Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together 

 The Week of Nov 17 – Nov 24, 2024  

Preparing for the Last Sunday of the Church Year  

Hymn of the Week: Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending (336) 

Psalmody for Matins:  Psalm 96 (Mon); 93 (Thurs)

 GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: Baptized into Your Name Most Holy (LSB 590, ss 1,4)

GLCA Catechism/Bible Verse Memory: What does such baptizing indicate? Where is this written?    

 Jr. Confirmation: What is Confession?/ What sins should we confess? 

Monday: Lifting High the Cross Around the World – Acts 8:26-40  Since the very beginning God has been sending people out to tell others the Good News about Jesus. We’ll have a special visitor to GLCA this Monday: Pastor Colter Knippa. Pastor Knippa serves as a missionary in Central Asia. Read Acts 8:26-40. How does the story of Philip and the Ethiopian help us understand what a missionary is and what they do? Who helps you understand the Bible? Who do missionaries talk about? How do missionaries help people? 

Tuesday: Catechism Bible Story – Romans 6:1-5  Our old sinful nature is washed away in the waters of the Holy Baptism (Romans 6:4). Jesus cleanses us from our sin and clothes us with His own righteousness (Galatians 3:27). Try this: as you wash your face in the morning, confess your sins and thank God for His forgiveness in Christ.  As you get dressed, think about the new life you have in Christ, and what that will look like during the day. 

Wednesday: Old Testament – Isaiah 51:4-6 “The earth will pass away like a garment” (vs. 6). The robe of righteousness with which you were clothed in Holy Baptism, will never pass away! How can remembering your “baptismal garment” help you be prepared for Jesus’ second coming? 

Thursday: Holy Gospel – Mark 13:24-37  Every now and then we hear of someone who claims to know when our Lord Jesus Christ is going to return. According to verse 32, can we know when it will be?  An interest on the part of the Christian in the return of Christ is, however, a healthy thing. Jesus encourages us to give attention to the “signs of the times” (see vv. 28-31). Would you like to know the precise day and hour of Jesus’ return? Why, or why not? Would knowing that day and time be beneficial for your faith, or might it actually be harmful? 

Friday: Epistle – Jude 20-25  According to Jude vs. 24, what or who is able to keep us prepared for Jesus’ second coming? What should be our attitude toward others who are not so ready? 

The Order of Meditation and Prayer

The sign of the cross + may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism 

Invocation  

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed 

             I believe in God the Father Almighty…

Catechism Memory:  

GLCA Catechism/Bible Verse Memory: What does such baptizing indicate? Where is this written?    

Jr. Confirmation: What Is Confession/ What sins should we confess? 

Bible Reading for the Day (From Upcoming Readings for Sun, Portals of Prayer, or other Daily meditation) 

             This is the Word of the Lord. 

            Thanks be to God. 

Hymn of the Week  

  Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending (336)

Family Prayers 

For___________________, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Collect for the Last Sunday of the Church Year – Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.