Since our completion of our six year Small Catechism Lent run-through we are free this year to do a new series. This year our focus will be on “Spiritual Contemplation of Christ’s Suffering”. The Lutheran fathers found that the most profitable use of our Lord’s Passion was one that involved a focus that this is what Christ has done “for me”. It wasn’t about evoking horrific sighs at gore, or emotional overreactions, but about strengthening faith. This series seeks to do just that. This series is largely based upon the framework of John Gerhard that he puts out in his “Explanation of the history of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ” which has been published by Repristination Press
A companion devotion will also be released by the end of January (hopefully mid-January). The devotions will be available also as a podcast. The devotions will include one day a week of focus on the virtues of Christ shown in the passion which we should emulate as Christians (the final part of Gerhard’s framework).
The Service Plan for this series is based around the use of Vespers for midweek services. Hymn numbers are based upon Lutheran Service Book
Ash Wednesday – 2/14/24 – Use Normal Propers
Lent Midweek 1 – 2/21/24
Obedience of Christ for our Righteousness
Opening Hymn 562
Psalm 16
Office Hymn 438
Lessons
Isaiah 50:5-10
Romans 5:1-21
John 6:35-40
Closing Hymn 556
Lent Midweek 2 – 2/28/24
Christ’s suffering as payment and sacrifice for sin
Opening Hymn 439:1-8
Psalm 103
Office Hymn 568
Lessons
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Galatians 3:10-14
John 3:13-21
Closing Hymn 439:9-15
Lent Midweek 3 – 3/6/24
God Himself punished Christ
Opening Hymn 440
Psalm 22
Office Hymn 438
Lessons
Zechariah 13:1-9
Acts 4:23-31
Mark 14:26-50
Closing Hymn 555
Lent Midweek 4 – 3/13/24
Christ’s suffering as proof of God’s love for us
Opening Hymn 430
Psalm 85
Office Hymn 571
Lessons
Hosea 14:1-9
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-17
Closing Hymn 746
Lent Midweek 5 – 3/20/24
As Christ suffered, so shall we
Opening Hymn 756
Psalm 119:65-72
Office Hymn 685
Lessons
Job 1:6-22
1 Peter 4:12-19
John 15:18-16:4
Closing Hymn 724
Holy Week – Use Normal Propers