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What is Lutheran?
The mission of Lutheran Church of the Master
is to make Christ known to all people; aiding them to become
baptized believers, equipping them to become committed disciples,
and inspiring them to become servant-leaders of Christ in God's Church and world.
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Lutheran Church of the Master - Belief Statement
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We believe the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is the authoritative
Word of God in all matters of faith and conduct.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; John 17:17
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We believe there is one God eternal existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14
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We believe God is the Creator of everything and continues to sustain His
creation.
Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:27-28
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We believe in the sanctity of life.
Psalm 139
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We believe all have sinned against God and are in need of a savior.
1 John 1:8-10; Romans 3:22b-23; Romans 6:23
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We believe Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, is the Savior.
Luke 3:22; John 3:16; Luke 1:35
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We believe Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins.
Hebrews 2:14; Colossians 1:19-20; II Corinthians 5:21
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We believe Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven.
Luke 24:5-7; Acts 1:1-11
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We believe Jesus Christ will return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead.
Matthew 24:44; Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Acts 10:42; Hebrews 10:30
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We believe Jesus promises eternal life to all who trust and believe in Him.
Romans 10:9,13; John 3:16; John 17:2-3; 1 John 5:11-12
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We believe God the Holy Spirit gives us as believers daily guidance, convicts
us of sin, intercedes in our prayers, and enables us to live godly lives in our
personal walk and in our marriage, family, and community relationships.
Ephesians 3:16; Galatians 5:22; John 16:5-15; I Corinthians 2:6-16; Romans 8:1-17,26-27
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We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen the Church and to
provide spiritual unity.
Ephesians 4:4-6; I Corinthians 12:4-6
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We believe through baptism and communion we are tied to the death and
resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 26:26-29; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:1-11
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The Lutheran Confessions
Click on the words above to study the complete Lutheran Confessions
from The Book of Concord which is the document of our
expression of our faith which rises out of the Holy Scriptures.
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- Who is God?
- What is the Law?
- Why do we Observe the Sacraments?
- How are we to Pray?
- When do we Worship?
- Where can I be a Disciple & Steward?
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Who is God?
Generally there are three kinds of people.
1. The great majority who believe in some kind of God are called "Believers"
2. A small group who do not know if there is proof of God, nor if there
is real proof there isn’t a God are called "Agnostics"
3. A very small group of people who do not believe in any kind of Supreme Being, who
believe in randomness are called "Atheists"
Those who believe in a god are divided into
three groups.
1. PANTHEISTS
 | They believe that all LIFE is God. The flowers, trees, birds, bees and even mosquitoes
are the expression of God.
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| Pantheists often use the word "nature" instead of God.
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2. DEISTS
| They believe in a "Deity" that created everything but now no longer is active
in the world.
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| God for the Deist is somewhere outside of this world.
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3. THEISTS
They believe there is a God. There are two types of Theists.
1. POLYTHEISTS:
They believe there are many
Gods. Examples of Polytheists are many American Indians, ancient Greeks & Romans,
modern Hindus, Mormons, and followers of African ancestral religions.
2. MONOTHEISTS:
They believe there is only one
God. Monotheists are Christians, Muslims and Jews.
WHO IS OUR GOD?
| Our God is ETERNAL, He always was and
always will be the same. Psalm 90:1, 2
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| Our God is UNCHANGEABLE, He always was and
always will be the same. Malachi 3:6
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| Our God is EVERYWHERE PRESENT (OMNIPRESENT).
He is present everywhere at the same time and all the time. Psalm 139:7-11
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| Our God is ALL KNOWING (OMNISCIENT). He
knows all the past, present and the future, and is acquainted with every thought, desire
and purpose of our hearts. Psalm 139:2
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| Our God is ALMIGHTY (OMNIPOTENT). He is
able to do all things that He wills to do. Luke 1:37
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| Our God is HOLY. He is perfectly pure and
separate from all that is evil. Isaiah 6:3
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| Our God is JUST. He will bless those who
keep His law and punish those who break it. Romans 2:6
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| Our God is ALL-WISE. He always knows what
is the best thing to do, and the best way to do it. Colossians 2:3
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| Our God is GOOD. He is kind even to the
unthankful, merciful to the penitent soul for Jesus’ sake and long-suffering toward
the impenitent in order to lead them to repentance by His goodness. 2 Peter 3:9
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| Our God is FAITHFUL AND TRUE. He can be
ABSOLUTELY relied upon to do all that He has promised. Numbers 23:19
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| I
believe in God the Father, Creator I believe in Jesus Christ, Redeemer
I believe in the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier |
Luther’s Small Catechism
The Apostles’ Creed
THE FIRST ARTICLE
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
|
What does this mean?
I
believe that God has created me and all that exists.
He has
given me and still preserves my body and soul with all their powers.
He
provides me with food and clothing, home and family, daily work, and all I need from day
to day.
God
also protects me in time of danger and guards me from every evil.
All
this He does out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it.
Therefore
I surely ought to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is
most certainly true. |
THE SECOND ARTICLE
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin
Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell. (Or, He descended to the dead.)
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead. |
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ
- true God, Son of the Father from eternity, and true man, born of the Virgin Mary-- is my
Lord.
At great cost He has saved
and redeemed me, a lost and condemned person.
He has freed me from sin,
death, and the power of the devil-- not with silver or gold, but with his holy and
precious blood and his innocent suffering and death.
All this He has done that I
may be his own, live under Him in his kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness,
innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead and lives and rules
eternally.
This is most certainly
true. |
THE
THIRD ARTICLE
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy
catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the
body, and the life everlasting. Amen. |
What
does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own
understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him.
But the Holy Spirit has called me through
the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith.
In the same way He calls, gathers,
enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it united with
Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
In this Christian church day after day He
fully forgives my sins and the sins of all believers.
On the last day He will raise me and all the
dead and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life.
This is most certainly true. |
Back to Top
What is the Law?
THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW is to:
| put a check on our wickedness
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| to convince us of our sinfulness and our need of the Savior Jesus Christ
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| to be a guide for Christian conduct
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Introduction to the 10 Commandments:
I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD!
1. You shall have no other gods.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
4. Honor your father and mother.
5. Your shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his
maidservant, or his cattle, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Luther’s Small Catechism
The Ten Commandments
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods.
What does; this mean for us?
We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else. |
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in
vain.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not use his
name superstitiously, or use it to curse, swear, lie, or deceive, but call on Him in
prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. |
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect
his Word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it. |
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT
Honor your father and your mother.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not despise or
anger our parents and others in authority, but respect, obey, love, and serve them. |
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not kill.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not hurt our
neighbor in any way, but help him in all his physical needs. |
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not commit adultery.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that in matters of sex
our words and conduct are pure and honorable, and husband and wife love and respect each
other. |
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not steal.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not take our
neighbor’s money or property, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to
improve and protect his property and means of making a living. |
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not bear false witness against your
neighbor.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray,
slander, or lie about our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain his
actions in the kindest way. |
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet you neighbor’s house.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to
get our neighbor’s possessions by scheming, or by pretending to have a right to them,
but always help him keep what is his. |
THE TENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his
manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not tempt or
coax away from our neighbor his wife or his workers, but encourage them to remain loyal. |
| WHAT DOES GOD SAY OF
ALL THESE COMMANDMENTS? He says: "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth
generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love
me and keep my commandments."
What does this mean for us?
God warns that He will punish all that break these commandments. Therefore we are
to fear his wrath and not disobey Him. But He promises grace and every blessing to all
that keep these commandments. Therefore we are to love and trust Him, and gladly do what
He commands. |
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Why do we Observe the Sacraments?
What is a sacrament?
| The Lutheran church defines a sacrament in three ways:
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- A sacrament is a physical sign of God’s love (water, bread, wine) combined with
God’s Word. Whereas the Word of God tells us of God’s love, a sacrament shows
us God’s love.
- A sacrament is a promise of new life.
- A sacrament has been commanded by Jesus. ("... go ... baptizing ..." Matthew
28:19; "... take and eat ... drink ..." Matthew 26:26-28; "do this in
remembrance of me" Luke 22:19)
| A sacrament is called a "means of grace", because it is a vehicle God
uses to give us his gifts and to show us that his promises are for us.
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| The word, "sacrament", is not found in the Bible, but both baptism and
communion happened in Jesus’ ministry and have been happening ever since.
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| Most Protestant denominations have two sacraments (baptism and communion), whereas Roman
Catholics also include confirmation, penance, extreme unction, orders, and marriage as
sacraments. Protestants do not recognize these last five as sacraments, since Jesus did
not directly institute them. Some Protestant denominations such as Pentecostals do not
designate specific sacraments.
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The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
What happens when we are baptized?
| At baptism God chooses us to become members of his family, the church.
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"We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body..." (I Corinthians 12:12)
| At baptism God washes away our sins.
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"... be baptized ... for the forgiveness of your sins." (Acts 2:38)
"... be baptized and wash your sins away ..." (Acts 22:16)
| At baptism God gives us the Holy Spirit.
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John the Baptist said, "I baptize you with water, but He (Jesus) will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8)
| "God our Savior ... saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy
Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously ..." (Titus 3:4-6)
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| At baptism God gives us the promise of eternal life.
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"...all of us who were baptized ... just as Christ was raised from the dead ... we
too may live a new life." (Romans 6:3-4)
"…no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the
Spirit." (John 3:5)
| However, the fact that we have been baptized doesn’t assure us of eternal life. We
must continue to live a life of faith seeking forgiveness when we sin.
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Martin Luther spoke of "a daily drowning to sin".
Jesus said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not
believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
Infant baptism versus adult baptism:
| Lutherans practice both infant and adult baptism.
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| Some Protestant denominations such as the Baptists only baptize "believers".
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| Whereas Lutherans believe that baptism is something that God does for us, Baptists
believe that baptism is only effective if it is accepted by the person being baptized.
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Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14)
| Although the New Testament mainly reports baptisms of adults, non-adults were baptized
as well:
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"...be baptized, every one of you ...The promise is for you and your children
..." (Acts 2:38-39)
The jailer at Philippi "and all his family were baptized" by St. Paul. (Acts
16:33)
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
| Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night before He was crucified.
The
words of institution are recorded in Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20, and I
Corinthians 11:23-26.
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| The Lord’s Supper is also called Holy Communion, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament
of the Altar.
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| When we receive the Lord’s Supper, we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us
by dying on the cross, so that our sins might be forgiven.
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| We should prepare for Holy Communion by confessing our specific sins to God in prayer.
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The "Brief Order of Confession and Forgiveness" in the Lutheran Book of
Worship is not a substitute for confessing our individual sins to God in prayer.
| Lutherans believe that Jesus is present "in, with, and under" the bread and
the wine.
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Roman Catholics believe that the bread and wine are changed into Jesus’ flesh and
blood.
Some other Protestant denominations do not believe that Jesus is present in the bread
and wine, but that communion is merely a reminder of what Jesus has done for us.
| Who may receive Holy Communion at Lutheran Church of the Master?
|
All believing Christians regardless of their denominational affiliation. This is called
"open communion".
| Pastors Tyler and Megard instruct our fifth graders in the meaning of communion
during January and February. Parents of fifth graders are encouraged to attend with their
children.
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Luther’s Small Catechism
Holy Baptism
What is Baptism?
Baptism is not water only, but it is water used together
with God's
Word and by his command.
What is this Word?
In Matthew 28 our Lord Jesus Christ says "Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit " |
What benefits does God give in Baptism?
In Baptism God forgives sin, delivers from death and the
devil,
and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what He
has promised.
What is God's promise?
In Mark 16 our Lord Jesus Christ says "He who
believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
" |
How can water do such great things?
It is not water that does these things, but God's Word
with the water
and our trust in this Word. Water by itself is only water,
but with the Word of God it is a life-giving water which by grace gives the new birth
through the Holy Spirit.
St Paul writes in Titus 3:
"He saved us...in virtue of his own mercy, by the
washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly
through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become
heirs in hope of eternal life.
The saying is sure." |
What does Baptism mean for daily living?
It means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds
and desires,
should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day
after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.
St Paul writes in Romans 6:
"We were buried therefore with Him by Baptism into
death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might
walk in newness of life."
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How are we to Pray?
Two Ways of Praying:
| Formal: This prayer is thought out or even written out in advance. The
Lord’s Prayer is an example.
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| Informal: This prayer is spontaneous. The mood of the moment dictates what we
pray.
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Five Types of Prayer:
| Praise or Adoration: We give praise to God: God is all-powerful but loving and
caring.
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| Thanks: We thank God for the things that He has given us.
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| Confession of Sin: Being truly sorry for our sins, we confess them to God,
resolving to better.
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| Intercession: We pray for others who are in need of prayer.
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| Prayer for ourselves: We pray for our own areas of need.
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More About How to Pray:
| Do not make a show for all to see using lengthy prayers. (Matthew 6:1-8; Mark 12:40)
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| Pray persistently. Always pray and not give up. (The Parable of the Persistent Widow -
Luke 18:1-8)
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| Humbly confess your sins to God rather than telling God how great you are. (The Parable
of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18:9-14)
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| God answers prayer. ("Ask ... seek ... knock ..." Luke 11:5-13)
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The Lord’s Prayer
| Our Father who art in heaven. (The Introduction)
The word, Father, indicates that God is like a good, loving, caring, parent.
"Heaven" indicates that God is transcendent (high above our usual
human limitations).
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| Hallowed be thy name. We are living
advertisements for God. When we live our lives the way Jesus directs us, we
help to "make God’s name holy". "You may be the only Bible
someone ever reads."
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| Thy kingdom come. God’s kingdom is present here
and now, but it will come in its fullness at the resurrection. We pray that
we may be a member of God’s kingdom. ("Repent ... kingdom ... is
near" Matthew 3:2; "seek his kingdom" Luke 12:31-34; Parables
about the kingdom. Matthew 13:24-50; "the kingdom of God is within
you" Luke 17:20-21)
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| Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We
pray that we will do what God wants us to do. Whenever we pray we say to God
"not what I want, but what you want". (Mark 14:36).
|
| Give us this day our daily bread. "Daily
bread" includes everything that we need for this life: food, clothes,
shelter, work, orderly government, health, family, and friends. Christians
acknowledge that everything that we have comes from God. As a result we give
God thanks for what He has given us. (Psalm 145:15-16; Proverbs 30:8;
"Man does not live by bread alone" Matthew 4:4 [Deuteronomy 8:3];
"do not worry about ... what you will eat or drink ... what you will
wear" Matthew 6:25-34; "Do not be anxious about anything ... be
content whatever the circumstances" Philippians 4:4,6-7,11-12;
"Cast all you anxiety on (God) because He cares for you." I Peter
5:7)
|
| And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
"Trespasses" are sins. If we expect God to forgive our sins, then we must
forgive people who do us wrong. (The parable of the unforgiving debtor. Matthew 18:21-35)
|
| And lead us not into temptation. We pray that temptation would not lead us to
sin. Temptation may in fact strengthen us. ("No temptation has seized you except what
is common to man." I Corinthians 10:12-13; "the testing of your faith brings
perseverance." James 1:2-4,12-15; I Peter 4:12-16; John 16:33b; "Put on the full
armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."
Ephesians 6:10-11; Matthew 4:4,7,10; "pray" Matthew 26:36)
|
| But deliver us from evil. "Evil" is any power inside or outside of us
which is in opposition to God’s will and love. (Romans 7:21-24; John 17:15; II
Timothy 4:18; "If God is for us, who can be against us? ... nothing can separate us
from the love of God" Romans 8:31,39)
|
| For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. (The
Doxology) "Amen" means "Yes, it shall be so."
|
Luther’s Small Catechism
The Lord’s Prayer
| THE INTRODUCTION Our Father who art in heaven.
What does this mean?
Here God encourages us to believe that He is truly our Father and we are his
children.
We therefore are to pray to Him with complete confidence just as children speak to
their loving father. |
THE FIRST PETITION Hallowed be thy name.
What does this mean?
God's name certainly is holy in itself, but we ask in this prayer that we may keep
it holy.
When does this happen?
God's name is hallowed whenever his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we
as children of God live in harmony with it.
Help us to do this, heavenly Father!
But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to the Word of God dishonors God's name among
us.
Keep us from doing this heavenly Father! |
| THE SECOND PETITION Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean?
God's kingdom comes indeed without our praying for it, but we ask in this prayer
that it may come also to us.
When does this happen?
God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that by
his grace we believe his holy Word and live a godly life on earth now and in heaven
forever.
|
THE THIRD PETITION Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
What does this mean?
The good and gracious will of God is surely done without our prayer, but we ask in
this prayer that it may be done also among us.
When does this happen?
God's will is done when He hinders and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the
devil, the world, and our sinful self, which would prevent us from keeping his name holy
and would oppose the coming of his kingdom.
And his will is done when He strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his Word as
long as we live.
This is his gracious and good will. |
| THE FOURTH PETITION Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean?
God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, but
we ask in this prayer that He will help us to realize this and to receive our daily bread
with thanks.
What is meant by "daily bread"?
Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing,
home and property, work and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good
government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and
neighbors. |
THE FIFTH PETITION And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against
us.
What does this mean?
We ask in this prayer that our Father in heaven would not hold our sins against us
and because of them refuse to hear our prayer.
And we pray that He would give us everything by grace, for we sin every day and deserve
nothing but punishment.
So we on our part will heartily forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us. |
| THE SIXTH PETITION And lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?
God tempts no one to sin, but we ask in this prayer that God would watch over us
and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw
us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins.
And we pray that even though we are so tempted we may still win the final victory. |
THE SEVENTH PETITION But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?
We ask in this inclusive prayer that our heavenly Father would save us from every
evil to body and soul, and at our last hour would mercifully take us from the troubles of
this world to Himself in heaven. |
| THE DOXOLOGY For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
What does "Amen" mean?
Amen means Yes, it shall be so.
We say Amen because we are certain that such petitions are pleasing to our Father in
heaven and are heard by Him. For He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has
promised to hear us. |
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When do we Worship?
The Liturgy
The Lutheran Church has been a church in the liturgical tradition. The
word liturgy is from Greek and literally means "a public or divine service." We
are then to understand liturgy as a work, duty, or service to God done in public. Worship
is a public confession of faith. It is not entertainment or amusement. It is a central
part of the who the people of God are. A break down of the liturgy is as follows:
| Confession: 1 John 1:8-10 (Lutheran Book of Worship "LBW"
page 56) |
| Apostolic Greeting: 2 Corinthians 13:14 (LBW p. 57) |
| Kyrie Eleison (Greek for "Lord have mercy")
Luke 17:13 (LBW p. 57-58) |
| Hymn of Praise: |
Glory to God: Luke 2:14 (LBW p. 58-59)
Worthy is Christ: Revelation 5:9-13; 19:4-9 (LBW p. 60-61)
| Salutation: Ruth 2:4; Luke 1:28 (LBW p. 62 - "The Lord be with
you...") |
The Lectionary and Sermon
| Verse |
Lord, to Whom Shall We Go: John 6:68 (LBW p. 62)
Return to the Lord: Deuteronomy 30:2; Numbers 14:18 (LBW p. 63)
The Creeds
| Apostle’s Creed (LBW page 65) |
| Nicene Creed (LBW page 64) |
| Athanasian Creed (LBW page 54-55) |
| The Great Thanksgiving (LBW p. 68) |
| Sanctus (holy): Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9 (LBW p. 69) |
| The Words of Institution 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
(LBW p. 69) |
| Lamb of God: John 1:29 (LBW p. 72) |
| Communion: John 6:53-58; Luke 24:13-35 (LBW p. 72) |
| Offertory: Create in Me a Clean Heart: Psalm 51:10-12
(LBW p. 75) |
| The Prayers: 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Luke 23:46 (LBW p. 76) |
| Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13 (LBW p. 76) |
| Benediction: Numbers 6:22-27 (LBW p. 76) |
| Dismissal: Luke 7:50 (LBW p. 74) |
The Hymns
The Lutheran Book of Worship holds a diverse collection of hymns
that come from German, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Slovak,
Anglo-American, European Reformed, Scottish, Irish, American Folk Tunes, Asia, Africa, and
Latin America.
Seasons of the Church Year
Just as there are seasons of nature and their colors, so there are seasons of the
church year and corresponding colors.
Advent (blue/purple): Season of preparation and
watchfulness.
Christmas (white): Season of the "incarnation" of
Christ.
Epiphany (green): Season of Light.
Lent (purple): Season of repentance and growth.
Easter (white): Season of the resurrection.
Pentecost (green): Season of the Holy Spirit and the Church.
Luther’s Small Catechism
The Sacrament of the Altar
| What is Holy
Communion? Holy Communion is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
given with bread and wine instituted by Christ Himself for us to eat and drink. |
What benefits do we
receive from this sacrament? The benefits of this sacrament are pointed out
by the words:
given and shed for you for the remission of sins.
These words assure us that in the sacrament we receive forgiveness of sins, life,
and salvation. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. |
| Where do the
Scriptures say this? Matthew. Mark. Luke, and Paul say:
In the night in which He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for
you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink,
saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the
forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
|
How can eating and
drinking do all this? It is not eating and drinking that does this, but the
words, given and shed for you for the remission of sins.
These words, along with eating and drinking, are the main thing in the sacrament. And
whoever believes these words has exactly what they say, forgiveness of sins.
When is a person rightly prepared to receive this sacrament?
Fasting and other outward preparations serve a good purpose.
However, that person is well prepared and worthy who believes these words: given and
shed for you for the remission of sins.
But anyone who does not believe these words, or doubts them, is neither prepared
nor worthy, for the words for you require simply a believing heart. |
Preparation for Holy Communion
How important is your preparation for going to the banquet of our Lord,
Holy Communion? Very important!
Inward Preparation (self-examination)
Thoughtful Christians will come to the Lord's Table with personal
preparation. In the privacy of their own home, they should examine themselves as St. Paul
tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:28, 29: "A man ought to examine himself before he eats
of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the
body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself."
You might begin your self-examination like this: In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then you might pray: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open and
all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by
the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love You and worthily magnify
Your holy name, through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
It is important that you make a careful examination of your life since you last went to
Holy Communion. An examination could be based on the Ten Commandments. (Romans 3:20,
"By the law is the knowledge of sin"). The following questions may prove helpful
in bringing to light your many sins:
Commandment |
Questions of self-examination
|
1
You shall have no other gods. |
THOUGHT: Do I fear, love or trust
anyone or anything more than God? WORD: Have I neglected prayer at morning,
night, at mealtime?
DEED: Have I always placed God first and my own work and pleasures
second? |
2
You shall not take the name of the Lord
your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain. |
THOUGHT: Have I
cursed someone else for the wrong they have done me?
WORD: Have I used profanity?
DEED: Have I ever called the Psychic Hotline, ever used a Ouiji
board, or read my horoscope daily? |
3
Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. |
THOUGHT: Have I
thought lightly of God's Word and His Sacraments?
WORD: Have I spoken unkindly of my church, pastor or teachers?
DEED: Have I permitted sleep, work or pleasure to interfere with
my attendance at church services? |
4
Honor your father and your mother that
your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you. |
THOUGHT: Have I
despised or thought evil toward my parents?
WORD: Have I purposely said things to anger parents, neighbors
or employers?
DEED: Have I in anyway been disobedient or disrespectful to
parents or lawful superiors? |
5
You shall not kill. |
THOUGHT: Do I
secretly or openly hate anyone?
WORD: Am I continually quarreling, nagging or teasing?
DEED: Am I guilty of drunkenness, gluttony, or other excesses?
Am I doing all I can to save and to sustain the life of those less fortunate than I? |
6
You shall not commit adultery. |
THOUGHT: Have I
indulged immoral thoughts and lustful desires?
WORD: Do I delight in hearing or telling obscene stories and
jokes?
DEED: Have I committed a sexual act with another outside of
marriage? Have I committed a sexual act alone? |
7
You shall not steal. |
THOUGHT: Have I schemed or plotted to
gain another's possessions for myself? WORD: Have I misrepresented goods in
selling or trading?
DEED: Have I contributed regularly and generously to my church? Do I rob God? |
8
You shall not bear false witness against
your neighbor. |
THOUGHT: Am I holding any grudges? WORD:
Is there anyone to whom I am not speaking?
DEED: Have I listened to or spread gossip about someone? |
9
You shall not covet your neighbor's house. |
THOUGHT: Am I jealous or envious of
others? WORD: Do I continually complain and grumble?
DEED: Have I tricked or cheated another out of his property or possessions? |
10
You shall not covet thy neighbor's wife,
or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle, or anything that is your neighbor's. |
THOUGHT: Am I bored with family or
friends?
WORD: Have I urged someone to be careless or unfaithful?
DEED: Have I tried to coax others from my neighbor to myself? |
Having brought your sins to light, you could make the following or a
similar confession:
Most merciful God, I confess that I am in bondage to sin and cannot
free myself. I have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what I have done and
by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my
neighbors as myself. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me. Forgive me,
renew me, and lead me, so that I may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways, to the
glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Having finished your self-examination, refresh your knowledge of the
great blessings of Holy Communion.
| Recall the great love which Christ manifested in dying for you and all sinners
|
| Remind yourself of the fact that He gives you His own body and blood in the Sacrament as
a sign and seal of that great love.
|
| Remember that thereby He unites Himself with you, that He is in you and you in Him,
|
| As a result of this union you are a purified and sanctified child of God who must ever
live as such before men.
|
| Remember His death until He comes again.
|
OUTWARD PREPARATION
Reverence for the Sacrament is further expressed in cleanliness,
neatness, and modest attire. Fasting before going to Holy Communion is also a praiseworthy
discipline. While fasting is encouraged, though not required, it goes without saying that
no one should come to the Lord’s Table sluggish from eating a big breakfast or sleepy
from being out late the night before.
COME, FOR ALL THINGS ARE NOW READY.
Adapted from M.A. Miritz, Preparation for Holy
Communion, (The Wartburg Press, 1955) and Lutheran Book of Worship (Augsburg
Publishing House, Minneapolis and Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America,
Philadelphia, 1979).
Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers
MORNING
PRAYER
We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your
dear Son, that you have protected us through the night from all danger and harm. We ask
you to preserve and keep us, this day also, from all sin and evil, that in all our
thoughts, words, and deeds we may serve and please you. Into your hands we commend our
bodies and souls and all that is ours. Let your holy angels have charge of us, that the
wicked one has no power over us.
Amen |
EVENING PRAYER
We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your
dear Son, that you have this day so graciously protected us. We beg you to forgive us all
our sins and the wrong that we have done. By your great mercy defend us from all the
perils and dangers of this night. Into your hands we commend our bodies and souls and all
that is ours. Let your holy angels have charge of us, that the wicked one has no power
over us.
Amen. |
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Where can I be a Disciple & Steward?
A disciple "is one who accepts and assists in spreading the
doctrines of another."
What are the Characteristics of a Disciple?
1. They are teachable... Matthew 5:1; Luke 6:20-49; Luke 11:1; and John 8:31-32
2. They follow the Master... Matthew 8:21-23; Luke 9:18-27
3. They take up their cross... Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34
4. They are called to be sisters and brothers… Matthew 12:49
5. They confess who Jesus is... Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-33; and Luke 9:18-22
6. They receive the Lord’s Supper and worship... Matthew 26:26-30
7. They are called to be watchful... Matthew 26:36-46
8. They teach and baptize... Matthew 28:16-20; John 4:1-2
9. They proclaim the resurrection story... Mark 16:7; John 20:25
11. They love... John 13:35
12. They pray... Acts 21:5
What is the Connection between a Disciple and a Steward?
- A disciple follows and emulates the teacher.
- A steward carries out the desires of the master.
What are the fruits of the Spirit? (note Galatians 5:22-23)
- Talents and abilities are gifts from God for the building up the Church of God.
Matthew 7:18-20
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad
tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree
that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Luke 6:43-45
43 "No good tree bears
bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not
pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored
up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his
heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
John 15:1-4
1 "I am the true vine,
and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does
bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken
to you. 4 Remain in me,
and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.
Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
What are the ways in which we can be disciples and stewards today?
| Declaration of faith |
| Confession and repentance of our sins |
| Fill ourselves with the Word of God |
| Our talents |
| Prayer |
| Worship |
| Identify and use the talents and abilities given by God for the building of God’s
Kingdom |
Concerning this last way I would like you to spend some time with
someone you know and trust to access your talents and abilities. Ask yourself and your
partner where you seem to be more insightful than others, what is it that gives you joy in
life, what gives you fulfillment, at what are you effective, and to what is God calling
you? The last question could be the most difficult but also the most important! Who is it
that you need to surround yourself with in order to be more effective in this calling?
Read
Romans 12:3-8.
3 For by the grace given me
I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather
think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has
given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body
with many members and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each
member belongs to all the others. 6 We have
different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying let him
use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is
serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of
others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is
showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Luther’s Small Catechism
The Office of the Keys
| What is the
"Office of the Keys"? It is that authority that Christ gave to His
church to forgive the sins of those who repent and to declare to those who do not repent
that their sins are not forgiven.
What are the words of Christ?
Our Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples:
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if
you retain the sins of any, they are retained." -- John 20:23
"Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." -- Matthew 18.18 |
What are such sins? We
can examine our everyday life according to the Ten Commandments -- for example, how we act
toward father or mother, son, or daughter, husband or wife, or toward the people with whom
we work, and so on. We
may ask ourselves whether we have been disobedient or unfaithful, bad-tempered or
dishonest or whether we have hurt anyone by word or deed.
|
| What is private
confession? Private confession has two parts.
First, we make a personal confession of sins to the pastor, and then we receive
absolution, which means forgiveness as from God himself. This absolution we should not
doubt, but firmly believe that thereby our sins are forgiven before God in heaven. |
How might we confess
our sins privately? We may say that we wish to confess our sins and to
receive absolution in God's name. We may begin by saying, "I, a poor sinner, confess
before God that I am guilty of many sins. " Then we should name the sins that trouble
us. We may close the confession with the words, "I repent of all these sins and pray
for mercy. I promise to do better with God's help. " |
| What sins should we
confess? Before God we should confess that we are guilty of all sins, even
those which are not known to us, as we do in the Lord's Prayer.
But in private confession, as before the pastor, we should confess only those sins
which trouble us in heart and mind. |
What if we are not
troubled by any special sins? We should not torture ourselves with imaginary
sins. If we cannot think of any sins to confess (which would hardly ever happen), we need
not name any in
particular, but may receive absolution because we have already made a general
confession to God. |
| How may we be assured
of forgiveness? The pastor may pronounce the absolution by saying, "By
the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you your sins in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Those who are heavily burdened in conscience the pastor may comfort and encourage with
further assurances from God's Word. |
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