Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Daily Readings for February 19-25, 2012

Daily Lectionary February 19-25, 2012
February 19                                 The Stilling of the Storm—Mark 4:35-41
                                                                                 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
February 20 Jesus Teaches Us to Pray in the Sermon on the Mount—Matthew 6:5-15
                                                                                   1 Corinthians 14:1-40
February 21                               Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer—John 17:1-26
                                                                           1 Corinthians 15:58–16:24
February 22                                                                ASH WEDNESDAY
                                 Joel 2:12–19, 2 Peter 1:2–11, Matthew 6:(1–6) 16–21
February 23 Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane—Matthew 26:36-45
                                                                                   2 Corinthians 2:1–3:3
February 24                                                           2 Corinthians 6:11–7:16
February 25                                                                       Lent 1 Invocabit
                              Genesis 3:1–21, 2 Corinthians 6:1–10, Matthew 4:1–11

Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent—February 22
The beginning of Lent is Next Wednesday. Ash Wednesday will be a very unique and special service, including the Imposition of Ashes, the Lenten Litany, corporate confession and individual absolutions. From ancient times the season of Lent has been kept as a time of special devotion, self-denial, and humble repentance born of a faithful heart that dwells confidently on His Word and draws from it life and hope. Let us pray that our dear Father in heaven, for the sake of His beloved Son and in the power of His Holy Spirit, might richly bless this Lententide for us that we may come to Easter with glad hearts and keep the feast in sincerity and truth. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday Divine Services at 7:00 p.m. We will have a soup and sandwich luncheon before each of the midweek services. Watch for more details to come.

Look forward to First Sunday in Lent (Invocabit)
Genesis 3:1–21, 2 Corinthians 6:1–10, Matthew 4:1–11
Jesus Does Battle in Our Place
In the Garden, man exalts himself to be a god in place of God (Genesis 3:121). He succumbs to the temptation of the devil, and eating of the forbidden fruit, he receives death. But in the sin-cursed wilderness, God humbles Himself to become man in place of man (Matthew 4:111). He does not eat but fasts and bears the onslaughts of the devil for us that we may be restored to life. Jesus stands as David in our place to do battle against the Goliath, Satan (1 Samuel 17:4051). Though outwardly Jesus appears weak, yet He comes in the name of the Lord of hosts. He draws from the five smooth stones of the books of Moses and slings the Word of God. The stone sinks into the forehead, and the enemy falls. In Christ we are victorious over the devil. Let us therefore not receive the grace of God in vain (2 Corinthians 6:110), but seeing that we have a great High Priest, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain help in time of need (Hebrews 4:1416).

CALENDAR
Saturday   February 18                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service
Sunday     February 19                 9:00 am       Bible Class / Sunday School
                                                   10:00 am                            Divine Service
Monday    February 20                 6:30 pm                           Parish Planning
Wednesday February 22                5:00 pm                              Confirmation
                                                     7:00 pm             Ash Wednesday Service
                                                     7:30 pm                                              AA
Friday       February 24                                                  Pastor’s Family Day
Saturday   February 25                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE— JESUS SETS HIS FACE TOWARD JERUSALEM AND HIS PASSION   Jesus spoke clearly about His passion, death, and resurrection, yet "these things were hidden" from the disciples, so that they did not understand His words. It was necessary that the Son of Man suffer and die alone, for salvation from sin, death, and hell is entirely the work of our Lord. It must be received by us as a gift alone or it cannot be received at all. For their benefit the disciples were prevented from knowing these words, lest anyone of them boast in his superior knowledge or understanding. The mysteries of the faith are revealed to the blind by the Spirit of God, and so, Jesus has mercy upon blind Bartemaeus opening his eyes, in token that the mysteries of salvation are revealed to us so that we might believe in the Lord and give all praise and glory to God.

Lent 2012

February 22 - Ash Wednesday – Pastor GeRue
                     Psalm 6      “Save Me Because of Your Unfailing Love”
                     Catechism: What does such baptizing with water indicate?
Midweek February 29 – Pastor Stuenkel - Sherman
                    Psalm 38    “Make Haste to Help Me”
                   Catechism: What do you believe according to these words?
Midweek March 7 – Vicar Peters - Sherman
                  Psalm 51    “Against You and For Me”
                  Catechism: What is confession?
Midweek March 14 – Pastor Strong - Farmersville
                  Psalm 102  “But You, O Lord, Are Enthroned Forever”
                  Catechism: What sins should we confess?
Midweek March 21 – Pastor GeRue
                  Psalm 32    “Hiding from God or Hiding in God?”
                  Catechism: What is the Office of the Keys? Where is this written?
Midweek March 28 – Pastor GeRue
                 Psalm 143  “Teach Me to Do Your Will, For You Are My God”
                 Catechism: Which [sins] are these?
Holy Thursday – April 5 – Pastor GeRue
                Psalm 116  “Delivered”
                Catechism: What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?
Good Friday – April 6 – Pastor GeRue
                Psalm 130  “Divine Forgetfulness”
Easter Vigil – April 7 – Pastor GeRue
                Psalm 118; Exodus 14       “Destroying the Enemy”
Easter – April 8 – Pastor GeRue
                Psalm 16; Mark 16:1–8      “The Path of Life”
                Catechism: Explanation of the Second Article (second part)

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