Beatitudes Based on the Previous Post

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Beatitudes Based on the Previous Post

The Hymn #656     Behold a Host Arrayed in White          

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect 

in one communion and fellow-ship in the mystical body of 

Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

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

Collect

O almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion 

and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, 

grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly 

living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared 

for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, 

our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual    

Oh, fear the Lord, ye His saints: 

for there is no want to them that fear Him.

V. They that seek the Lord: 

shall not want any good thing. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden: 

and I will give you rest. Hallelujah!

 

The Gospel              

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

The Sermon Hymn # 463            For All the Saints                   

                    The Word of Faith Towards God

The Communion Hymn #313              O Lord We Praise Thee - Luther

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

 By Norma A. Boeckler

Revelation - Epistle 7:2 ff

Gospel

KJV Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Art for Norma Boeckler_2026

 

Celebration for Reformation Sunday - Final Version,

 

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Celebration for Reformation Sunday - Final Version

 

Hymn # 262      A Mighty Fortress         

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

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

The Hymn #387     Dear Christians One and All            

Luther's Protest - 

Meaning a Positive (pro) Testimony (test)

 See below.

The Communion Hymn #267   If God Had Not Been on Our Side                    

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 #259  Flung to the Heedless Winds 

Prayers and Announcements

• Lori Howell; Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shader; mourning the loss of Glen Kotten's father.

           

KJV Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

KJV Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Romans 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.

Collect

O almighty, eternal God: We confess that we are poor sinners and cannot answer one of a thousand, when Thou contendest with us; but with all our hearts we thank Thee, that Thou hast taken all our guilt from us and laid it upon Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and made Him to atone for it: We pray Thee graciously to sustain us in faith, and so to govern us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may live according to Thy will, in neighborly love, service, and helpfulness, and not give way to wrath or revenge, that we may not incur Thy wrath, but always find in Thee a gracious Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Luther's Protest - 

Meaning a Positive (pro) Testimony (test)

Sermon Part 1 - Grape Press to Gospel Miracle

Martin Luther (b. 1483) that sums up the role of the printing press in the Protestant Reformation: “Printing is the ultimate gift of God and the greatest one.” (History.com)

England and Germany got into printing very slowly because the numbers were so small. But Luther's 95 Theses printed over 5,000 copies in two weeks (1517) Luther's prolific German established his language instead of clinging to Latin, which was the norm of scholars. 

The two countries expanded printing into more languages, and more presses came from more broadsheets (one page), books, and customers. I used to ask college students about the Renaissance era highway signs and books they had at home - they didn't!

Thousand-Year Effect on the Christian Faith

Medieval communication was very limited and extremely expensive, provided only for a few volumes and mostly one language - Latin. That era can be covered from Augustine's death in 430 to Luther's death in 1546.

Rome controlled its power, language, and dogma through the Pope, cardinals, bishops, and priests, very much like the ancient Roman armies and its punishments. Augustine said about a debate, "Rome has spoken; the case is closed."

Part 2

The hippies, then and now, seldom offer positive testimonies. Luther was an unusual man with great capabilities. He was trained at first to serve as a lawyer, town magistrate. But Luther was caught in a terrible storm (1505) and thought he would die. He prayed to be sent into the priesthood and he was soon welcomed into the very strict Augustinian order which comforted him in many ways. 

Luther's father did not want a priest for his father, and later made a point about his son having children. (Luther thought about having children and Katherine von Bora sealed the bargain, 1525.)

The early Luther (monk and priest) immersed himself in obeying the Church of Rome and becoming obedient to its demands. But he was also among many who compared the Scriptures against the Vatican, raised at Wittenberg University into the professor's job of teaching the Bible itself rather than a thousand years of fog and disorder.

Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ

Many of us - though not enough - have labored to teach Lutherans what the so-called leaders have tried to force - the truth of the Apostle Paul and Luther against the ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC...and some other sects. All of them insist - one way or another - that the entire world has been absolved of all sin, without faith, in Jesus Son of God.

The Apostle Paul was furious, as he wrote, that

Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

What about forgiveness? Is forgiveness there without the Good Shepherd, without the flock trusting, believing, loving the Savior? And yet clergy are shocked that they are without a genuine Gospel, without members!?  

Nothing is more comforting than forgiveness through faith in Son of God. People can go through great turmoil with humility and trust in Jesus. In most cases, one person asks for forgiveness, which makes the other partner ask forgiveness as well.

An abundance of forgiveness rests upon the Lord Himself, because 

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.

I said it before - "Everyone wants access," and that was more than two thousand years ago. The grace we have is by faith in Jesus. 

Where are all the methods, without faith in Him?

Where are the magical chemicals, guaranteed for success?

Where is peace when the storms fall around us?

God provides.

Exaudi Sunday - Earlier Version

 

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Exaudi Sunday - Earlier Version

 

Exaudi Sunday - Borrowed From 2025

 

                        Exaudi Sunday, The Sunday after Exaudi

                                                                Borrowed From 2025

                                       Exaudi Sunday - 2025.

                                    9 AM

 

The Hymn #145 (text)              Jesus Refuge of the Weary    (tune - Jesus Refuge)          

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Hear (Exaudi), O Lord, when I cry with my voice: Hallelujah!

When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face, 

my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek: 

Hide not Thy face from me. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm. The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: 

whom shall I fear?

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

Collect

Almighty, everlasting God, make us to have always a devout will toward Thee and to serve Thy Majesty with a pure heart; 

through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. God reigneth over the heathen: 

God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness. Hallelujah!

V. I will not leave you comfortless: 

I go, and I will come again to you, and your heart shall rejoice. 

Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #523      Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me?

                         The Spirit of Truth

            

The Communion Hymn #314         Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray - Henry Eyster Jacobs

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

In Our Prayers

• Friends and members appreciate the power of God's Word.

 Graphic by Norma A. Boeckler

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.  2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.  3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.  4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

The Spirit of Truth

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

So many learned professors make fun of the Trinity - or - deny these simple words. Nothing churns up reaction to the Trinity more than this simplicity. Harvard Divinity School has libraries worth, but no truth. The emphasis of the Spirit is especially strong in John's Gospel, and this will show the listener why. Jesus is teaching His disciples about the Spirit managing the Father and Son. What was there in the beginning (Genesis 1 and John 1) is the energy of the Spirit, the direct power of God moving faithful ministers, organists, teachers, members, and parents. 

As described many times, in John 16:8 - 

8 And when He is come, He will reprove [expose or convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 

Sin is not the sins of the flesh, our egos, or many alternatives - The Spirit convicts unbelief. The Word is always energized through the Spirit - even when people are hardening their hearts against the Truth and blinding their eyes to Jesus Christ.

John 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended [scandalized, set off by the trigger in the trap].

Notice how early Jesus teaches, warns, and strengthens the disciples. They were right on the edge when they gathered inside locked doors. Fear overcame faith, and through Jesus faith overcame fear. That was so strong with the risen Christ that it led them into the opposition and rejoiced in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ - the Good Shepherd, the True Vine, the Way the Truth and the Light.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.  3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Like Jesus, the disciples would be removed from the synagogues. They would be pursued and even killed for teaching the truth. Like Paul, who came along rather early, some of the most antagonistic toward Jesus also became His followers. The crowds were overwhelmed by the witness of Stephen, and his death by stoning opened up the Heavens to Christ and His glory. 

Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

These things had to happen because the Antichrist was stirred up by the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 

This passage - look at how much more needs to be said, up to and including John 21. The events, discussions, and conflicts are quite condensed. They have remained the Word of God over the centuries. Many people speak or write from their perspective, but that does not mean they are correct. Luther called them "wolf preachers," who are eagerly followed by many. When people complain about this, it is a reminder of what Jesus described in John 10. Those who hear His voice follow Him - He leads them out to the pure water and green pastures. Those are the three elements most needed - His voice, food and water.

They listen to His Voice but many do not. I can count four churches I served, where the buildings are either empty, a small business, or demolished. Bethany began from members of two congregations, moved to Phoenix, and then to the Internet. We used phones at first, handed a video camera (with great reluctance), and moved from ancient IBM video streaming, then to Vimeo, finally to Zoom.

The foundation is not in creating a building. That arrived with the papacy, priests, bishops, and the pope. 

The foundation is the Word of God, as clearly portrayed (but often ignored) in the KJV. This has been turned upside-down, with the unscrupulous moving from the Word itself to interpretations and endless puerile arguments about the footnotes and other highways and byways. 

The Spirit is always in the Word and will not make the gimmicks of the day fruitful. The gimmicks devour themselves, as they are doing now, because they are no better than the ashes and poisons of the past.

John 16:8 And when He is come, He will reprove [expose or convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me;

Great Reformation Hymns - Words and Melodies

 

The hymnal music below needs The Lutheran Hymnal or the printed words. Participants can use more or less of these classic hymns. Links will soon be on the margin of the Ichabod front page.

TLH-258   Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation     Herzliebster Jesu

1. Lord of our life and God of our salvation, Star of our night and Hope of ev'ry nation, Hear and receive Thy Church's supplication, Lord God Almighty;

2. See round Thine ark the hungry billows curling: See how Thy foes their banners are unfurling. Lord, while their darts enveloped they are hurling, Thou canst preserve us.

3. Lord, Thou canst help when earthly armor faileth; Lord, Thou canst save when deadly sin assaileth; Lord, o'er Thy Church nor death nor hell prevaileth; Grant us Thy peace, Lord:

4.Peace in our hearts, our evil thoughts assuaging; Peace in Thy Church where brothers are engaging; Peace in Thy Church where ;brothers are engaging; Peace where the world its busy war is waging, Calm Thy foes' raging.

5. Grant us Thy help till backward they are driven; Grant them Thy truth that they may be forgiven; Grant peace on earth or, after we have striven, Peace in Thy heaven.

TLH-259   Title - Flung to the Heedless Winds  Martin Luther 

1. Flung to the heedless winds Or on the waters cast,

The martyrs ' ashes, watched, Shall gathered be at last.

And from that scattered dust, Around us and abroad,

Shall spring a plen-teous seed Of witnesses for God.

2. The Father hath received their latest living breath,

The martyrs' ashes, watch, Shall gathered be at least,

And vain is Satan's boast Of victory in their death.

Still, still, tho' dead, they speak, And, trumpet-tongued, pro-claim

To many a wak-ning land The one availing Name. Amen.

TLH-260    O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold  Martin Luther   Ach Gott von Himmel

TLH-261    Lord, Keep Us Steadfast   Martin Luther  Erhalt Uns Herr

1. Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word, Curb thou who fain by craft and sword Would wrest the Kingdom from Thy Son And set at naught all He hath done.

2. Lord Jesus Christ, Thy pow'r make known, For Thou art Lord of lords alone; Defend Thy Christendom that we May evermore sing praise to Thee.

3. O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth. Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life.

TLH-262    A Mighty Fortress Is Our God    Martin Luther   Ein' feste Burg

1. A mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty Shield and Weapon, He helps us free from ev'ry need That hath us now o'ertaken. The old evil Foe Now means deadly woe; Deep Guile and great might Are his dead arms in fight; On earth is not his equal.

2. With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected. But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is, Of Sabaoth Lord Ad there's none other God; He hold the field forever.

3. Tho' devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill, They shall not overpow'r us, This world's prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none, He's judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.

4. The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it; He's by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit, And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife, Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won; The Kingdom's ours re-main-eth. Amen.

TLH-263     O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe   Winkworth translation  

1. O little flock, fear not the Foe Who madly seeks your overthrow; Dread not his rage and pow'r. What tho' your courage sometimes faints, His seeming triumph o'er God's saints Lasts but a bitter hour.

2. Be of good cheer ; your cause belongs To Him who can avenge your wrongs; Leave it to Him our Lord, Tho' hidden yet from mortal eyes, His Gideon shall for you arise, Uphold you and His Word.

3.As true as God's own Word is true, not earth not hell with all their crew Against us shall prevail. A jesr and by-word  are they grown; God is with us, we are His own; Our victory cannot fail.

4. A-men, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer; Great Captain, now Thine arm make bare, Fight for us once again! So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise A mighty chorus to Thy praise, World without end. A-men.

TLH-264      Preserve Thy Word, O Savior  Herzlich tut mich

TLH-265    Thine Honor Save, O Christ, Our Lord    Erhalt, uns Herr

TLH-266     O God, Our Lord, Thy Holy Word     O Herre Gott

TLH-267        If God Had Not Been on Our Side   Martin Luther    Waer Gott nicht mit uns

TLH-268       Zion Mourns in Fear and Anguish   Johann Heermann  Zion Klagt

TLH-269    O Lord, Our Father. Shall We Be Confounded    Johann Heermann