Confident.Faith

Readings Psalm 56 2 Kings 2:19–25; 4:1–7 Ephesians 4:25—5:14 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:249–256 Commemoration Today we commemorate Zacharias and Elizabeth. Remembered as examples of faithfulness and piety, Zacharias and Elizabeth became the parents of John the Baptist despite their old age. Initially disbelieving the promise, Zacharias was struck mute by the angel who announced that Zacharias and Elizabeth would have a son; upon confirming his wife’s chosen name for their son, John, Zacharias was restored to his ability to speak. Upon regaining his speech, Zacharias sang the Benedictus, a summary of the promises in the Old Testament and a prophecy of John the Baptist’s ministry as a forerunner of Christ.

Readings Psalm 90 Psalm 107 2 Kings 2:2–18 Ephesians 4:1–24 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:241–248 Commemoration Today we commemorate Moses. Greatest amongst the Old Testament prophets, Moses spoke with God face to face. Moses’ life was divided into three parts of forty years each: First, he lived in Egypt in the royal court, having been rescued by the daughter of pharaoh (and the intervention of God); second, he lived as a shepherd in the land of Midian after fleeing Egypt; and, third, he led Israel during the wandering in the desert. Prohibited from entering the Promised Land due to disobedience at Meribah, Moses was nevertheless allowed to view the land from Mount Nebo, where he then died and was buried (in an unknown location) by God.

Readings Psalm 119:57–64 Psalm 108 1 Kings 19:1–21 Ephesians 3:1–21 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:235–240 Commemoration Today we commemorate Gregory the Great, Pastor. Gregory served both as mayor and, later, as bishop of Rome. Before entering full-time service in the Church, Gregory helped to strengthen a Rome weakened by enemy invasions and plague, and sold his considerable possessions and donated the proceeds to help the poor. As bishop of Rome, Gregory contributed to the Church by establishing a Church Year calendar, which some church bodies still use to this day, and overseeing musical and liturgical development, advancing missionary work in Northern Europe, and composing a book on pastoral care that would long serve as a standard in the Church.

Readings Psalm 135 1 Kings 18:20–40 Ephesians 2:1–22 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:223–234 Commemoration Today we commemorate Hannah. The favored wife of her husband, Elkanah, Hannah suffered through years of barrenness, but never gave up hope in the Lord. For her devotion, she was repaid with the birth of a son, Samuel, whom she dedicated to the service of the Lord. Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving foreshadows the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, which would come centuries later.

Readings Psalm 47 Psalm 8 1 Kings 18:1–19 Ephesians 1:1–23 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:213–222 Commemoration Today we commemorate Joshua, son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. Most noted for his succession of Moses as Israel’s commander-in-chief, Joshua led a life of devotion to and faith in God. From defeating the Amalekites and being in charge of the tent of meeting to scouting the land of Canaan and leading Israel across the Jordan, Joshua showed steadfast faith in God and His promises. Joshua is especially noted for his final address, in which he, like Moses before him, presented the Israelites with the path of life and the path of death, the path of obedience to God and the path of rebellion, and in which he spoke his most famous words: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Readings Psalm 68 Psalm 70 1 Kings 16:29—17:24 2 Corinthians 9:1–15 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:205–212

Readings Psalm 29 Psalm 75 1 Kings 12:20—13:34 2 Corinthians 8:1–24 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:195–204

Readings Psalm 17 1 Kings 11:42—12:19 2 Corinthians 7:1–16 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:192–194 Festival Today we observe the Festival of The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. In contrast to the Festival of The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, observed on the 24th of June, this Festival commemorates John the Baptist’s beheading under Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Last of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist announced the imminent coming of Christ, and fulfilled the Old Testament prophesy regarding the return of ‘Elijah’ before the Day of the Lord. Although John the Baptist’s end may seem, to this world, a foolish and ignominious one, his martyrdom was, in truth, a profound and noble participation in the Cross of Christ.

Readings Psalm 48 1 Kings 11:1–26 2 Corinthians 6:1–18 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:183–191

Readings Psalm 72 1 Kings 9:1–9; 10:1–13 2 Corinthians 5:1–21 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:177–182

Readings Psalm 36 1 Kings 8:22–63 2 Corinthians 4:1–18 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:170–176

Readings Psalm 32 1 Kings 7:51—8:21 2 Corinthians 3:1–18 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:167–169

Readings Psalm 27 1 Kings 5:1–18 2 Corinthians 1:23—2:17 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:160–166 Festival Today we celebrate the festival of St. Bartholomew, Apostle. Called by Christ in Galilee (in the town of Cana, where Christ performed His first miracle), Bartholomew would become one of the first of Jesus’ twelve disciples. According to Church tradition, Bartholomew brought the Gospel to Armenia, where he was martyred.

Readings Psalm 111 Psalm 49 1 Kings 3:1–15 2 Corinthians 1:1–22 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:153–159

Readings Psalm 97 1 Kings 2:1–27 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:148–152

Readings Psalm 139 1 Kings 1:1–35 1 Corinthians 12:14–31 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:144–147

Readings Psalm 51 2 Samuel 12:1–25 1 Corinthians 12:1–13 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:140–143 Commemoration Today we commemorate Samuel. Last among the judges and first among the post-Moses prophets, Samuel lived a life of devotion to God. Samuel, at God’s command, would anoint both Israel’s first king — Saul — and her second — David.

Readings Psalm 12 Psalm 22 2 Samuel 11:1–27 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:137–139 Commemoration Today we commemorate Bernard of Clairvaux, Hymnwriter and Theologian. Born into wealth, Bernard abandoned a life of affluence and entered a monastery at twenty-two. Eventually he was sent to start a new monastery, which monastery would go on to found many daughter houses, but he is best known for his preaching and hymn-writing.

Readings Psalm 107 Psalm 106 2 Samuel 7:18–29 1 Corinthians 10:23—11:16 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:133–136

Readings Psalm 24 2 Samuel 7:1–17 1 Corinthians 9:24—10:22 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:124–132 Commemoration Today we commemorate Johann Gerhard, Theologian. Born in Quedlinburg, Germany, in 1582, Gerhard would go on to become one of the most influential theologians of the Christian faith. A prolific author, Gerhard’s Loci Theologici and many other writings, including sermons, are still widely published and read today.

Readings Psalm 11 Psalm 84 2 Samuel 6:1–19 1 Corinthians 9:1–23 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:119–123 Commemoration Today we commemorate Isaac. Born to Abraham and Sarah when they were, respectively, one hundred years old and ninety-one years old, Isaac (whose name means ‘laughter’), would go on to father Jacob (who would become Israel) and Esau. Taken to Mount Moriah by his father to be sacrificed at the command of God, Isaac was spared at the last moment by the provision of a ram caught in a thicket — this episode pointed forward to the substitutionary sacrifice and atonement of Christ.

Readings Psalm 132 2 Samuel 5:1–25 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:112–118 Festival Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord. Mentioned throughout the Gospels, Mary was present at many of the major events in her Son’s life. Mary is especially remembered for her unconditional obedience to the will of God, her trust in her Jesus (even when she did not understand all of His words), and, above all, for being honored as the mother of Christ.

Readings Psalm 33 2 Samuel 1:1–27 1 Corinthians 7:25–40 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:104–111

Readings Psalm 68 1 Samuel 31:1–13 1 Corinthians 7:1–24 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:97–103

Readings Psalm 99 1 Samuel 28:3–25 1 Corinthians 6:1–20 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:89–96

Readings Psalm 51 1 Samuel 26:1–25 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:82–88

Readings Psalm 14 Psalm 53 1 Samuel 25:23–44 1 Corinthians 4:1–21 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:74–81 Commemoration Today we commemorate Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. Most likely born in Spain, Lawrence eventually made his way to Rome and became chief of the seven deacons of the Church. Having control over Church property and finances, Lawrence was called before the Roman emperor, who believed the Church possessed valuable items that could be confiscated, and commanded to produce the “treasures of the Church”. In response, Lawrence brought before the emperor the poor who had benefited from Christian charity. The emperor jailed Lawerence and eventually ordered him executed — by gridiron.

Readings Psalm 94 1 Samuel 25:1–22 1 Corinthians 3:1–23 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:68–73

Readings Psalm 62 1 Samuel 24:1–22 1 Corinthians 1:26—2:16 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:62–67

Readings Psalm 144 1 Samuel 20:24–42 1 Corinthians 1:1–25 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:58–61

Readings Psalm 92 1 Samuel 20:1–23 Acts 28:16–31 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:51–57

Readings Psalm 21 1 Samuel 19:1–24 Acts 28:1–15 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:45–50

Readings Psalm 56 1 Samuel 18:10–30 Acts 27:27–44 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:38–44

Readings Psalm 68 1 Samuel 17:48—18:9 Acts 27:9–26 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:26–37 Commemoration Today we commemorate Joanna, Mary, and Salome, the three faithful women who visited Christ’s tomb early on the morning of the first Easter. These women bore myrrh and others items to dress the body of Christ, but instead found the tomb empty, Christ having risen. These women serve as examples of humble service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Readings Psalm 71 Psalm 98 1 Samuel 17:20–47 Acts 26:24—27:8 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:15–25

Readings Psalm 70 Psalm 75 1 Samuel 17:1–19 Acts 26:1–23 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:9–14

Readings Psalm 80 1 Samuel 16:1–23 Acts 25:13–27 Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:1–8 Commemoration Today we commemorate Joseph of Arimathea. A wealthy man from the village of Arimathea, Joseph owned an unused tomb in the vicinity of Golgotha, where Christ was crucified. A devout man, and member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph was eagerly awaiting the Kingdom of God. In contrast to many who fled for fear of the Jews, Joseph went to Pilate and requested the body of Christ, and, together with Nicodemus, placed the body in the tomb.

Readings Psalm 50 Psalm 130 1 Samuel 15:10–35 Acts 24:24—25:12 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:115–121 Commemoration Today we commemorate Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr. Born in England in the late 1400s, Robert Barnes studied theology and eventually became a prior of the Augustinian monastery at Cambridge. Exiled to Germany, partly for distributing Bibles in English and for having converted to Lutheranism, Dr. Barnes would meet Martin Luther in Wittenberg, and the two would become friends. Upon his return to England, Dr. Barnes would share his Lutheran faith with King Henry VIII, who was initially receptive. However, changing political and ecclesiastical winds in England would eventually spell Dr. Barnes’ downfall. On 30 July 1540, Robert Barnes was burned at the stake on a charge of heresy, becoming one of the first Lutheran martyrs. Luther would later publish Barnes’ confession of faith, noting of Barnes that he was “[a] good, pious dinner guest and houseguest … [a] holy martyr, St. Robert Barnes.”

Readings Psalm 119:41–48 Psalm 13 1 Samuel 14:47—15:9 Acts 24:1–23 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:107–114 Commemoration Today we commemorate Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany, whose faith is recorded in the Gospels. When Lazarus died, Jesus raised him from the dead and spoke to Martha, Lazarus’s sister: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Later, shortly before Jesus was crucified, Mary anointed His feet with oil and wiped them with her hair — unknowingly readying Christ for burial.

Readings Psalm 59 Psalm 57 1 Samuel 13:1–18 Acts 23:12–35 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:98–106 Commemoration Today we commemorate Johann Sebastian Bach, Kantor. Born in 1685, Bach would become one of history’s most prolific, and gifted, composers. Not only did Bach compose, but he also performed, conducted, and taught music. For the last twenty-seven years of his life, Bach was responsible for the music in the four Lutheran churches in Leipzig, where he died in 1750. A devout and devoted Lutheran, Bach bequeathed to the Church a wealth of music, which he wrote to the glory of God and for the edification of all Christians.

Readings Psalm 119:17–24 Psalm 141 1 Samuel 12:1–25 Acts 22:30—23:11 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:88–97

Readings Psalm 69 Psalm 70 1 Samuel 10:1–27 Acts 22:17–29 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:86–87

Readings Psalm 63 Psalm 149 1 Samuel 9:1–27 Acts 21:37—22:16 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:75–85 Festival Today we celebrate the Festival of St. James the Elder, Apostle. St. James, and his brother St. John, sons of Zebedee, were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Together with St. Peter and his brother St. Andrew, James and John were called to be disciples of Christ. Along with Peter and John, James formed a sort of ‘inner circle’ amongst the Twelve. In Acts, it is recorded that James was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I, thus making James the first among the Twelve to die a martyr.

Readings Psalm 24 1 Samuel 8:1–22 Acts 21:15–36 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:61–74

Readings Psalm 119:113–120 Psalm 141 1 Samuel 6:19—7:17 Acts 19:1–22 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:48–60

Readings Psalm 137 Psalm 56 1 Samuel 5:1—6:16 Acts 18:1–28 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:36–47 Commemoration Today we commemorate St. Mary Magdalene. Present at the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene had become a follower of Jesus when He cast out seven demons from her. She was also the first to see Jesus alive again after the crucifixion. The Church has long identified her with the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil.

Readings Psalm 106 1 Samuel 4:1–22 Acts 16:23–40 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:22–35 Commemoration Today we commemorate Ezekiel. Called by God to be a priest to the exiles during the Babylonian captivity, Ezekiel prophesied about the inevitable judgement on Jerusalem, which took place in 586 BC with the destruction of both the city and the Temple. After the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, Ezekiel prophesied hope to the exiles, delivering God’s promise of a future restoration in the coming Messianic Kingdom. Much of Ezekiel’s prophetic symbolism would be later used by St. John in Revelation.

Readings Psalm 119:57–64 Psalm 115 1 Samuel 3:1–21 Acts 16:1–22 Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:12–21

Readings Psalm 82 Psalm 136 1 Samuel 2:18–36 Acts 15:22–41 Apology of the Augsburg Confession III, IV:1–11

Readings Psalm 20 Psalm 131 1 Samuel 1:21—2:17 Galatians 6:1–18 Apology of the Augsburg Confession II:35–51