Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS)

A Guide for Daily Prayer and Meditation: Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2025

Pray and confess out loud as much as you are able or based on your family size and ages. (Alternative orders in LSB pp295-8)

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The sign of the cross + may be made by all in remembrance of their baptism.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Hymn of the Month for January LSB 940 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Hymn of the Month for February LSB 430 My Song Is Love Unknown

One or more verses from the hymn of the month are sung, or another hymn may be chosen.

Verse of the Week: Luke 4:18

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

Daily Lectionary

The Second Article of the Creed, Part 2: …suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ…is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death…

The Apostles’ Creed is confessed † Lord’s Prayer † Prayers for Others and Ourselves (see LSB 305-318 for prayers)

In Our Prayers: Those who are suffering:  Shirley Arndt, Dan Drinkman, JoAnn Ehlers, Lois Eichinger, Louis and Mary Gettler, Harold Grunwald (Susan’s father), Richard Hanson, Marlys Jones, Pastor Jones, Rick Lahner (Carter’s grandfather), Greg Leland, Missy Lien (Thomas family friend), Lacie Miles (Chrystal’s sister-in-law), Marlene Paulson (Dianne Schroeder’s sister), Kathy Peterson, Doris Post,  Mark Radl, Dianne Schroeder, Kara Simmons (Pastor & Susan Thomas’ goddaughter), Leah Sparks (Marty Swearingen’s sister), Pastor Szedlak, Jeff Thomas, Ethel Vance, Cookie Ziebarth

Collect for the Third Sunday after Epiphany

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer based on the Second Article Part 2 of the Creed[1]

Lord Jesus Christ, my Brother and Savior, I praise You for rescuing me from sin, death, and the devil’s power by Your innocent suffering and death. Thank You for Your great love and undeserved sacrifice that won me, a lost and condemned creature, to be Yours. Give me faith to trust Your reconciling work and live in the knowledge of Your salvation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Excerpts from the Large Catechism on the Second Article, Part 2 of the Creed

When we had been created by God the Father and had received from Him all kinds of good, the devil came and led us into disobedience, sin, death, and all evil. So we fell under God’s wrath and displeasure and were doomed to eternal damnation, just as we had merited and deserved. There was no counsel, help, or comfort until this only and eternal Son of God—in His immeasurable goodness—had compassion upon our misery and wretchedness. He came from heaven to help us. So those tyrants and jailers are all expelled now. In their place has come Jesus Christ, Lord of life, righteousness, every blessing, and salvation. He has delivered us poor, lost people from hell’s jaws, has won us, has made us free, and has brought us again into the Father’s favor and grace. He has taken us as His own property under His shelter and protection so that He may govern us by His righteousness, wisdom, power, life, and blessedness. (401-402:28-30)

Bible Verses for Meditation on the Second Article, Part 2 of the Creed: 

-      The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

 John 1:29

-You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19

-Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”). Galatians 3:13

- He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

- …in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation…For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21

-Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 3:21-26

[1] Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. St. Louis: Concordia, 2017.