Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Dwight, IL

06/01/2026

June 1: Justin, Martyr (~100 - ~164AD)

Born into a pagan family, converted to Christianity ~130AD. Was a teacher of the Christian Faith in Ephesus and Rome. Refused to sacrifice to pagan "gods" and so was arrested and executed, along with six other Christians. The record of his martyrdom became a source of encouragement for other Christians. Of his writings, two "Apologies" (Defense of the Faith) and "Dialogue with Trypho" are available to us today.

Saint Justin Martyr, one of the most important of the Greek philosopher-Apologists in the early Christian church. His writings represent one of the first positive encounters of Christian revelation with Greek philosophy and laid the basis for a theology of history.

06/01/2026

Bible Reading for Today:

Ecclesiastes chapters 1-8
John chapters 1-8

05/31/2026

May 31: The Visitation

Luke (1:39-55) records Mary's visit to her elderly cousin Elizabeth. Both are pregnant, Elizabeth with John the Baptizer, Mary with our Savior, Jesus. Elizabeth was barren, well past childbearing years, when God gave her and her husband a child. Mary was a Virgin, and the child she carried was "conceived by the Holy Spirit".

Elizabeth recognized Mary's child as the Promised One: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. "

Mary spoke of the Lord's grace in raising up the humble while "scatter[ing] the proud in the thoughts of their hearts". This "Great Reversal" is repeated several times in Luke's Gospel, as Jesus rescues sinners from death and hell, and opens heaven to all believers.

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

The Holy Trinity

Bible Reading for Today:

Numbers 35
Acts Chapters 1 - 7

Today at Emmanuel: Divine Service: 10:00AM

JUNE 7 - SEPTEMBER 6 DIVINE SERVICE AT 9:00AM

05/30/2026

You do not have to "get better" or "stop sinning so much" before God will pay attention to you. Jesus said,

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

A hymn from tomorrow's Divine Service at Emmanuel.

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05/30/2026

Bible Reading for Today:

Numbers chapters 28-34
Luke chapter 24

05/29/2026

For those who travel during the coming weeks:

Lord God our Father, You kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, You led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a star You led the Wise Men to the infant Jesus. Protect and guide us now in this time as we set out to travel. Make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home, where You dwell in glory with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

05/29/2026

Bible Reading for Today:

Numbers 25:1-27:23
Luke 23:26-56