Learning the Faith by Heart
Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together
The Week of March 2 – March 9
Preparing for the First Sunday in Lent
Hymn of the Week: O Christ, You Walked the Road (424)
Psalmody for Matins: Psalm 121 (Mon); Psalm 91:1-13 (Thurs)
GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: What Is This Bread (629)
GLCA Learn by Heart Catechism: Morning Prayer
Jr. Confirmation Memory: Morning Prayer/Blessings and Returning Thanks
Monday: Catechism Bible Story – Morning Prayer – The catechism teaches us to “make the sign of the holy cross” right when we get up in the morning. Making the sign of the cross means to draw an invisible cross on yourself. 1) Touch your forehead, 2) then your tummy, 3) then your left shoulder, 4) then your right shoulder, 5) and finally your chest. Why is this such a great thing to do at the beginning of the day? Can you think of the time when your pastor first made the sign of the cross on you?At your Baptism, you received the sign of the cross on your forehead and on your heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ!
Tuesday: Old Testament – Deuteronomy 26:1–11 – The Lord is never oblivious to “our affliction, our toil, and our oppression” (Deut. 26:7), but has mercy upon us. He has brought us out of bondage to sin, death and the devil through the “signs and wonders” of Holy Baptism, “with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deut. 26:8). How does your Baptism bring you comfort during difficult or scary times?
Wednesday: Ash Wednesday – Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 – Usually when someone gets dirty, they know they need water to get clean. The ashes that are put on our foreheads remind us that in sin we are dirty and need to be cleaned. It also helps us to remember the first time the sign of the cross was made on us at our Baptism. In the waters of Baptism, we are cleaned, and the dirt of sin is washed away. Parents: At home after the service, when your children are washing the ashes off, remind them once again that we are washed clean of sin at our Baptism. – Kids in the Divine Service, Lent
Thursday: Holy Gospel – Luke 4:1–13 – Jesus Christ, our champion against the devil, endures and overcomes “every temptation” (Luke 4:13) on our behalf. How does Jesus’ battle in the wilderness with Satan bring us encouragement in our daily fight against temptation? How does His victory over Satan’s temptation bring us comfort when we fall into temptation?
Friday: Commemoration of Perpetua and Felicitas, Martyrs – LSB 661:4 – On this day, we remember two early Christian women, Perpetua and Felicitas, Martyrs. Prayer: O God and Ruler over all our foes of body and soul, You strengthened Your servants Perpetua and Felicitas, giving them a confident and clear confession in the face of roaring beasts. Grant that we who remember their faithful martyrdom may share in their blessed assurance of victory over all earthly and spiritual enemies and hold fast to the promise of everlasting life, secured for us through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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: Daily Prayers – Morning Prayer
In the morning when you get up, make the sign of the holy cross and say:
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go joyfully to your work, singing a hymn, like that of the Ten Commandments, or whatever your devotion may suggest.
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
O Christ, You Walked the Road (424)
Family Prayers
For___________________, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Collect of the Day for Lent 1 – O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.