Podcasts about Divine Service

How Much Does It Cost? | Luke 14:25–35 Jesus tells His disciples to count the cost of following Him. At first, His words may sound discouraging—but in truth, they are meant to make us think about what truly matters in life. We build careers, families, and dreams like towers, but are we able to complete them? What happens if our plans fall short? Even more, can we construct a life that lasts forever and overcomes death? The truth is that discipleship comes with a cost—but so does not following Jesus. Our Lord counted the cost of saving us, and it cost Him His life. He paid it willingly because you are worth it to Him. This Sunday we'll reflect on what it means to count the cost and to rejoice that Christ has already paid the ultimate price for our salvation. Share your thoughts in the comments—how has Christ helped you see what really matters in life? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this livestream with others. Worship Times – Trinity Lutheran Church, Sheboygan Sunday – 8:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Pastor Peter C. Bender

Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Hymn “God Himself Is Present” LW 206 Readings:  Isa 29:18-19, 2 Cor. 3:4-11, Mark 7:31-37 Hymn of the Day: “O Christ, Our True and Only Light” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #50, LW 314, TLH 512) Sermon Offertory: "Create in Me…"         p.18 General Prayer………                    p.19-20 Hymn: “Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior” LW 237, TLH 311 Exhortation                                    p.21 Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship) Communion Hymns: “God's Word Is Our Great Heritage” LW 333 “My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker” LW 453, TLH 34 “The Lord, My God, Be Praised” LW 174 --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Trinity-Twelve-Cover-09-07-2025-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1114670578?share=copy Picture:  Ottheinrich Bible 1430 (II:37)  “Let the Little Children Come to Me” - Mark 10:13-16

When Higher is Lower…and Vice Versa | Luke 14:1–14 Pride isn't only arrogance. It can be the quiet voice of comparison, frustration, or resentment when others don't notice us. It whispers while we scroll through social media, envious of someone else's vacations or successes. Pride resists “messes,” but life is messy—like coffee spilled on clean carpet or a child getting sick before guests arrive. Yet Jesus enters our messes, just as He healed the man with dropsy at the Pharisee's house. Jesus warns us against seeking the places of honor. The world says moving up means status, salary, or likes, but in His kingdom, moving up often looks like moving down—caring for aging parents, changing diapers at night, or sitting quietly with a suffering friend. These humble acts, done in love, reflect His own humility. The Gospel is clear: Jesus humbled Himself to death on a cross to raise us up. Like a wedding guest expecting to sit near the kitchen but finding their name at the head table, we are welcomed to Christ's feast—not as outsiders, but as honored guests. Here at His Table, He feeds us with forgiveness and eternal life. The Church is not a showroom for the successful but a hospital for sinners. Like an ER that never turns away the sick, Jesus welcomes the broken. And He promises that when He returns, He will seat us at the eternal wedding banquet—a family reunion that never ends, never fractures, never fades. That is the joy set before us: where higher is lower, and lower is lifted forever in Christ. Worship Times: Trinity Lutheran Church, Sheboygan Sunday: 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday: 6:30 p.m. Website: trinitysheboygan.org Facebook: facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. ---- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

This discussion is an exercise in Heshbon HaNefesh (soul-accounting), focusing on the need to approach our service of God with the same seriousness and focus we dedicate to our most important worldly tasks. The central lesson is that all our actions must be performed with our full heart and attention. The Three Categories of Divine Service The Chovot HaLevavot (Duties of the Heart) divides our service of God into three categories: Solely of the Heart: This includes internal spiritual duties like love and fear of God, faith, and trust. Both Body and Heart: This category includes mitzvot that involve both physical action and spiritual intention, such as prayer and Torah study. Solely of the Body: These are physical acts that require initial intent but not constant focus throughout the action, such as shaking the Lulav or performing the mitzvah of Sukkah . The Heart of the Matter: The Importance of Intention in Prayer The core of our service, especially prayer, is the heart. The prophet Isaiah delivered a powerful rebuke to the people, saying, "This people honors Me with its lips and with its mouth, but its heart is far from Me." Prayer without intention and focus is likened to a body without a soul—it is essentially dead. The Chovot HaLevavot offers a powerful parable: a servant invites a king to his home, but then disappears to gamble while the king waits alone. Similarly, we invite God into a meeting through prayer, but if our heart is not present, we are not truly there. This is why, as we say at the end of our prayers, "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable before You." This is a bold request, as we are asking God to accept the thoughts that are often far from holy. To ensure our heart is present, the Chovot HaLevavot advises three mental preparations before we begin to pray: Know to Whom You Speak: Recognize that you are about to address the King of all kings. Understand Your Needs: Be clear on what you want from Him—your life, health, and sustenance. Choose Your Words Carefully: Consider the words you will use to make your requests. The Five Elements of True Prayer The words of our prayer are like the peel of an orange or the body of a person; the essence is the fruit and the soul. While the words are a vital tool, the true purpose is to ignite five fundamental feelings within the heart: Yearning: The soul's desire to connect with God. Humility: Humbly recognizing one's smallness before Him. Awe: Recognizing the greatness of the Creator. Praise: Thanking Him for all His kindness. Reliance: Casting all your burdens upon Him. Our sages created the siddur (prayer book) because they knew our hearts are fickle. The words help us organize and express these concepts. Although technically one can fulfill their obligation with thought alone, our words guide and anchor our thoughts. God has entrusted us with prayer, knowing that only we can truly know the sincerity of our own hearts. To live up to this trust, we must follow the counsel of the great sages, who would spend time before they prayed to clear their minds and prepare their hearts, recognizing that we are about to stand before a King who can read our innermost thoughts.

Pastor Peter C. Bender

Order a hymnal for your home Upcoming Events Wednesday, 6:00 pm: Faith, Family, Food, and Fellowship @ Trinity Sunday, 10:00 am: Divine Service with Holy Communion Food drive for Northlands Rescue Mission 11:20 am: Sunday School Thursday, September 11, 2:00 pm: WMF Bible study & meeting Sunday, September 14: Noisy offering for the Miriam Children's home in Brazil Monday, September 15, 6:30 pm: Deacons meeting 7:00 pm: Church Council meeting Saturday, September 20: WMF Fall Rally @ St. Paul's Free Lutheran Church, Fargo Sunday, September 21: Special offering for AFLC Schools

Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Hymn “How Precious Is the Book Divine” LW 332 Readings:  2 Samuel 22:21-29, 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, Luke 18:9-14 Hymn of the Day: “All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #49, LW 363, TLH 369) Sermon Offertory: "Create in Me…"         p.18 General Prayer………                    p.19-20 Hymn: “Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face” LW 243 Exhortation                                    p.21 Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship) Communion Hymns: “As Surely as I Live God Said” LW 235 “I Lay My Sins on Jesus” LW 366 “Delay Not, Delay Not, O Sinner, Draw Near” LW 349 --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Trinity-Eleventh-Cover-8-31-2025-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1114297102?share=copy Picture:  Ottheinrich Bible 1430 (II:30) Feeding the Four Thousand

Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Readings: Jeremiah 1:17-19, St. Mark 6:17-29 Hymn: “From All Thy Saints” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal ASBH #101) Sermon --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: August-29-Beheading-of-St-John-the-Baptist-Insert-2024.pdf https://vimeo.com/1112695873?share=copy

Dr. John Bombaro of St. James Lutheran-Lafayette, IN Our Most Subversive Song The post The Memorial Acclamation in the Divine Service – Dr. John Bombaro, 8/27/25 (2393) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Disciplined for Holiness | Luke 13:22–30 | The Narrow Door When I was young, I took piano lessons. My teacher was kind, but relentless. She circled the same mistakes week after week, making me slow down and repeat the basics until I could play them well. At the time, it felt tedious. But she wasn't punishing me—she was preparing me for something better. In the same way, God disciplines His children. His discipline is not aimless punishment, but loving training that shapes, strengthens, and prepares us for holiness. Through His Word, He teaches us the narrow way, that we may share in His holiness and enter the narrow door of life.

Pastor Peter C. Bender

Pastor Peter C. Bender

Demo Before Renno | Jeremiah 23:16–29 Anyone who has ever done a home renovation knows the mess comes before the beauty. Walls must be torn down before they can be rebuilt, dust clouds the air before fresh paint can be applied. In the same way, God's Word works like fire and like a hammer. It breaks down what is false, corrupt, and in the way—so that new life in Christ may be built up. Sin isn't just a blemish to be covered over; it's a deep corruption that requires demolition. The Word of the Lord refines us, burns away the dross, and rebuilds us in Christ's image. We must die before we rise.

Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Hymn “O Day of Rest and Gladness” LW 203 Readings:  1 Chronicles 10:6-13, 1 Corinthians 10:6-13, Luke 16:1-9 Hymn of the Day: “Oh, Blest the House, Whate'er Befall” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #47, LW 467, TLH 625) Sermon Offertory: "Create in Me…"         p.18 General Prayer………                    p.19-20 Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” LW 241 Exhortation                                    p.21 Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship) Communion Hymns: “To You, Omniscient Lord of All” LW 234 “What Is The World to Me” LW 418 “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us” LW 402 Closing Hymn: "How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word" LW 222 --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Trinity-Ninth-Cover-8-17-2025-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1110336438?share=copy Picture:  Ottheinrich Bible 1430 (III:38) The Shrewd Manager Luke 16:1-13

August 16, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 10 - Psalm 55:1, 12-14, 16; antiphon: Psalm 55:22Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 6:1-19; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23“Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!” (Psalm 55:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Isn't it a gift? In the lowest moments we have, the hardest experiences we struggle through, the long nights, and tear-stained memories - we get to cry out to God.I'll be honest, living through hurt, trauma, loss, brokenness, and betrayal are not situations I have usually considered ‘gifts' while going through them. Sin breaks all that God calls good. And yet, there is hope in those broken moments. Suffering is a mark of a Christian life. Struggling with sin, living life with and among sinners, and feeling wholly inadequate with your own shortcomings are daily difficulties; yet, suffering is a reality of life and a gift. You are never alone in those moments. In your Baptism, you are given the Holy Spirit, who creates faith in you to cling to the hope we have in Jesus. Indeed, Jesus became man and came into the mess and death of this sinful world and defeated our enemies for us. In the prayer that Jesus teaches us, we are taught to come to Him, to be reminded of all that God has done for us, and to ask for what we need—not because God isn't sure or doesn't remember, but so we can be refocused on the Giver of all that we need. Indeed, our lives are marred with sin, but we are not without hope. In moments of great pain and weakness, cry out to God. Ask for His attention and His mercy; be reminded and reassured that He is the One Who created you, redeemed you, sustains you, and is with you even now. Turn to God in the moments of disorder and pain; cling to and remember the promises that He has made. Go to the Divine Service, confess your sins and brokenness, and receive Absolution. Know that your guilt and shame are gone. Hear God's Word proclaimed and preached to you. Receive Jesus' Body and Blood in your mouth. Make the sign of the cross. Jesus' mercy is for you. He hears your cries, He counts your tears, He holds you within His hand. It is a gift to cry out for mercy and know that He Who is faithful will continue to give it. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Evening and morning, Sunset and dawning, Wealth, peace, and gladness, Comfort in sadness: These are Thy works; all the glory be Thine! Times without number, Awake or in slumber, Thine eye observes us, From danger preserves us, Causing Thy mercy upon us to shine. (LSB 726:1)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Hymn “For All the Faithful Women” HS98 #880 st. 9 Readings:  Isaiah 61:10-11, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 1:46-55 Hymn “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #99, LW 308) Sermon Communion --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: August-15-St-Mary-Theotokos-Insert-2024.pdf https://vimeo.com/1108851617?share=copy

Are You Living an Anxious Driven Life? Luke 12:22–34 | Do Not Be Anxious What drives your life—faith or fear? Jesus confronts the anxious heart and calls us to trust, not in ourselves, but in our heavenly Father who provides all things. Just as children rest securely in the care of their parents, so we are invited to live freely under the Father's loving provision. Anxiety fades when we remember who holds us.

August 11, 2025Today's Reading: Genesis 15:1-6Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 26:1-25; 1 Samuel 27:1-28:2; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13“But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?'” (Genesis 15:2)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These verses in Genesis are amazing promises that God gives to Abram: “I am your shield; your reward shall be very great; number the stars…so shall your offspring be.” This is miraculous! The old, barren couple will indeed have a child and will have an abundance of offspring! And yet, Abram can't help but be skeptical. “But God….”Can you see yourself in this skeptical response? I can. Here's the thing about sinners—we like fast results and we like control. We want what we want when we want it, and that's it. I don't want to wait. I don't want to trust. I want to control the timeline, the process, and the outcome. Lord, forgive me, a sinner. Incredibly, God is more patient than we are impatient. God is more merciful, gracious, loving, and forgiving than we can even fathom. In this exchange with Abram, God hears Abram's concerns and meets them with promises. God assures Abram that He will take care of Abram and his family. God has a plan, and it will come to fruition. In the same way, He hears our prayers. We come to Him, forgetting all that He has done, and protest about waiting or about not getting what we want. We come to Him with our sins and burdens, our complaints and our hurts, and He hears us. He WANTS to hear from us. Amazing. He answers us with mercy and grace. He reminds us that in Christ, all that we need has been fulfilled and provided. In Baptism, He took a dead, sinful thing and made it alive and new. In the Lord's Supper, He gives us the Body and Blood of His Holy and Precious Son for our nourishment and forgiveness. In the Divine Service, He gives us Absolution and His Word—His promises of salvation, grace, and love. And, just like Abram, who “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness,” we, too, are credited with the faith that believes. The Holy Spirit works in and through us, and yet God is delighted with us! Repent of your skepticism and cling to the promises of God. He loves you, forgives you, mercies you, and meets your every need. He has paid for your sins by Jesus' Death and Resurrection; you get to rest in hope and His perfect care of you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Amen, that is, so shall it be. Make strong our faith in You, that we May doubt not but with trust believe That what we ask we shall receive. Thus in Your name and at Your Word We say, “Amen, O hear us, Lord!” (LSB 766:9) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

Pastor Gehlbach-presiding; Pastor Fabrizius-preaching

August 10, 2025 Today's Reading: Luke 12:22-34 (35-40)Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 25:23-44; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These verses speak about anxiety. Yikes. Guilty—party of one. And often, when I read them, I immediately become anxious about how anxious I am and how I am not trusting…because I am anxious. Lord, forgive me, a sinner. Look at these words, though: “fear not…it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Fear not; deep breath. In my anxiety, I am afraid. I'm afraid to fail, afraid to be hurt, afraid I'm not enough, afraid that I don't have control…afraid. And yet, Jesus tells us to fear not. And here's the thing—Jesus is trustworthy. He can and does back up that directive. He has the answers to all my fears. Failure, hurt, enoughness, control…all of these flow out of my sinful, selfish nature. The Law shows me that I am a failure, hurtful, inadequate, out-of-control sinner. And yet, Jesus can and does tell me not to fear because He has paid for all of that; He has covered my shame and guilt. It is His now, and He has left it in the tomb—forever gone and buried. Fear not. And now, I can joyfully receive the Father's good pleasure! I can receive His Kingdom with peace and certainty! In my Baptism, Jesus takes my anxiety and gives me peace. It is through His work that I am right before God and safely found within His Father's House. Perhaps you, too, struggle with anxiety. Perhaps you, too, know that you are a sinner and worry about it. Make the sign of the cross, dear Baptized child of God. Remember that it is Jesus Who takes your sin and shame, and it is Jesus Who defeated it for you. Go to the Divine Service and hear the words of Absolution announced to you. Take Jesus' Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. Hear God's Word and be strengthened by His promises. You may still struggle with anxiety, but it does not define you. You are Baptized; you are named as one who belongs to Christ, and you can truly fear not. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty and merciful God, it is by Your grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service. Grant that we may walk by faith, and not by sight, in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen (LSB, Collect of the Day)Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Hymn “Dearest Jesus, at Your Word” LW 202 Readings:  Jeremiah 15:19-21, Romans 8:12-17, Matthew 7:15-23 Hymn of the Day: “The Will of God Is Always Best” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #46, LW 425, TLH 517) Sermon Offertory: "Create in Me…"         p.18 General Prayer………                    p.19-20 Hymn: “Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord” LW #240 Exhortation                                    p.21 Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship) Communion Hymns: “In God, My Faithful God” LW 421, TLH 526 “For Me to Live Is Jesus” LW 267, TLH 597 “O Holy Spirit, Enter In” LW 160 Closing Hymn: "Savior, Again to Your Dear Name" LW 221, TLH 47 --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Trinity-Eighth-Cover-8-10-2025-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1108828155?share=copy Picture:  Ottheinrich Bible 1430 (II:35) Healing of Boy Mark 9:14-32

August 7, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: What Sins Should We Confess?Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 20:24-42; 1 Samuel 21:1-23:29; 1 Corinthians 1:1-25Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord's Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts. (Explanation of What Sins Should We Confess?, Luther's Small Catechism)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There's an old expression used when someone gets stuck on the same topic and says the same thing over and over again; they're a broken record, we say. This is a perfect picture—or should we say, soundtrack—of Christ's Church. God calls his church to be a broken record. Not the kind that blasts an annoying earworm of a song into your head, but a blessed broken record playing the same thing over and over again. And what is that theme song? The record the church is called to keep spinning is the constant refrain of God's steadfast love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness.This is why Martin Luther once called the Church a mouth-house of forgiveness. The Church is a megaphone of God's grace and mercy. The Church stands in the wasteland of this fallen world like John the Baptist stood in the Jordan River announcing the Good News: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)This is why Christ builds his Church. You can find entertainment anywhere in the world. You can find social clubs and hobby groups all over social media. There are many good gifts God gives outside of his church, but the one thing we cannot find anywhere else is God's word and sacraments, his Gifts of forgiveness for you. For this reason, Christ built his Church and founded it on forgiveness. For you! His forgiveness won for you on the cross and given to you in Baptism, Absolution, the Gospel, and the Supper. After all, there are only two places where our sin can rest: on our shoulders or on Jesus'. And this is why he came, so that all our sin would rest on his shoulders on the cross. This is also why he gives us his Gifts of confession and forgiveness, and why the Church is a broken record, announcing God's forgiveness on repeat until Jesus returns. In the meantime, Jesus sends pastors to hear our confession and forgive our sin, every Sunday in Divine Service, and privately when guilt gnaws at you, or a particular sin sticks with you like that annoying pebble stuck in your shoe. And when we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore, That they may trouble us no more; We, too, will gladly those forgive Who hurt us by the way they live. Help us in our community To serve each other willingly. (LSB 766:6)Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

August 5, 2025 Today's Reading: Colossians 3:1-11Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 19:1-24; Acts 28:1-15“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3-4)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Springtime rolls around on the calendar, and you take a handful of pumpkin seeds, dig a hole in the garden, drop the seeds in the earth, and bury them. It's a funeral of sorts. The seed dies in the earth, but there's life hidden in the seed as well. Before long, the seed sprouts, vines grow, leaves burst out, and that first orange pumpkin appears.This annual gardening pattern is a picture of what Paul teaches us in Colossians. Being the Master Gardener that he is, God likes to hide things as well, burying them in the ordinary things of life. On Sunday morning your pastor—and fellow sinner/saint—stands before the congregation uses ordinary human words, sentences, and grammar, and yet hidden in those words is a gracious declaration of Good News: “In the stead and by the command of my Lord I forgive you all your sin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Later on in the Divine Service, you approach the altar, kneel, open your mouth, and reach out your hand to receive a plain, ordinary wafer of bread, and you drink from a cup full of wine. And yet, hidden in these earthly things is more than meets the eye: Jesus' Body and Blood and his promise of forgiveness. The same is true in Holy Baptism. The pastor takes good old H2O from a faucet, pours it in a bowl, splashes and empties it over your head. And hidden in and with the water is God's promise, pardon, and peace. Through these gifts of words, water, bread, and wine, God is hiding his goodness and grace for you in the ordinary gifts of creation, and in turn, he ensures that your life is like that pumpkin seed you plant in the garden. Your life is hidden with Christ. In Holy Baptism, he buries you with Christ and raises you to new life in Christ, so that one day, when the Gardener returns on the Last Day, he'll do for you what he did in his own resurrection on the third day. Like the seed that is tossed in the earth and later gives life, when Christ our Lord returns, he who is the firstfruits and the firstborn from the dead will return to bring you new life and bring you into the new creation.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Death has lost its old dominion, Let the world rejoice and shout! Christ, the firstborn of the living, Gives us life and leads us out. Let us thank our God, who causes Hope to spring up from the ground; Christ is risen, Christ is giving Life eternal, life profound. (LSB 479:3)Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Our Full Baptismal Inheritance | Luke 12:13–21 How much is enough? That's the question that drives both the man in the crowd and the parable Jesus tells. Key Takeaways: We're tempted to believe the lie that more is always better—more stuff, more security, more control. But Jesus confronts this false security with the story of a rich man who builds bigger barns yet dies before enjoying them. The problem isn't wealth itself—it's when we worship it. Earthly treasures fade, but Christ gives us a better inheritance: His righteousness, His forgiveness, and His eternal life. Sealed in baptism, fed in His Supper, and grounded in His Word, this is the treasure that will not perish. Reflect on what truly endures. Share your thoughts in the comments and help spread the Gospel by sharing this video. ✝️ Worship with Us at Trinity – Sheboygan, WI Sundays – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Mondays – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org

Pastor Gary Gehlbach presiding

In episode THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR, Jason, Mike and Wade the danger of treating God as an idea. We have one God in three Persons, not a big idea, and when we forget that it undermines preaching, teaching, the Divine Service, and the Christian life. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts Michael Berg @ 1517 Wade Johnston @ 1517 Let the Bird Fly! website Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music and Image used in this Episode: “The Last One” by Jahzzar is licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 International License. “Gib laut” by Dirk Becker is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License. “Whistling Down the Road” by Silent Partner.

Our Father Luke 11:1–13 What kind of Father invites you to pray? One who gave His Son for you. When Jesus teaches us to pray, He begins not with “Almighty God” or “Righteous Judge,” but with “Father.” That one word changes everything—it reveals not just a title but a relationship. In Christ, His Father is now your Father. His prayer is now your prayer. And yet, how easily we forget. We treat prayer like a last resort or a vending machine. We love the gifts more than the Giver. We go it alone. Earthly fathers, too, fall short—speaking in anger, failing to guide, or remaining absent. The Law shows us where we fall short as children and as parents. But Jesus points us to the cross, where the Father gave His Son to make us His own. In Holy Baptism, the Spirit teaches us to cry, “Abba, Father.” He gives us the courage to ask, seek, and knock. And the Father listens. He delights to hear your voice. That's why, just before the Supper, we pray the “Our Father.” It's the family table prayer of God's children. Here, the Father feeds us with the Body and Blood of His Son and says, “Welcome home.” ✝️ Worship with Us at Trinity – Sheboygan, WI Sundays – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Mondays – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org

Pastor Bender - presiding pastor

In episode THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THREE, Jason, Mike and Wade begin a new (second) series on the divine service. What is the divine service? What should call it? Why does it matter? The guys discuss all this and more. Look for new session in this series to come as we walk through the divine service and the Western Rite. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts Michael Berg @ 1517 Wade Johnston @ 1517 Let the Bird Fly! website Thanks for listening! Attributions for Music and Image used in this Episode: “The Last One” by Jahzzar is licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 International License. “Gib laut” by Dirk Becker is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License. “Whistling Down the Road” by Silent Partner.

The One Who Serves | Luke 10:38–42 Mary sat at the Lord's feet. Martha served with urgency. But Jesus did not rebuke Martha's service—He simply reminded her of what was most needful. In this moment from Luke's Gospel, we find both Mary and Martha giving and receiving. And in the middle of it all stands Jesus—the One who serves. He teaches, He receives, and He continues to do the same for us today. When we gather in worship, Christ serves us with His Word and Sacrament. And when we serve one another, He tells us that He receives it as service unto Himself. Key Takeaways: • Jesus comes to serve us in Word and Meal • We receive His gifts, and we respond in service • In serving others, we serve Christ Himself

Pastor Peter C Bender - presiding

July 17, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism - ThirdDaily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Galatians 5:1-26How can water do such great things? Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. (The Sacrament of Holy Baptism - Third)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever stopped to think about how intricately and delicately God created and sustains His creation and everything within it? Take water, for example. While I am not very smart in science, I remember that H2O means two hydrogen atoms with one oxygen atom. Any other combination is not water. It seems so simple, boring even. And yet, it is incredibly delicate and necessary that those two elements be present for something to be water. God has put unfathomable depth into the Gift of Baptism. Consider just the words quoted above; Baptism is water and God's Word. We just discussed what makes water water. And we know that it is God Who created water, including the element of water. In Baptism, God is using a tangible element that He created for His creation. And, the power of Baptism is the Word of God. Who is the Word of God? St. John tells us that Jesus is the Word of God. So, we learn that Baptism is the combination of His created element, water, with the 2nd person of the Trinity: Jesus. We have the Father and the Son present in this. And yet! The explanation continues— it is the faith that trusts that Jesus (this word of God) is in the water! How are we given faith to believe and receive? Through the power of the Holy Spirit! Do you see it? In this simple, boring Gift, God gives us Himself: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You matter. You have great value. You belong. How do I know? In Baptism, God names you as His Own: He marks you with His Name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He sustains you in this identity. He continues to give you what you need for this body and life. In the Divine Service, you receive the words of Absolution: you are forgiven. In the Lord's Supper, you receive Jesus' Body and Blood for you. You have been redeemed, adopted, and covered with Christ. Water seems pretty boring. Baptism can look pretty boring. And yet, consider the intricacies and the intentionality with which God gives His Gifts— to you. He created and sustained the world— for you. He sent His perfect Son to die and rise again— for you. He gives you the Holy Spirit to create faith that clings to and rests in His hope. Take comfort in this promise for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The gifts flow from the font Where He calls us His own; New life He gives that makes Us His and His alone. Here He forgives our sins With water and His Word; The triune God Himself Gives pow'r to call Him Lord. (LSB 602:2)- Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Jesus' Neighbor, and Yours Luke 10:25–37 | The Parable of the Good Samaritan Who is my neighbor? It's a question asked not just by a lawyer in Jesus' day, but by many of us still today. In one of the most well-known parables, Jesus shows that our neighbor is not defined by geography, background, or even behavior—but by need. The one who needs your mercy is your neighbor. The hymn reminds us, “The Law of God is Good and Wise” (LSB 579), and that law calls us to love, serve, and show mercy to all whom God places before us—yes, even the unlovable, the overlooked, and the outright difficult. Whether it's the wounded, the wicked, or the weary, the call is the same: “Go and do likewise.” Christ Himself is the ultimate Good Samaritan—He did not pass us by in our sin and death but came to us, bore our burdens, and paid the cost to make us whole. Now, in His mercy, we are set free to do the same for others.

July 14, 2025 Today's Reading: Leviticus (18:1-5) 19:9-18Daily Lectionary: Judges 14:1-20; Galatians 3:1-22“You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:10b)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. As you read these verses in Leviticus, perhaps you (like me) nod your head along with God's commands: “Yes - that is absolutely the right thing to do! Leave some for the poor. Tell the truth. Pay fair wages. Great rules, I concur!” These rules (The Commandments) are great on paper. They are absolutely the right way to engage with those around us. Well, until I am one of the poor, or the outsider, or the deaf, or the blind… then I would rather be in control, thank you. I can *handle* this. I don't need your or anyone's help; I. Am. Fine. Do you ever find yourself automatically assuming the role of the ‘doer?' You have, you don't need. You understand, you aren't confused. You give, needy ones receive. And yet, can you honestly say that you have never been the one in need? That you have never been the one ‘on the outside?' Why is it so hard for us to admit that we are dependent and poor and lost and in need? God is giving rules to His people to curb their sinfulness, yet He is also showing mercy. The Ten Commandments are indeed gifts; these are listed in Leviticus and show us the vocational roles and the boundaries that we have with one another. Also, though, they connect to Who God is: “I am the LORD your God.” We have this God! We have this merciful, loving, providing, forgiving God! Even when I won't admit my need, He fills it. Even when I think I am ‘in charge,' He shows me I am not. How do I know? In Baptism, God takes the dead man and breathes new life. On Good Friday, Jesus declared, “It is finished” as He died the sinners' death to redeem all of the world. Every Sunday, in the Divine Service, we hear, “I forgive you in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Sometimes, you might get to be the ‘doer' who serves their neighbor and gives of what you have; thanks be to God. And sometimes, you will be the poor and the outsider in need of relief, sustenance, love, and forgiveness, and others will care for you; also, thanks be to God. In both cases, though, you are covered by and made new through your Savior Jesus; you are connected to our merciful and gracious God. Thanks be to God.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Oh, how great is Your compassion, Faithful Father, God of grace, That with all our fallen race In our depth of degradation You had mercy So that we Might be saved eternally! (LSB 559: 1)- Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Pastor Gehlbach presiding

Msgr. Roger J. Landry Chapel of the Vincentian Seminary, Krakow Friday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I Memorial of Saint Benedict July 11, 2025 Gen 46:1-7.28-30, Ps 37, Mt 10:16-23   To listen to an audio recording of today’s homily, please click below:  https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/catholicpreaching/7.11.25_Homily_1.mp3   The following points were attempted in the […] The post Entering into the Challenging School of Divine Service, 14th Friday (I), July 11, 2025 appeared first on Catholic Preaching.

What Brings You Joy? | Luke 10:1-20 On this Fourth of July weekend, we pause to reflect on a deeper kind of joy—one that cannot be shaken by trials or taken away by time. True joy isn't just a smile or fleeting emotion. It's a lasting peace, rooted in Jesus Christ and His finished work. In Luke 10, Jesus reminds us not to rejoice in worldly success or power, but in something far greater: “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Sin distorts God's gifts and leaves us restless. But through the cross, Jesus won for us complete forgiveness—removing guilt, shame, and fear. Our eternal joy was purchased by His suffering and death, and it is renewed each time we receive His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. We give thanks for the earthly freedoms we enjoy—especially the freedom to worship and proclaim the Gospel. But even these are temporary compared to the unshakable joy of belonging to God's Kingdom, a joy sealed in Baptism and nourished in the Church. Rejoice! Your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. ✝️ Key Takeaway: Our joy isn't found in success, safety, or earthly freedom, but in Jesus—crucified, risen, and present with us in Word and Sacrament.

Rev. Peter C. Bender, presiding

The Face of God | Luke 8:26–39 What do we see when we look into the face of Jesus? In a world that reads faces to judge character, status, and identity, Christ reveals something far deeper: the very heart of God. In this week's Gospel, we encounter Jesus as He heals a man possessed by demons—showing His divine authority, compassion, and the unshakable peace He alone can give. Through this act and through His journey to the cross, Jesus shows us not only His power, but His purpose: to set His face toward Jerusalem for our salvation.

Pastor Peter C Bender

Yahrtzeit Yomi #1520!!כז סיוןRav Dovid Trenkמורי ורבי הרב מנחם יחיאל דוד ב״ר אברהם יהושע העשיל טרענק(1940 - 2019)TAYREH REBBEH!!

Jesus Overcomes Our Estrangement | Luke 8:26–39 Estrangement is more than distance—it's a broken relationship, where communication has collapsed and people live in separation, sometimes even hostility. In Luke 8, we meet a man who embodies this estrangement: isolated, tormented, and living among the dead. Yet Jesus crosses the sea to reach even him. In this sermon, we see how Jesus heals the man possessed by a legion of demons, not merely to show power over evil—but to overcome separation. Separation from self. From others. From God. That same Savior still comes to us today—through the boat of His Church, in the power of His Word and Spirit. He brings healing where there is hurt, communion where there is division, and peace where there was once only torment. Jesus overcomes our estrangement. Key Takeaway: Jesus doesn't avoid the broken—He seeks them. He brings the Gospel to the spiritually isolated, and He restores us to the family of God.

Rev. Peter C. Bender - presiding

Pastor Bender - presiding

Join the congregation of St. John in prayer each day at 9 a.m. CST. We meet as a congregation for Divine Service each Sunday at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and on festival days, where God serves us with His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation.WEBSITE: https://sjrl.org EMAIL: church@sjrl.org SUPPORT: https://sjrl.org/donate SERVICE BULLETINS: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1omip_adCkH9LlnL8LXWUWdYG-tMl-VXg&usp=drive_fs SUBSCRIBE:YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StJohnRandomLake Rumble https://rumble.com/c/stjohnshermancenter Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stjohnrandomlake/live X https://twitter.com/STJLRandomLake Odysee https://odysee.com/@stjohnshermancenterApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lutheran-preaching-and-teaching-from-st-john-random/id1344559511Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2ANc5uTut6dXPyeUEsPspY?si=b1b4e0fce3004e04Overcast https://overcast.fm/itunes1344559511RSS https://anchor.fm/s/25c9700/podcast/rss

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN “Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service” by Arthur Just “Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50” by Arthur Just “Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53” by Arthur Just The post The Easter Hymn, “The Strife is O'er, the Battle Done” – Dr. Arthur Just, 4/21/25 (1111) first appeared on Issues, Etc..