Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together

The Week of Oct 12 – Oct 19, 2025

Preparing for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Hymn of the Week: I Trust, O Lord, Your Holy Name (734)

GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: These Are the Holy Ten Commands (581:9)

GLCA Catechism Memory: The Eighth Commandment

Bible Verse Memory: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31: 8-9

Monday: Catechism Bible Story – Jesus is Anointed (Luke 7)  

God commands us to speak truthfully and charitably about our neighbors so that others view them in the best possible light. What are some ways by which a person’s reputation is damaged in our society? Read Luke 7:36-50. How does Jesus defend and praise the woman who anointed Him? Who in your life or community needs you to speak well of them? – 2017 Catechism, pg. 110

Tuesday: Old Testament – Genesis 32:22–30

Jacob is on his way back to the Promised Land after fourteen years of running away from his brother Esau. Jacob is worried his brother will kill him at first sight. God comes to him as he stands alone on the bank of the river Jabbok. Instead of teaching him, showing him a miracle or giving him a vison to show him the Lord is on his side. God grabs Jacob and begins to wrestle with him. What does this teach us about prayer?

Wednesday: Epistle – 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5

The Apostle Paul instructs pastors to preach God’s Word “in season and out of season.” How could pastors become fearful as they fulfill their ministry?

Thursday: Holy Gospel – Luke 18:1–8

Though we often cannot see the benefit of our struggles while in the midst of them, we, in faith, believe that our afflictions “are God’s works, intended for our benefit, and that God’s power might be made more apparent in our weakness” (Ap XII, 63). In times of fear or anxiety, what does this parable remind us of concerning God’s faithfulness?

Friday: Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist – Luke 1:1-4 (Oct 18)  

St. Luke is traditionally associated with the ox because it is a symbol of sacrifice, and sacrifices took place at the Temple in Jerusalem. St. Luke’s Gospel starts with the story of Zechariah in the Temple, tells of young Jesus in the Temple, and his Gospel ends in the Temple. If the Temple was the place where God chose to dwell and where sacrifices for forgiveness were made, in what way is Jesus rightly understood as the “New Temple”?

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.

Verse of the Week 

 “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31: 8-9

Catechism Memory 

 What is the Eighth Commandment?

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

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. 

Apostles’ Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty…

Hymn of the Week  

 I Trust, O Lord, Your Holy Name (734)

Family Prayers 

For___________________, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.  

Lord’s Prayer