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April 6, 2026

Broadcast

                         He is Risen - Part 1
                              Mark 16:1-8
                              04/06/2026


        1    When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary
             the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so
             that they might go and anoint him.
        2    And very early on the first day of the week, when
             the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
        3    And they were saying to one another, ``Who will
             roll away the stone for us from the entrance of
             the tomb?''
        4    And looking up, they saw that the stone had been
             rolled back -- it was very large.
        5    And entering the tomb, they saw a young man
             sitting on the right side, dressed in a white
             robe, and they were alarmed.
        6    And he said to them, ``Do not be alarmed. You seek
             Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has
             risen; he is not here. See the place where they
             laid him.
        7    But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is
             going before you to Galilee.  There you will see
             him, just as he told you.''
        8    And they went out and fled from the tomb, for
             trembling and astonishment had seized them, and
             they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
             (ESV)

        Yesterday was Easter.  Rather than celebrating the coming of
   spring, rather than focusing on bunnies and baby chickens and
   chocolate, let's hear what the day is truly about.

        When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the
        mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they
        might go and anoint him.  And very early on the first
        day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to
        the tomb.  And they were saying to one another, ``Who
        will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of
        the tomb?''  And looking up, they saw that the stone
        had been rolled back -- it was very large.  And
        entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the
        right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were
        alarmed.  And he said to them, ``Do not be alarmed. You
        seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has
        risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid
        him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is
        going before you to Galilee.  There you will see him,
        just as he told you.''  And they went out and fled from
        the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized
        them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were
        afraid.


        Let us pray the Prayer of the day for Easter:
        Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten
        Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened
        the gate of everlasting life to us.  Grant that we, who
        celebrate with joy the day of our Lord's resurrection,
        may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving
        Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and
        reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
        forever.


        May our Lord grant you faith to hear the good news that
   Jesus Christ is indeed risen.  Amen.

April 3, 2026

Broadcast

                          Holy Week - Part 5
                             John 19:28-30
                              04/03/2026


        28   After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now
             finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ``I
             thirst.''
        29   A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a
             sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch
             and held it to his mouth.
        30   When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said,
             ``It is finished,'' and he bowed his head and gave
             up his spirit.  (ESV)

        Today is both the darkest and the most important day in
   human history.  Jesus the Christ, true God and true man, died
   upon the cross to pay the price of your sins and mine.  The
   promise made to Adam and Eve on the day they sinned is fulfilled
   by the agony of our Savior.

        After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished,
        said (to fulfill the Scripture), ``I thirst.''  A jar
        full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge
        full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to
        his mouth.  When Jesus had received the sour wine, he
        said, ``It is finished,'' and he bowed his head and
        gave up his spirit.


        Once and for all time our Lord was sacrificed to redeem
   sinners.  In His death is our life.  He who knew no sin became
   sin for us that we might be redeemed from eternal death.

        Some larger parishes may have a worship service from noon to
   three, the hours of darkness.  Others, like Trinity, will gather
   in the evening to ponder this gift of love.  No matter when the
   congregation gathers, it gathers because God so loved the world
   that He gave His only-begotten Son.

        Therefore the Church prays today:
        Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family, for
        whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed
        and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer
        death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ,
        Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and
        the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        Amen.

April 2, 2026

Broadcast

                          Holy Week - Part 4
                        1 Corinthians 11:23-25
                              04/02/2026


        23   For I received from the Lord what I also delivered
             to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he
             was betrayed took bread,
        24   and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and
             said, ``This is my body which is for you. Do this
             in remembrance of me.''
        25   In the same way also he took the cup, after
             supper, saying, ``This cup is the new covenant in
             my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in
             remembrance of me.''  (ESV)

        Each week, as we gather together at our Lord's invitation to
   receive from Him the gift of the forgiveness of our sins which
   leads to eternal life, we celebrate the most blessed Sacrament
   which Jesus bestowed upon His Church on Thursday of Holy Week.
   Saint Paul wrote:
        For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to
        you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was
        betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he
        broke it, and said, ``This is my body which is for you.
        Do this in remembrance of me.''  In the same way also
        he took the cup, after supper, saying, ``This cup is
        the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you
        drink it, in remembrance of me.''


        Here the Church, here each one who receives the body and
   blood of Jesus in and under the bread and wine, is given tangible
   proof of God's grace and mercy.  Saint Paul reminded the
   congregation in Corinth: ``The cup of blessing that we bless, is
   it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we
   break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?''[1] As
   we depart the table, we do so knowing our sins are forgiven for
   the sake of Jesus who willingly bore the guilt and shame so that
   we may receive the gift of life.

        Therefore, today the Church prays:
        O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a
        remembrance of Your passion.  Grant that we may so
        receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that
        the fruits of Your redemption may continually be
        manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father
        and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church this evening at
   7:00 as we ponder our Lord's gift of grace and mercy.  Amen.


   ____________________

   1. 1 Corinthians 10:16 (ESV)

April 1, 2026

Broadcast

                          Holy Week - Part 3
                            Isaiah 62:11-12
                              04/01/2026


        11   Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the
             earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, ``Behold, your
             salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him,
             and his recompense before him.''
        12   And they shall be called The Holy People, The
             Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called
             Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.  (ESV)

        As we look at the Gospel accounts of Holy Week, the week
   Jesus died, it seems that He did not go into the city on
   Wednesday.  Rather, He stayed in Bethany, where He and His
   disciples were guests in the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.

        On this day, we read not only Luke's passion account, but
   also from the prophet Isaiah.
        Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the
        earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, ``Behold, your
        salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and
        his recompense before him.''  And they shall be called
        The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you
        shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.


        Isaiah clearly spoke of the death and resurrection of the
   Messiah for the redemption of all people.  Therefore today the
   Church prays:
        Merciful and everlasting God, You did not spare Your
        only Son but delivered Him up for us all to bear our
        sins on the cross.  Grant that our hearts may be so
        fixed with steadfast faith in Him that we fear not the
        power of sin, death, and the devil; through the same
        Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
        and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        May our Lord grant you the peace which comes from faith in
   Christ Jesus.  Amen.

March 31, 2026

Broadcast

                          Holy Week - Part 2
                           Matthew 23:37-39
                              03/31/2026


        37   O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the
             prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How
             often would I have gathered your children together
             as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and
             you would not!
        38   See, your house is left to you desolate.
        39   For I tell you, you will not see me again, until
             you say, ``Blessed is he who comes in the name of
             the Lord.''  (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that Jesus died and rose
   again to pay the price of all sin for all people for all time.
   Why, then, are many people condemned?  It is not that God desires
   their eternal death, but that they have rejected the message of
   salvation by grace through faith for the sake of Christ.

        On Tuesday of the week Jesus died He and His disciples
   visited the Temple in Jerusalem.  While there, Jesus lamented
   over the the city, expressing His frustration that the message of
   God's mercy was rejected.

        O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the
        prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often
        would I have gathered your children together as a hen
        gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!
        See, your house is left to you desolate.  For I tell
        you, you will not see me again, until you say,
        ``Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.''


        Within forty years the city would be in ruins, destroyed by
   the Romans.

        Today the Church prays for those who do not yet know the
   peace of God which comes from the forgiveness of sins.  We hope
   that this message of peace reaches those who otherwise have no
   lasting hope.

        Almighty and everlasting God, grant us by Your grace so
        to pass through this holy time of our Lord's passion
        that we may obtain the forgiveness of our sins; through
        Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns
        with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        May our Lord grant us grace to accept His gift of love with
   thanksgiving.  Amen.

March 30, 2026

Broadcast

                          Holy Week - Part 1
                             John 12:12-15
                              03/30/2026


        12   The next day the large crowd that had come to the
             feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
        13   So they took branches of palm trees and went out
             to meet him, crying out, of Israel!''
        14   And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just
             as it is written,
        15   ``Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is
             coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!''  (ESV)

        The most important and influential person who ever lived is
   Jesus.  It matters not if you are a Christian or agnostic, we are
   reminded of Jesus daily.  Our calendar reminds us of His birth as
   we count the years since His nativity.  Hallmarks of our Western
   civilization, equality, liberty, freedom, and charity stem from
   those who accepted Jesus at His Word.

        This week commemorates the most important week of His life,
   the culmination of His work.  On Sunday we remembered how Jesus
   rode into Jerusalem to the shouts of the crowd.  That is the
   beginning which leads to His death and resurrection.

        The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast
        heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.  So they took
        branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying
        out, ``Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of
        the Lord, even the King of Israel!''  And Jesus found a
        young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
        ``Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is
        coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!''


        ``Hosanna'' is a Hebrew word which means, ``Save us now.''
   Within the week, that which was sung as part of the pilgrim
   entrance into Jerusalem will be answered by the holy, precious
   blood and innocent suffering and death of our Lord.  Therefore,
   the church prays:
        Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our
        Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and
        to suffer death upon the cross.  Mercifully grant that
        we may follow the example of His great humility and
        patience and be made partakers in His resurrection;
        through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and
        reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
        forever.


        May our Lord grant us ears to hear of Jesus and faith to
   accept the gift which He won for us on the cross.  Amen.

March 27, 2026

Broadcast

                       Judge Me, O God - Part 5
                             John 8:56-59
                              03/27/2026


        56   ``Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see
             my day. He saw it and was glad.''
        57   So the Jews said to him, ``You are not yet fifty
             years old, and have you seen Abraham?
        58   Jesus said to them, ``Truly, truly, I say to you,
             before Abraham was, I am.''
        59   So they picked up stones to throw at him, but
             Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
             (ESV)

        We believe, teach, and confess that we are redeemed from sin
   and death because of God's great love alone.  Our good works do
   not save.  Therefore, on Sunday we prayed:
        Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look
        upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved
        evermore in body and soul.


        This prayer asks God to give us the faith to hear and
   believe His Word, to recognize that Jesus is truly the Son of God
   and yet also true man.  Although this is the promise of the Old
   Testament and the message of the New Testament, the teaching is
   difficult.  Many people refuse to accept this truth.

        Jesus continued His debate with the Jews:
        ``Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my
        day. He saw it and was glad.''  So the Jews said to
        him, ``You are not yet fifty years old, and have you
        seen Abraham?  Jesus said to them, ``Truly, truly, I
        say to you, before Abraham was, I am.''  So they picked
        up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and
        went out of the temple.


        Jesus boldly confesses that He is the Son of God, that He is
   the long-promised Messiah.  The Jews sought to silence Jesus by
   stoning Him to death.

        Today you are confronted with the same message.  You have
   the right to judge Jesus as a heretic, as one who deserves death;
   or you can join us at Trinity Lutheran Church at 9:00 a.m. Sunday
   morning to hear more about Him.  We pray that you choose to
   accept our invitation.

        May our Lord open our hearts and minds to the truth of His
   Word so that we have the comfort of knowing our sins are
   forgiven.  Amen.

March 26, 2026

Broadcast

                       Judge Me, O God - Part 4
                             John 8:51-55
                              03/26/2026


        51   ``Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my
             word, he will never see death.''
        52   The Jews said to him, ``Now we know that you have
             a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet
             you say, `If anyone keeps my word, he will never
             taste death.'
        53   Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?
             And the prophets died!  Who do you make yourself
             out to be?''
        54   Jesus answered, ``If I glorify myself, my glory is
             nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom
             you say, `He is our God.'
        55   But you have not known him. I know him. If I were
             to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar
             like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.''
             (ESV)

        Last Sunday, which is called ``Judica Sunday'' because we
   desire that God judge us and declare us righteous, we prayed:
        Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look
        upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved
        evermore in body and soul.


        As Christians, we agree that the truth of God's Word seems
   incredible.  Our parents, our friends, our neighbors pass away.
   We can drive outside of town to visit their graves, even as we
   remember their lives.  Yet, we confess that we have life
   everlasting in Christ Jesus.  We will sleep the rest of temporal
   death, but are alive in Christ.

        If you are uncomfortable with this truth, you are not alone.
   The Jews with whom Jesus was debating had the same reaction.
        ``Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word,
        he will never see death.''  The Jews said to him, ``Now
        we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the
        prophets, yet you say, `If anyone keeps my word, he
        will never taste death.'  Are you greater than our
        father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died!  Who
        do you make yourself out to be?''  Jesus answered, ``If
        I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father
        who glorifies me, of whom you say, `He is our God.'
        But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to
        say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you,
        but I do know him and I keep his word.''


        May our Lord grant us faith to hear His Word.  Amen.

March 25, 2026

Broadcast

                       Judge Me, O God - Part 3
                             John 8:48-50
                              03/25/2026


        48   The Jews answered him, ``Are we not right in
             saying that you are a Samaritan and have a
             demon?''
        49   Jesus answered, ``I do not have a demon, but I
             honor my Father, and you dishonor me.
        50   Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who
             seeks it, and he is the judge.''  (ESV)

        Last Sunday we prayed:
        Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look
        upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved
        evermore in body and soul.


        As we pray, we are confessing certain beliefs.  First, we
   confess that the goal of the Christian Church is not morality and
   good works, but the forgiveness of our sins which leads to life
   everlasting.  Good works are an outgrowth of our faith in Christ
   Jesus as our Redeemer.  Because we are judged and declared
   righteous in His sight, we forgive those who sin against us.

        Second, we confess that we, of our own reason or strength,
   cannot life a God pleasing life.  Only as we are forgiven, only
   as the Holy Spirit draws our focus from our own selfish desires
   to put our eyes on God's mercy, do we begin to desire to love our
   neighbors as ourselves.

        Those people who do not want to hear the truth often begin
   by attacking the messenger.  They attack the credibility of the
   person, not the credibility of the message.  It was true in
   Jesus' day, it is true today.

        The Jews answered him, ``Are we not right in saying
        that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?''  Jesus
        answered, ``I do not have a demon, but I honor my
        Father, and you dishonor me.  Yet I do not seek my own
        glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the
        judge.''


        May our Lord grant us faith to see Jesus as the One sent by
   God to bring us life everlasting by paying the price of our sin.
   Amen.

March 24, 2026

Broadcast

                       Judge Me, O God - Part 2
                             John 8:46-47
                              03/24/2026


        46   ``Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell
             the truth, why do you not believe me?
        47   Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The
             reason why you do not hear them is that you are
             not of God.''  (ESV)

        In the prayer of the Church on Sunday, we said:
        Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look
        upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved
        evermore in body and soul.


        With this prayer, we ask God to graciously give us the faith
   which hears the truth of His love, grace, and mercy.  Because we
   are born with sin, our natural desire is to hide from God, to run
   from Him.  Only as the Holy Spirit gives us faith to receive the
   truth of God's Word can we come to know of our heavenly Father's
   love.

        Jesus, while debating the religious leaders, said: ``Which
   one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you
   not believe me?  Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The
   reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.''

        This is the harsh truth, we flee from God's Word because we
   do not have faith in Him.  We find all sorts of excuses to stop
   our ears, for we are afraid that hearing of God's love will force
   us to change, to confess our sins, and to throw ourselves on His
   mercy.

        We want to be in charge, but our prayer this week admits
   that our help is only in the name of the Lord, that we, of
   ourselves, have no hope.  We are not comfortable admitting that
   we have no strength to redeem ourselves.  For many people, this
   fact drives them away from the One who brings hope.

        May our Lord open our ears to hear His Word for our eternal
   blessing.  Amen.