Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together

The Week of September 27 – October 4

Preparing for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Hymn of the Week: O Love, How Deep (544)

GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: Chief of Sinners Though I Be (611:1)

GLCA Catechism Memory: How can water do such great things?  

Jr. Confirmation Memory: Holy Baptism Institution (Matthew 28:19)

Bible Verse Memory (Grade 3+): “[He] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5   

Monday: Old Testament – Isaiah 5:1–7

God had planted His people in His vineyard and made all the preparations for it to yield good fruit (vv. 2,4). But when He looked for “good grapes,” it had yielded “only bad.” Since the fruit is bad, what’s the farmer left to do? See verse 5. Indeed, Israel would be given up for punishment and exile, and the vineyard would be destroyed, but not without a promise of restoration (see. Is 27). How does this point us to Jesus (cf. John 15)?

Tuesday: Feast of St. Michael and All Angels – Revelation 12:7-12

Prayer: Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Wednesday: Holy Gospel – Matthew 21:33–46

The Lord Jesus described the unfaithfulness of those who were called to care for His vineyard (Matt. 21:33–35). But in this He also describes His cross and Passion (Matt. 21:38–39), by which He has redeemed the vineyard for Himself. He is the true Vine, planted by death into the ground, and in His resurrection He brings forth “the fruits in their seasons” (Matt. 21:41). How are you grafted into the True Vine?

Thursday: Catechism Bible Story – Philippians 4:6-7

Imagine a giant oak tree on the edge of the parking lot. It’s good for climbing. It’s weathered storms and droughts, summer heat and winter cold, but it still stands tall. Why? Because its roots go deep — way down past the topsoil, past the clay, into the water table that never runs dry. St. Paul tells the Philippians – and us- how to live without being swallowed up by anxiety. He encourages us to root our lives in prayer. What does Paul say about prayer in Philippians 4:6-7? – LCMS School Ministry: Rooted in Christ Chapel Talks, pg. 21

Friday: Epistle – Philippians 3:4b–14

If anyone was able to produce good grapes by his own power or strength it was the Apostle Paul. (vv. 4-6). But he counted all of the “fruit” he produced on his own as “rubbish” (bad grapes worthy of being tossed on the trash heap). Instead, Paul looked to the True Vine as the source of his righteousness and confidence. Where do you look for your confidence?

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.

Bible Verse Memory

“[He] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5

GCLA Catechism Memory

         How can water do such great things?

Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three.

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

         O Love, How Deep (544)

Family Prayers 

         For___________________, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.  

Lord’s Prayer 

Taught by our Lord and trusting in His promises, we are bold to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven…