Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS)

A Guide for Daily Prayer and Meditation: October 27-Nov 3, 2024

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)

+++

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 October LSB 596 All Christians Who Have Been Baptized

Hymn of the Month for November LSB 768 To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray

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

Verse of the Week: Luke 12:32

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

Daily Lectionary

The Sacrament of the Altar-What is the Benefit of this Eating and Drinking

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

These words, Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins, show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things, but the words written here: Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: forgiveness of sins.

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:  Pastor Carlson, Dan Drinkman, Tiffany Drinkman, Lois Eichinger, Louis Gettler, Arlene Hakes, 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, Arlene Potts, Michael Potts, Mark Radl, Jesse Schweisthal, Sarah Schweisthal, Kara Simmons (Pastor & Susan Thomas’ goddaughter), Leah Sparks (Marty Swearingen’s  sister), Marlys St. George (Pastor Jones’ great aunt), Pastor Szedlak, Jeff Thomas

Collect for Reformation Day

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; 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 Sacrament of the Altar[1]

Lord Jesus Christ, on the night of Your betrayal, You established the Supper of Your body and blood for us Christians to eat and drink. Give us faith to trust in the words of Your testament and so rightly receive the fruits of Your suffering and death through Your merit finally be brought to rejoice in the marriage feast of the Lamb, where You live and reign with the Father and the Spirit forever. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Excerpts from the Large Catechism on the Sacrament of the Altar                                                                       

-It is indeed called a food of souls, which nourishes and strengthens the new man. For by Baptism we are first born anew. But, as we said before, there still remains the old vicious nature of flesh and blood in mankind. There are so many hindrances and temptations of the devil and of the world that we often become weary and faint, and sometimes we also stumble. Therefore, the sacrament is given as a daily pasture and sustenance, that faith may refresh and strengthen itself so that it will not fall back in such a battle, but become even stronger and stronger…. Now to this purpose the comfort of the Sacrament is given when the heart feels that the burden is becoming too heavy, so that it may gain here new power and refreshment. (434-435:23-24, 27)

- Those who want to be Christians may prepare to receive this praiseworthy Sacrament often. (436:39)

- It must be known that people who deprive themselves of and withdraw from the Sacrament for such a long time are not to be considered Christians. (436:42)

- This is certainly true, as I have found in my own experience, and as everyone will find in his own case: if a person withdraws like this from the Sacrament, he will daily become more and more callous and cold, and will at last disregard the Sacrament completely. To avoid this, we must examine our heart and conscience, and we must act like people who desire to be right with God. The more this is done, the more the heart will be warmed and enkindled, so it may not become entirely cold. (437:53-54)

- But if you say, “How can I come if I feel that I am not prepared?” (437:55)

- Such people must learn that it is the highest art to know that the Sacrament does not depend upon our worthiness. We are not baptized because we are worthy and holy. Nor do we go to Confession because we are pure and without sin. On the contrary, we go because we are poor, miserable people. We go exactly because we are unworthy. This is true unless we are talking about someone who desires no grace and Absolution nor intends to change. (438:61)

Bible Verses for Meditation on the Sacrament of the Altar

-John 6:35, John 6:51, John 6:54, John 15:5, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30, Acts 2:42, 46-47

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