Norma Boeckler - International Artist - Loves the Fourth Gospel

 

The Feast of Pentecost Based on 2025. 9 AM Central.

 

From the The Feast of Pentecost - on 2025, 

 Art by Norma A. Boeckler.

 

 From Norma A. Boeckler

The melodies are linked in the hymn name. 

The lyrics are linked in the hymn number.

• The melody site is linked here.
• TLH Lyrics are linked on the Bethany Lutheran Hymnal Blog

The Hymn #1         Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty    
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: Hallelujah!

Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm. Let God arise; let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

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

Collect

O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth, etc.

The Epistle

Gradual 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: 

and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah!

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful: 

and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

The Gospel 
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 224   Luther - Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord 

The Communion Hymn #227       Come, Holy Ghost, in Love 
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 #309       Kingo - O Jesus Blessed Lord

In Our Prayers

• Lynda Roper earlier. 
• Christina Jackson's 78th anniversary is today
• Prayers 
•  Norma Boeckler has been included in another art exhibition.

KJV Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

KJV John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

A Pentecost Lesson

KJV John 14:23 If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The Holy Spirit is so plain and simple - and yet so profound - that we need to pay attention to the concept. The Spirit connects with the Father and Son, the Three are One.

Importance - The Father will send the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, because they do not believe in Jesus Christ. That is the over-riding work of the Spirit, unbelief in the Good Shepherd is the one and only factor. Faith in Jesus Christ is the Spirit's object. This is so simple and yet so profound. And some will obsess on the environment (as they see it), recycling, or many other items.

We have to learn about the Trinity because there is a smog screen of many different attitudes and priorities. People scoff at the Holy Trinity because it is unique, the clear sign of God in Three Persons.

In contrast, the pagan world invents thousands of gods and has enormous sources of their false teaching. From the beginning of the Christian faith, people abandoned their false religions and became believers in Christ. That happened because the teachers and disciples revealed the truth and performed miracles as well. Truth and miracles continue.

So it continues - we pray through the Son and through the Father. Prayer is from the Holy Spirit.

Or this - the Word of God is carefully preserved and saved in the Scriptures -  the unique Word of God, conveyed by the Spirit. 

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

These brief sayings all point toward the works of God - nothing for those who scorn and reject the Word, everything for the power, energy, and mercy of God. People can fashion themselves very wise - and glory in their rejection of what they cannot see - or what they demand and cannot understand.

A helper pointed out some plants growing fast by the porch and having orange flowers. "What's that? Looks like weeds." I said, "They are weeds. I planted them." Consternation! I added, "Those are butterfly weeds. Butterflies like them, and so do the gardeners." The weed-wacker was put down.

The difficulties of life often put us in strange, hurtful, or awkward situations. What we desire is distant from the way God works, but first we need to defer to the Scriptures and not our instant emotions. They build our Spiritual wisdom.

It's easy to see how people abandon the Word of God. The complexities cannot be imagined, there is so much to study, absorb, and apply. The Holy Spirit's wisdom in the Scriptures often open up to treasures we never imagined until that day we realized the truth.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

We all know our weaknesses, but the Holy Spirit knows and addresses them. Isn't it absurd that someone can have a problem, say nothing out loud, recall from memory, and connect with God's wisdom? That is the foolishness of mankind, thinking, "That is impossible! 

I can buy some self-help books from the Self-Help Book of the Month Club!  or"An attorney-in-fact, also called an “agent,” is a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person, known as the “principal,” typically to perform business or other official transactions."

One must have faith in Jesus Christ to open the door to His eternal Kingdom and gather peace from it. And faith comes from Him, or we might say, faith in Him gives us access to God's grace and forgiveness. The Word of God teaches us by hearing, reading, and remembering the Gospel. 

Revelation 1:7-8 KJV

 

Christina Jackson Enjoyed Her Swedish Wedding Crown - Birthday, August 22

August 22, 2026 - 78th Birthday.
Christina wore the Swedish crown for her wedding.

Engagement photo.

Chris loved to tell the nurses - Erin Joy loved that middle initial. They both did!

Norma Boeckler wondered if I could find her splendid garden. 

Martin enjoyed the calendar photo - and bakeries. 

 

I Love British Royalty - Especially the Royal Dog

 

Augustana College - Swedish Wedding Crown.Rock Island, Illinois.

 

Christina favored the tradition of the Swedish wedding crown, so I used a different version for a model as a 78th Birthday Anniversary on August 22, 2026 - this week. A very heavy crown is used for the ceremony and returned to the college.

Mornings Awaken with Beautiful Biblical Songs!

 

Vimeo for the Earlier Trinity Sunday

 

Trinity  - Previously Trinity 3, 2026

 

Trinity 3 2026. Luke 15 and the Gracious Mercy of God

9 AM Sunday, 

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

The Third Sunday after Trinity, 2026

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

Bethany Lutheran Church

The Hymn #650                Behold a Stranger 

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Turn Thee unto me and have mercy upon me: 

for I am desolate and afflicted.

Look upon mine affliction and my pain: 

and forgive all my sins.

Psalm. Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: 

O my God, I trust in Thee, let me not be ashamed.

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

Collect

O God, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy that, Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual  

Cast thy burden upon the Lord: 

and He shall sustain thee.

V. I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me: 

He hath delivered my soul in peace. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. I will love Thee, O Lord my Strength: 

the Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer. Hallelujah!

     

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #436            The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want

       

God And Angels Rejoice

The Communion Hymn #179                     On My Heart

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 #49                 Almighty God Thy Word Is Cast

In Our Prayers and Announcements

• Medical treatment -those with emotional issues and those with metabolic disorders. Tom Fisher - very tough year with the sheep.

 By Norma A. Boeckler

KJV 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

KJV Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.  3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Third Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we all like sheep have gone astray, having suffered ourselves to be led away from the right path by Satan and our own sinful flesh: We beseech Thee graciously to forgive us all our sins for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ; and quicken our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may abide in Thy word, and in true repentance and a steadfast faith continue in Thy Church unto the end, and obtain eternal salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end Amen.

God And Angels Rejoice

KJV Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth [welcomes!] sinners, and eateth with them.

Luke 15 is often called Luke's Great Passage - the Loving Mercy of Jesus.

1. The Lost Sheep - Luke 15:1-7

2. The Lost Coin - Luke 15:8-10

3. The Lost Son - Luke 15:11-32.

These three passages are distinctive in dealing with one particular theme, Jesus' gracious love - comparing that to the self-righteous or works-righteous Pharisees and scribes.

The Lost Sheep is not so much about the animal but God. 

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

This is painfully clear. The works-righteous have their feet to the fire, as people say. Someone could have 100 sheep and still go after that one sheep until it is found. How about seeing people as God does? Sheep are timid, easily frightened, hard to control. The owner cares about them and their suffering. So this part alone is easy to see - the scribes and Pharisees are placed in the position of God. Jesus is saying, "Wouldn't you go out and look for that sheep, dying in the wilderness, growing weaker by the hour?" Our emotions would respond - we have to try. We can't let the little guy suffer. We will find him! But that is not all! The owner will search until he finds the lost sheep.

1. Searches
2. Finds
3. Lays it on the shoulders - 
4. Rejoices
5. Calls friends and neighbors - 
6. Rejoices
7. The lost one is found!
8. More joy in Heaven than the 99 almost perfect ones - a jibe from Jesus - for those who think they are without sin.

I often hear from people who have reached the bottom of life from alcohol and drug abuse. The Savior has rescued them from almost complete destruction and have experienced the long passage back from the wilderness, which very difficult. But it also means someone can be a good counselor after coming back. 

Most importantly - This is a parable about the graciousness of God. He delights in mercy.

When graduate students write about how tough Jeremiah is, I remind them of the name that came from the prophet's long, angry speeches. The denunciations are called jeremiads, in honor of Jeremiah. But I respond to Jeremiah 31

31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

This is a great follow-up, which can make anyone sweat bullets - as they say - go bats trying to find lost items - tickets, glasses, maps, etc. Once again, the emphasis is about rejoicing over the lost coin. Just as the angels rejoice in this parable, so does the individual have joy in telling the friends and neighbors. 

The joy is over repentance, not coin collecting. Just as we find a thrill in the object of value lost and then found, even more significant are the angels rejoicing over one repentant sinner.

From Jesus - The Sermon on the Mount

 

Trinity 24 2026 - August 10 - YouTube

 

Trinity 24 2026 - August 10  - YouTube

 

Trinity 24, 2024

YouTube

 

The Hymn #  577                 God Bless Our Native Land                      

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Oh, come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.

For He is our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.

Psalm. Oh, come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.

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

Collect

Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual   

Gradual

Thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

V. I love the Lord: because He hath heard my voice and my supplication. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. With Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light. Hallelujah!

    

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #236                Creator Spirit By Whose Aid         

              

Two Examples of Faith and Power

The Communion Hymn #  307            Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord   

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 #240      Father Most Holy

Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Matthew 9 begins with a number of episodes and sayings, then  a father fearing he had lost his daughter but asking Jesus to bless the girl and give her life. The father has great faith in Jesus, asking that He lay His healing hand on the girl so that she might live.

19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 

They were together but all of them responded to the request, Jesus rising up and the disciples following. This beginning of a miracle is framed by another request for healing, the woman with an extended, painful, and difficult disorder. We can see from the Gospel of Mark that Jesus performed miracles, and they were so many that they were grouped together. 

A delightful German woman in Ontario had this to say to people who never went to church. "So you are better than Jesus?" The targets would say, "Oh no. I am not saying I am better than Jesus." She always responded, "You must be better than Jesus because he prayed in the synagogue." Jesus' prayers are emphasized in all four Gospels. Miracles are offensive among the modernists, who want the blessings of the Gospel but not faith of Jesus. Others take these celestial matters for granted, as if everything else was important but not what belongs to God Himself.

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

This is the well known miracle concerning the woman who was suffering from a long-lasting disorder - 12 years. She had so much faith in Jesus - faith comes from hearing the Gospel - Romans 10 - that she was confident of His healing power. On the other hand, Jesus knew the thoughts and understanding of all those around Him. She did not need to touch His robe, but it was good for the crowd to realize what was happening. That spread the Gospel but also incited the works-righteous who found many ways to be offended.

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Luke 8:43ff has a lot more details.

Mark 5:25ff has details similar to Luke.

This collection of three stories annoys the skeptics because they want everything smooth and rational. Their little-faith content concerns the Son of God having this power, so the writers and editors want to make it smooth and not offensive in any way. That leads to people changing the facts and also exaggerating what they want to enlarge. As Nils A. Dahl said, "What do we know for certain? The text! That is what we know."

The text is the very Word of God, and we should honor that and be patient with the difficulties of life. When we are young, we are impatient about everything. Decades later, we marvel at how fast things went and even how well the worst situations turned out.

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 

This is especially dramatic. Everyone is already in mourning and certain of the facts. The young lady has passed away and they are engaged in carrying out their duties. The noisy mourners are completely wrong, relying on the problem rather than the divine solution. We can glean quite a lot from a few Biblical miracles:

1. They may not happen immediately.
2. They can take a very long time to reveal themselves.
3. They can take place anywhere .
4. They can be expressed in many ways.

24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 

The truth of Jesus the Messiah is met by laughter and scorn. That is how the Gospel moves forward. Those who harden themselves against the Savior may see their foolishness at times and repent. Here the mourners make matters worse by being coarse and obnoxious. 

Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luke 8:51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Jesus response was not to bring fire and brimstone down on the scornful noise-makers. He shocked them the greatest possible way, by taking the young girl's hand so they could feel the sting of their foolishness, the joy of her parents.

America is going through a chastening. People laughed with scorn over a real estate tycoon running for president. His faults were piled up to heaven, but he won the first election. The second election had 15 million (or more) extra votes - higher than either 2016 or 2024. People laughed that he could get past all the obstacles on his way to the 2024 election, including a bullet wound and another attempt.

If we continue on this course of promoting trafficking, abortion, toxic drugs, and every style of life except the traditional family, we will experience fire come down from heaven, as it did before, with Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 13 - and Romans 1:28-32.