The Pleiades - Equally Beautiful as Creation - In the Sky and in Print

 

Video Lent 1 - I Love Thy Kingdom Lord -Broadcast Previously

 Click link for the broadcast. -

https://youtu.be/lHeh5W0YVR4

The First Sunday in Lent - Invocavit - 2024

 

The First Sunday in Lent - Invocavit.

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

The Hymn #462   I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord           

The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer Him: I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him: and show him My salvation.

Psalm. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High: shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O Lord, mercifully hear our prayer and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to defend us from them that rise up against us; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual

      

Gradual

For He shall give His angels charge over thee: to keep thee in all thy ways. 

V. They shall bear thee up in their hands: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Tract. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High: shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

V. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God: in Him will I trust.

V. He shall cover thee with His feathers: and under His wings shalt thou trust.

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #146    Lamb of God       

            The Temptations of Jesus Christ

The Hymn #524        In Thee Lord I Have Put My Trust - Winkworth trans.                

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #154        Alas and Did My Savior  

  

Prayers

• Norma Boeckler, our highly regarded artist in India.
• Continuing successful treatment for Lorie Howell.

         

KJV 2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

KJV Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

First Sunday In Lent

Lord God, heavenly Father, inasmuch as the adversary doth continually afflict us, and as a roaring lion doth walk about, seeking to devour us: We beseech Thee for the sake of the suffering and death of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, to help us by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and to strengthen our hearts by Thy word, that our enemy may not prevail over us, but that we may evermore abide in Thy grace, and be preserved unto everlasting life; through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

The Temptations of Jesus Christ

KJV Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Being tempted, or tested (James 1), is a familiar topic in the Bible and especially with Moses in the dry wilderness. The people saw and experienced the miracles, but they were still furious with Moses for "letting them out in the wilderness to die." Jesus did not simply go to the desert without reason, but was led by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Word of God. Isaiah 40 begins the joyous section of the prophet with the voice crying in the wilderness - Prepare the way of the Lord.

When John the Baptist preached the coming of the Messiah, the tiny nation was electrified by Isaiah's book coming to life in Isaiah 40. At the time of Jesus, Israel was a captive nation, ruled by the Roman Empire, all of them slaves with harsh masters.

Jesus was the new Moses in repeating the fasting in the desert. People say it is impossible, but WWII proved that people could waste away because they were deprived of food and still had to work for their masters. References to this made in the Gospel of John. Jesus pointed out that Moses asked for food, but He could perform the miracle Himself. The people were still angry (though fed) and demanded another miracle.

Trials strengthen people because we become fearful more easily than we trust in God.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

This is exactly parallel with people today. If they cannot see God at work, they repudiate God and question whether He is  capable. Faith and fear are opposites - one drives the other away. "If" can be a big word. Alexander the Great threatened Sparta with destruction, listing all he could do with his well trained army IF they did not obey. Their response was one word - IF. Alexander did not attack.

So many repudiate God in denying His Word in so many different ways. One Lutheran blog listed all the things that their LCMS no longer teaches. They no longer teach Justification by Faith. Gausewitz, who was WELS, did in his widely distributed Small Catechism, English and German, and Gausewitz was head of LCMS-ELS-WELS! More recently, Robert Preus taught the Chief Article in his book Justification and Rome. Two of his many sons are listed as editors of Justification and Rome. They still deny that their father taught the truth in his last book.

The denominations have gone the same way, and LCMS-ELS-WELS do the same in their fear-filled Church Growth propaganda.

1. Did Jesus entertain people in His preaching?
2. Did the Son of Great provide desserts and sweets? Or sell them?
3. Did the Lord have a financial campaign for buildings?
4. Did the King of Kings sell books about his successes?
5. Did the Messiah count the numbers and let everyone know He was successful?

It has been subtle, but ever since the 1881 Revision of the KJV, the so-called scholars have undermined the divine nature of the Word of God. They remove words and phrases about the divinity of Jesus, even groups of verses, such as the woman caught in adultery (John) and the empty tomb (Mark 16:9-20). This may sound repetitious to some, but it may be startling to those 1 or 2 thousand who view the blog overnight. I was not taught the truth, starting in the 1950s and in college in the 1960s, especially so in seminary and graduate school at Notre Dame. Reduction of the Bible means passages not even seen, others distorted and watered down.

More treacherous are the places where the doctrine of the Bible is relatively vague, only to use that as a springboard for replacing God's Word with human reason. 

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The truly gifted are those who can take any passage from the Bible and inject social activism into it, so we must be quiet lest the march to the Left continues without slowing down.

The Word of God is primary and everything else is secondary.

Luther:

This is also the reason that the Evangelist with great care places it first: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, that he might there fast and be tempted, so that no one might imitate his example of their own choice and make of it a selfish, arbitrary, and pleasant fasting; but instead wait for the Spirit, who will send him enough fastings and temptations. For whoever, without being led by the Spirit, wantonly resorts to the danger of hunger or to any temptation, when it is truly a blessing of God that he can eat and drink and have other comforts, tempts God. We should not seek want and temptation, they will surely come of themselves; we ought then do our best and act honestly.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

KJV Psalm 91:9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Luther wondered - Why didn't Satan use the stairs? But no, he set Jesus on the very top of the Temple, omitting the key phrase to keep thee in all thy ways.

Is this not the same thing that Satan is using for all of mankind? Religion is powerful, and that means it is powerful for evil too. Many super-stars of the pulpit have found themselves lost and forgotten once they teaching the worst of blasphemies, wondering why their mysteries and axioms no longer served them. They could repent, but those people who followed their Father Below never seem make that effort - life was so easy before.

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 

In many ways, this is a warning from Jesus to those who would fashion a religion of their own, either through ease and luxury or - better yet - power and privilege. Trial and temptation are the same word in Greek, and that shows its purpose in this lesson and in James 1. A trial teaches us lessons. A temptation is really a failed effort ultimately to teach God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

This is a beautiful ending about Jesus. Because of His humanity, He could feel the temptation of Satan. He knew what was ahead in disappointments, arrests, torture, and death. That is why He literally shook (John's Gospel) when He looked upon Lazareth's tomb. Raising Lazarus from death and proving His divinity in front of the people from the funeral - that triggered the final days of celebration (Palm Sunday), 

humiliation (mockery of His divinity), torture (with whips) and execution (on the cross). All would suffer from these terrible and terrifying events.

The angels ministered to Him, just as they came to Jesus' grave, to open the enormous stone, not to let Him out (as the Calvinists imagine) but to show the world He was raised from the dead and soon to sit down in glory on the right hand of the Father.

at
The End

1,000 Years Before His Incarnation - The Clear Passage of Jesus - Psalm 2 -

 

KJV Psalm 2

 

1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

The Modernists allow for Jesus, but not His divinity, Trinity, miracles, Justification by Faith, or the clear message of the Bible.   Even today, the vast numbers of biblical apostates discard the witness of the Psalms and all the wisdom of the Two Testaments. 

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Zion is named for churches, decorated with every kind of device, but they have forgotten and mocked "the King of Kings, Lord of Lords" (KJV Revelation 16:9).

7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Where is the Humanist decree that Jesus was - and is - the Son of God? born of the Virgin Mary? everlasting?

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

This is the clearest possible description of the Father/Son relationship, which begins with Genesis 1:1 and continues throughout the Scriptures. The heathen will fill in the gaps as the fallen away are lost.

Wisdom from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Artwork from Norma Boeckler

From Baby Boomers to the Gradual Retirement Rush

OK. Hyperbole!

Most of us Boomers have looked around to see ourselves in our more flexible categories. Sadly, many of our best friends and kindest relatives have passed along the way.

That has made my memories more acute, but no, I am not going to recite all of their best stories or mine. 

One of the enjoyable hobbies is including others who seem to be withdrawn or shy. The least suggestion can bring a smile or a reason to be in a particular place. 

Batman!

"Oh How Terrible!" - GJ - Please Don't Say That! Enjoy the Love Instead!

Bethany, age 4, Christmas joy.

 

I often have discussions with people in assisted living, because we are in the same age category, more likely in their 80s and 90s, so I am young to many.

When they ask about my daughters having a neurological disorder with no cure, they say, "Oh how terrible!" I have to intervene. 

Bethany Joan Marie and Erin Joy did have difficult lives with no medical cures. However, I always say, "They had the worst possible condition, but both girls loved everyone, laughed easily, used their facial expressions, and expressed love for so many people. Both girls were eager to help us!"

I recite Psalm 91 out loud every day, which explains how the Son of God deals with our troubles, pains, fears, and grief. I began recently at someone's house and continued with the Psalm 91's graphic at Sleepy Eye Assistant Living.

I was looking at three photos. They are Christina with Erin Joy together - and Bethany Joan Marie starring in her Christmas dress at the age of four. All three of them are glowing with love, happiness, and delight. Erin loved her swing.

So to cheer myself up every afternoon, I look at the two photos on the wall and cry a little bit with that angelic joyfulness and love. They are not far away but very close, not in sorrow - but in letting their everlasting love show through Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.

Christina knew what was ahead of us - and how much was needed through our Savior.

From Puppets to Redhat! Happy Birthday, Martin!
Nobody could have been a better brother to Bethany and Erin Joy!

KJV Psalm 91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Perhaps Many Still Want To Appreciate the Traditional Christian Faith

 

Bainton made Luther's history a household term and the standard for all denominations. I bought my copy in high school, after picking Here I Stand at a paperback store.

I noticed, the day before yesterday, that the number of people using Ichabod was about 25,000 views during a 24-hour day. That was in contrast to the normal number, more like 5,000 views.

The nation cries out that no one is interested during Holy days, That reminded  me of one layman that his could not get his own congregation to have mid-week services of any kind. His explanation from the pastor was, "No one cares."

Our Ash Wednesday service had 36,950 potential views yesterday. Moreover, the worship material - based on The Lutheran Hymnal - was not only good for the day but also available from the past and far into the future.  

 Bainton signed his own sketches so he missed out on the Church Growth frenzy. Compare him to Fuller Seminary personal sketches.

"This is what I found on line

Ash Wednesday to mark the start of Lent, symbolizing repentance, humility, and mortality. The ashes, made from burned palms from the previous year, serve as a physical reminder of human frailty—"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return"—and a call to turn away from sin. 

In Christ,

Norma Boeckler"

Ash Wednesday - Previous Broadcast with Communion. The Service Can Be Started with the Link

  

The Hymn #154     Alas and Did My Savior Bleed                         

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

I will cry unto God Most High: unto God that performeth all things for me.

Yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge: until these calamities be overpast.

Psalm. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that Thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent, create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual  

The Epistle

KJV Joel 2:12-19

12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? 18 Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 19 Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

Gradual

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee.

V. He shall send from heaven: and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up.

Tract. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins: nor reward us according to our iniquities.

V. O Lord, remember not against us former iniquities: let Thy tender mercies speedily come to us, for we are brought very low.

V. Help us, O God of our salvation: for the glory of Thy name

The Gospel

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Praise be to Thee, O Christ!              

The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Hymn #419               O'er Jerusalem - Anna Hoppe (WELS, Augustana)

Grace without Faith Is a Disgrace

The basis for the entire universe is the opposite of what people think, promote, and garnish. That must be true, because we see the evidence around us and to some extent somewhat in us. Why? Because the Old Adam is always there with us, spawning many kinds of remedies, never enough and often far worse. Look at the way the nation's "lawmakers" refuse to be even a little bit polite. In another place of politics, the smoke grenades were tossed into the discussion - no, really. Look at Serbia. Or look at us. Half the Congressional audience refused to cheer and clap for the boy with brain cancer who wanted to be an honorary cop. 

"Amazing Grace" is often sung, and it has good intentions. However, the words obscure - hide - what the Word of God says. Every word is a tool, and so every word helps or ruins the thought. The concept is quite simple, which can be the reason for the falsehood.

KJV Romans 5 -

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Many clergy and laity have shunned me and argued against me (the Bible actually) based on Romans 5. "Justified by faith" simply means that the faith created by the Gospel marks us as forgiven through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Faith means complete trust in the Savior, the Good Shepherd, the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We know all is ours in faith because the Bible starts with the Father ordering Creation and the Son executing each command. That is not obscure but as clear as can be. The Father ordered Light before the sun and galaxies existed, and the Son executed the command. Thus the universe was utterly dark without the Son making Light happen. And so it continued in the Six Days, which were real days, not Daylight imaginary time.

Genesis 1 proves this, though most are blind to it. "And there was Light." Dad may fall down the basement stairs because he did not turn on the switch. Genesis 1 makes it plain that there are two phases - ordering Let there be Light and execution "And there was light."

Verification comes from John 1 -

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same [very emphatic] was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

To absorb this - Read Psalm 1, where the Law (Torah) is encompassing, not simply The Law. (Like the grace error) Torah means Teaching, including Law, Gospel, and Blessings.

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the Teaching (Torah) of the Lord; and in his Teaching (Torah) doth he meditate day and night.

grace = access by faith 

Go over these phrases that are marked and keep returning to them. Grace means forgiveness, blessings, removal of pain, guilt and sorrow, joy from overcoming burdens, and so forth. 

Access is a plain old word. Don't look it up - it's just access. I have an appointment at the tuxedo shop. One thing is sure - I will look very strange if I am wearing gardening clothes and floppy shoes. Access can mean a meeting place, so it is extremely powerful because it is the Spirit at work in the Word. So if we look at troubles, sins, catastrophes, sorrows, pains, we have access by grace to brush those things away - and to grow the fruits of the Spirit (John 15).

Christina wore a Swedish crown, donated to Augustana through Sweden.
She had access to the crown.

The Hymn #312        Lord Jesus Christ Thou Living Bread                           

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31

The Hymn #370            My Hope Is Built

Let's Not Forget Presidents' Day

 

Paul Kengor - and others - have placed George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan at the top of their lists for America's greatest executors.

Alas! Too little is done to emphasize what these men have done. The next race will be quite a turning point, especially for the better. 

"And beyond that triumph, what Reagan did in added areas merited bestowing him the title of best of the 20th century. His countrymen so appreciated him that he was reelected by winning 49 of 50 states and the Electoral College 525-13. Reagan twice won California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and even liberal Massachusetts. The only state he couldn’t win in 1980 or 1984 is the bizarro Minnesota. Reagan was widely beloved."  

Norma Boeckler - Noah's Ark

 

Quinquagesima Sunday 2026 - 10 AM Central Standard TimeClick Link for YouTube

 

https://youtu.be/9qGcNR5mAo8

Quinquagesima Sunday - 2026 - Previous Year

The Hymn #458   Luther    Our Father Thou in Heaven Above                         

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Be Thou my strong Rock: for an house of defense to save me.

Thou art my Rock and my Fortress: therefore for Thy name’s sake lead me and guide me.

Psalm. In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in Thy righteousness.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O Lord, we beseech Thee, mercifully hear our prayers and, having set us free from the bonds of sin, defend us from all evil; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle 

The Epistle. 1 Corinthians 13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

Gradual

V. Thou hast with Thine arm redeemed Thy people: the sons of Jacob and Joseph.

Tract. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness.

V. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving.

V. Know ye that the Lord, He is God.

V. It is He that hath made us and not we ourselves: we are His people and the sheep of his pasture.

The Gospel

Luke 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

     

The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #142      A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

The Eyes of Faith

The Hymn #311        Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior - John Huss, above                     

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657                 Beautiful Savior 

The Eyes of Faith

Luke 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

At first it seems that these two passages are put together awkwardly, starting with the lack of understanding of the disciples. Although Jesus taught them carefully, they showed many examples of not really grasping the divinity and future of their Savior. Being very clear about what they heard, the disciples were even more lost - "they understood none of these things."

Nils Dahl quoted a description of this - (from class) - "The disciples were the dark background which made the brightness of Jesus all the more brilliant." That is a concise reflection. Modernists have their own ideas, which means they hear and read the words about Christ, but they treat the Savior as a very good person but not miraculous or divine.

This introduction reminds us of how much we are like the disciples. Our lives of faith can be in the background. We have learned a lot about the Scriptures, but the divine message is not so clear and forceful. Pastors fall into this just as much - if not more - than the typical church member. And we wonder what "typical" means now.

It is good to remember that the disciples are going up toward Jerusalem. That is symbolic and real at the same time. 

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

This is the great contrast which many overlook. We take these things for granted. The description is important - a certain blind man was on the side begging. He heard  the noise of the crowd, which alerted him. But he did not know. They told the beggar what they did not realize. They only said "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

That was important but the blind man knew so much more - not simply "Jesus of Nazareth" but "Jesus You (singular) Son of David. The crowd with eyesight could not see what the blindman saw and embraced - "have mercy on me."

Even today, the crowds rush by and create a commotion. 

39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

A large group of people came rushing by, but they only wanted to silence the blind man. Everything was upside-down, as it is today. Jesus the Savior is rebuked in every possible way and manner. The exception is being faithful and attentive toward the Good Shepherd, who not only protects them but also provides for them. Faith comes from hearing the Gospel in Isaiah 53 and Romans 10, plus many other sources.

40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Clearly the crowd were not believers but the blind beggar already confessed his faith in Jesus. The ratio continues  - "Many are called but few are chosen." All the people praised God but the days in Jerusalem showed that the same people cheering were also eager to jeer and mock Jesus.

There are many levels in this short passage, and they are worth considering.

1. Jesus described what would soon happen and argued - based on the Prophets, whose writings were preserved many centuries in the past. The Prophets had great authority, so they were the foundation of the New Testament .

2. Jesus Himself proclaimed His Messianic Promises, even though most did not believe unless given dramatic examples. 

3. The blind man knew about Jesus in advance.

4. Jesus confirmed His David honor, through the blind man's faith and confession.

Prayers and Announcements

Ash Wednesday - 7 PM