Author: admin

May 12, 2026

Broadcast

                             Pray - Part 2
                             John 16:26-27
                              05/12/2026


        26   In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not
             say to you that I will ask the Father on your
             behalf;
        27   for the Father himself loves you, because you have
             loved me and have believed that I came from God.
             (ESV)

        Jesus told His disciples:
        In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say
        to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for
        the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me
        and have believed that I came from God.


        We pray in sure and certain confidence that God has promised
   to hear our prayer.  Even when we do not know how or what to
   pray, the Holy Spirit takes our prayers and brings them to the
   Father because we have faith in Christ Jesus.  The Father hears
   us and loves us because we have Christ Jesus as our redeemer from
   sin, death, and the power of the devil.

        Therefore the Church is bold to pray:
        O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy
        inspiration grant that we may think those things that
        are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them.


        The faith which boldly brings us before our Creator is not
   our work, but a gift of God given to us by the Holy Spirit.  It
   is formed as we hear the Word of God, as Saint Paul reminds us,
   ``So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of
   Christ.''[1] It is the holy inspiration, the breathing of the
   Holy Spirit,  which gives us the Word of truth by which we live,
   as Saint Peter wrote: ``For no prophecy was ever produced by the
   will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by
   the Holy Spirit.''[2]

        May our Lord continue to grant us faith, increasing in us
   trust and knowledge of His love and mercy.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Romans 10:17 (ESV)

   2. 2 Peter 1:21 (ESV)

May 11, 2026

Broadcast

                             Pray - Part 1
                             John 16:23-24
                              05/11/2026


        23   In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly,
             truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the
             Father in my name, he will give it to you.
        24   Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask,
             and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
             (ESV)

        On the night Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples:
        In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I
        say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name,
        he will give it to you.  Until now you have asked
        nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that
        your joy may be full.


        We believe, teach, and confess that prayer, just like our
   good works, are a response to the good news that Christ Jesus
   paid the price for our sins upon the cross.  His death is our
   death, His resurrection is our resurrection.  The assurance of
   eternal life comes not because of our efforts, but because of
   God's rich love, grace, and mercy as found in Christ Jesus.

        This week's prayer of the Church, the Collect, reflects our
   response to God's grace.
        O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy
        inspiration grant that we may think those things that
        are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them;
        through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and
        reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
        forever.


        It is the Holy Spirit who calls us to faith in Christ Jesus
   by giving us God's holy Word.  Faith which trusts in the message
   of the Bible, in the message of salvation by grace through faith
   for the sake of Christ, leads to actions which reflect God's love
   to others.  We are bold to pray to the Father through Jesus
   Christ because of the work of the Holy Spirit.  This week we will
   look at this response of faith.

        May our Lord grant us the desire to know and do His will.
   Amen.

May 8, 2026

Broadcast

                  Where True Joys are Found - Part 5
                             John 16:12-15
                              05/08/2026


        12   I still have many things to say to you, but you
             cannot bear them now.
        13   When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you
             into all the truth, for he will not speak on his
             own authority, but whatever he hears he will
             speak, and he will declare to you the things that
             are to come.
        14   He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine
             and declare it to you.
        15   All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said
             that he will take what is mine and declare it to
             you.  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible teaches two
   major doctrines, the law and the Gospel.  Jesus explained the
   work of the Holy Spirit as proclaiming God's love, of teaching
   the Church, through God's Word, of the truth of the Father's
   mercy.

        I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot
        bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
        guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on
        his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,
        and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
        He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and
        declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine;
        therefore I said that he will take what is mine and
        declare it to you.


        Where do we hear the Gospel, the good news of salvation by
   grace through faith for the sake of Christ?  Christ Jesus gave
   the world the Church to proclaim God's Word and to administer the
   sacraments which create and sustain our faith in Him.  For your
   eternal blessing and benefit, please join us each Sunday at 9:00
   a.m.  at Trinity Lutheran Church to learn more of God's grace,
   love, and favor.

        Meanwhile, the Church continues to pray:
        O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one
        will.  Grant that we may love what You have commanded
        and desire what You promise, that among the many
        changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where
        true joys are found.


        May our Lord enlighten us with His gift of faith for our
   eternal blessing.  Amen.

May 7, 2026

Broadcast

                  Where True Joys are Found - Part 4
                             John 16:8-11
                              05/07/2026


        8    And when he comes, he will convict the world
             concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
        9    concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
        10   concerning righteousness, because I go to the
             Father, and you will see me no longer;
        11   concerning judgment, because the ruler of this
             world is judged.  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible teaches two
   major doctrines, the law and the Gospel.  Jesus explained the
   work of the Holy Spirit as convicting the world of sin, the
   proclamation of the law, so that we may repent and be saved.

        And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning
        sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin,
        because they do not believe in me; concerning
        righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will
        see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the
        ruler of this world is judged.


        The ultimate sin is rejecting Jesus.  Every other sin flows
   from our selfish desire to replace God and His love as shown to
   us in the death and resurrection of Christ.  We know that by our
   own works we cannot attain to heaven, but that Jesus even now
   sits at the right hand of the Father.  The devil, the ruler of
   this world, is judged and condemned because Christ's tomb is
   empty.

        As Christians, we have the daily struggle of being both
   saint and sinner.  We ask that God grants us faith to conform our
   lives and hearts to Him so that we may be assured of eternal
   life.

        O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one
        will.  Grant that we may love what You have commanded
        and desire what You promise, that among the many
        changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where
        true joys are found.


        May our Lord give us faith which hopes in Him, even in the
   midst of trials and turmoil.  Amen.

May 6, 2026

Broadcast

                  Where True Joys are Found - Part 3
                             John 16:8-11
                              05/06/2026


        8    And when he comes, he will convict the world
             concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
        9    concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
        10   concerning righteousness, because I go to the
             Father, and you will see me no longer;
        11   concerning judgment, because the ruler of this
             world is judged.  (ESV)

        On Sunday we prayed:
        O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one
        will.  Grant that we may love what You have commanded
        and desire what You promise, that among the many
        changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where
        true joys are found.


        The Holy Spirit calls all Christians to trust in Christ
   Jesus, that our salvation from sin, death, and the power of the
   devil is given to us, not because of our works, but because of
   God's rich love.  As we trust in Christ Jesus, we desire to do
   God's holy will, for His Law is given out of love for our
   benefit.  We long for our heavenly home, which is promised to
   those who do not reject the good news of God's grace.

        Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit.  He explained:
        And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning
        sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin,
        because they do not believe in me; concerning
        righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will
        see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the
        ruler of this world is judged.


        Faithful Christians are not surprised that the devil, the
   world, and even our own sinful flesh conspire to hide the good
   news of salvation for the sake of Christ.  The Holy Spirit
   convicts us of sin, not to condemn us, but to convince us that
   our only hope is found in Christ Jesus.  If we confess our sins,
   God forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all
   unrighteousness.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hear the message of the Holy
   Spirit, to learn of God's rich love and favor.  Amen.

May 5, 2026

Broadcast

                  Where True Joys are Found - Part 2
                               John 16:7
                              05/05/2026


        7    Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your
             advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
             the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I
             will send him to you.  (ESV)

        Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, tried to prepare His
   disciples both for His coming death and His Ascension.  The
   disciples were sorrowful when Jesus said He was going away.
   Jesus told them: ``Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to
   your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the
   Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to
   you.''

        Here is the promise of the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy
   Spirit who calls us to faith in Christ Jesus by giving us the
   God's Word, both audibly and visibly in the Sacraments.  It is
   the Holy Spirit who keeps us in the one true faith, that guards
   us from false doctrine, who causes one Holy, Christian, and
   apostolic church to last forever.

        In our prayer of the Church we acknowledge the work of the
   Holy Spirit who sustains our faith in Christ Jesus.  This faith
   leads to hope, for through Christ Jesus our sins are forgiven.

        O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one
        will.  Grant that we may love what You have commanded
        and desire what You promise, that among the many
        changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where
        true joys are found.


        May our Lord grant us faith to hold to the promise of life
   everlasting because Jesus died and rose again for our salvation.
   Amen.

May 4, 2026

Broadcast

                  Where True Joys are Found - Part 1
                              John 16:5-6
                              05/04/2026


        5    But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of
             you asks me, `Where are you going?'
        6    But because I have said these things to you,
             sorrow has filled your heart.  (ESV)

        On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He took special care
   to prepare His disciples for both His coming death and His
   Ascension.  During these closing weeks of the Easter season, the
   Church prepares itself to answer the question, ``What does it
   mean to be people of God when we cannot physically see Him?''

        Jesus said to His disciples: ``But now I am going to him who
   sent me, and none of you asks me, `Where are you going?'  But
   because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your
   heart.''

        Certainly we understand the sorrow of the disciples.
   Anytime we can no longer be with loved ones, be it because of
   death or distance, we grieve.  There is the uncertainty that we
   will ever see one another, so we are sorrowful.

        Yet, the prayer for this week is a prayer of hope.
        O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one
        will.  Grant that we may love what You have commanded
        and desire what You promise, that among the many
        changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where
        true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son,
        our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
        Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        This week we will look at the prayer of the Church in light
   of Jesus' words to His disciples as they walked from the upper
   room to the Garden of Gethsemane.

        May our Lord grant us comfort in the changes and chances of
   this world.  Amen.

May 1, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Light of Truth - Part 5
                              John 16:22
                              05/01/2026


        22   So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you
             again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one
             will take your joy from you.  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that God's Word is true, that
   it gives us all we need to know for our salvation from sin and
   death.  All Scripture points us to Christ Jesus, who died and
   rose again so to win for us the forgiveness of our many sins.
   Therefore, the Church prays for all who hear the Word, that they
   come to know the truth, and that their thoughts, words, and deeds
   reflect the truth.
        Almighty God, You show those in error the light of Your
        truth so that they may return to the way of
        righteousness.  Grant faithfulness to all who are
        admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Church that
        they may avoid whatever is contrary to their confession
        and follow all such things as are pleasing to You.


        Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, told His disciples:
   ``So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your
   hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.''

        Here we have the promise of His return and the promise of
   the eternal joys of living in His Father's mansions.  Today we
   may have trouble, sickness, and distress.  We know, however, that
   this is temporary.  Heaven awaits that unknown hour when He will
   return in all His glory.

        As we wait for Christ Jesus to return, we are invited by God
   to receive, even today, the gift of forgiveness which brings us
   hope and comfort.  Where do we find that gift?  Come join us each
   Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. as we gather around the Word and
   Sacraments to receive God's rich blessings.

        May our Lord grant us steadfast faith, and the strength to
   live that faith, as we await the great day of Jesus' return.
   Amen.

April 30, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Light of Truth - Part 4
                              John 16:21
                              04/30/2026


        21   When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow
             because her hour has come, but when she has
             delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the
             anguish, for joy that a human being has been born
             into the world.  (ESV)

        Some of the most joyful times in our lives come after an
   agonizing wait.  As we wait, we work to be ready for the day the
   goal is accomplished.  Because the waiting is hard, we may want
   to give up, to simply stop pursuing the goal.  We pray for those
   who have grown tired of waiting for Christ.  We pray for those
   who have been taught something other than God's Word.
        Almighty God, You show those in error the light of Your
        truth so that they may return to the way of
        righteousness.  Grant faithfulness to all who are
        admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Church that
        they may avoid whatever is contrary to their confession
        and follow all such things as are pleasing to You.


        Jesus was aware of the disciples' discontent, confusion, and
   questions.  He told them: ``When a woman is giving birth, she has
   sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the
   baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human
   being has been born into the world.''

        The struggle, the pain, the perils are real, but so are the
   joys.  We may suffer persecution, ridicule, or be denied
   friendships because of our faith in Christ Jesus.  Yet, we have
   the promise of eternal life because our sins are forgiven for His
   sake.

        May our Lord keep us faithful through the problems of this
   life until we come to the eternal joys of heaven.  Amen.

April 29, 2026

Broadcast

                      The Light of Truth - Part 3
                             John 16:19-20
                              04/29/2026


        19   Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said
             to them, ``Is this what you are asking yourselves,
             what I meant by saying, `A little while and you
             will not see me, and again a little while and you
             will see me'?
        20   Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and
             lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be
             sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.''
             (ESV)

        There are many things which blind us to the truth of God's
   Word.  Our prayer this week is that those who do fall from the
   truth may come back to the Church, and that all who confess Jesus
   with their lips may also do so in their actions.
        Almighty God, You show those in error the light of Your
        truth so that they may return to the way of
        righteousness.  Grant faithfulness to all who are
        admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Church that
        they may avoid whatever is contrary to their confession
        and follow all such things as are pleasing to You.


        One of the problems many people have in understanding God's
   Word is they overthink the message, adding things which God did
   not say, or ignoring that which is said.  This was also true of
   the disciples.

        Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to
        them, ``Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I
        meant by saying, `A little while and you will not see
        me, and again a little while and you will see me'?
        Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament,
        but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but
        your sorrow will turn into joy.''


        Christians truly are in the world, but are not of the world.
   We trust the Word of God rather than the changing speculations of
   knowledgeable people.  We suffer ridicule and worse for our
   understanding that we all are born in sin, that we all need a
   Savior.  Because of our faith, we may be sorrowful today,
   especially as we long to see Jesus face to face.  But that sorrow
   is temporary.

        May our Lord grant that we have the joy of knowing our sins
   are forgiven, that we have the promise of eternal life for the
   sake of Jesus Christ.  Amen.