This year for Lent we are going to focus on various aspects of Christ’s work for our sake. Each week of the service and also the companion devotion will take on one aspect and teach the hearers about it. For example, in the face of our guilt, Christ’s work justifies us (declares us innocent, righteous). Other weeks will take on less well-known aspects to show the very depth and breadth of Christ’w work to be our Lord.
This comes some from the Large Catechism, Second Article of the Creed )(paragraph 27) where Luther says:
Now, if you are asked, “What do you believe in the Second Article about Jesus Christ?” answer briefly,
“I believe that Jesus Christ, God’s true Son, has become my Lord.”
“But what does it mean to become Lord?”
“It is this. He has redeemed me from sin, from the devil, from death, and from all evil. For before I did not have a Lord or King, but was captive under the devil’s power, condemned to death, stuck in sin and blindness”
A daily devotional should be out in early February (via Amazon and also free for download on this site) and hopefully a daily podcast will also be made available for Lent this year again.
Here is the Service Plan:
(Hymn numbers referenced are from Lutheran Service Book)
Ash Wednesday 3/5/25
EXAMPLE (stress that this devotion is for Christians; who you are now already)
Normal Propers/Hymns
Lent Midweek 1
FROM GUILT TO INNOCENCE – Legal
Vespers
Opening 439:1-7
Psalm 32
Office Hymn 557
Lessons
Isaiah 45:18-25
Romans 3:1-31
John 8:1-11
Closing Hymn 439:8-15
Lent Midweek 2
FROM ENMITY TO PEACE – Reconciliation
Vespers
Opening 617
Psalm 85
Office Hymn 609
Lessons
Genesis 3:1-21
Romans 5:1-11
Luke 15:11-32
Closing Hymn 546
Lent Midweek 3
FROM SLAVE TO SON – Redeemer
Vespers
Opening 562
Psalm 130
Office Hymn 453
Lessons
Exodus 6:1-8
Galatians 4:1-7
John 8:31-38
Closing Hymn 594
Lent Midweek 4
FROM DEATH TO LIFE – Creator/Life-Giver
Vespers
Opening 433
Psalm 103
Office Hymn 420
Lessons
Jonah 2:1-10
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 12:20-36
Closing Hymn 421
Lent Midweek 5
FROM PROFANE TO HOLY – Sacrificial/Lamb
Vespers
Opening 580
Psalm 110
Office Hymn 438
Lessons
Leviticus 16:1-34
Hebrews 9:1-14
John 1:29-34
Closing Hymn 434
Holy Week
FROM CAPTIVE TO FREE – Savior
Use propers for Holy Week