Weekly Devotional Helps, September 14-20

From page 579 of the LSB Companion to the Hymns Volume 1 that teaches on hymn 555- “Stanza 1 by itself beautifully summarizes this chief doctrine (justification) and its biblical foundations (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-24). In stanzas 2-4, Speratus preaches the Law, revealing our sinful nature. In stanzas 5-7, he proclaims the Gospel, concluding stanza 7 with the ultimate comfort: “And I shall never perish.” In stanza 8, he summarizes the previous six stanzas of Law and Gospel by concisely distinguishing Law from Gospel. Stanza 9 then provides a proper understanding of the relationship of faith and works (Romans 6). The last line of the hymn, ‘Your blessed name we hallow’, refers to the line, ‘hallowed be Thy name’ in the Lord’s Prayer; the final German stanza is a paraphrase of the remainder of the Lord’s Prayer, excluding the doxology at the end, which had not yet been added to the prayer at the time this hymn was written.”

Readings-

Monday- Holy Cross Day Numbers 21:4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 12:20-33

Tuesday- 2 Chronicles 34:1-4,8-11,14-33; Colossians 2:8-23

Wednesday- 2 Chronicles 35:1-7, 16-25; Colossians 3:1-25

Thursday- 2 Chronicles 36:1-23; Colossians 4:1-18

Friday- Nehemiah 1:1-2:10; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Saturday- Nehemiah 2:11-20, 4:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

Sunday- Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30; Matthew 20:1-16

Collect for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost–

Lord God, heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Small Catechism- (If you want, try and memorize this by next Sunday.)

From the Table of Duties)- What the Hearers Owe Their Pastors- “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’” (1 Tim. 5:17-18) (2nd grade +)

Weekly Hymn of Emphasis- LSB 555 Salvation unto Us Has Come

Helpful prayers from the Lutheran Prayer Companion this week- 338, 427, 428, 439, 470