Luke 6:36-42 New King James Version 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. … Continue reading
June 24th Luke 1:57-80 New King James Version Birth of John the Baptist 57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord … Continue reading
Evangelism: Luke 15:1-10 New King James Version The Parable of the Lost Sheep and The Parable of the Lost Coin 15 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees … Continue reading
Invitation: Luke 14:16-24 New King James Version The Great Supper 16 Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, 17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were … Continue reading
Historic Series Trinity I: Luke 16:19-31 New King James Version The Rich Man and Lazarus 19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a … Continue reading
Today there is massive pressure to change Confessional Lutheran forms of worship in order to adapt to the culture. This pressure is not new. Here is an article from a century ago on this same topic. The pressures are the … Continue reading
I’m pleased to announce that we are now on the FOURTH printing of the pewcards shown below. This card was prepared and printed so that it may help the laity better understand the liturgy and its richness. We have shipped … Continue reading
In The Small Catechism, Martin Luther encouraged Christians to retain the practice of making the sign of the cross. The Missouri Synod, following Luther’s advice, has encouraged Christians to continue making the sign of the cross, notably at a number of places during … Continue reading
What a joy it is to follow in the footsteps, nay, serve alongside such faithful men whom the Lord has called into the Holy Office that each of us might receive the gifts of Word and Sacrament! I saw Rev. … Continue reading
It’s been since October that I’ve had the chance to offer anything here at Steadfast Lutherans. With that, here’s what I’ve been pondering as of late… I wonder if the time has come. I know the mutual predilection for many … Continue reading
This is a transcription of J.S. Bach’s setting for P. Nicolai’s Wachet Auf. This particular setting is used for Hymn 544 in the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying.” A slightly less complex transcription of Wachet Auf … Continue reading
Reverend Christopher I. Thoma + Text and Theme: Lutheran Service Book, Hymn 656, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” (The Preaching of the Gospel for this feast takes a different form than what is our usual practice. The intention is to … Continue reading
Passiontide (Passionalia) is the historic name for the last two weeks of Lent. From ancient times these two weeks were called “The Great Week” (Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα) and “Passion Week”. It was not only the last week as Holy Week, but … Continue reading
Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism has been associated with the season of Lent since the time Luther first published in chart in time for Lent in 1529. In his sermon of March 25, 1529, he says: “This exhortation ought not … Continue reading
I’m pleased to announce that we are now on the THIRD printing of the pewcards shown below. My boss, a solid lutheran owner of a print shop, took this on because he agreed with me that it may help the … Continue reading
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Hymn Verse: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. Latin Text: O Emmanuel, … Continue reading
Come, Desire Of Nations Hymn Verse: O Come, Desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O … Continue reading
O Come, Thou Dayspring From On High Hymn Verse: O Come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Latin Text: O Oriens, splendor … Continue reading
O Come, Thou Key of David, Come Hymn Verse: O Come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heav’nly home, Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Latin Text: O Clavis David, et … Continue reading
O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s Stem Hymn Verse: O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, From ev’ry foe deliver them That trust Thy mighty power to save, And give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come … Continue reading
O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of Might The Hymn: O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times didst give the law In cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! … Continue reading
O Come, Thou Wisdom From on High The Hymn: O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who orderest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall … Continue reading
Many of you have observed the “Explanation of the Divine Service” pamphlets that are found in the pew racks at Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville while attending a conference or event there. The Brothers of John the Steadfast have worked … Continue reading
The hymn “O, Come, O, Come, Emmanuel” (TLH 62; LW 31; CW 32; ; ELH 110; LSB 357) is a rendition of the medieval “O Antiphons” also called the “Greater Antiphons.” An Antiphon is a selection of Scripture and prayer … Continue reading
It has been mentioned several times that Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, IL has in its pew racks a laminated 9″x14″ (7″ wide folded) pamphlet that describes the Divine Service. This is useful for visitors or those unfamiliar with the … Continue reading