Lectio Concordia

The Word for All – Wednesday

Preparing for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

February 5, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: Help us not to hoard your Word, Lord, that it would only be for us in the church. Give us courage and strength to take your Word into the world. Amen.

• Psalm 2:1–12

• Matthew 28:16–20

• We also have the command to call upon Christ according to Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,” which is certainly said to us too. Isaiah says, “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire...” (Isaiah 11:10). And Psalm 45:12: “The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.” Also Psalm 72:11: “May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!” Then shortly after in Psalm 72:15 “May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!” And in John 5:23 Christ says that all people should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. [The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Invocation of Saints]

• "A Mighty Fortress" Tune

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!

• Benediction: May you be blessed with great faith in the promise that the gospel, the Word of God, is for you too. Amen.

• Memory Verse: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

• Memory Verse Aid: ITSW, LYLSBO, STTMS YGW AGGTYF WIIH. (M516)