The Holy Ministry preaches Christ in spite of persecution. Christ promises courage for His witnesses to testify even in the face of pain or persecution. The Prayer of the Day is one of the most ancient in the Church’s use. It seems to have been suggested by the disasters of the dying Western Empire. As Rome crumbled, the Church prayed for God’s governance that she might worship in peace and joy. Today Christ reminds us that even when that peace and joy are absent, He will give us the courage to continue to testify in His name. The Holy Ministry preaches Christ in spite of persecution.

The Holy Ministry is filled with people who God called out of His boundless mercy. Nothing else could explain the choices for ministers that God made! He calls such sinful and weak men to fill this office. Only mercy can explain the men He chose in this Sunday’s lessons: a despised tax collector, an exiled killer, a persecutor of Christians. How poignant these lessons are, when we remember that each lesson was penned by the unworthy minister called into service by God’s boundless mercy! The Holy Ministry is filled with people who God called out of His boundless mercy.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Live in eager expectation of glory! That glory is not dimmed by earthly suffering; rather, such suffering reminds us of the glory that awaits us. First the cross; then the crown. Our light and momentary troubles cannot mute the joy of living in eager expectation of glory.

In the early 700s AD, there lived an English churchman known to history as the Venerable Bede. He was the great teacher of the Middle Ages, the man who divided history into AD and BC, the first great historian of the English language and a devout man of God. On May 25, 735 AD, on the great Ascension Vigil, Bede finished his translation of the Gospel of St. John into Old English. Then, on that day of Ascension, he died. From his deathbed, the Teacher of the Middle Ages spoke the words that have become the Prayer of the Day on Ascension. This beautiful prayer sets the tone for the day, beginning with a note of triumph and ending with a supplication for the Spirit and His work.

The certain hope of eternal life is founded on the death and resurrection of Christ. God had promised this ancient hope in Eden. God had carried this ancient hope in his Word through the ages. How did the disciples fail to anticipate the resurrection? They let their wants and cultural expectations color their view of Scripture, and hope was lost. But God restored this hope by raising Jesus from the dead and pointing his people to his promises. The Redeemer Lives to restore my hope.

Maundy Thursday ushers the believer into the “Three Holy Days” of Christendom. It is more than history that is celebrated on this day. The Holy Sacrament extends to the believer the very body and blood of our Savior and gives the forgiveness of sins.

Thankful for                                            Thankful for                                   Thankful for                                            Thankful,                 in                                          Welcome to worship… read more

Selfishness shown… –  __________ ________________ –  in __________ ______________ Not _________-_________________ but __________-_________________ Remember to… read more