The Hebrews text takes place in two other conjoined aspects of the congregation’s liturgical life. First, the teacher of Hebrews preaches to the congregation and exhorts them as a congregation. Second, the appeal in chapter 4 urges faith in the Word of God that is preached and taught in the congregation. It is a plea to believers to gather with the liturgical…
The letter to the Hebrews is a “word of encouragement” (13:22) to Christians in a time of intense trial when they are in danger of losing hope and falling away from the “living God” (3:12; 10:31; 12:22). Their faith in and confession of Jesus Christ as God’s Son puts them at odds with their community and culture, which Christians today still experience,…
Today we praise our Lord, Jesus Christ, and celebrate the service of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. May our Lord and His Church always be glorified through their mission work. Link to Service video on Vimeo Link to service bulletin
Jeremiah’s experiences as a prophet of God, and the inner and external struggles he experienced, have provided readers throughout the centuries opportunities to relate and deepen their understanding of the nature of God and the very human struggles of one of his ministers. Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet,” for he expresses a deep sense of God’s wrath, along with His…
Need help putting together a family budget? Are finances keeping you awake at night? Is debt threatening to overwhelm you? Is there too much month left at the end of your money? St. Paul’s is offering a new ministry to the Bremen community. We recognize that the economy has created many challenges for families and as a caring church we are offering…
The text begins the descent toward Jerusalem in the Gospel according to Mark. The event it records occurs right after the transfiguration and is immediately preceded and followed by Jesus speaking of His coming death and resurrection. This death-and-resurrection bookending of the text in the Gospel highlights its events as a proclamation of our Lord, who has come to do what we…
In the Old Testament Reading, the basis for this study, we hear how the Lord will reverse all the ramifications of sin for His people. This happens in Jesus, the Messiah. During his ministry, He foreshadowed what is to come on the Last Day as He cared for those who cried out to Him in their physical needs (cf Lk 7:18–23). We…
The Pharisees and scribes had gathered to Jesus when they witnessed His disciples eating with defiled, unwashed hands. This contradicted the tradition of the elders. They questioned Jesus for allowing His disciples to do this. Jesus called them hypocrites. This “heart” of the Pharisees and scribes, and really of all mankind, Jesus speaks to specifically in our Gospel text today. Link to…
Each congregation has its own local customs and traditions, many of which will likely be used in the Divine Service that will surround the reading of this Gospel. Ideally, these traditions serve the Gospel by pointing God’s people to the works of Jesus Christ and His salvation, which is received only by faith in Him. Link to Service video on Vimeo Link…
Each of our readings for this Sunday contains an invitation to a unique relationship with God. To understand the connections between our Old Testament Reading from Proverbs and the other readings, we must understand the nature of wisdom. More than just a collection of clever sayings or even a knowledge of the truth, wisdom is knowing God, and that knowledge comes as…