Weekly Devotional Guide

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Theme for The Third Sunday after the Epiphany of Our Lord

The time of God is characterized by repentance for sin and faith in the merits of Christ. As Jonah preached repentance, so did our Lord Jesus Christ as he began his earthly ministry.

Hymn #839

Alleluia. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. Alleluia.

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
[Verse and Collect from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission]

Hymns #836, #839, #614, #856, #682, #730

Christian Questions with Their Answers
PREPARED BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER FOR THOSE WHO INTEND TO GO TO THE SACRAMENT

After confession and instruction in the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Our Father, and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, the pastor may ask, or Christians may ask themselves these questions:

16. Why should we remember and proclaim his death?
First, so we may learn to believe that no creature could make satisfaction for our sins. Only Christ, true God and man, could do that. Second, so we may learn to be horrified by our sins, and to regard them as very serious. Third, so we may find joy and comfort in Christ alone, and through faith in him be saved.

17. What motivated Christ to die and make full payment for your sins?
His great love for his Father and for me and other sinners, as it is written in John 14; Romans 5; Galatians 2 and Ephesians 5.

18. Finally, why do you wish to go to the Sacrament?
That I may learn to believe that Christ, out of great love, died for my sin, and also learn from him to love God and my neighbor.

[to be continued]

Luther's Small Catechism copyright © 1986. Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission of the publisher