 9:1-21
1 Timothy 5:17—6:2

Thursday:
Nehemiah 9:22-38
1 Timothy 6:3-21

Friday:
Malachi 1:1-14
Matthew 3:1-17

Saturday:
Malachi 2:1—3:5
Matthew 4:1-11


Bible Verse for Memorizing
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)


Small Catechism for Memorizing - The Ten Commandments:
The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Looking Forward: Trinity 15

September 20: Trinity XV- "Why do you worry?" We hear this question from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount today, reminding us not to be overly concerned with the things of this life. The Father knows the things that we need, and will provide them. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Readings and Memory Work - Trinity XIV (September 13)

Daily Readings:
Sunday:
2 Chronicles 32:1-22
Colossians 1:1-23

Monday:
2 Chronicles 33:1-25
Colossians 1:24—2:7

Tuesday:
2 Chronicles 34:1-4, 8-11, 14-33
Colossians 2:8-23

Wednesday:
2 Chronicles 35:1-7, 16-25
Colossians 3:1-25

Thursday:
2 Chronicles 36:1-23
Colossians 4:1-18

Friday:
Nehemiah 1:1—2:10
1 Timothy 1:1-20

Saturday:
Nehemiah 2:11-20; 4:1-6
1 Timothy 2:1-15


Bible Verse for Memorizing
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me. (Psalm 50:15)


Small Catechism for Memorizing - The Ten Commandments
The Second Commandment: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Looking Forward: Trinity 14

September 13: Trinity XIV- The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers (Luke 17.11-19) is often preached with a focus on being thankful, for only one of the ten lepers, seeing he was cleansed, returned to Jesus to give thanks. For this reason, some lectionaries appoint this Gospel to be read at the American celebration of Thanksgiving. There are several other things this Gospel teaches us, however: the thankful leper was a Gentile, showing that the kingdom of God is open to all people, not only to Jews; and second, Jesus is shown to be God in the flesh, who receives worship from the thankful leper.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Readings and Memory Work - Trinity XIII (September 6)

Readings:
Sunday:
2 Kings 4:8-22,32-37
Ephesians 5:15-33

Monday:
2 Kings 4:38—5:8
Ephesians 6:1-24

Tuesday:
2 Kings 5:9-27
Philippians 1:1-20

Wednesday:
2 Kings 6:1-23
Philippians 1:21—2:11

Thursday:
2 Kings 9:1-13; 10:18-29
Philippians 2:12-30

Friday:
2 Chronicles 29:1-24
Philippians 3:1-21

Saturday:
2 Chronicles 31:1-21
Philippians 4:1-23


Bible Verse for Memorizing
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27)


Small Catechism for Memorizing - The Ten Commandments
The First Commandment: You shall have no other gods.

What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Looking Forward: Trinity 13

September 6: Trinity XIII- "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" This question put to Jesus (Luke 10.23-37) cuts to the heart of all religion and spirituality. Jesus' answer? The Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this text, we learn that we are the man lying in the ditch, unable to do anything to inherit eternal life. Christ, the "Good Samaritan," comes down to us, heals us, and promises to return.