Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

Exodus 19:7-25

Revelation 9

Acts 10:17-48

Color: White

First Reading: Acts 20:28–35
Psalm: Psalm 71:1–14; antiphon: v. 17
Epistle: Titus 1:1–9
Gospel: Luke 10:1–9
Introit: Psalm 89:1, 5, 15–16; antiphon: Titus 3:4–5a
Gradual: Ezekiel 34:11, 12b; Jeremiah 23:4a, b
Verse: Titus 2:11

St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor
 
“Faith,” the “knowledge of the truth” and the “hope of eternal life” are manifested daily among us in His Word through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ Jesus (Titus 1:1–3). The times seem desperate: “Fierce wolves” are among us, “not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29), and “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). The Lord, however, is diligent to build and care for the Church, “which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). We are not to fear, but rather to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest” (Luke 10:2). Send us faithful laborers! Preserve all pastors and teachers, that they “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught” so that they, like St. Titus, “may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9)! Give us ears to hear their preaching in repentance and faith. Preserve them from falsehood, greed and unholy living. We commend them to You and the Word of Your grace (Acts 20:32), that “when the chief Shepherd appears,” (1 Peter 5:4) He may declare, “Well done, good and faithful servant. … Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).

Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

Exodus 19:1-6

Revelation 8:7-13

Acts 10:1-16

Color: Green

Old Testament: Exodus 33:12–23
Old Testament: Amos 9:11–15
Psalm: Psalm 111; antiphon: v. 9
Psalm: Psalm 67; antiphon: v. 1
Epistle: Romans 12:6–16
Epistle: Ephesians 5:22–33
Gospel: John 2:1–11
Introit: Psalm 66:1–5, 20; antiphon: v. 4; 92:1
Gradual: Psalm 107:20–21
Verse: Psalm 148:2

Jesus’ First Miracle Reveals God’s Glory
 
The coming of the Messianic kingdom means the restoration of creation. The sign of this restoration is that “the mountains shall drip sweet wine” (Amos 9:11–15). When the elements of a fallen creation fail and run short at a wedding feast, our Lord Jesus steps in to restore creation and miraculously changes water into an abundance of the very best wine (John 2:1–11). With this sign, Christ manifests His glory. The “back” of God (Ex. 33:12–23) is revealed to those who believe. The hour will come when Jesus will again manifest His glory by taking creation’s curse into His own body to release us from its power. The Bridegroom will give His life for the Bride (Eph. 5:22–32), and from His side will flow water and blood, the holy sacraments by which she is cleansed and made one with Him. Through this sacrificial love of Christ we are enabled to “love one another with brotherly affection . . .” and to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:6–16).

Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

Exodus 18

Revelation 7:13-8:6