Calendar

1st Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-20
Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Psalm 119:129-136

Color: Green

Hymn of the Day: 566 By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless

(Prop. 17)

Joshua

Joshua, the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, is first mentioned in Exodus 17 when he was chosen by Moses to fight the Amalakites, whom he defeated in a brilliant military victory. He was placed in charge of the Tent of Meeting (Ex. 33:11) and was a member of the tribal representatives sent to survey the land of Canaan (Num 13:8). Later, he was appointed by God to succeed Moses as Israel's commander-in-chief. He eventually led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land and directed the Israelites' capture of Jericho. He is remembered especially for his final address to the Israelites, in which he challenged them to serve God faithfully (Josh 24:1-27), concluding with the memorable words, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (24:15).

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies

Hannah

Hannah was the favored wife of Elkanah, the Ephraimite, and the devout mother of the prophet Samuel. He was born to her after years of bitter barrenness (1 Sam 1:6-8) and fervent prayers for a son (1:9-18). After she weaned her son, Hannah expressed her gratitude by returning him for service in the House of the Lord at Shiloh (1:24-28). Her prayer (psalm) of thanksgiving (2:1-10) begins with the words, "My heart exults in Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord." This song foreshadows the Magnificat, the Song of Mary centuries later (Lk 1:46-55). The name Hannah derives from the Hebrew word for "grace." She is remembered and honored for joyfully having kept the vow she made before her son's birth and offering him for lifelong service to God.

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies

Gregory the Great, Pastor

One of the great leaders in Europe at the close of the sixth century, Gregory served in both the secular and sacred arenas of his era. As mayor of Rome, he restored economic vitality to his native city, which had been weakened by enemy invasions, pillage, and plague. After he sold his extensive properties and donated the proceeds to help the poor, he entered into full-time service in the Church. On September 3, 590 A.D., Gregory was elected to lead the church in Rome. As Bishop of Rome he oversaw changes and growth in the areas of church music and liturgical development, missionary outreach to northern Europe, and the establishment of a church-year calendar still used by many churches in the western world today. His book on pastoral care became a standard until the 20th century.

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies

Moses

Moses was born in Egypt several generations after Joseph brought his father Jacob and his brothers there to escape a famine in the land of Canaan. The descendants of Jacob had been enslaved by the Egyptians and were ordered to kill all their male children. When Moses was born his mother put him in a basket and set it afloat in the Nile River. He was found by Pharaoh's daughter and raised by her as her own son (Exod 2:1-10). At age 40 Moses killed an Egyptian taskmaster and fled to the land of Midian, where he worked as a shepherd for forty years. Then the Lord called him to go back to Egypt and tell Pharaoh, "Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness" (5:1). Eventually Pharaoh gave in and, after the Israelites celebrated the first Passover, Moses led them out. At the Red Sea the Egyptian army was destroyed and the Israelites passed to safety on dry land (Exodus 12-15). At Mount Sinai they were given the Law and erected the Tabernacle (Exodus 19-40). But because of disobedience they had to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Moses himself was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, although God allowed him to view it (Deuteronomy 34). In the New Testament Moses is referred to as lawgiver and prophet. The first five books of the Bible are attributed to him.

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies

Zechariah and Elizabeth

Zachariah and Elizabeth were "righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord" (Lk 1:6). Zechariah, a priest in the Jerusalem temple, was greeted by the angel Gabriel who announced that Zechariah and Elizabeth would become parents of a son. Initially Zechariah did not believe Gabriel's announcement because of their old age. For his disbelieve, Zechariah became unable to speak. After their son was born, Elizabeth named her son John. Zechariah confirmed his wife's choice and his ability to speak was restored. In response, he sang the Benedictus, a magnificent summary of God's promises in the Old Testament and a prediction of John's work as forerunner to Jesus (Lk. 1:68-79). Zechariah and Elizabeth are remembered as examples of faithfulness and piety.

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies

1st Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7a
Epistle: James 2:1-10, 14-18
Gospel: Mark 7:(24-30) 31-37

Psalm 146

Color: Green

Hymn of the Day: 797 Praise the Almighty, my soul, adore Him

(Prop. 18)

1st Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Gospel: John 12:20-33

Psalm 40:1-11

Color: Red

Hymn of the Day:
454 Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
455 The royal banners forward go

Holy Cross Day

While Good Friday is dedicated to the Passion of Christ and the Crucifixion, this day honors the Cross itself, as the instrument of salvation. It is through Christ's meritorious suffering and death on the Cross by which man is justified to God, received by faith.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org "Feast of the Cross"
http://www.britannica.com "Exaltation of the Holy Cross"

1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-10
Epistle: James 3:1-12
Gospel: Mark 9:14-29

Psalm 116:1-9

Color: Green

Hymn of the Day: 849 Praise the One who breaks the darkness

(Prop. 19)

Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr

Cyprian (A.D. ca. 200 - 258), was acclaimed bishop of the north African city in Carthage around 248. During the persecution of the roman Emperor Decius, Cyprian fled Carthage but returned two years later. He was then forced to deal with the problem of Christians who had lapsed from their faith under persecution and now wanted to return to the Church. It was decided that these lapsed Christians could be restored but that their restoration could take place only after a period of penance that demonstrated their faithfulness. During the persecution under Emperor Valerian, Cyprian at first went into hiding but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded for the faith in Carthage in the year 258.

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies

1st Reading: Ezekiel 2:8-3:11
Epistle: Ephesians 4:7-16
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13

Psalm 119:33-40

Color: Red

Hymn of the Day: 730 What is the world to me

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Matthew was sitting by the customs house in Capernaum when Jesus called him (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14). Matthew (meaning "Gift of God") is the Christian name of Levi (whom Mark calls "Levi the son of Alphaeus"), who had been employed as a tax collector in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. Because Levi's occupation was one that earned distrust and contempt everywhere, the scribes criticized Jesus on seeing him eat with tax collectors and sinners; whereupon Jesus answered, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:15-17).

Matthew became a disciple and follower of Jesus. He was also one of the witnesses of the Resurrection and the Ascension.

Apart from some other passing references to Matthew, there are no further precise details concerning his life, except that he seems to have been closely associated with the Apostle Thomas in the ministry of preaching the Gospel (Matthew 9:3; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:13-16). The Apostles generally preached the Gospel in pairs.

Tradition says Matthew is the author of the Gospel of Matthew. Church tradition also says Matthew died as a martyr.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org "Saint Matthew"
http://www.britannica.com "Saint Matthew"
http://www.encyclopedia.com "St. Matthew"

1st Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20
Epistle: James 3:13- 4:10
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Psalm 54

Color: Green

Hymn of the Day: 851 Lord of glory, You have bought us

(Prop. 20)

Jonah

A singular prophet among the many in the Old Testament, Jonah the son of Amittai was born about an hour's walk from the town of Nazareth. The focus of his prophetic ministry was the call to preach at Nineveh, the capital of pagan Assyria (Jonah 1:1). His reluctance to respond and God's insistence that His call be heeded is the story of the book that bears Jonah's name. Although the swallowing and disgorging of Jonah by the great fish is the most remembered detail of his life, it is addressed in only three verses of the book (1:17; 2:1, 10). Throughout the book, the important theme is how God deals compassionately with sinners. Jonah's three-day sojourn in the belly of the fish is mentioned by Jesus as a sign of his own death, burial, and resurrection (Mt. 12:39-41).

Source: www.LCMS.org Commemorations Biographies