Easter Season | Confident.Faith

Readings Psalm 96 Psalm 107 Exodus 14:10–31 Hebrews 7:23—8:13 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VI:7–14

Readings Psalm 116 Psalm 109 Numbers 20:22—21:9 Luke 20:45—21:19 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:53–64

Readings Psalm 78 Psalm 110 Numbers 20:1–21 Luke 20:19–44 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:45–52

Readings Psalm 80 Psalm 91 Numbers 16:41—17:13 Luke 20:1–18 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:38–44 Commemoration Today we commemorate Boniface of Mainz, Missionary to the Germans. Born in England, educated as a monk, and ordained a presbyter, Boniface decided to become a missionary. Granted a papal commission in AD 719, Boniface set to work planting, organizing, and reforming churches in Hesse, Thuringia, and Bavaria. In AD 743, now as an archbishop, Boniface was assigned to the See of Mainz. A little over a decade later, in AD 754, Boniface was martyred by a group of pagans while working in (what would become) the Netherlands. Boniface is remembered for his faith and his tireless work in spreading the Word to Germanic Europe.

Readings Psalm 118 Psalm 9 Numbers 16:23–40 Luke 19:29–48 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:33–37

Readings Psalm 111 Psalm 45 Numbers 16:1–22 Luke 19:11–28 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:27–32

Readings Psalm 146 Psalm 142 Numbers 14:26–45 Luke 18:35—19:10 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:14–26

Readings Psalm 81 Psalm 9 Numbers 14:1–25 Luke 18:18–34 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:8–13

Readings Psalm 119:97–104 Psalm 122 Numbers 13:1–3, 17–33 Luke 18:1–17 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:1–7 Feast Today we observe the Visitation. While pregnant with Jesus, the Virgin Mary visited her relative, Elizabeth, who was then pregnant with John the Baptist, another child conceived under miraculous circumstances. In the presence of Christ, John ‘leaps’ in his mother’s womb, foreshadowing his role as forerunner of the Messiah. This presence of the Messiah also caused Elizabeth to proclaim Mary’s blessedness and Mary responded with the Magnificat, a summation of her place in salvation history and God’s gracious gifts.

Readings Psalm 77 Psalm 8 Numbers 11:24—12:16 Luke 17:20–37 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration X:26–31

Readings Acts 1:12–26 Psalm 133 Revelation 22:1–20 John 17:20–26

Readings Psalm 130 Psalm 47 Numbers 11:1–35 Luke 17:1–19 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration X:19–25

Readings Psalm 62 Psalm 19 Numbers 10:11–36 Luke 16:19–31 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration X:13–18

Readings Acts 1:1–11 Psalm 47 Ephesians 1:15–23 Luke 24:44–53

Readings Psalm 85 Psalm 18 Numbers 9:1–23 Luke 16:1–18 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration X:5–12

Readings Psalm 103 Psalm 70 Numbers 8:5–26 Luke 15:11–32 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration IX, X:1–4

Readings Psalm 135 Psalm 60 Numbers 3:1–16, 39–48 Luke 14:25—15:10 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:88–96 Commemoration Today we commemorate Bede the Venerable, Theologian. Bede was the last of the Early Church Fathers. Placed in a monastery at the age of seven, Bede rarely left his monastery home and devoted his life to teaching and writing. A prolific writer, Bede produced both histories and theological works — his commentaries are still used today. Bede’s most well-known disciple, Cuthbert, reported that Bede was working on translating the Gospel of John at the time of his death. Bede is buried in Durham Cathedral.

Readings Psalm 63 Psalm 78 Leviticus 26:21–44 Luke 14:1–24 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:85–87 Commemoration Today we commemorate Esther. Esther, who is the heroine of the Biblical book that bears her name, became the queen of King Ahasuerus. Using her position of power, Esther was able to uncover a plot to exterminate her people and have the architect of that plot hanged, and his office filled by her uncle and guardian, Mordecai. Esther’s story reveals to us how God works to preserve His saints and to deliver them from evil.

Readings Acts 16:9–15 Psalm 67 Revelation 21:9–14, 21–27 John 16:23–33 John 5:1–9

Readings Psalm 119:33–40 Psalm 81 Leviticus 26:1–20 Luke 13:18–35 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:77–84

Readings Psalm 52 Psalm 107 Leviticus 24:1–23 Luke 12:54—13:17 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:71–76

Readings Psalm 116 Psalm 123 Leviticus 23:23–44 Luke 12:35–53 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:66–70 Commemoration Today we commemorate Emperor Constantine, Christian Ruler, and Helena, Mother of Constantine. Emperor Constantine converted from paganism to Christianity and became both a defender and a supporter of the Church. Pursuant to the Edict of Milan, issued in AD 313, persecution of Christians became illegal in the Roman Empire. And it was Constantine who called the Council of Nicaea in AD 325; it was this council that defined and defended orthodox Christianity. Helena, Constantine’s mother, took a particular interest in archaeology and in locating historical sites related to Christianity; she would become one of the first Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land, and she identified a number of Biblical sites — some of which are still, to this day, maintained as places of worship.

Readings Psalm 127 Psalm 92 Leviticus 23:1–22 Luke 12:13–34 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:61–65

Readings Psalm 31 Psalm 25 Leviticus 21:1–24 Luke 12:1–12 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:53–60

Readings Psalm 37 Psalm 150 Leviticus 20:1–27 Luke 11:37–54 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:46–52

Readings Psalm 36 Psalm 39 Leviticus 19:9–37 Luke 11:14–36 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:38–45

Readings Psalm 119:1–8 Psalm 116 Leviticus 18:1—19:8 Luke 11:1–13 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:31–37

Readings Acts 11:1–18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1–7 John 16:12–22 John 13:31–35

Readings Psalm 17 Psalm 89 Leviticus 17:1–16 Luke 10:23–42 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:23–30

Readings Psalm 19 Psalm 50 Leviticus 16:1–24 Luke 10:1–22 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:16–22

Readings Psalm 25 Psalm 141 Leviticus 10:1–20 Luke 9:37–62 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:7–15

Readings Psalm 119:129–138 Psalm 96 Leviticus 9:1–24 Luke 9:18–36 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VIII:1–6

Readings Psalm 45 Psalm 132 Leviticus 8:1–36 Luke 9:1–17 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:124–128 Commemoration Today we commemorate Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs. Cyril and Methodius were brothers from a Greek family from Thessalonica. Ordained as priests, the brothers were sent, in AD 862, to what is today the Czech Republic, where they taught the Christian faith in the region’s native tongue. As part of this mission, Cyril created the alphabet that is today known as Cyrillic, in order to write down Scripture and liturgy. The use of the vernacular by Cyril and Methodius set an important precedent for future missionary work.

Readings Psalm 41 Psalm 76 Exodus 40:17–38 Luke 8:40–56 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:116–123

Readings Psalm 107 Psalm 115 Exodus 39:32—40:16 Luke 8:22–39 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:107–115 Commemoration Today we commemorate Job. Job was a blameless and upright man from Uz — a land north of Canaan. God permitted Job to be severely tested, and Job held steadfast to his faith in his Redeemer and in the Resurrection. At the end of the Book of Job, God explains that it is not for man to know the mysteries of God. We commemorate Job for his staunch faith and as a model of Christian suffering.

Readings Acts 20:17–35 Psalm 23 Revelation 7:9–17 John 10:22–33

Readings Psalm 119:145–152 Psalm 20 Exodus 38:21—39:31 Luke 8:1–21 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:104–106

Readings Psalm 84 Psalm 23 Exodus 34:29—35:21 Luke 7:36–50 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:91–103 Commemoration Today we commemorate C. F. W. Walther, Theologian. Father of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther emigrated from Saxony in Germany with other Lutherans in 1839. Settling in Missouri, he served as pastor of several congregations in St. Louis, founded Concordia Seminary, and was instrumental in the formation of the LCMS in 1847. Walther would serve as president of the Synod from 1847 to 1850 and then again from 1864 to 1878. Walther worked tirelessly to promote Confessional Lutheranism in the US. A prolific writer and speaker, Walther’s works are still widely used today, particularly including his book on the distinction between Law and Gospel.

Readings Psalm 86 Psalm 34 Exodus 34:1–28 Luke 7:18–35 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:85–90

Readings Psalm 80 Psalm 27 Exodus 33:1–23 Luke 7:1–17 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:77–84 Commemoration Today we commemorate Friedrich the Wise, Christian Ruler. Elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, Friedrich the Wise was instrumental to the Reformation. Although he never met Luther, Friedrich aided Luther significantly, including refusing to extradite Luther when the pope demanded it in 1518 and arranging for Luther to be ‘kidnapped’ and safely hidden in Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms. Beloved of his subjects, Friedrich was called “the Wise” for his sense of fairness and his justice. Upon his deathbed, Friedrich received the Lord’s Supper in both kinds — a clear confession of his Lutheran faith.

Readings Psalm 119:49–56 Psalm 79 Exodus 32:15–35 Luke 6:39–49 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:73—76 Commemoration Today we commemorate Friedrich Wyneken, Pastor and Missionary. Along with C. F. W. Walther and Wilhelm Sihler, Friedrich Wyneken was one of the founding fathers of the LCMS. Born in Germany in 1810, Wyneken came to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1838, and then accepted a call to Friedheim and Fort Wayne in Indiana. During his life, Wyneken would serve as missionary in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, including among the Amerindian population; would help found — along with Wilhelm Loehe and Sihler — Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne; and would serve as the second president of the LCMS. Wyneken is remembered for his dedication to preaching and spreading the Word of God and for his commitment to right doctrine and the Lutheran faith.

Readings Psalm 106 Psalm 68 Exodus 32:1–14 Luke 6:20–38 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:69–72

Readings Acts 9:1–22 Psalm 30 Revelation 5:1–14 John 21:1–19

Readings Psalm 92 Exodus 31:1–18 Luke 6:1–19 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:62–68 Commemoration Today we commemorate Athanasius of Alexandria, Pastor and Confessor. Born in Alexandria around AD 295, Athanasius would later serve as bishop of that city — a post he held for forty-five years. At the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, Athanasius defended Christian orthodoxy against the Arian heretics. Exiled five times and nearly murdered twice, Athanasius remained steadfast in his faith and lived his final days restored to his ecclesiastical office. The Athanasian Creed is named in his honor, because it confesses the truth of the divinity of Christ, which Athanasius championed during his life.

Readings Psalm 119:25–32 Psalm 9 Exodus 25:1–22 Luke 5:17–39 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:59–61 Festival Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Philip and St. James, Apostles. St. Philip, from Bethsaida in Galilee, was one of the first disciples called by Christ. In turn, Philip would bring Nathanael to Jesus. According to tradition, Philip labored and died in Phrygia. St. James, son of Alphaeus and Mary (one of the faithful women who stood at the foot of the cross), is little mentioned in the New Testament and there are no sure records concerning his work after the resurrection or his death. We commemorate these two men as followers of and workers for Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Readings Psalm 99 Psalm 79 Exodus 24:1–18 Luke 5:1–16 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:52–58

Readings Psalm 26 Psalm 41 Exodus 23:14–33 Luke 4:31–44 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:48–51

Readings Psalm 146 Psalm 103 Exodus 22:20—23:13 Luke 4:16–30 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration VII:42–47