Dear friends in Christ,
Sunday is Jubilate Sunday, or the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Jubilate (Ju·bi·la·te) is a Latin word that means “Shout for joy!” It comes from Psalm 66:1 “Shout for joy to God, all the earth.” After a week like we have had in our church and community, this might seem a bit jarring (“what do we have to sing for joy about?”); but the joy our Lord gives to us is real joy. Our Lord walked this earth. He wept as his friends graves. He is acquainted with our sorrows. He suffered for us on the cross, and rose again, He is the resurrection and the life, and so we too shall live with Him. And so this week we hear His promises: “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29); “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3); and “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (John 16:22). Our Lord gives us just what we need at the proper time.
What does joy mean? Here is a list of some of the places that Word shows up in the New Testament. You can look these verses up in your Bible and begin to get a fuller picture of the joy Jesus wants to give you through the Holy Spirit.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord”
Psalm 122:1
Scripture Readings For the Week:
Prayers of the Day:
- Almighty God, You show those in error the light of Your truth so that they may return to the way of righteousness. Grant faithfulness to all who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Church that they may avoid whatever is contrary to their confession and follow all such things as are pleasing to You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns
- 814 O Bless the Lord, My Soul
- 483 With High Delight Let Us Unite
- 155 This Is the Feast
- 490 Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won
- 476 Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow
- 464 The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done
- A Spotify Playlist of Our Easter Hymns
Bach Cantata for the Week
BWV 12, Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
(Video | Translation)
Cross and crown are joined together,
Gem and conflict are made one.Christians must at every hour
J.S. Bach BWV 12
Have their torment and their foe,
But Christ’s wounds shall be their comfort.
Our mission offerings for April
will go towards the newly forming Luther Classical College in Casper. The mission of the college is this:
“Imagine a college where students learn:
- to value marriage and family over career and money.
- that men are men and women are women, with God-given and beautiful differences and roles.
- that to be a father is greater than being the president and to be a mother is greater than being a queen.
- that the Bible is the wisdom of God far surpassing all the wisdom of men.
- that the Lutheran Church has the greatest theology, the best hymns, the most excellent music in the history of the world.
- that Bible, hymns, prayer, devotion, and talking about God belong in our homes every day.
- that children are a heritage from the Lord, the only thing in all the earth we can take to heaven with us.
- that piety is better than wealth and virtue is better than fame.
- that the Western tradition, with its literature, philosophy, music, scientific discovery, and Christian theology, is by far the greatest tradition the world has ever seen.
- that socialism is theft and wokism is bullying.
- that Christian culture grows through supporting faithful churches and leading pious homes.
This is the mission of Luther Classical College. Proudly and unapologetically Lutheran in liturgy, theology, and culture. Lutheran. Conservative. Classical. A college for Lutherans.”
So far the college has raised over $1 million in support from individuals and over 100 Lutheran congregations. LCC has hired an Academic Dean who will begin work in August of this year. Construction has begun on a library for the college and books are being acquired. LCC is hosting the Christian Culture Confernce June 6th and 7th with the topic of “The Bright Future of the Lutheran Church in America.” You can click any of these links to find out much more.
(In May we will be collecting for the Military Bible Stick Program
See everyone tomorrow on the Lord’s Day!
In Christ,
Pastor Sherman