Daily Readings for February 26-March 3, 2012

Lent Midweek February 29 – Pastor Stuenkel - Sherman

Psalm 38    “Make Haste to Help Me”

Catechism: What do you believe according to these words?

SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE—JESUS GIVES US VICTORY OVER SATAN

In this first temptation, and first sin, we see the importance of God's Word. God's Word was spoken to Adam when God gave him freedom to enjoy all that was in the Garden of Eden. To eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was not good for it was not given them by God. Man fell into sin when he turned away from that Word that gave Him life.

In today’s wonderful epistle of encouragement, St. Paul teaches that Jesus is the Second Adam who, by His faithful and obedient suffering unto death, did what Adam failed to do. He trusted in the Father for us. He died in our place. He fulfilled the whole will and Law of God for us. It is called the “blessed exchange” that just as the disobedience of Adam brought sin and death “to the many” so the obedience of Christ brings righteousness, life, and salvation “to the many” through faith in Him. The First Sunday in Lent celebrates our Lord’s victory over Satan in His temptation in the wilderness. Man fell into sin when he turned away from that Word that gave Him life. The season of Lent is a time to return to our Baptism in which our "Old Adam" is drowned in repentance and the “New Man” is made alive through the Word of our Savior. Jesus used God's Word to defeat Satan's attacks. God's Word is our defense too. We especially need to rely on God's promises of forgiveness through Christ. Jesus’ ministry began with His temptation in the wilderness, not simply to give us an example of how we can overcome temptations, nor to show Jesus as our coach, who says, “See, I did it, so can you!” Rather, it is to show Jesus as the faithful Man for us, our Savior, who says, “See, I did it for you!” This is why He is our faithful high priest from whom we can receive grace to help us in every time of need.

LUTHERAN HOUR   February 26

"Repent" Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus
Is repentance important? Is repentance necessary? The answer is an unqualified "yes." True, Jesus loves us as we are-but He never leaves us as we were. (Mark 1:14-15)

WSMI              Carlinville, IL              1540    AM      Sun      9:30 am
WLUJ              Springfield, IL             89.7     FM       Sun      3:00 pm
WLLM             Lincoln, IL                   1370    AM      Sun      7:00 am

WLLM             Lincoln, IL                   1370    AM      Sun      7:00 pm

Daily Lectionary February 26 – March 3, 2012

February 26                                 Psalm 77, Job 4:1-21, Ephesians 2:1-10

February 27                                    Psalm 77, Job 5:8-27, 1 Peter 3:8-18a

February 28                          Psalm 77, Proverbs 30:1-9, Matthew 4:1-11

February 29      Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18, Romans 3:21-31

March 1                          Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 16:1-6, Romans 4:1-12

March 2                          Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 16:7-15, Mark 8:27-30

March 3                                                             Looking ahead to Lent 2

                   Genesis 32:22–32, 1 Thessalonians 4:1–7, Matthew 15:21–28

Look forward to Second Sunday in LenT (Reminiscere)

Genesis 32:22–32; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–7 or Romans 5:1–5; Matthew 15:21–28

Holding God to His Word

Jacob wrestled with God; he would not let Him go until he received a blessing from Him (Genesis 32:22–32). So it was with the Canaanite woman. Though Jesus seemed to ignore and reject her, she continued to call upon His name and look to Him for help (Matthew 15:21–28). Even when the Lord called her a little dog, she held on to Him in faith and would not let Him wriggle out of His words: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” This Gentile woman shows herself to be a true Israelite, who struggles with God and man in Christ and prevails. “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire” (Matthew 15:27–28). This is the sanctifying will of God (1 Thessalonians 4:1–7)—to test your faith in order that it may be refined and strengthened. For tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope in Christ does not disappoint (Romans 5:1–5).

CALENDAR

Saturday   February 25                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Sunday     February 26                 9:00 am       Bible Class / Sunday School

                                                   10:00 am                            Divine Service

Wednesday February 29                5:00 pm                              Confirmation

                                          5:45 – 6:45 pm                        Lenten Luncheon

                                                     7:00 pm            Lenten Midweek Service

                                                     7:30 pm                                              AA

Thursday        March 1                 9:00 am                     LWML Bible Study

Friday             March 2                                                  Pastor’s Family Day

Saturday         March 3                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service