Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together

The Week of Nov 23 – Nov 30, 2025

Preparing for the First Sunday in Advent  

Hymn of the Week: Savior of the Nations, Come (332)

GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: God Loves Me Dearly (392)

GLCA Catechism Memory: Apostles’ Creed First Article  

Bible Verse Memory: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1  

Monday: Catechism Review – Asking a Blessing & Returning Thanks (LSB 327 – 328) 

The catechism provides us with a short liturgy as we come together for meals. Before we partake of God’s provision of daily bread, we implore Him to bless us and the gifts we are about to receive from His bountiful goodness. After the meal, we give thanks to our Father for all His benefits “through Jesus Christ, our Lord”. Why do we pray “through Jesus Christ, our Lord”? See 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Tuesday: Old Testament – Isaiah 2:1-5  

Isaiah prophecies that the LORD will gather “all the nations” to His Church (the latter-day “Zion” on the mountain of the house of the LORD). Read verse 3. What draws the people to the “house of the God of Jacob”? Read verse 4. Where do we go today so that God “may teach us His ways”?

Wednesday: Epistle – Romans 13:(8-10) 11-14

The death and resurrection of Jesus have provided salvation to us, but one day He will come again to lead us to experience it fully. Each day, this salvation is “nearer to us than when we first believed” (vs. 11). According to verse 12, what should be our response to this? How do we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”? See Gal 3:27, as well as the Small Catechism’s Explanation of Holy Baptism, Part 4. 

Thursday: Thanksgiving Gospel – Luke 17:11-1

Today the nation resounds with thanksgiving for the earth’s bountiful harvest, crops of wheat and grains, all beneath the canopy of God’s almighty care. However, “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3). The Church is the vessel through which this Word of God penetrates the world with God’s Law and Gospel. It is this divine Word that proclaims Jesus as the sole source of life, health, and wholeness. Read Luke 17:14. How does Jesus restore the lepers to health and wholeness?

Friday: Holy Gospel – Matthew 21:1-11  

The whole earth is the Lord´s and everything in it, but Jesus chooses to ride into Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed donkey. As though not every animal on the planet doesn’t belong to Him! Why would he do that? Read Matthew 20:28. How does the King of Kings Jesus come in humility to serve you today?

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 

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1  

Catechism Memory 

The First Article (Creation)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean? 

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and my senses, and still takes care of them.

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  

Savior of the Nations, Come (332)

Family Prayers 

For___________________, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.  

Lord’s Prayer