HOLY CONVERSATION

COMMENTARY FOR THE WEEK A SAMPLE DEVOTION • Invocation A Witness to the Light In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “...it is Jesus and not John who fulfills • Ten Commandments or the Creed the expectations of the OT Law and prophets. In relation to Jesus, John is • Hymn Stanza of the Week the lesser and his mission is only to wit- • Verse of the Week ness. But in the Gospel of John, Jesus Try to memorize by the end of the is greater than others as well: Jacob- week. John 4:12-14, Moses-John 1:17; 5:46- • Daily Scripture 47, Abraham-John 8:31-58, the OT Read together and talk about the Scrip- Scriptures (John 5:39).” (William C. tures. How does it speak of Christ? Weinrich, John 1:1-7:1, p. 147) • The Small Catechism • Prayers and Blessing Pray together the collect and Lord’s Prayer. Include your own petitions and the prayers for Trinity Lutheran Church and School. THE SMALL CATECHISM CONFESSION: WHAT IS CONFESSION?

What is Confession?

Confession has two parts.

First, that we confess our sins, and Sunday Psalm 12 second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as Monday Psalm 13 from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are Tuesday Psalm 14 forgiven before God in heaven. Wednesday Psalm 15

Thursday Psalm 16

Friday Psalm 17

Saturday Psalm 18 Page 2

“So you also must con- SUNDAY Isaiah 13-15 Jesus’ Death and Burial (Mark 15:33-47) sider yourselves dead to MONDAY Isaiah 16-18 Jesus Is Anointed (John 12:1-11) sin and alive to God in TUESDAY Isaiah 19-21 The Resurrection (Mark 16:1-8) Christ Jesus.” WEDNESDAY Isaiah 22-24 The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-27) (Romans 6:11) THURSDAY Isaiah 25-27 Jesus Is Revealed (Luke 24:28-35)

FRIDAY Isaiah 28-30 Jesus Eats Broiled Fish (Luke 24:33-49)

SATURDAY Isaiah 31-33 Jesus Ordains the Apostles (John 20:19-31)

The Church and Her Mission: The American Association of Lutheran Churches; Abiding Savior Lutheran Church-Royalton, Ohio; Christ the King Lutheran Church-Southgate, Michigan

Missionaries, Workers , and Military Abroad: Pastor Chuck Tessaro and family (Nigeria), Pastor Roger James and family (South Asia), Pastor Steven Mahlburg and family (Sri Lanka), Rev. Jonathan and Deac. Cheryl Naumann (Dominican Republic), Castillo Fuerte Lutheran Church and School, Hands of Mercy Mis- sion in Sudan

Our Nation and World: For those families with small children

This Week’s Petitions: For spiritual renewal in the season of Advent

Those with Ongoing Concerns: Dorothy Ahlich, Diane A., Linda Anderson, Diane Appleberg, Jim Barritt, Sherrie Bjoraker, Mary Bremer, Jeff Chapin, Laura Chapin, Dave, Doris Cook, Minnetta Gauthier, Ken Gersch, Faith Harmon, Gary Holappa, Debbie Klann, Gene Koepke, Arvo Lakanen, Wanda Nothacker, Fritz Nuffer, Janet O’Connor, Betty Olsen, Gary Reed, Marianne Reye, Tony Serpiglia, Jeff Wagner, Donna Yoakim, Rev. John Wurst

Families of Our Congregation: Reister, Reye, Rice, Rogers, Rosema, Roth

Faculty and Staff: Jacque McGowen, Ginger Reed, Tracee Rosema

Almighty God, through John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, you once proclaimed salvation; now grant that we COME, THOU PRECIOUS RANSOM, COME, may know this salvation and serve you in holiness and ONLY HOPE FOR SINFUL MORTALS! righteousness all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spir- COME, O SAVIOR OF THE WORLD! it, one God, now and forever. Amen. OPEN ARE TO THEE ALL PORTALS. COME, THY BEAUTY LET US SEE; ANXIOUSLY WE WAIT FOR THEE.