Pr. DFD

Friday, June 12, 2026

June 13 – Saturday prior to Proper 6

John 3:16-18 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “God Loved the World so that He Gave” {LSB 830} Taken from a familiar verse of the Scriptures the Savior explains the motivation the Father had in sending His Son into the world. The purpose of His coming was to redeem and save us.

A new season is upon us. The Christian year consists of two cycles: preparing, celebrating, and then living into our discipleship to Jesus Christ. The first of these is Advent through the Season after Easter. The second is the Season after Pentecost.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave your life meaning and worth. For His resurrection announces that your every dissatisfaction with church, school, work, family, life, yourself, it's all buried forever. Instead, you are righteous in God's sight and an inheritor of eternal life.

So that you would hear and believe these glorious new realities which are yours by Jesus' blood and merit, He gathered His church back together again and gave them one command, one singular task, "Preach this Gospel."

The Season after Pentecost begins and ends with what we might call “bookend Sundays.” These Sundays provide the frame for what comes between them.

Trinity Sunday is the first of these. Christ the King, functions as the second.

Trinity Sunday launches us into our life’s vocations after Pentecost with a celebration of the Triune God in whom all our lives and activities are grounded.

Christ the King, this season’s other bookend, point us to our final destination in the culmination of the reign of the one who makes us and all things new. All the readings are related to one another and are focused on the gospel lesson appointed for each Sunday.

Collect for Pentecost 2–O God, whose never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth, put away from us, we entrust you, all hurtful things, and give us those things that are profitable for us; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘Crucifixion’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Thursday, June 11, 2026

June 12 – Friday prior to Proper 6

Psalm 100– This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. The key verses is verse 3c “We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture” In light of our lessons we rejoice that we have this new found connection with the Savior, a connection caused by the Savior’s amazing grace and favor.

Psalms 93; 95-99 proclaim “The Lord reigns,” Psalm 100 is the thankful doxology. The reader is encourage to proclaim, “O be joyful.” Philip Melanchthon a contemporary of Luther wrote concerning this psalm, “ We are not born by accident, nor do we live…by our own thoughts and powers, but we live with God, who give4s us life and preserves us.”

Psalm 100 is certainly one of the most familiar psalms of the entire book of psalms finishing only second in familiarity to Psalm 23, the shepherd psalm.

The common Doxology (Lutheran Service Book 805) sung to the tune, Old Hundreth, finds its inspiration from this psalm. Forever joined together are the Church’s much loved song of praise and the psalm that calls for such praise. How unfortunate when we fail to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Yet, even then we know He is good. In fact, He gave His Good Shepherd Jesus, to make one day particularly good. We call it Good Friday.

We are the sheep of your hand, O Lord. Fill us with joyful praise as we seek to serve You. Amen

1 All people that on earth do dwell,

sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:

Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,

come ye before him and rejoice.

2 The Lord ye know is God indeed,

without our aid he did us make;

We are his flock, he doth us feed,

and for his sheep he doth us take.

3 O enter then his gates with praise,

approach with joy his courts unto;

Praise, laud, and bless his Name always,

for it is seemly so to do.

4 For why? the Lord our God is good,

his mercy is for ever sure;

His truth at all times firmly stood,

and shall from age to age endure

Collect for Proper 6 – Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

__________________

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

June 11 –Thursday prior to Proper 6

Matthew 9:35-10:8 – Through the ministry of the Word Jesus calls disciples and sends them out to preach.

Jesus calls twelve disciples and sends them out to preach and heal. After teaching, preaching, and healing in various villages and cities, Jesus is impressed by the condition of the people — harassed, helpless, and lost. Their condition moves him to have compassion on them. To meet the need, he appoints the twelve and sends them only to the Jews to preach and heal. As they received the gospel free of charge, they are to give the gospel free of charge.

Jesus’ ministry was a total ministry to the total person. It consisted of teaching, preaching, and healing: a ministry to the mind through teaching, to the heart (soul) through preaching, and to the body through healing. Since we are an inseparable unit of body, mind, and spirit, the church’s ministry today needs to include this threefold ministry.

The Savior said, “As you go, preach this message: ‘the kingdom of heaven is near.’ What they were to say was a simple and yet a direct message: “The kingdom of God is at hand.”

Likewise, for you in whatever station of life you find yourself – simply share Christ. How do you do this? Consider Luther’s explanation to the 2^nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed.

Who – I believe that Jesus Christ, true God begotten of the Father from eternity and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary is my Lord.

What - Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil.

How -Not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.

Why - That I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Jesus as He is risen from the dead lives and reigns to all eternity.

The movement of the Christian is both in and out, coming and going. As you have received the gospel free of charge, give the gospel free of charge to those the Lord has placed in your life.

God, our maker and redeemer, You have made us a new company of priests to bear witness to the gospel. Enable us to be faithful to our calling to make known Your promises to all the world

A Prayer for purity– Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

June 10– Wednesday prior to Proper 6

Romans 5:6-15 – Through the cross of Christ God’s love is seen as Christ dies for the sinner. God’s love is seen in Christ’s dying for sinners. It is not likely that anyone would die for a good person. How much less would one die for a bad person?

In his letter to the Romans, Paul addresses a predominantly Jewish audience. Jews living in Rome in the 1^st Century understood life with the thought that there were, at any given time, three groupings of men living on planet earth. They believed that humanity was divided into three categories of class;

Ø There were a few; they were, “The Righteous.” (Tzadikim Nistarim)

Ø Next, came, “Good men.” (Benim)

Ø And finally, there were; ‘The sinners’ or ‘Evil-ones.’ (Resha’im)

The “righteous” were in a category all their own. They needed no help from God. They were already perfect, holy and pure. The world was still intact and would not spin out of control because there were at least a few righteous men on the earth at any given time.

Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly destroyed because the Lord could not find any righteous men living there. Such righteous ones were men such as Abraham, Enoch, Elijah, and Job just to name a few.

Those reading Paul’s letter for the first time were very serious concerning their faith. Through ritual, a strict following of the law and by holy living they remained ethical, moral, principled, “good men.” Their goal was simple. Become even better.

The rest were simply good for nothing. They were trolls. They were “the dirties” of the world. They were beyond help. They were to be shunned. They were “the ungodly.” They were “helpless, sinners.” Beyond God’s mercy.

Stay clear of them, the good men were warned. Evil ones were to be avoided. At all costs.

So imagine the reaction that must have happened when Paul’s audience heard these remarkable words.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

This turned their moral compass upside down! It literally rocked their world!

So how do you understand words such as love, mercy, and grace? God’s love for us reveals true love. Only by knowing Christ’s mercy are you able to show mercy. Again, this is not a natural characteristic of sinful humankind. By God’s grace, every believer not only knows these divine words but also believes them and lives them.

"When you were dead in your sins and in the un-circumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins." – Colossians 2:13

God reveals His love for us in the person of His Son Jesus. As you have received mercy; be merciful.

“God be merciful to me, a sinner.” – Luke 18:13

Monday, June 8, 2026

June 09 – Tuesday prior to Proper 6

[1]

Exodus 19:2-8 – Through obedience to the covenant the people at Sinai are reminded by the Lord that they are His people. God tells Moses that if the people will keep the covenant, they shall be his people. We do not know who we are until we know whose we are. If we belong to God, we understand who we are — children, sons, and servants of God.

The children of Israel are described as a kingdom of priests. As the consecrated priests would stand between God and his people so the people of Israel would act as priests to the world, set aside by God for service, witness and prayer. Israel would be a priest to all the nations of the world. Today, Jesus perfectly mediates between sinners and God.[2]

Luther said, “Do not despair after sin, but lift your eyes on high to where Christ intercedes for us. He is our Advocate. He intercedes for us and says, “Father I have suffered for this person; I am looking after him.” This prayer cannot be in vain.[3]

Trust in the Lord’s promises for you today.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:50

Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:15

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

The Church also intercedes on behalf of the world. Peter explains, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

For humility - Heavenly Father, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace.[4]

Sunday, June 7, 2026

June 08 – Monday prior to Proper 6

Psalm 67:1-7 - This is the Psalm portion from which the Introit for next Sunday is taken. The antiphon is taken from verse 3, “Let the People praise You O God, let the people praise You.”

The word for today based on Psalm 67 is the word “Service.” We gather publicly for a worship service. Then in love we spend our time in service to our neighbor. The question may be asked, “which work is essential?” Which is essential for the Christian, worshipping God or serving the neighbor? To which we reply, “Yes!” You really can’t separate the two. Both are necessary. Both are essential.

The Psalmist exclaims, “O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.” - Psalm 28:6 and again, in Psalm 122:1 David teaches, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Jesus proclaims, “‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:40 In the book of Hebrews we are reminded, “For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.” – Hebrews 6:10

Jesus said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39

Worshipping God and serving your neighbor – both are essential to the Christian faith.

Throughout the centuries God’s people have always responded in loving service. In every opportunity as you are given to attend to your neighbor do so in loving service. Remember always, in Christ you are free; free to worship, free to serve, free to love. May the Lord use you to be an instrument of His peace.

Almighty God You show mercy to Your people in all their troubles. Grant us always to recognize your goodness, give thanks for Your compassion, and praise Your Holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Proper 6 - Series A notes (Pentecost 3)

Pentecost 3

Exodus 19:2–8
Romans 5:6–15
Matthew 9:35—10:8 (9–20)

The Lord Our God Saves Us in Love and Cares for Us by the Ministry of His Gospel

The holy Triune God “shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,” ungodly and at enmity with Him, “Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The incarnate Son has justified us by His blood and reconciled us to His God and Father (Romans 5:9–10). Whereas sin and death originated with Adam, forgiveness and life abound for all his children “through the one man Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:12–17). As the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, so does He bring us to Himself by the Gospel and make of us “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6) by our Baptism into Christ. For “all that the Lord has spoken” (Exodus 19:8), Christ has done for us. As He has gone up to God by His cross and resurrection, so does He bring us to the Father in Himself (Exodus 19:3–4). Nor does He leave us “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36), but He sends men with authority “to heal every disease and every affliction” by His forgiveness of sins (Matthew 10:1). In their proclamation, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

35 Καὶ περιῆγεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας, διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν.

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.

36 Ἰδὼν δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἐσπλαγχνίσθη περὶ αὐτῶν ὅτι ἦσαν ἐσκυλμένοι καὶ ἐρριμμένοι ὡσεὶ πρόβατα μὴ ἔχοντα ποιμένα.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

37 τότε λέγει τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· Ὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς, οἱ δὲ ἐργάται ὀλίγοι·

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

38 δεήθητε οὖν τοῦ κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ ὅπως ἐκβάλῃ ἐργάτας εἰς τὸν θερισμὸν αὐτοῦ.

therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

The Twelve Apostles

1 Καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων ὥστε ἐκβάλλειν αὐτὰ καὶ θεραπεύειν πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν.

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

2 τῶν δὲ δώδεκα ἀποστόλων τὰ ὀνόματά ἐστιν ταῦτα· πρῶτος Σίμων ὁ λεγόμενος Πέτρος καὶ Ἀνδρέας ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ, Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ Ἰωάννης ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ,

The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3 Φίλιππος καὶ Βαρθολομαῖος, Θωμᾶς καὶ Μαθθαῖος ὁ τελώνης, Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ Ἁλφαίου καὶ Θαδδαῖος,

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;[a]

Some manuscripts Lebbaeus, or Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus

4 Σίμων ὁ Καναναῖος καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν.

Simon the Zealot,[b] and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

ὁ Καναναῖος meaning zealot

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

5 Τούτους τοὺς δώδεκα ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς παραγγείλας αὐτοῖς λέγων· Εἰς ὁδὸν ἐθνῶν μὴ ἀπέλθητε καὶ εἰς πόλιν Σαμαριτῶν μὴ εἰσέλθητε·

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,

6 πορεύεσθε δὲ μᾶλλον πρὸς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ.

but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 πορευόμενοι δὲ κηρύσσετε λέγοντες ὅτι Ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’[c]

ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν - The kingdom of heaven has come near

8 ἀσθενοῦντας θεραπεύετε, νεκροὺς ἐγείρετε, λεπροὺς καθαρίζετε, δαιμόνια ἐκβάλλετε· δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,[d] cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13