Prepare for the Sunday of the Miraculous Catch of Fish (07/21)
O God, You have prepared for those who love You good things that surpass all understanding. Pour into our hearts such love towards You that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Prepare for The Sunday of Fatherly Mercy (07/14)
Within the liturgy for each Lord’s day, we receive the Word of God through uniquely appointed readings, psalms, hymns, and prayers. This week we will pray the Divine Service Setting Four (audio of this liturgy). The following guide will help you to prepare to hear and sing the Propers, i.e. the varied texts and hymns for this week.
The Sunday of the Lost Sheep & Lost Coin (07/07)
O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, multiply Your mercy on us that, with You as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Dependence or Independence
So, it is for those in the Church. We too have “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.” For, indeed, the Triune God has promised that “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32; Rom. 10:13). He who is Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier gives us His abiding care and protection through all the battles and storms of this life, and He promises to carry us in the ark of His Church into the safe harbor of heaven.
Learning, Liturgy, and Life
It’s all simple, but it’s not easy. We are learning to guard all that Jesus has commanded us to defend. Speaking, singing, and praying to guard the gifts He gives. We live together with Christ in the life He gives through His gifts. Simple, not easy, but it is good.
What, Why, and How
Why does the congregation at Sherman Center exist? So that faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins be received. Simple. And how is this faith given? It is given by the Holy Spirit working through the Word and Sacraments. And what are the Word and Sacraments? Namely, we preach Christ Jesus alone for forgiveness, life, and salvation. We declare absolution in Christ’s name for the justification of sinners. We baptize in the name of the Holy Trinity for forgiveness and new life with Christ. We deliver Christ’s body broken and the blood shed to forgive sins, strengthen faith, and increase love for neighbor.
Trustworthy
Trust is earned. Trust is built. This trust is accomplished only as the trustworthy WORD is proclaimed… “and we as children of God lead holy lives according to it. Grant this dear Father in heaven!” The Spirit working by the WORD keeps the pastor in the same WORD!