1. Advent Preaching Workshop
Kantor Kevin Hildebrand of Concordia Theological Seminary talks about the on upcoming Good Shepherd Institute Conference, and Rev. Jeffrey Pulse of Concordia Theological Seminary talks about the Advent Preaching Workshop.
2. Tuesday’s Ministry Highlight
Rev. Steve Schave talks about Urban and Inner City Mission.
LCMS Urban & Inner-City Mission (UICM) is working to boost revitalization efforts in city ministries that involve reaching out across cultures with the Gospel. UICM provides resources for churches that wish to provide a spiritual home for people who are searching for hope and healing. UICM offers training to equip leaders in witness, mercy and life together for community engagement that leads to Christ becoming known in neighborhoods. The ultimate goal of UICM is to assist congregations with their efforts to transform the chaos, death and decay that often plagues the cities in which they are located into communities characterized instead by peace, life and renewal.
3. Daily Lectionary
Rev. Bertram Lewis of the Tabernacle of Praise Lutheran Church in Romulus, MI looks at Matthew 6:1-15 “Giving to the Needy”. (Scroll down to read today’s text.)
4. Matins Sermonette
Today’s sermonette is given by Rev. Bertram Lewis of the Tabernacle of Praise Lutheran Church in Romulus, MI.
Matthew 6:1-15
Giving to the Needy
6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
The Lord’s Prayer
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.[a]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[b]
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.[d]
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Footnotes:
- Matthew 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence
- Matthew 6:10 Or Let your kingdom come, let your will be done
- Matthew 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow
- Matthew 6:13 Or the evil one; some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen