Learning the Faith by Heart
Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together
The Week of Jan 26 – Feb 2
GLCA National Lutheran Schools Week
Preparing for the Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord
Hymn of the Week: In His Temple Now Behold Him (519)
Psalmody for Matins: Psalm 27 (Mon); Psalm 34:1-10 (Thurs)
GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: What Is This Bread (629)
Catechism/Bible Verse Memory: Sacrament of the Altar: Where is this written? (LSB pg. 326)
Monday: National Lutheran School’s Week – Hebrews 12:1-3 – In our text for National Lutheran Schools Week, the author of Hebrews compares our Christian life to running a race. He encourages his readers (and us) to run the race with endurance. What does it mean “to endure?” How do you “endure” as a Christian? The author of Hebrews gives us the answer right here: it’s by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith. Our “endurance” in this faith isn’t about anything we do ourselves —it’s all about what Christ does for us and the gifts He freely gives us! Read aloud the Hymn, “Fight the Good Fight” (LSB 644).
Tuesday: Holy Gospel – Luke 2:22–40 – This Sunday marks exactly 40 days from Christmas Day. At Church we will remember and give thanks for the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord. The infant Lord is brought to the temple because two OT laws must be kept. The first one is that Mary must be purified. Read Lev. 12. To be purified, the mother had to go to the “tent of meeting” and do what to be cleansed (see vs. 6)? How does this ritual point to Christ? The second OT law is that the child must be presented at the temple. Read Ex. 13:11-16. What are the people of God commanded to do in verse 13? To what historical event did this ceremony point back (vv. 14-16)? Read aloud LSB 519.
Wednesday: Old Testament – 1 Samuel 1:21–28 – The Lord opened the barren womb of Hannah and gave her the gift of the son for whom she prayed, and in grateful response she presented and gave the child, Samuel, to the Lord’s service. Everything we have is a gift from the Lord. How does this story help us understand this? How does it point to Jesus?
Thursday: Catechism Bible Story – John 6:51-8 – We believe that the Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ because that is what Jesus said it is (see Matt 26:26-29). Jesus rose from the dead, proving that He’s God, and that He’s in charge of the heavens and the earth. If He wants to use bread and wine to share His eternal life with us by feeding us His body and blood, well then, God be praised! Why do some people have such a hard time believing this? How does Jesus respond to those who think His words about eating His body and drinking His blood in John 6:51-8?
Friday: In His Temple Now Behold Him (519) – Although this hymn is only three short stanzas, each stanza provides a specific message for meditation. The first stanza is all about Jesus and His arrival at the temple for His presentation. He is called the “long-expected Lord.” According to stanza 1, how did they know to expect Him? –LCMS Worship Hymn of the Day Bible Studies, pg . 27
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/Bible Verse Memory: Sacrament of the Altar (LSB pg. 326)
Where is this written?
The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
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
In His Temple Now Behold Him (519)
Family Prayers
For___________________, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Collect of the Day for the Purification of Mary and Presentation of Our Lord: Almighty and ever-living God, as Your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, grant that we may be presented to You with pure and clean hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen