The Second Petition: Thy kingdom come. What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also. How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that…
Sexagesima Sunday| Luke 8:4-15| Pastor James Preus| Trinity Lutheran Church| February 8, 2026 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6 Last week we learned how we are saved entirely by God’s…
The First Petition: Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean? God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also. How is God’s name kept holy? God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in…
Septuagesima Sunday| Matthew 20:1-16| Pastor James Preus| Trinity Lutheran Church| February 1, 2026 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works. So that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) This is one of the most…
The Introduction: Our Father who art in heaven. What does this mean? With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.
Epiphany 3| Matthew 8:1-13| Pastor James Preus| Trinity Lutheran Church| January 25, 2026 Twenty chapters after our Gospel lesson, in Matthew 28, after Jesus has risen from the dead and before He ascends into heaven, He said these words to His disciples, known as The Great Commission: All authority in heaven and on earth…
Epiphany 2| John 2:1-11| January 18, 2025 In Matthew chapter 15, Pharisees and scribes criticize Jesus’ disciples for not ceremonially washing their hands according to the traditions of the elders. Jesus rebuked them in turn for exalting their traditions above the commandments of God. He then goes on to teach an important lesson about…
Epiphany 1| Luke 2:41-52| Pastor James Preus| Trinity Lutheran Church| January 11, 2026 St. Matthew records in chapter 3: 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to…
The Third Article: Sanctification I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come…
Epiphany | Matthew 2:1-12| Pastor James Preus| Trinity Lutheran Church| January 6, 2026 Last week we heard Simeon prophesy of the Christ child, that He was a “light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32) And so, we know that Christ has not come for the Jews only,…