Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together 

 The Week of May 4 – May 11

Preparing for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

On the Same Date: Confirmation Sunday

Hymn of the Week: The King of Love My Shepherd Is (709)

Psalmody for Matins: Psalm 62 (Mon); Psalm 23 (Thurs)

GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: I Know That My Redeemer Lives (461, ss. 1,3,5,6)

Catechism Memory (GLCA Only):  Table of Duties— To Workers of All Kinds: Ephesians 6:5-8 (to recite 5/12)

Monday: Table of Duties – To Workers of All Kinds

How many employees or workers would call themselves “slaves”? Not too many. If one did consider himself a slave, it would not be a complimentary term. Yet “slave” is a term that is often used in the NT of our Lord. For Him it is not demeaning. It is a term that describes the nature of His work for us and our salvation. Read Matthew 20:28. How does Jesus describe the nature of His work in this passage? When we “work” as Christians, who are we serving? – Lutheran Catechesis: Catechist Edition, pg. 380

Tuesday: First Reading –  Acts 20:17–35

         How does the Good Shepherd continue to care for His flock today? According to verse 28, what job has the Holy Spirit given pastors to do? (Hint: in the New Testament, the word “overseer” and “pastor” are used interchangeably). Who does the flock belong to? How does the pastor “care for the sheep”; what are the tools God has given him? (Answer: Word and Sacrament)

Wednesday: Second Reading – Revelation 7:9-17

         With all the company of heaven, the Good Shepherd gathers His flock in worship. Read Rev. 7:10. What is their cry? Who gets all the credit for both  bringing us into the flock and keeping us there?        

Thursday: Holy Gospel – John 10:22-30

         The Good Shepherd laid down His life for us and took it up again in order to give us eternal life. By the preaching of His Gospel, He calls His sheep to Himself and keeps them with Him forever. What promise does He give to His sheep in verse 28? Think back to Acts 20. Where does we hear the voice of our Good Shepherd (compares also Rom. 10:17)?

Friday: Rite of Confirmation (LSB, pg. 268)

This coming Sunday 4 of our young people will be confirmed. Donald Deffner wisely entitled a section of his chapter on Confirmation in Lutheran Worship: History and Practice as “The Key to Understanding Confirmation: Baptism.” If any word can be used to describe Confirmation, it may be appreciation – appreciation for what God has done in Baptism, appreciation of how Baptism has continuing effects in the Christian’s life, and appreciation of where the Spirit produces growth and maturity, namely in the Word and Sacrament. Read the first part of the Rite of Confirmation in LSB (pg. 268). How is this key to understanding made clear?

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 the God the Father Almighty…

Catechism Memory (GLCA): Table of Duties— To Workers of All Kinds

Certain passages of Scripture for various holy orders and positions, admonishing them about their duties and responsibilities.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. – Ephesians 6:5–8

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  

The King of Love My Shepherd Is (709)

Family Prayers 

For___________________, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Collect of the Day for Easter 4

Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls each by name and follow where He leads, through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.