Weekly Devotional Helps, September 21-September 27

On Monday, we celebrate St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. His Gospel was the first of the four Gospels written. It is a wonderful work that is poured over each day throughout the entire world. It is appropriate to view his Gospel as the first catechism. In the 25th verse of hymn 518, By All Your Saints in Warfare, we hear about St. Matthew. “Praise, Lord, for him whose Gospel Your human life declared, Who, worldly gain forsaking, Your path of suff’ring shared. From all unrighteous mammon, O raise our eyes anew That we in our vocation May rise and follow You.” We give thanks that God utilized Matthew to bring the Word of God to us today!

Readings-

Monday- St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Ezekiel 2:8-3:11; Eph. 4:7-16; Mt. 9:9-13

Tuesday- Nehemiah 7:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:1-16

Wednesday- Nehemiah 9:1-21; 1 Timothy 5:17-6:2

Thursday- Nehemiah 9:22-38; 1 Timothy 6:3-21

Friday- Malachi 1:1-14; Matthew 3:1-17

Saturday- Malachi 2:1-3:5; Matthew 4:1-11

Sunday- Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18; Matthew 21:23-27

Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost–

Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Small Catechism- (If you want, try and memorize this by next Sunday.)

(From the Table of Duties)- What the Hearers Owe Their Pastors- “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peach with each other.” (1 Thess. 5:12-13) “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17 (4th grade +)

Weekly Hymn of Emphasis- LSB 407 To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord

Helpful prayers from the Lutheran Prayer Companion this week- 284, 301, 372, 427, 428