Pr. DFD

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Time in the Word ~ Easter 5

Time in the Word

The People of God

Easter 5

May 8-13, 2017

Easter 5 begins to look forward to and prepare us for the ascension and Pentecost. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares the disciples for His departure. In Lesson 1 we see the ascended Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Because of the resurrection and ascension, we are God’s people offering spiritual sacrifices. The focus of the Lesson is on God’s people. Psalm 31 relates to Stephen’s martyrdom. The Prayer concerns God’s people who love God’s commands and desire God’s promises. The Hymn deals with the Gospel, Jesus as the way.

A Daytime Collect for Eastertide Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit.

Collect for Easter 5 - O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

A Prayer for an Answer to Prayer – Almighty God, since You have granted us the favor to call on You with one accord and have promised that where two or three are gathered together in Your name You are in the midst of them, fulfill now the prayers of Your people granting us in this world knowledge of Your truth and in the world to come life everlasting.

For Industry – Lord Jesus Christ, as once You shared in human toil and thus hallowed the work of our hands, prosper those who maintain the industries of this land, give them a right regard for their labors, granting them a just reward for their toil and joy in serving You and supplying our needs.

An Evening Collect for Eastertide Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your Holy Word and sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity.

Monday, May 8, 2017 – Psalm 146 - The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit is taken from Vs.2, “I will praise the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to My God as long as I live.” This Psalm is an encouragement to trust in the Lord. The is the first of five Hallelujah Psalms which closes out the book of Psalms. Having walked with the Savior observing His Passion during Lent we now rejoice in the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation which is our through the cross and empty tomb.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017 – Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60 – God’s people believe the gospel. The apostolic church has problems of growth. The ministry is too busy and the spiritual functions are being neglected. Members are complaining about their being neglected. What church would not like to have a problem like that, such as lack of parking space on a Sunday morning, insufficient seating space for Sunday morning service, or crowded Sunday school rooms? Why was this church growing? What will make any church grow? “The word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied” (v. 7).

Wednesday, May 10, 2017 –1 Peter 2:2-10 – God’s people are a chosen, holy people. As living stones in a spiritual house, Christians are God’s people. Peter’s letter is considered a sermon to newly-baptized people. As newborn children, they now need spiritual milk until they grow into maturity. The new Christians are likened to living stones in a spiritual house with Jesus as the cornerstone holding them together. Again, they are likened to a spiritual priesthood (priesthood of believers) which offer spiritual sacrifices. These Christians are the new

Israel

; God’s chosen people, a holy nation, and a royal priesthood. Because they received God’s mercy in Christ, they have changed from a nobody to a somebody.

Thursday, May 11, 2017 – John 14:1-14 – God’s people come to God only through Jesus. This is the beginning of Jesus’ “farewell discourses” that continue through chapter 17. The disciples are not to be troubled because he is going to prepare a place which is large enough for all. Moreover, he is the only way to the Father. To know and see Jesus is to know and see the Father. It is essential that the disciples know and believe in him and the Father. If they do, they will do greater things than Jesus did and their prayers, offered in His name, will be answered.

Friday, May 12, 2017 – Psalm 31 – This Psalm is a prayer when confronted by a conspiracy so powerful and open that all David’s friends abandoned him. According to Luke 23:46, Jesus applied verse 5 to His own circumstance. Those who share in His sufferings at the hands of anti-Christian forces are encouraged to hear and use this psalm in light of what Jesus has endured for us.

Saturday, May 13, 2017 – John 6:32-35 – is the inspiration for the hymn “At the Lambs High Feast we Sing“{LSB 633}. The manna, which came from heaven was from God. The Father still “gives” the true bread from heaven, which is life through His Son Jesus Christ. Who is this bread of heaven? Jesus answers for us in Vs. 35 “I am” the bread of heaven.

Sources:

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Confirmation

Confirmation
Isaiah 44:22
May 7, 2017
I have redeemed you

“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

When the confirmation class says, “Pastor we’ve chosen our verse.” I always hold my breath. What verse will they give me? What does it say? And why this one?

I hold my breath. Because, maybe I’ll have to say, “Choose another one please!” I hold my breath. Because, possibly, it might be a difficult text. So, when I say to you, “Pick a text,” I also say, “Choose…but choose wisely!”

The verse you have chosen is most excellent! For it is the voice of Jesus. Even if it comes from the Old Testament. “I have redeemed you!” These words are Gospel. They are life. Written from the prophet’s pen. Isaiah of the Old Testament. These are words you need to hear. Every. Single. Day. Speak them often. To yourself. And to others, “I have redeemed you!”

These words are beneficial for you throughout your life. They are appropriate for you at every station of life. As a young person. As you grow into adulthood. And when you are old.

Repeat them. When you need to be reminded of the Lord’s promises, “I have redeemed you!”

Repeat them. When you need to share with others the hope that is yours in Christ, “I have redeemed you.”

Repeat them. When you need to hear Christ’s word of forgiveness. “I have redeemed you.”

Repeat them. When you need to speak Christ’s words of pardon to another. “I have redeemed you!”

This word will guide your – Hear the word of our Lord -

“I have blotted out (Swept away) you transgressions like a cloud.” It is simply not in God’s nature to rest. Until everything is restored back to its intended created order. Jesus makes everything right. God silences and removes any testimony of sin against His people.

Christ has redeemed you. This means. He has ransomed you. Jesus has delivered on His promise. To buy you back. And make you His own. The Lord redeemed Israel by rescuing them from slavery. This is precisely what Jesus has done for you.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” In Christ, your sins have been forgiven. Where there is reconciliation. There is remission of sins. And what is this? Whether, we choose to call it – reconciliation. Or remission of sins. Or justification. Or redemption.

Or liberation from the claims of the devil. - Whatever you want to call it. – It’s all about Jesus! - We have been justified freely by Christ’s blood. “So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.”

The Lord’s words are sure -

“I have blotted out your sins like mist.” Jesus says, “I am He who blots out your transgressions. For My own sake. I will not remember your sins.” Like a cloud. He covers your sin.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” - Christ bought your freedom. From sin. From death. And the devil. The payment was His own perfect blood.

Now you will be tempted. To find various ways of living apart from God’s will. Tempted. Such as pursuing evil desires. Tempted. To follow other religious systems. Or simply relying on rituals or laws to save you. Yet there you will find no peace. No joy. No comfort. There is no redemption apart from Christ’s work. Remember these words, “I have redeemed you.”

“For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” Those crucified with Christ in Baptism have been freed from sin’s effects. As Christ lives eternally. He is no longer subject to death. He has conquered it. And in Christ so do you!

“He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world!” – The price that must be paid to free captives was given for all. Jesus willingly gave His life as the ransom for all held captive by sin and death.

Jesus’ act of self giving testifies to the desire of the one God that He wants all people be saved. This message and testimony continues throughout time until that day when Christ returns. You know of that message. Share it. And live it. As God uses you. Shaping your talents gifts and abilities for service in this world.

_________

It is easy to get wrapped up in how holy you need to live and to use your performance as a measurement of your progress.

It is easy to look for and think that you will find assurance in whether or not I am an elect, regenerate, Christian chosen by God courtesy of your assumed Christian obedience. The Old Adam is a zombie that feeds on the promised produce of faith for assurance of salvation and walks right past the object of faith, which, of course, is Jesus!

If you are in Christ. God considers you. Counts you. Credits you. As His good and faithful servant. If I am a resident of Heaven. It is because of Christ’s righteousness poured out all over me. If it is the life of Jesus that are your credentials to be with God in Heaven. Then it is the life of Jesus whom God will recognize as He greets you in Heaven.

Hearing the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant” has nothing to do with what you did. It has everything to do with what Jesus did. (Romans 3:21-22; Galatians 2:20-21.)

The righteousness that will be counted as yours is the righteousness of Christ. How Jesus lived His life. Is what is being counted. In place of how you lived your life. How Jesus died. Is what is being counted as your death. How Jesus obeyed. Is what is being counted in place of how you disobeyed. Salvation is substitution.

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5). You are justified before God. And the righteousness of Christ has been handed over to you. (2 Corinthians 5:21). You have been seated with God in Christ in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6)

The power of the Gospel is like a grenade going off. The shrapnel we receive from the Gospel is faith in the one who justifies the ungodly. This faith that is given by God is counted by God as righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

Your hope is not in how holy you are becoming. But in how holy Jesus already is. To be crowned with the righteousness of Christ. Surely will be that final moment. When tears are wiped away forever. (Revelation 21:3-5) It is the tears of a sinner. Who is just crowned a saint. All because of what Jesus did. Not the delusional hope in the performance for earning an imaginary acceptable righteousness courtesy of me.

If you are in Christ you will hear the words of Jesus, “Well done.” And Why?—¬Because in Christ you are not merely given a clean slate. You are given the slate of Christ. The Gospel is better than you and I could ever think it to be.

__________

Remember the things you were taught. Cling to that which is good. Love God. Serve your neighbor. Be a sermon in shoes! And remember these words always, “I have redeemed you.”

___________________
Words –1,315
Passive Sentences – 9%
Readability – 83.6
Reading Level – 3.4
Luther Seal © Higher Things

References:
Ephesians 1:7
John 8:36
1 Peter 1:18-19
Romans 6:7
1 Timothy 2:6

Blog post by Zack James Cole found here: http://www.christholdfast.org/blog/well-done

Monday, May 1, 2017

May

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

With these words we greet each other in this Easter Season! Christ has been risen from death! Life is yours through Christ’s work. The last enemy death has been defeated. There is for you the promise of life restored. In the Gospel of John we are told, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

This is the source of eternal life. The knowledge of God and of His Son Jesus Christ is itself a source of unspeakable and eternal joy. The salvation purchased by Christ on Good Friday, and given to those who believe, is called life. In this Easter season, we celebrate the gift of life. Jesus completed the work the Father sent Him to do. Our life is now expressed in learning of Jesus and sharing His life with others.

Planting season is once again upon us. We pray for seasonable weather as area farmers enter their fields. We petition the Lord of the living harvest for an abundant harvest which will feed a hungry world.

We pray for our service men and women overseas who stand in harm’s way. We pray for police and fire personnel who are first responders when trouble arrives.

We pray for all who travel that they may return from their journeys safe and unharmed and that their homecomings may be joyful.

We pray that in all things begun continued and ended our Lord would direct and sustain us. May we be a a haven of peace, a harbor of hope, a house of prayer coming boldly to the throne room of grace with our petitions and our needs.

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Time in the Word ~ Easter 4

Time in the Word

The People of God

Easter 4

May 1-6, 2017

What does Easter 4’s theme of sheep and shepherd have to do with the Easter season’s message of the resurrection? On the surface, there seems to be no connection. Why couldn’t this theme of Jesus as shepherd serve to assure us of the nature of the risen Lord? Though he has risen in glory and is soon to ascend to the Father, Christ continues with us as a shepherd on earth, a shepherd who knows, cares, leads, and protects his sheep. Though risen in glory and absent in the body, Jesus continues as an abiding presence to care for his people. He is the good shepherd who died for his sheep to rescue them from the wolves. His resurrection confirms his victory and he continues to live as the shepherd of our souls.

Collect for Easter 4: Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that, when we hear the voice of our Shepherd, we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for St. Philip & James (May 1): Almighty Good, Your Son revealed Himself to Philip and James and gave them knowledge of everlasting life. Grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth and the life, and steadfastly to walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Prayer for Agriculture: Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper; we implore You, the work of farmers, especially in this planting season. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness. May we see by this noble vocation that by Your aid we are helping to feed the world and cause all who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with honor and respect.

For the Holy of Eternal Life: Almighty and everlasting God, whose Son as assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death, strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ increase daily as we hold fast the hope that we shall not die but fall asleep and on the last day be raised to eternal life.

An Evening Collect for Eastertide: Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your Holy Word and sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity.

Monday, May 1, 2017 – Psalm 23:1-3 The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit is taken from Vs.1, “The Lord’s my shepherd I shall not want.” Shepherd is a widely used metaphor used for Kings. David as King acknowledges that the Lord is his Shepherd-King. Jesus as the shepherd of His people is expressed most plainly in our Gospel lesson for this coming week.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017 – Acts 2:42-74 –The sheep witness to the Shepherd. In our first lesson, we have the issue of leadership in the 1st Century Church. What are the qualifications for church leadership? The early church faced the problem of choosing seven leaders. The apostles gave the people three criteria for their selection: good reputation, good common sense, and spirituality. Can these requirements be improved — character, judgment, and faith?

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 –1 Peter 2:19-25 – The sheep suffer like the Shepherd. In the second reading, Peter calls people straying sheep. Sheep are associated with straying and wandering off from the shepherd and the flock until they get lost and in danger of their lives. It is our nature to wander into sin, to carelessly leave the leadership of God, and to go our own way. Modern people are known for their mobility, insecurity, restlessness, a lack of roots, and loneliness.

Thursday, May 4, 2017 – John 10:1-10 –The sheep follow the Shepherd to life eternal. In next week’s Gospel lesson Verses 7 and 9 teach that Jesus is the door to life and salvation. He is not one of a series of doors to God. In today’s world, the emphasis is upon pluralism — one religion being as valid as the next one. Christianity is considered one of many ways to God. This passage contradicts pluralism. The door to life, to God, to salvation, is Jesus. Is this not the basis for evangelism and missions to non- Christian people? It is not done in the interests of building up a monolithic religious organization in the hope of getting a monopoly, but of sharing good news of salvation through Christ. Jesus says in verse 10 that he came to bring abundant life to all people. What is life? Our existence only makes sense when Jesus is at the center.

Friday, May 5, 2017 – Psalm 23:4-6 The Psalm portion for this coming week is the much-loved Shepherd Psalm. The benefits of have Jesus as our Shepherd-King is that both goodness and love will literally pursue us. We are given the hope and promise of life with God eternally. We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Our future has been guaranteed. Because the Shepherd-King Jesus lives forever, we have the hope and guarantee of dwelling with Christ throughout the years of our life.

Saturday, May 6, 2017 – John 21:15 -This verse is the inspiration for the hymn “I am Jesus’ Little Lamb“{LSB 740} Three times Peter denied his Lord. Three times Jesus asks the question “Peter…do you love me more then these? Thus, the Savior asks us today, “Do you love Me?” “Do we love Jesus more than people, more than your occupation, more than things? (In the case of Peter, these things were the tools of his trade – fishing gear.) The Savior calls us to discipleship, to take up His cross and follow Him. In this Easter season, we are directed by the Savior to affirm the new life He gives us and to share with others the hope that we have in Him. Scripture reminds us “in a twinkling of an eye” we will all be gone – What shall be said of us then? May it be said of us that we remain a sheep of His fold, a lamb of His flock, a sinner of His own redeeming.

Sources:

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Easter 2 outline and take home points

Easter 2
23 April 2017
John 20:19-31
“I demand evidence!”

Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God;

Thomas had enough! Of this secrecy! “I don’t buy it! I don’t believe it…Unless I see with my eyes the marks of How wounds and place my finger in his hands and my hands at His side I will not believe it!”

1. Like Thomas we do not have an eye-witness experience of the risen Christ.

Transition: Like Thomas we have not personally witnessed Jesus Christ alive from the dead. The Easter proclamation is powerful beyond comprehension.

2. The message of the Resurrection is incomprehensible.

Transition: Thomas’ life was literally changed once he became an eyewitness of Jesus bodily raised from the dead.

3. Seeing is believing.

The Savior’s words to Thomas are meant for your ears this day. “Blessed are those who believe even though they have not seen!” Lord, grant us such a faith as this! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Points to ponder this week…

So, what about you? How do you make sense of all this?

What convincing proof does this world need to believe in the resurrection? The claim is still true. Today, 2,000 years later – dead men do not rise. Faith calls for us to trust in the testimony of those eyewitnesses.

Thomas changed from a skeptic to a believer. These visible scars now become the marks of faith.

Image of St. Thomas the Apostle found at: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg

Easter 2 outline and notes

Easter 2
23 April 2017
John 20:19-31
“I demand evidence!”

Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God;

Thomas had enough! Of this secrecy! “I don’t buy it! I don’t believe it…Unless I see with my eyes the marks of How wounds and place my finger in his hands and my hands at His side I will not believe it!”

1. Like Thomas we do not have an eye-witness experience of the risen Christ.

Transition: Like Thomas we have not personally witnessed Jesus Christ alive from the dead. The Easter proclamation is powerful beyond comprehension.

2. The message of the Resurrection is incomprehensible.

Transition: Thomas’ life was literally changed once he became an eyewitness of Jesus bodily raised from the dead.

3. Seeing is believing.

The Savior’s words to Thomas are meant for your ears this day. “Blessed are those who believe even though they have not seen!” Lord, grant us such a faith as this! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Points to ponder this week…

So, what about you? How do you make sense of all this?

What convincing proof does this world need to believe in the resurrection? The claim is still true. Today, 2,000 years later – dead men do not rise. Faith calls for us to trust in the testimony of those eyewitnesses.

Thomas changed from a skeptic to a believer. These visible scars now become the marks of faith.

Image of St. Thomas the Apostle found at: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg

Time in the Word ~ Easter 3

Time in the Word

According to God’s Plan

Easter 3 24-29 April 2017

On the Third Sunday of Easter, we consider the response to the resurrection. In the Gospel, the two followers of Jesus did not recognize the risen Christ until the breaking of bread. Three thousand people responded to Peter’s sermon dealing with the cross and resurrection with repentance and baptism. In the Epistle, we are told that because of the resurrection, the living Word, we are born anew in love and faith. Psalm 116 harmonizes with the theme of response: “What shall I render...?” The prayer and hymn continue with the resurrection theme.

A Daytime Collect for Eastertide - Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit.

Monday, 24 April 2017 – Psalm 133 – The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit is taken from Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” After much conflict, the people of God came together. In the world today there appears to be much conflict. How do we achieve unity? Some claim that unity comes through diversity. We find unity when we are at one especially when there is agreement, especially when we consider the person of Christ.

Tuesday, 25 April 2017 – Acts 2:14a, 26-41 – The apostolic church described in this lesson serves as a model of the true church. It is a community of faith in Christ. The church is characterized by the Word (teaching) and sacraments (breaking bread and “added to their number”). Worship was a regular activity — daily attendance at temple services and “prayers.” Fellowship was a part of their church — a fellowship in Christ, a fellowship of caring.

Wednesday, 26 April 2017 – 1 Peter 1:17-25 – God has a destiny for every person, even for Jesus. God had the cross in mind even before the creation of humanity. He knew of humanity’s upcoming fall. He knew of the disobedience and rebellion before humanity’s creation. God had a plan to restore us to fellowship before the sacrifice of Christ. It was the eternal destiny of Jesus to be the Messiah, to die, and rise again (verse 20). The question arises: If God knew in advance of humanity’s sin and the horrible death necessary on the cross, why did God bother to make us? Only God can answer that.

Thursday, 27 April 2017 – Luke 24:13-35 – Jesus was driven to the cross. He asked, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (verse 26).

If Jesus is the Messiah, a satisfaction of God’s wrath against sin, the sacrifice on the cross was necessary.

This indicates that the cross was a divine project; also, it means that only God could remove the offense of sin. God in Christ satisfies his own justice resulting in God’s acceptance of us as forgiven children.

Friday, 28 April 2017 – Psalm 116:1-14 – The Psalm portion for this coming week is centered on a question, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” (verse 12) How can we repay the Lord when we consider all of the goodness He has showered down upon us? By offering to the Lord those expressions of devotion, which He desires. The Hebrew word for “goodness” occurs only here in the Old Testament but represents the same basic root as “has been good” in verse 7.

Saturday, 29 April 2017 – Mark 16:15 – This verse is the inspiration for the hymn “With High Delight let us Unite“{LSB #483}. Having experienced the Lord Jesus risen from the dead, we as the people of God reach out into the world proclaiming the good news. This is the response of Easter. The early Christians simply told others, “We are witnesses of these things.” Likewise, we share with others the good things the Savior has done for us.

Collect for Easter 3 - O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

O Almighty and eternal God, now that You have assured us of the completion of our redemption through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, give us the will to show forth in our lives what we profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ Your Lord our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever.

A Prayer for Newness of Life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Collect for St. Mark (April 25): Almighty God, You have enriched Your Church with the proclamation of the Gospel through the evangelist Mark. Grant that we may firmly believe these glad tidings and daily walk according to Your Word;

An Evening Collect for Eastertide – Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your Holy Word and sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity.

Sources:

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.