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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:

*2 Kings 5:1-15
*Romans 12:16-21
*Matthew 8:1-13

God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways are not our ways. Naaman, the commander of the King of Syria’s army wanted to be healed. God spoke to him through the prophet Elisha and told him he must wash in the Jordan river seven times and he would be healed. This was below him. He was an important man. Surely he should be healed impressively. That was the point. He had to humble himself to God’s Word, God’s will. When he did, he was healed, and became even like a child. St. Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that we are not be wise in our own opinions, but humble ourselves to God’s Word and God’s will. God will provide our daily bread and justice, we are to walk in the good works He has prepared for us. Jesus reveals what God’s will for us is, He is willing to cleanse us, to come and heal us, to be our Savior, our King, our life. We submit ourselves to His leading, and trust that following His steps, we will see His victory.

Prayer of the Day:

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. Amen.

Hymns

*578 Thy Strong Word
*401 From God the Father Virgin Born
*620 Jesus Comes Today with Healing
*621 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
*756 Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me

Bach Cantata for the Week

BWV 73 Herr, wie du willt, so schick’s mit mir

1. Chorale (S, A, T, B) and Recit. (T, B, S) (S, A, T, B)
   Lord, as thou wilt, so deal with me
   In living and in dying!

(T)
Ah! Ah, alas! How much
Thy will doth let me suffer!
My life hath been misfortune’s prey,
For sorrow and dismay
Must plague me all my days,
Nor will yet my distress in dying even leave me.

(S,A,T,B) Alone for thee is my desire, Lord, leave me not to perish!

(B)
Thou art my helper, strength and shield,
Who every mourner’s tears dost number,
And dost their confidence,
That fragile reed, no way corrupt;
And since thou me hast chosen,
So speak to me of hope and joy!

(S,A,T,B) Maintain me only in thy grace, But as thou wilt, let me forbear, For thy will is the best will.

(S)
Thy will, in truth, is like a book that’s sealed,
Which human wisdom cannot read;
Thy grace oft seems to us a curse,
Chastisement, oft a cruel judgment,
The rest which thou hast in our dying slumber
One day ordained,
To hell an introduction.
Thy Spirit, though, our error doth dispel
And show that thy true will doth make us well

(S,A,T,B) Lord, as thou wilt!

2. Aria (T)

Ah, sink thou yet thy joyful Spirit
Into my heart!

For often through my spirit’s sickness
Both joyfulness and hope would falter
And yield to fear.

3. Recit. (B)

Ah, our own will remains perverse,
Now haughty, now afraid,(1)
On dying ever loath to ponder;
But those of Christ, through God’s own Spirit taught,
Submit themselves to God’s true purpose
And say:

4. Aria (B)

Lord, if thou wilt,
Suppress, ye pains of dying,
All sighing from my bosom,
If this my pray’r thou dost approve.

Lord, if thou wilt,
Then lay to rest my body
In dust and ashes lowly,
This most corrupted shape of sin.

Lord, if thou wilt,
Then strike, ye bells of mourning,
I follow quite unfrightened,
My sorrow is forever stilled.

5. Chorale (S, A, T, B)

This is the Father’s purpose,
Who us created hath;
His Son the fill of goodness
Hath won and with much grace;
And God the Holy Ghost
In faith o’er us yet ruleth,
To heaven’s kingdom leadeth.
To him laud, honor, praise!

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:

*Amos 9:11-15
*Romans 12:6-16a
*John 2:1-11

IGod promises that He will repair what sin has broken, and the blessings will be more than we know what to do with “The plowman shall overtake the reaper…the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it.” These blessings come through the Word of God, the Scripture and the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, our Lord. “Whatever He says to you, do it” says the mother of our Lord. This is the source of all blessings. The starting place is what Jesus says in John 6 “This is the work of God, that you should believe in Him whom He has sent” and all the work of our life flows from their. The Epistle reading shows how God blesses us with various gifts, but we use them for blessing according to God’s Word.

Prayer of the Day:

Salutation and Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns

*TLH 622 The Voice That Breathed o’er Eden
*402 The Only Son from Heaven
*394 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
*636 Sou, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
*TLH 131 The Star Proclaims the King is Here

Bach Cantata for the Week

BWV 155 My God, how long, how long then? (Translation)

1. Recit. (S)

My God, how long, how long then?
Of grief there is too much,
I see no end at all
Of mis’ry and of sorrow!
Thy soothing mercy’s face
Beneath the night and clouds itself hath hidden;
Thy hand of love, alas, is quite withdrawn;
For comfort I’m most anxious.
I find that to this wretch’s daily anguish,
My cup of tears is ever full replenished,
The wine of joy doth fail;
And falls nigh all my confidence!

2. Aria (A, T)

Thou be faithful, thou be hopeful,
Thou must rest assured in God!
Jesus knows the proper hour,
Thee with help and joy to fill.
When this troubled time is over,
All his heart to thee shall open.

3. Recit. (B)

So be, O soul of mine, contented!
If it should to thine eyes appear
As if thy dearest friend
Were fully from thee absent
When he a short time thee hath left,
Heart, keep thy faith:
A short time will it be,(1)
When he for bitter weeping
Of hope and joy the wine,
And honey sweet, replacing gall will grant thee!(2)
Ah, do not think
That from his heart he thee would sadden;
He only tests through sorrow thine affection;
He maketh now thy heart to weep through cheerless hours,
So that his gracious light
To thee appear e’en still more lovely;
He hath reserved thy joy
For last,
To thy delight and consolation;
So yield to him, O heart, in all things power!(3)

4. Aria (S)

Cast, my heart yet, cast thyself
In the Highest’s loving bosom,
That he grant to thee his mercy.
And remove thy sorrows’ yoke,
All that thee till now hath burdened,
On the shoulders of his mercy.

5. Chorale (S, A, T, B)

Though it should seem he were opposed,
Be thou by this not frightened,
For where he is at best with thee,
His wont is not to show it.
His word take thou more certain still,
And though thy heart say only “No,”
Yet let thyself not shudder.

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:

Joshua 3:1-3, 7-8, 13-17
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 3:13-17

The Lord brings His people out of their captivity, out of darkness and across the river into the light of the promised land. The waters of sin, death, and destruction stop when Jesus steps into the river. Now a cleansing flood flows from His throne. He is the source of our salvation, the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. We have our life in Him, let us boast in the Lord!

Prayer of the Day:

Salutation and Collect of the Day
Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns

594 God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It
406 To Jordan Came The Christ Our Lord
394 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
528 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
TLH 131 The Star Proclaims the King is Here

Bach Cantata for the Week

BWV 154 Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren (Translation here)

1. Aria (T)

My precious Jesus now hath vanished:

O word, which me despair doth bring,
O sword, which through my soul doth drive,
O thund’rous word, when mine for hearing.(1)

2. Recit. (T)

Where shall I, then, my Jesus meet,
Who will show me the way
Where of my soul its fervent desiring,
My Savior, hath departed?
No sorrow could me ever touch so deeply
Than if I were to lose my Jesus.

3. Chorale (S, A, T, B)

Jesus, my shield and redeemer,
Jesus, my true confidence,
Jesus, mighty serpent-slayer,
Jesus, of my life the light!
How my heart now thee desireth,
Little Jesus, for thee acheth!
Come, ah come, I wait for thee,
Come, O dearest Jesus child!

4. Aria (A)

Jesus, let me find thee,
Let, though, my transgressions
Not the swelling clouds become
Where thou, to my terror,
Wouldst from me lie hidden;
Quickly show thyself again!

5. Arioso Dictum(2)

Know ye then not that I must be there where my Father’s business is?

6. Recit. (T)

This is the voice of my beloved,(3)
God praise and thanks!
My Jesus, my devoted shield,
Makes through his word
Himself heard for new comfort;
I was with grieving sick,
My sorrow sought me to the bone,
My limbs were nearly wasted;
But now, though, will my faith again be strong,
Now full is my delight;
For I behold this my soul its glory,
My Savior, my true sunlight,
Who after mourning’s night of grief
Through his bright light doth make my heart rejoice.
Rise, spirit, get thyself prepared!
Thou must to him
Into his Father’s house, into his temple draw;
There he himself within his word revealeth,
There would he in the sacrament restore thee;
But if thou worthily his flesh and blood would enjoy,
Then thou must Jesus kiss in faith and firm repentance.

7. Aria (A, T)

Bless me, Jesus is here present,
Now am I no more distressed.
He, the true love of my soul,
Comes to me for joyous hours.
I will, O my Jesus, now nevermore leave thee,
I will now in faith ever steadfast embrace thee.

8. Chorale (S, A, T, B)

This my Jesus I’ll not leave,
I’ll forever walk beside him;
Christ shall let me more and more
To the springs of life be guided.
Blesséd those who say with me:
This my Jesus I’ll not leave.

1. Cf. Johann Rist, “O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort,” and Lk. 2:35.
2. Representing the Vox Christi.
3. S. of S. 2:8.

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:

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7a
Titues 2:11-15a
Luke 2:1-14

A great light has broken into our dark world, for unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given! He rules the world with truth and grace, and wonders of His love. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all, and we are to live and walk in His light, in the blessed hope of His appearing on the Last Day. This Savior is the same Jesus who humbled Himself to be born of a virgin and set aside the glory of heaven for swaddling cloths and the straw of the manger. This is good news of great joy for all people, we have a Savior born who is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

Prayer of the Day:

O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns

361 O Little Town of Bethlehem
376 Once In Royal David’s City
358 From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
364 Away in a Manger
370 What Child is This
380 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
368 Angels We Have Heard on High
383 A Great and Mighty Wonder
TLH 81 O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is
363 Silent Night
387 Joy to the World

Bach Cantata for the Week

BWV 63 Christen, ätzet diesen Tag (Source for the translation)

1. Chorus (S, A, T, B)

Christians, etch ye now this day
Both in bronze and stones of marble!

Come, quick, join me at the manger
And display with lips of gladness
All your thanks and all you owe;
For the light which here breaks forth
Shows to you a sign of blessing.

2. Recit. (A)

O blessed day! O day exceeding rare, this,
On which the world’s true help,
The Shiloh(1), whom God did in Paradise(2)
To mankind’s race already pledged,
From this time forth was perfectly revealed
And seeketh Israel now from the prison and the chains of slav’ry
Of Satan to deliver.
Thou dearest God, what are we wretches then?
A people fallen low which thee forsaketh;
And even still thou wouldst not hate us;
For ere we should according to our merits lie in ruin,
Ere that, must deity be willing,
The nature of mankind himself assuming,
Upon earth dwelling,
In shepherd’s stall to be a child incarnate.
O inconceivable, yet blessed dispensation!

3. Aria (S, B)

God, thou hast all well accomplished
Which to us now comes to pass.

Let us then forever trust him
And rely upon his favor,
For he hath on us bestowed
What shall ever be our pleasure.

4. Recit. (T)

Transformed be now today
The anxious pain
By which hath Israel been frightened and sore laden
To perfect health and blessing.
Of David’s branch the lion now appeareth,
His bow already bent, his sword already honed,
With which he us to former freedom brings.

5. Aria (A, T)

Call and unto heaven cry,
Come, ye Christians, come in order,
Ye should be in this rejoicing
Which God hath today achieved!

For us now his grace provideth
And with such salvation sealeth,
More than we could thank him for.

6. Recit. (B)

Redouble then your strength, ye ardent flames of worship,
And come in humble fervor all together!
Rise gladly heavenward
And thank your God for all this he hath done!

7. Chorus (S, A, T, B)

Highest, look with grace upon
This the warmth of souls here bending!

Let the thanks we bring before thee
To thine ears resound with pleasure.
Let us e’er in blessing walk,
But yet / Let it / never come to pass
That us Satan seek to torment.

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:

Song of Solomon 2:8b-14
Romans 15:4-13
Luke 21:25-36

In the Prophecy from the Song of Solomon, the Holy Bride of Christ sings in joy because she knows that her beloved, Jesus Christ her Lord, is drawing near. She loves to hear His voice, she thrills to see His face. In the Epistle from Romans 15, St. Paul tells us that Christ Jesus has come as the Savior of God’s Old Testament people, and that His work is so gracious and merciful that the Gentiles are brought into the same salvation. This salvation comes from the root of Jesse, the Son of David, Christ our King. In the Holy Gospel from Luke 21, Jesus tells us the signs that will proceed His second Advent, when He will come to judge the living and the dead. These are not to cause us to fear, but to rejoice because our Lord is drawing near. He warns us not to be weighed down with the cares and the snares of this world, but to make ourselves ready to see Him.

Prayer of the Day:

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns

333 Once He Came in Blessing
336 Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
TLH 64 Jesus, Thy Church With Longing Eyes
362 O Sing of Christ
338 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Bach Cantata for the Week

BWV 70a Wachet! Betet! Betet! Wachet!
Translation Here

1. Chorus
   Watch! pray! pray! watch!
   Be ready
   all the time,
   until the Lord of glory
   brings this world to an end.
2. Aria A
   When will the day come, on which we shall depart
   out of the Egypt of this world?
   Ah! Let us soon flee out of Sodom,
   before the fire falls on us!
   Watch, souls, get up from your complacency
   and believe, it is the end of time!
3. Aria S
   Let the tongues of the mockers scorn,
   yet it will and must occur,
   that we shall behold Jesus
   upon the clouds, in the heights.
   World and heaven may pass away,
   Christ’s word must remain firm.
   Let the tongues of the mockers scorn;
   yet it will and must occur!
4. Aria T
   Lift up your heads
   and be comforted, O righteous ones,
   even to the bloom of your souls!
   You shall flourish in Eden,
   serving God eternally.
5. Aria B
   Blessed day of revival,
   lead me to your halls!
   Resound, peal, last stroke,
   world and heaven, fall in ruins!
   Jesus leads me to quiet,
   to the place where pleasure is complete.
6. Chorale
   Not for the world, nor for heaven
   does my soul long and yearn,
   I desire Jesus and his light,
   Who has with God forgiven me,
   Who frees me from judgment,
   I will not abandon my Jesus.