Hymns and Readings for Lent 4 (April 3, 2011)

Hymns (all from Lutheran Service Book)
545
411
635, 566 during Distribution
692

Readings
Isaiah 42:14–21
Ephesians 5:8–14
John 9:1–41

Hymns and Readings for Lent 3 (March 27, 2011)

Hymns (all from Lutheran Service Book)
635
824
619, 561 during Distribution
685

Readings
Exodus 17:1-7
Romans 5:1-8
John 4:5-30, 39-42

Hymns and Readings for Transfiguration Sunday (March 6, 2011)

Hymns
LSB 395
LSB 413
LSB 680, 537 during Distribution
LSB 417

Readings
Exodus 24:8–18
2 Peter 1:16–21
Matthew 17:1–9

Hymns and Readings for Epiphany 7

Hymns
401
834
821, 529 during Distribution
921

Readings
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
1 Corinthians 3:10-23
Matthew 5:38-48

Hymns for Epiphany 6

I had a request to post the hymns for each upcoming Sunday, so here goes.  I'll try to remember to do this each week.  Along with this, I'll also start posting the references for the Scripture readings, too, to assist you in your preparation for Sunday's Divine Service.  It can be beneficial to read the upcoming Scriptures assigned for each week as a part of your devotions leading up to Sunday worship.

Hymns
496
394
636, 528 during distribution
920

Scripture Readings
Deuteronomy 30:15–20
1 Corinthians 3:1–9
Matthew 5:21–37

A hymn for post #666

This is post #666 on my blog. Without this post, Sunday's sermon (scheduled to be posted on Sunday morning) would have been post #666. I couldn't let that happen. So taking a cue from the editors of Lutheran Service Book, for this post I used the text of the hymn they appropriately chose for that same number.

O little flock, fear not the Foe

Who madly seeks your overthrow;

Dread not his rage and power.

And though your courage sometimes faints,

His seeming triumph o'er God's saints

Lasts but a little hour.

Be of good cheer; your cause belongs

To Him who can avenge your wrongs;

Leave it to Him, our Lord.

Though hidden yet from mortal eyes,

His Gideon shall for you arise,

Uphold you and His Word.

As true as God's own Word is true.

Not earth nor hell's satanic crew

Against us shall prevail.

Their might? A joke, a mere facade!

God is with us and we with God -

Our victory cannot fail.

Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer;

Great Captain, now Thine arm make bare,

Fight for us once again!

So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise

A mighty chorus to Thy praise,

Forevermore. Amen.

Text: Jacob Fabrizius, 1593-1564; translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1827-78, alt.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sing to the Lord of harvest,

Sing songs of love and praise;

With joyful hearts and voices

Your alleluias raise.

By him the rolling seasons

In fruitful order move;

Sing to the Lord of harvest

A joyous song of love.

God makes the clouds rain goodness,

The deserts bloom and spring,

The hills leap up in gladness,

The valleys laugh and sing.

God fills them with his fullness,

All thing with large increase;

He crowns the year with blessing,

With plenty and with peace.

Bring to this sacred altar

The gifts his goodness gave,

The golden sheaves of harvest,

The souls Christ died to save.

Your hearts lay down before him

When at his feet you fall,

And with your lives adore him

Who gave his life for all.

Lutheran Service Book #893

Image: The Harvest (1888), by Vincent van Gogh

What Makes Bad Hymns Bad

Click here to head over to Scott Diekmann's blog Stand Firm and find out. There he quotes Pr. Rick Stuckwisch from a recent stint on Issues, Etc.

Great article from a former advocate of Contemporary Worship

Click here to read this excellent article written by the Rev. Sean Rippy, posted over at the Brothers of the John the Steadfast.

Lutheran Service Book and Pirate Songs

Just learned from Rev. Cwirla's Blogosphere that the original lyrics of at least one of the songs in Lutheran Service Book were about a 17th century pirate.  Click the link below to read his post ... and don't let your timbers get all a-shiver.

Lutheran Service Book and Pirate Songs

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