Grace Evangelical-Lutheran: November 2022

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Revelation 3,14-22. Populus Zion, Advent 1

Revelation 3,14-22 0123

Populus Zion (Advent 1) 01

Clovis, 1. King of the Franks and founder of the Merovingian dynasty. † 511

Virgilius, Bishop of Salzburg, Austria. † 780

27. November 2022

1. ℣ Unto Thee, O Yahweh, do I lift up my eyes:

℟ O my God, I trust in Thee (Psalm 54,1).

O Almighty and Merciful God, You put to shame no one who waits for You; make us to know Your ways, and teach us Your paths, so that we know that in Your Son we are redeemed and made anew in holiness. Amen. (Psalm 25,3-4 Gradual).

2. »And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: „The words of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.“«

3. Advent begins the Church Year where the Church Year ended: be zealous and repent! At the end of the 1. century ad, the Church in Laodicea had grown complacent and lukewarm. In John’s day, cold water and hot water had there uses, but lukewarm water was useless. Laodicea’s faith in Jesus had become lukewarm, and thus so had their works that flowed from faith. They thought they were rich, but they were actually poor.

4. What happened in Laodicea happens in many churches: they forget who they are. They achieve their goal, and then they coast on their past accomplishments. They forget whose they are. Church becomes less about Jesus and more about them. Or they focus on the social gospel at the expense of the individual gospel. The church focuses all her energy on poverty, wealth equality and other social evils that need addressing, but forgets about the need to also call people to repentance and absolve their sins. The social gospel for this world is preferred to the transcendent heaven of the future.

5. John’s vision in Chapter 3 reveals the transcendent heaven and the transcendent Jesus. The Laodicean church was not exhorted to solve the world’s problems, but their own, and they can’t solve their problems on their own. Jesus needs to address their problems. He gives them the white garments so they may clothe themselves in His righteousness. He puts salve on their eyes so that they may see once again only by faith. He states their sins, calls them to repent and covers them in righteousness and forgive.

6. Advent is a penitential season of preparation through repentance. Populus Zion focuses our attention on the mission of Jesus’ first advent: to redeem fallen humanity from sin, death and the grave. This culminates on Good Friday and Easter Sunday with Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is why Jesus is called the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness in Revelation 3. He is the fulfillment of God’s Heilsgeschichte (salvation history) for all the world.

7. A couple of chapters later in his Apocalypse, John hears the proclamation: »Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered« (Revelation 5,5). These are royal titles that Jesus held by virtue of being of the house and lineage of David. His entry into Jerusalem on an ass is a royal act: the Son of David, the Messianic King, is riding in to receive His kingdom. The Gospel according to Matthew tells us this fulfills what was spoken by the Prophet Zechariah: »Behold, your King is drawing near to you, humble and mounted on an ass, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden« (Zechariah 9,9). Zechariah tells us this King arrives to justify and save.

8. We acclaim Jesus as this Saving King. We confess our sins and acknowledge our need for our Savior. We strengthen our faith by reading and studying the Scriptures. We spend time in prayer. We extend love and charity to our neighbors. All this is part and parcel of our Advent preparation to receive Jesus’ arrival on Christmas.

9. We await Jesus’ second advent by looking back on His first advent that began its culmination on Palm Sunday. At His first advent Jesus entered Jerusalem as a humble prince. On an ass, but at His second advent He will return to Earth as aglorious King on a horse. As John’s Apocalypse draws to a close he sees this vision: »Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one seated on it is called Faithful and True, and in tighteousness He judges« (Revelation 19,11).

10. Be on guard and keep awake (Mark 13,13), for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed (Roman 13,11). Blessed is Jesus who arrived and will arrive in the Name of the Lord (Matthew 21,9)!

11. He comes to judge the world,

To bless those who bless Him,

With grace and holy light

To, those who love and seek Him.

O come, O come, O Sun,

And bring us all at once

To eternal light and delight

Into Your hall of joy (Wie soll ich dich empfangen selk 872,2 2021 Paul Gerhardt 1653).

This is most certainly true.

12. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

13. Let us pray. O Almighty Lord and God, direct our steps into the way of peace, and strengthen our hearts to obey Thy commandments; may the Dayspring visit us from on high, and give light to those who sit in darkness, and the shadow of death, that they may adore Thee for Thy mercy, follow Thee for Thy truth and desire Thee, for Thy sweetness, who art the blessed Lord God of Israel, both now and evermore. Amen. (1. Advent, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office.)

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart.

Monday, November 21, 2022

Mark 13,28-37. Eternity Sunday

Mark 13,28-37 5522

Ewigkeitssonntag (27. Trinitatis) 75

Pontianus, Bishop of Rome, Martyr 235

20. November 2022

1. ℣ I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith Yahweh:

℟ Thoughts of peace and not evil (Jeremiah 29,11 23. Trinity).

O Holy Trinity, enthroned on high; inspire us to songs with joy, so that we give You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, praise, honor and thanks for Your glory, power and strength that You manifest in our midst and for our good. Amen. (Herzlich tut mich er freuen elkg 799,13 2021 Johann Walter (1545) 1552).

2. »From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.«

3. Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis (ad 60-130), tells us „John the Presbyter (Elder) also said this, Mark being the interpreter of Peter whatsoever he recorded he wrote with great accuracy but not however, in the order in which it was spoken or done by our Lord“ (Eusebius Ecclesiastical History 3.39.15-16; Cruse 105). Mark heard the Apostle Peter preach in Rome, and from those sermons wrote his gospel.

4. We catch glimpses of this in wording and phrases. Peter wrote in his epistle: »The word of the Lord remains forever [Isaiah 40,6.8]« (1. Peter 1,25) is similar to Jesus’ statement as Mark records it: »My words will not pass away« (Mark 13,31). These statements are in contrast to time that is fleeting and nations rise and fall, for one of the themes in Mark 13 is judgment upon Israel and the world. The final Sunday in the Church Year focuses our attention on the return of Jesus when the nations are judged and the Church is vindicated.

5. No one on earth knows the day and hour of Jesus’ second advent. For Christians to attempt to discern the month, day and year of Jesus’ return is sheer folly and simply false doctrine. A rabbi in Jerusalem, Yosef Berger, says the Messiah might return in 2022. He bases his prediction on a collision of 2 stars in the Northern Cross star system KIC 9832227 that will happen this year. He states the 12. century Rabbi Moses ben Maimon who said a bright light event at this location aligns with the arrival of the Messiah (cf. Numbers 24,17). Jerry Toney, among others, predicted Christ’s return on 26./27. September 2022 (Rosh Hashanah/Feast of Trumpets).

6. No one knows when Christ will return. This is why Jesus taught us to watch and be ready. Jesus may return today, next week or 50 years from now. Live with the expectation that Jesus can return at any moment. We know He is returning, and so we are daily ready for His second advent. Don’t fall prey to false teachers who predict the exact tie of His return. Heed the blessed words of Jesus: »See that no one leads you astray. Be on your guard. If anyone says to you: „Look, here is the Christ!“ or „Behold, there He is!“ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand« (Mark 13,5.9.21-23).

7. How are Christians on guard and ready?

1. Repent and confess your sins.

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith and trust in Christ.

3. Read, hear and study the Holy Scriptures.

4. Be faithful in weekly Sunday worship with your fellow Christians.

All of this focuses on Christ Jesus.

8. „Christ alone can say that His words will not pass away, because He alone is Divine, holy, just and good, because He was justified by the Father before all the world in the resurrection, because He has eternal life in Himself. He became man because He desires to bring this eternal life to where it was lost“ (Wenz ¶11). „Therefore He, Christ, as the eternal Word of God, is not only eternal life Himself, but He distributes it to all who hear His words and who receive Him in His bodily presence. He who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. This is what he says in John 5,24. And in the 6. Chapter He says the same: The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (verse 54)“ (Wenz ¶ 12).

9. In Mark 13,27 Jesus says: »But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven« (Mark 13,24-27). That last sentence is the key: Jesus saves His people. He sends His angels to gather us up to Him. This is the culmination of His return, and His advent is one that brings grace and mercy to His Christians who have been patient and long-suffering in their awaiting His return.

10. The Apostle Peter speaks of this in his epistle: »The day of the Lord will arrive like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the advent of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells« (2. Peter 3,10-13).

11. Until that time arrives, „For the sake of the gathering of His Church, God therefore also wants to preserve the world until the end of days. The passing on of life from generation to generation also takes place on a Divine commission and according to Divine order by which the world is to be preserved and cared for, as guaranteed by its Creator (Wenz ¶ 17).

12. Our hope and expectation,

O Jesus, now appear;

Arise, O Sun so long for,

O’er this benighted sphere.

With hearts and hands uplifted,

We plead, O Lord, to see

The day of earth’s redemption

That sets Your people free! (Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers lsb 515,1 Laurentius Laurenti 1660-1722).

This is most certainly true.

10. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

11. Let us pray. O Jesus, our Master, do Thou meet us while we walk in the way and long to reach the heavenly country, so that, following Thy light, we may keep the way of righteousness and never wander away into the darkness of this world’s night while Thou, who art the Way, the Truth and the Light art shining within us; for Thy mercy’s sake. Amen. (The Week of Trinity 27, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.)

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Luke 18,1-8. 2. Last Sunday in the Church Year

Luke 18,1-8 5422

Vorletzter Sonntag des Kirchenjahr (26. Trinitatis) 73

Briccius, Bishop of Tours, France. † 444

Louis Brighton, † 2015

13. November 2022

1. ℣ Save me, O God, by Thy Name:

℟ And judge me by Thy strength not His Voice (Psalm 54,1).

O Christ, who gives us Your Scriptures out of great mercy; help us to live according to Your Word and make ourselves ready for Your return, so that we await Your advent prepared and with joy. Amen. (Wacht auf, ihr Christen alle elkg 497,4 2021, Christian Adolf 1540).

2. »And Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said: „In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Vindicate against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not keep coming until the end and give me a black eye [blacken my reputation].’“ And the Lord said: „Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God vindicate His elect, who cry to Him day and night, and be long-suffering to them? I tell you, He will give justice to them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man arrives, will He even find the faith on the earth?“«

3. It’s common to hear the phrase uttered or texted: Thoughts and prayers. It has become a simple, quick statement to evoke when a tragedy occurs, a serious illness is revealed or a death is announced. It is a generic statement of empathy and support that is often used by devoutly religious people and also those not so religious but who want to express solidarity with the afflicted person.

4. The purpose of the parable in Luke 18 is to encourage us to always pray and not lose heart. It follows the Parable of the Coming Kingdom of God (Luke 17,20-37). The implication is that there will be a delay between the first and second advents of Jesus. While Jesus was present among them, teaching forgiving and performing miracles, the kingdom of God was in their midst. But He would be leaving them shortly, and with His ascension there will be a delay before His return.

5. The Early Church believed this delay would not be too terribly long. They expected the second advent to be in their lifetimes. Perhaps a generation or so, roughly 40 or 50 years, following Jesus’ ascension. But the temple and Jerusalem were destroyed in ad 70, and still no return. One by one the apostles were martyred, and still no return. In ad 100 John is the last of the apostles, he dies and yet no return return of Jesus. Nearly 2000 years after Jesus’ ascension and we are still waiting for His return.

6. Jesus has prepared us for this. Though the delay is long, do not lose hope; pray for the advent of Jesus. The Apostle Peter addressed the delay of Christ’ advent in his 2. Epistle: »Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say: „Where is the promise of his advent? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.“ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance« (2. Peter 3,3-9).

7. As we await the second advent of Jesus we are to be diligent in prayer. Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we pray the petition: Thy kingdom come. And we know God answers our prayers and vindicates us.

8. This vindication happened at the cross, where the kingdom of God is visible for all to behold. Jesus’ ministry was fulfilled at the cross. The sinner has been judged, mercy is poured out, redemption is paid in full; Christ has vindicated us. Jesus cried out Psalm 22,1: »My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?« (Matthew 27,46). As you read Psalm 22 you discover that Jesus was directing us to the following verses: »O God, in You our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them. To You they cried and were rescued; in You they trusted and were not put to shame« (Psalm 22,4-5). God will vindicate the elect who cry to Him day and night in their sufferings, not because of their persistent prayers and cries, but because He is merciful and compassionate (Just 674-75). Jesus shows us His Father’s mercy and compassion on the cross. God vindicated Jesus on the cross; He will vindicate us in our suffering. Jesus was vindicated quickly, and so we will be too.

9. Our God is long-suffering, and He wants His people to pray constantly and confidentially (Just 675). Jesus’ final question is an exhortation for His Church to be steadfast in the faith. Remember Paul’s final instructions in 1. Corinthians: »Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, … be strong. Let all that you do be done in love« (1. Corinthians 16,13-14). »Marana tha. Our Lord has come. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you« (1. Corinthians 16,22-23).

1o. Let Thy grace, like morning dew

Falling soft on barren places,

Comfort, quicken and renew

Our dry souls and dying graces;

Bless Thy flock from Thy rich store

Evermore (Come, Thou Bright and Morning Star lsb 872,2 Christian Knorr von Rosenroth 1636-89).

This is most certainly true.

12. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

13. Let us pray. O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Thy Holy Spirit that, being ever mindful of the end of all things and the day of Thy just judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with Thee forever hereafter. Amen. (26. Trinity, Vespers Collect 1. The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.)

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Luke 17,20-24. 3. Last Sunday in the Church Year (25. Trinity)

Luke 17,20-24 5322

Drittletzter Sonntag des Kirchenjahres (25. Trinitatis) 72

Leonhard, hermit, ✠ 559

Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden and Confessor. ✠ 1632

6. November 2022

1. ℣ Have mercy upon me, O Yahweh, for I am in trouble:

℟ Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies and from them that persecute me (Psalm 31,9a.15b).

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has promised to returnj; we await Your advent with childlike desire; return speedily to bring us to our heavenly home amidst hymns of praise. Amen. (Wir warten dein, o Gottes Sohn elkg 504,4 2021 Philipp Friedrich Hiller 1767).

2. »Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered them: „The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say: ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.“ And He said to the disciples: „The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you: ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day.“«

3. Ten chapters earlier, Luke told us about another group seeking signs from Jesus. John the Baptizer had been imprisoned and he has sent 2 of his disciples to ask Jesus: Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? (Luke 7,20). Jesus responded to their question by healing many people who were sick, possessed and blind (Luke 7,21). Then He told John’s disciples: »Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by Me« (Luke 7,22-23).

4. Jesus has directed John’s disciples to the Prophet Isaiah who said: »Behold, your God will come and save you« (Isaiah 35,4). Isaiah then lists the very thing Jesus did before John’s disciples. These are the signs of the kingdom of God in your midst; these are the signs the Messiah will perform.

5. The Pharisees wanted to know when the kingdom of God was arriving. They were looking for undeniable heavenly signs like an unexpected bright light in the sky or an earthly sign like a great Jewish commander driving the Romans out of Jerusalem and Judea. They anticipated a future arrival of the kingdom, but Jesus. Tells them the kingdom has already arrived in their midst. Jesus has brought the kingdom of God to them, and the miracles He has performed are the signs that He is the Messiah. But the Pharisees were offended by Jesus.

6. Many of the scribes, Pharisees and the chief priests were offended by Jesus. They saw the signs Jesus performed, yet they refused to believe He was the Messiah. They challenged Him on many occasions. They rejected His interpretation of Moses and the Prophets. They became filled with rage/madness (ανοιας) and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus (Luke 6,11). The chief priests and the scribes sought how to put Jesus to death (Luke 22,2).

7. 2000 years later there are people offended by Jesus. They are not offended by the morals He taught or the Golden Rule He espoused. They are offended at what He said about Himself and that He claimed to be G. It is popular to invent one’s religious system (egonovism: new/invented self, i.e. moralistic therapeutic deism). Generally, this includes several common pts:

i. a god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human beings.

ii. this god wants people to be good, nice and fair to each other—basically Jesus ‘ moral teachings as they understand them.

iii. the central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.

iv. god does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when god is needed to resolve a problem.

v. good people go to heaven when they die.

8. The only point this has in common with the historical, Biblical Jesus is that God created and watches over the world and people. Every other point is a misrepresentation of Jesus. People become offended when their beliefs and interpretations are challenged by the real Jesus. Editing out all the parts of the Bible that offends people won’t make Jesus any less offensive to them.

9. Jesus calls people to repent of their sins, to love their neighbor and be charitable to them. He calls us to a life of discipleship and cross-bearing. All of this is challenging, and at times we may balk at the rigor and sacrifice Jesus wants from us. »Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the torah of the Yahweh! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in His ways!« (Psalm 119,1-3).

10. Jesus told His disciples: »But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation« (Luke 17,25). The Scriptures point to a suffering Messiah, and Jesus says you will find Him on the cross. Jesus crucified caused the Jews to stumble and it was foolishness to the Greeks. The world is offended at the gospel that proclaims Christ crucified and risen, but this crucified and risen Jesus is the power of God and the wisdom of God that gives us what we truly need: forgiveness, grace and mercy. »For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God« (Romans 5,6-9).

11. The world always wants to know: tell us what we can do to save ourselves, and the Church replies: nothing, for Jesus has already paid the price to save you. Look to Christ; trust in God. Every Christian participates in all the blessings of Christ and this is granted to us by God (37. Thesis). These blessings are the keys of the Church given by Christ’s merit to be the treasure given out (60. Thesis). The Church’s true treasure is the gospel (62. Thesis), that is the forgiveness of sins. This gospel is poured upon us in our Baptism, spoken to us in the Absolution and given to us in the Lord’s Supper.

12. Such treasure is often mocked and despised, but with this treasure of the gospel people are comforted, sin is forgiven and faith in Christ is strengthened. Where the gospel is proclaimed and given out, there is Christ in our midst.

13. If thou but trust in God to guide thee

And hope in Him through all thy ways,

He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,

And bear thee through the evil days,

Who trusts in God’s unchanging love

Builds on the rock that naught can move (If Thou But Trust in God lsb 750,1 Georg Neumark 1621-81)

This is most certainly true.

10. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

11. Let us pray. O almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, Giver of light and life, so teach us those things which belong to the heavenly kingdom and those duties which are of the earth that we, stirred by the light and life of the peace of God, may be enabled faithfully to do the things committed to us, looking ever unto Thee for light and life that, being lifted above ourselves, the life of God in the soul of man may be ours, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding may then keep our hearts and minds. Amen. (The Week of Trinity 25, Vespers Collect 1. The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.)

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Revelation 3,14-22. Populus Zion, Advent 1

Monday, November 21, 2022

Mark 13,28-37. Eternity Sunday

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Luke 18,1-8. 2. Last Sunday in the Church Year

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Luke 17,20-24. 3. Last Sunday in the Church Year (25. Trinity)