Fourth of July Celebration

For July 4 And Beyond, 2026

Yale - For July 4 And Beyond

 

More Corrections Will Follow

The Hymn #345                       Jesus Lover of My Soul  

1. Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide.
Oh, receive my soul at last!

2. Other refuge have I none;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee.
Leave, ah, leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me!
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

3. Wilt Thou not regard my call,
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo, I sink, I faint, I fall;
Lo, on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope, I stand,
Dying , and behold, I live!

4. Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in Thee I find.
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name;
I am all unrighteousness,
False and full of sin I am;
Thou art full of truth and grace.

5. Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin.
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.

                                                        

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me: O Thou, my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee.

Be merciful to me, O Lord: for I cry unto Thee daily.

Psalm. Rejoice the soul of Thy servant: for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

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

Collect

O Lord, we beseech Thee, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thy help, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

Gradual

It is better to trust in the Lord: 

than to put confidence in man.

V. It is better to trust in the Lord: 

than to put confidence in princes. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Hallelujah!

The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

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

The Sermon Hymn #396                           O For a Faith                                

 

The Communion Hymn #467            

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 #54             

"Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"
by William Williams, 1717-1791
Translated by William Williams, 1717-1791
and Peter Williams, 1722-1796

Tune - Guide Me - linked here

1. Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.

2. Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell's Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #54
Text: Exodus 13:21
Author: William Williams, 1745
Translated by: William and Peter Williams, 1771-1772
Titled: "Arglwydd arwain trwy'r Anialwch"
Composer: George W. Warren, 1884
Tune: "Guide Me"
Alternate tune - Cwm Rhondda - below

Beautiful Savior - MLC Choir

"Beautiful Savior" under the direction of Eugene B. Nelson, with the Midland Lutheran College Alumni Choir, April 2008 in Fremont, Nebraska.

"Beautiful Savior"
by Author Unknown, 1677
Translated by Joseph A. Seiss, 1823-1904

1. Beautiful Savior,
King of Creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I'd love Thee,
Truly I'd serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.

2. Fair are the meadows,
Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer;
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

3. Fair is the sunshine,
Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels in the sky.

4. Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!

Hymn #657
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ps. 45: 2
Author: unknown, 1677
Translated by: Joseph A. Seiss, 1873
Titled: "Schoenster Herr Jesu"
Tune: "Schoenster Herr Jesu"
1st Published in: "Schlesische Volkslieder"
Town: Leipzig, 1842

Psalm 19 - Possibly the Most Beautiful Psalm

 

Andromeda

19 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Major Changes on the Ichabod Blog

 

Doubtless many have changed the the lucks of their areas. I recalled several old warhorse churches in Moline, once big and now in ruins. No one would have guessed that in the 1950 onward. 

Denominations have even less sparkle than what they promoted for those glitzy days. They were bound to collect the response of their attractions. No?

Many of us hardly add up the numbers and wonder when the nose-dives will last.

Trying Out Reformation Hymns Today

Two enormous booms lit up the sky as I was setting up the Reformation hymns. Some worked well. Others struggled, perhaps because of demands of the sound.

I will be working more on this today. I am glad to be reminded of the Bethany Lutheran Hymnal. Norma Boeckler and I scooped a lot of hymns and artwork into an earlier stage. That makes it easy to find classic hymns and use them in various ways. 

Reformation Hymns - The Lutheran Hymnal -

 

Sunday, June 28, 2026

9 AM

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

Augustana and the Hymns - And Statements on Sunday, June 28th

I should have bought this in 1956!

The Assisted Living computers became troublesome today, so I worked on the interior network, using the unseen collection. 

OK, I moved some wiring for the Boss, and he is always finding the solutions. Nothing is more exciting than an improvement with great results.

Sunday at 9 AM (God willing) will provide the best of Reformation words and music. Each should click the words on and also play the music at home (or at the office).

The Augsburg Confession - Augustana, in Latin - Established the Biblical Truth

 

I joined Salem Lutheran Church and consequently signed up for Augustana College. My mother graduated from the college. I met Christina the first day of Augie (as they nicknamed the school in 1966). Chris and I graduated from Augustana, 1969, and we married on the way to Waterloo, Ontario.

What can I say about those 60 years, starting with the Augustana College degree - no longer connected with the Augsburg Confession in name or substance?

Through college, seminary, and various schools - I enjoyed the Biblical languages and the Book of Concord, but the "scholars" are washed away by indifference. The best I can do is an emphasis on the Scriptures (King James Version).

A sheep farmer, Tom Fisher, often adds to the graphics with his flock.

Augsburg Confession and the Apology: Justification by Faith Sections Linked Here

 

Augsburg Confession and the Apology: 

Justification by Faith Sections Linked Here

The Complete Augsburg Confession

What Is Justifying Faith? - The Apology - Part 3

That Faith in Christ Justifies - The Apology - Part 4

That We Obtain Forgiveness By Faith Alone in Christ - Part 5 - The Apology

Herbert Hoover and the Declaration of Independence

Herbert Hoover and the 

Declaration of Independence

The 31st president saw faith, constitutionalism, and individual liberty as inseparable.

by John Hendrickson

“The founders of our republic under Divine inspiration” established a “great political system,” which is “unique in the world,” argued Hoover. However, Hoover understood that principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were based upon heritage.

“God has blessed us with another wonderful word — heritage,” affirmed Hoover. Further, Hoover noted that the “great documents of that heritage” were “the Bible, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution, within them alone can the safeguards of freedom survive.”

Both Christian faith and the English constitutional heritage were foundational. “When our nation was founded, it drew its strength and being not only from great political and social truths, but from spiritual convictions from a deep and abiding faith in Almighty God,” proclaimed Hoover.

Leave It To Beaver - Family Favorite

Eddie Haskel, Beaver Cleaver, Wally Cleaver
Ken Osmond, Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow
1957 - 1963


This show has endured because of its classic situations, based on the experiences of the writers.

"Leave It To Beaver" brings back memories of Moline situations. Here is one:

Wally: "Beav. You didn't brush your teeth."
Beaver: "How did you know?"
Wally: "Your toothbrush is still dry."
Beaver: "OK. I will go back and get it wet."

The demonstration on how to make the tube dirty, to fake a bath, was another classic, and taken right out of the Jackson playbook. I wondered at the time, "Who told?"

Mathers is still collecting from the show.
He cut a deal to share in the merchandising.
Lumpy is his investment advisor!

Every Single Morning - Daily at Garfield Elementary - Mid-1950s.

 

I WAS THERE!

My teacher/mother (and siblings) were at Garfield. That meant the four Jackson kids learned a lot in those years. The baby of the family became a Marine and lawyer. My older brother aimed for business. My sister wanted to be a teacher. 

Norma Boeckler Fashioned This for Father's Day

 

Father's Day came through with Bethany the older girl,

Erin Joy on the lower right.

Father's Day, 2026 - 9 AM Central

  

From Concordia Choir  

Beautiful Savior linked here.

 The Concordia Choir (Moorhead, MN) - 

Beautiful Savior F.Melius Christiansen

Bethany Lutheran Church

Pastor Gregory Jackson

• The melody site is linked here.
• TLH Lyrics and artwork are here.

The Hymn # 476                              Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand              

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: 

of Him and through Him and to Him are all things.

Psalm. O Lord, our Lord: 

how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!

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

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us, Thy servants, grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst lump us steadfast in this faith and evermore defend us from all adversities; who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual   

Gradual

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who beholdest the deep; 

and who dwellest between the cherubim.

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: 

and greatly to be praised forever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers: 

and greatly to be praised and glorified forever. Hallelujah!

   

The Gospel               

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Athanasian Creed             p. 53
The Hymn # 246                              Holy, Holy, Holy       

We Praise Thy Name

The Hymn #250                  Holy God We Praise Thy Name

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   - Another Version       

Prayers and Announcements

• Diagnosis and treatment - Sarah Buck, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Kermit Way, Lito Cruz; those with emotional and metabolic distress.
• Father's Day is June 21, 2026.

     

KJV Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

KJV John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  

For God So Loved the World

KJV John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Two leaders, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43-45), risked their lives in dealing with the convicted person, Jesus. 

(Mark 14:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. 

They were both high in the ranks and therefore the most vulnerable. This episode might be called a prequel, Jesus knowing all about Nicodemus, who was soon to understand genuine faith in the Savior. 

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Coming to Jesus in the pitch black night was good proof that Nicodemus was cautious, fearful. A knock on the door would give me goosebumps, but Jesus already knew this. Nicodemus honored Jesus as one of God's teachers and a miracle worker besides. However, he was timid in approaching the Son of God, as many are today. That is really the theme of this passage - being tentative, shy, and anxious.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jesus countered with a black and white statement, a yes or no. Verily twice was emphatic, there is no maybe with seeing/experiencing the Kingdom of God. Testing Jesus is a way of Nicodemus displaying his tentative trust in the Savior. Our lives are filled with that much and more. Fears in our lives and faith in God are a battle, and many fall over onto the side on fears, which is natural. This is a battle between fear and faith.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

The emphasis from Jesus is so strong that Nicodemus, highly educated, falls into absurdity. That shows us how easily someone falls down the fear slide, sometimes to the bottom. What we want is absolute insurance and a few back-ups as well. The dial for us has to move over to certainty to take comfort in what we expect.

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

This is the turning point of the passage. "Never take counsel of your fears," as the saying goes. This is clearly stated in John 16:9 - the Spirit condemns those who do not believe in Jesus. The Spirit (also known as the Word) does not condemn except for not believing in the Savior. It is very convenient to be condemning all the time, when one statement alone condemns those who do not trust the Good Shepherd, which is beautifully described in Luke 15. The lamb is lost and alone, bleating away, and the Savior lifts it up, takes it home, and rejoices with all his friends - he was lost but now is found, -

Luke 15:5 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. [Not - How many times have I told you?] 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.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 

This is a real person and he represents all of mankind. This is the point where the Savior emphasizes with great detail.

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  

There is the option of the Law, which only makes the burden greater. Or - the option of faith, which is an ongoing blessing and enlightening Spirit. We can stink-eye the neighbor or relative, or unleash friendship, help, joy and cheer. 

The Gospel of John repeatedly teaches us the Little Gospel - 3:16 - and expresses it in many ways. I had the burden of hearing about the Great Depression because my parents' adult life started with that era. As one comic said, "It must have been Great because they never stopped telling us about it." But the complaint was true, even though we moaned about the stories. The more I grew into adulthood, the more I appreciated the automatic responses of perfectionism, working hard, helping a neighbor, etc.

And also, I realized how much older people knew and responded.