Christ's Lutheran Church - NALC

05/05/2026

Today The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod commemorates Frederick the Wise.

Frederick the Wise (in German: Friedrich der Weise) lived from 1471 to 1528, and was instrumental in the life and work of Martin Luther. Frederick founded the University of Wittenberg where Luther and Philipp Melanchthon taught, and he also protected Luther during and after the Diet of Worms, staging a fake kidnapping of the reformer so he could be hidden in the Wartburg Castle to protect him from the bounty put on his head by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. One of the treasures of our 2021–2023 exhibit, “Martin, Katharina, Philipp und Friedrich: Historic Images of the Reformers – An Exhibition of Fine Art,” was this stunning copperplate print of Frederick the Wise by Albrecht Dürer from 1524. On the top left corner is the Saxon coat of arms, and on the top right corner is the Wettin family coat of arms, Frederick’s dynastic family house.

05/03/2026

“Thanks be to God for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation He gives us in Jesus Christ, our Savior!”

Life Thoughts in the Church Year for May 3:

(Three-Year Lectionary) May 3 – Fifth Sunday of Easter: The truth of God’s Word is not always welcomed by “stiff-necked people” who “resist the Holy Spirit,” and even become enraged at hearing the truth. Stephen faithfully proclaimed that Word even though it led to his martyrdom (Acts 7:51, 59-60). Many angry voices today demand unfettered access to abortion or physician-assisted su***de. But we must continue to sound the trumpet of truth, for only the power of God’s Word can open the eyes of the blind and execute justice for the oppressed (Psalm 146:7-8). It is the narrow road of faith in Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, that gives us access to our Father in heaven (John 14:6). Baptized into Christ, we are living stones, being built up into a spiritual house, that we may proclaim the Good News of the One who calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:5, 9).

(One-Year Lectionary) May 3 – Fifth Sunday of Easter: The psalmist invites us to “Come and see what the Lord has done!” (Psalm 66:5). The works of the Lord are many, but the greatest of all is the redemption He has provided us through His Son. Because Jesus bore the cross for us, God’s anger “is turned away” (Isaiah 12:1). Whatever stain of sin haunts our past, including the sin of abortion, that stain can be washed clean by Christ’s blood. Thanks be to God for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation He gives us in Jesus Christ, our Savior! With joy we draw water from the well of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Jesus not only sends us the Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11), to nurture us in the faith, but also “every good and every perfect gift from above” (James 1:17), most notably, God’s holy Word and Sacraments.

lutheransforlife.org/resources/life-thoughts/

05/03/2026

Fifth Sunday of Easter — Cantate
May 3, 2026
The Divine Service
10:30am

Welcome in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

05/03/2026

Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
With exaltation springing,
And, with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God has done,
How His right arm the victory won,
What price our ransom cost Him! (LBW 299:1)

The Hymn of the Day for Cantate Sunday.

499 likes, 8 comments. "Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice"

05/02/2026

+ Athanasius of Alexandria, Pastor and Confessor +

2 May

Athanasius was born in Alexandria in Egypt in A.D. 295. He served as a church leader in a time of great controversy and ecclesiastical disagreements. At the Council of Nicaea in 325, he defended Christian orthodoxy against the proponents of the A***n heresy, which denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. During his 45-year tenure as bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius wrote numerous works that defended the orthodox teaching. His enemies had him exiled five times; on two occasions he was almost murdered. Yet Athanasius remained steadfast and ended his days restored fully to his church responsibilities. The Athanasian Creed, though not composed by Athanasius, is named in his honor because it confesses the doctrinal orthodoxy he championed throughout his life. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

05/01/2026

+ St. Philip and St. James, Apostles +

1 May

“I will speak of your testimonies before kings, O Lord, and shall not be put to shame.” - Psalm 119:46

St. Philip is mentioned in the lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13), but only in John’s Gospel is more told about him. Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee and one of the first disciples called after Peter and Andrew. Philip also was instrumental in bringing Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:43–51). It was to Philip that Jesus posed the question about where to buy bread to feed five thousand men (John 6:5). During Holy Week, Philip with Andrew brought some inquiring Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20–22). And on Maundy Thursday evening, Philip asked Jesus to show the Father to him and to the rest of the disciples (John 14:8). According to tradition, Philip went to labor in Phrygia and was buried there.

St. James was a son of Alphaeus and was also called “the Younger” (to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee, “the Elder,” whose festival day is July 25). His mother, Mary, was one of the faithful women who stood at the cross of Jesus (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40). James is mentioned in the same apostolic lists as Philip, but there is no other mention of him in the New Testament. There is also no information regarding his field of labor or the circumstances of his death, except that he may have been martyred by being sawed in two. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

Almighty God, Your Son revealed Himself to Philip and James and gave them the knowledge of everlasting life. Grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life, and steadfastly to walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

We praise You, Lord, for Philip,
Blest guide to Greek and Jew,
And for young James the faithful,
Who heard and followed You.
O grant us grace to know You,
The way, the truth, the life,
To wrestle with temptation,
To triumph in the strife.

LSB 518:16

St. Philip by Peter Paul Rubens (1611)

04/26/2026

Life Thoughts in the Church Year for Sunday, April 26:

(Three-Year Lectionary) - (Easter 4): The first generation of Christians were “selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:45). They did this because they recognized that the Gospel of Jesus grants worth and dignity to every person. This doesn’t mean that each Christian needs to sell all they have. But it does mean that we would “die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24), loving the poor and needy as well as the unborn, the sick, and the dying.

(One-Year Lectionary) - Jubilate (Easter IV): The conception and birth of every baby should be cause for joy (John 16:21). Sadly, millions of babies every year are conceived but never born. Either by intentional abortions or unintended miscarriages, joy falls victim to sorrow. A life is lost, and even if the world does not know it, a mother does. In His mercy that never comes to an end (Lamentations 3:22), Christ has died for our sins. He forgives. He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love (Lamentations 3:32). Now you know sorrow but also know that when Christ appears, you shall be like Him, pure as He is pure (1 John 3:2-3). Then your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

lutheransforlife.org/resources/life-thoughts/

04/26/2026

Fourth Sunday of Easter — Jubilate
April 26, 2026
The Divine Service
10:30am

Welcome in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James Tissot (1836–1902)
The Last Sermon of Our Lord

04/25/2026

+ St. Mark, Evangelist +

25 April

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” - Mark 16:15

St. Mark was the author of the second Gospel, which he composed, according to some Early Church Fathers, when the Christians in Rome asked him to write down the preaching of the apostle Peter. Mark, also known as John Mark, was originally from Jerusalem, where the house of his mother Mary was the center of the early Jerusalem Church (Acts 12:12). He was brought from Jerusalem by Paul and Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 12:25), and it was from this city that they set out on the first missionary journey. When Paul and Barnabas were preparing to go on the second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them again, but Paul objected because Mark had left them during the first journey. Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas as his new companion (Acts 15:37-40). Later, Paul reconciled with Mark and was working with him again (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11). Finally, Mark was found laboring with Peter in Rome (1 Peter 5:13). Tradition says that Mark was instrumental in founding the Church in Alexandria, becoming its first bishop, and also that he suffered a martyr’s death. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

Almighty God, You have enriched Your Church with the proclamation of the Gospel through the evangelist Mark. Grant that we may firmly believe these glad tidings and daily walk according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

For Mark, O Lord, we praise You,
The weak by grace made strong,
Whose labors and whose Gospel
Enrich our triumph song.
May we, in all our weakness,
Reflect Your servant life
And follow in Your footsteps,
Enduring cross and strife.

LSB 518:15

Mark the Evangelist by Il Pordenone (1535)

04/24/2026

+ Johann Walter, Kantor +

24 April

Johann Walter (1496-1570) began service at the age of 21 as a composer and bass singer in the court chapel of Frederick the Wise. In 1524, he published a collection of hymns arranged according to the church year. It was well received and served as the model for numerous subsequent hymnals. In addition to serving for 30 years as kantor (church musician) in the cities of Torgau and Dresden, he also assisted Martin Luther in the preparation of the Deutsche Messe (1526). Walter is remembered as the first Lutheran kantor and composer of church music. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn (Walthersches Gesangbuch), tenor voice for Christ lag in Todesbanden (1524)

04/21/2026

+ Anselm of Canterbury, Theologian +

21 April

Born in Italy in 1033, Anselm is most closely associated with England, where he served as Archbishop of Canterbury for many years. A brilliant scholar and writer, Anselm used his political skills with the British kings on behalf of the established Christian church, affirming that it is the leadership of the church and not the state which has the responsibility of establishing structure and maintaining order among the clergy. Anselm is especially remembered for his classic book, Why God Became Man, which taught that the reason for the incarnation was that Jesus, the Son of God, would suffer and die in place of sinners. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

Anselm with his book Cur Deus Homo, exterior of Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, England