Nativity of St. John the Baptizer
24 June 2018
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to His people
in the forgiveness of their sins…”
St. Luke 1.76-77
Jesus’ Way Is Prepared
St. John the Baptizer’s birth was miraculously announced to his father in the Jerusalem temple, while Zechariah performed the incense ritual accompanying the daily sacrifice in the Most Holy Place (St. Luke 1.5-23). The angel of the Lord struck Zechariah mute when the old priest questioned the Word of God. But, on the occasion of John’s birth, his aged father’s tongue was loosed to name his son John as God had ordained, and to proclaim a marvelous hymn of praise (St. Luke 1.67-79). This hymn—the Benedictus—is sung throughout the Church to this day (see Lutheran Service Book 226-227). The hymn tells us that the child would be the “Prophet of the Most High.” God, going before the Lord Jesus “to prepare His way,” giving the people the “knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” now open to them in the person of Jesus Christ. John would be the final prophet, fulfilling the words of the Benedictus, the one privileged to proclaim publicly while pointing at Jesus in the flesh, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” (St. John 1.29)
Parish News
Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God by Mr. & Mrs. Kris Fitzgerald, in honor of their anniversary.
Divine Service for St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles is this Friday, June 29 at 10:30am.
Divine Service for the Visitation Mark your calendars to attend Divine Service for the Visitation on Monday, July 2 at 10:30am. The guest preacher will be the Rev. Jacob Gaugert, LCMS Missionary to Togo, West Africa. Following the service will be a presentation on Rev. Gaugert’s missionary work in Togo.
Heritage Fund envelopes are in the narthex, or at the table across from the Parish Office. As you are able to be generous, remember our ongoing repayments of funds borrowed for the new furnaces and air conditioners, and for the ongoing technological upgrades to our computer systems.
Special Offerings are Sought for the renovation of the backyard area around the vicarage patio, where we intend to construct a covered area for activities. You may use a Heritage Fund envelope and mark it “Shelter House” or mark your check accordingly. Construction will not take place until all funds are raised.
The Faith Once Delivered to All the Saints Issues, Etc. is a radio show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s teachings include: Modern Feminism, The Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, The Prophet Jeremiah, 5th Century Archbishop Cyril of Alexandria, 2nd Century Bishop Irenaeus of Lyons and more. You can listen live or on-demand at www.issuesetc.org and on the LPR mobile app.
Prepare for Next Sunday
1 Kings 19.11–21; 1 Peter 3.8–15; St. Luke 5.1–11
Hymns: 578 – 730 – 734 – 617 – 870 – 947
Prepare for St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles (Friday, 10:30am)
Acts 12.1-11; St. Matthew 16.13-20
Hymns: 647 – 518 – 645 – 909
Order of Daily Prayer
L: Make haste, O + God, to deliver me.
R: Make haste to help me, O Lord.
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
Psalm 79
Scripture Readings:
[S] from Divine Service
[M] Acts 27.1-44; 1 Samuel 9.1-27
[T] Acts 28.1-31; 1 Samuel 10.1-27
[W] Romans 1.1-15; 1 Samuel 12.1-25
[Th]Romans 1.16-32; 1 Samuel 13.1-14
[F] Romans 2.1-29; 1 Samuel 15.1-35
[S] Romans 3.1-31; 1 Samuel 16.1-23
Hymn of the Day or Month
Catechism (bulletin)
Apostles’ Creed
L: Lord, have mercy upon us; R: Christ, have mercy upon us; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father
Collect of the Day (bulletin)
Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer
L: Bless we the Lord. R: Thanks be to God.
