Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

Jubilate
Introit: Ps. 66:3, 5, 8-9; antiphon: Ps. 66:1-2\rOld Testament: Is. 40:25-31
      or Lam. 3:22-33
Psalm 147:1-11 (antiphon: v. 5)
Epistle: 1 Peter 2:11-20
      or 1 John 3:1-3
ProperVerse: Ps. 111:9a, Luke 24:26
Gospel: John 16:16-22

Those Who Wait on the Lord Shall Rejoice
The people of God are pilgrims and sojourners in this world, looking ahead to a destination yet to come (1 Peter 2:11-20). Though we are now children of God, the fullness of what we shall be has not yet been revealed (1 John 3:1-3). We are those who wait on the Lord. "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him" (Lam. 3:25). Jesus tells us that the wait is just a little while. "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me" (John 16:16). Though you must experience sorrow for a time, though you must live as strangers in a world that is at enmity with Christ, yet your sorrow will be turned to joy when He returns. "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength" (Is. 40:31). The little while of weeping shall be replaced with an eternity of rejoicing in the presence of Christ the crucified and risen Savior. "And no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22).

Joram/Jehoram King of Israel

Lutherans and other denominations 

Misericordias Domini
Introit: Ps. 33:1, 18-20; antiphon: Ps. 33:5b, 6a
Old Testament: Ezek. 34:11-16
Psalm 23 (antiphon: v. 6)
Epistle: 1 Peter 2:21-25
ProperVerse: Luke 24:35b, John 10:14
Gospel: John 10:11-16

The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep
Our Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16). He is not like the hireling, who cares nothing for the sheep and only for himself, who flees when he sees the wolf coming. Rather, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who seeks out His scattered sheep to deliver them (Ezek. 34:11-16). He gathers them and feeds them in rich pasture. He binds up the broken and strengthens the sick. He lays down His life for wandering and wayward sheep. On the cross, Christ bore in His body the attacks of the predators of sin and death and the devil for you that you might be saved. He now lives to restore your soul in the still waters of baptism, to lead you in the paths of righteousness by the voice of His Gospel, to prepare the table of His holy supper before you, that you may dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23). "For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25).

Ahaziah - King of Israel 

Quasimodo Geniti
Introit: Ps. 81:1, 7a, 10, 16b; antiphon: 1 Peter 2:2a
Old Testament: Ezek. 37:1-14
Psalm 33 (antiphon: v. 6)\rEpistle: 1 John 5:4-10
ProperVerse: Matt. 28:7b, John 20:26a, c
Gospel: John 20:19-31

The Wounds of Christ Give Us Life
"For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood" (1 John 5:7). These three point to Christ and flow from Christ. Jesus shows His disciples His hands side, from which blood and water flowed, saying "Peace be with you." He presents the wounds which turn our fear to gladness and which restore us to the Father. Jesus breathes on His disciples and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:23). His breath, His words are Spirit and life. They raise up our dry, dead bones and give us new and everlasting life (Ezek. 37:1-14). Christ now gives His ministers to speak His forgiving, Spirit-filled words to the penitent in His stead. Our Lord continues to come to His people, presenting His wounds to us in the Sacraments of water and blood. He bids us to touch His side at His table, to receive His risen body and blood in true faith, that believing we may have life in His name.

Harmonizing the four Gospels 

Introit: Ps. 8:1, 5-6, 9; antiphon: Luke 24:5-7
Gradual: Ps. 118:24,1
Old Testament: Job 19:23-27
Psalm 118:15-29 (antiphon: v. 1)
New Testament: 1 Cor. 5:6-8
      or 1 Cor. 15:51-57
ProperVerse: 1 Cor. 5:7b-8a, c
Gospel: Mark 16:1-8

Christ's Resurrection Means That We Will One Day Be Raised
"Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Cor. 5:7). By the shed blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, eternal death has passed over us. Now we pass with Christ through death into life everlasting. For Christ the crucified One is risen! The stone has been rolled away from the tomb, revealing that the tomb could not hold Him (Mark 16:1-8). Now our Redeemer lives eternally to save us from sin and Satan and the grave, and we can live in the sure hope of our own bodily resurrection with Christ. "After my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:26). Feasting on the living Christ, who is our meat and drink indeed, we boldly say: "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? . . . But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:54-55, 57).

John 20

John 19