Third Midweek Lenten Service March 7, 2012
Taking
On Something for Lent:
Luther’s
Catechisms
Our Father in Heaven:
The Lord’s Prayer
The Order of Vespers
page 229
AS WE GATHER: Our Lenten midweek
services this year are focusing on the Catechisms of Luther. His Small and
Large Catechisms were published in 1529. The material in the Large Catechism
originated as sermons by Martin Luther on the basic texts of Christian
teaching. In his Preface to the Large Catechism Luther writes, “But for myself
I say this: I am also a doctor and preacher…Yet I act as a child who is being
taught the catechism. Every morning—and
whenever I have time—I read and say, word for word, the Ten Commandments, the
Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms, and such. I must still read and study
them daily. Yet I cannot master the
catechism as I wish.”
Catechism
comes from the Greek word katecho,
which literally means to “sound back and forth” or “from above”. It was used already by St. Paul in Galatians 6:6 to denote Christian
instruction. (The word echo also comes from this Greek word.)
By the second century, it had come to designate the pre-baptismal instruction
of catechumens. St. Augustine
first used this word to designate basic Christian instruction. Luther used the
word in this way throughout his life.
(McCain, Concordia, 309; Kolb,
Wengert, The Book of Concord, 345)
Hymn:
“Just as I Am, Without One Plea”.............................. Hymn
570
Opening
Verses and Responses......................................................... Page
229
The Lord’s Prayer
The Introduction through
the Second Petition
L Our Father in heaven. What does this mean?
C With these words God tenderly
invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true
children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear
children ask their dear father.
L Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean?
C God’s name is certainly holy in
itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.
L How is God’s name kept holy?
C God’s name is kept holy when
the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of
God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in
heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the
name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!
L Thy kingdom come. What does this mean?
C The kingdom of God certainly
comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may
come to us also.
L How does God’s kingdom come?
C God’s kingdom comes when our
heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His
holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.
Hymn
“Our Father, Who from Heaven Above”................. Hymn
766
(Stanzas 1-3)
The Lord’s
Prayer
The Third and Fourth
Petition
L Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. What does this mean?
C The good and gracious will of
God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may
be done among us also.
L How is God’s will done?
C God’s will is done when He
breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our
sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom
come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we
die. This is His good and gracious will.
L Give us this day our daily bread. What
does this mean?
C God certainly gives daily bread
to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this
petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread
with thanksgiving.
L What is meant by daily bread?
C Daily bread includes everything
that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink,
clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or
wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good
government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good
friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
Hymn
“Our Father, Who from Heaven Above”................. Hymn
766
(Stanza 4 & 5)
The Lord’s Prayer
The Fifth Petition
through the Conclusion
L And forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us. What does this mean?
C We pray in this petition that
our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of
them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we
deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we
daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will
sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.
L Lead us not into temptation. What does
this mean?
C God tempts no one. We pray in
this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world,
and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief,
despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these
things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.
L But deliver us from evil. What does this
mean?
C We pray in this petition, in
summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and
soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give
us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself
in heaven.
L For Thine is the kingdom and the power and
the glory forever and ever. Amen. What does this mean?
C This means that I should be
certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are
heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has
promised to hear us. Amen, amen means “yes, yes, it shall be so.”
Hymn
“Our Father, Who from Heaven Above”................. Hymn
766
(Stanza 6 - 8)
Old
Testament Lesson Daniel 6:1-23 (NIV)
1
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2
with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps
were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3
Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by
his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole
kingdom. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find
grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but
they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was
trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men
said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless
it has something to do with the law of his God.”
6
So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and
said: “O King Darius, live forever! 7 The royal administrators,
prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should
issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man
during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the
lions’ den. 8 Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so
that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the laws of the Medes and
Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree
in writing.
10
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his
upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on
his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11
Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for
help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal
decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone
who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the
lions’ den?”
The
king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the laws of the Medes and
Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
13
Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no
attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays
three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly
distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until
sundown to save him.
15
Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, O
king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict
that the king issues can be changed.”
16
So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into
the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve
continually, rescue you!”
17
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed
it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s
situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his
palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being
brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20
When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel,
servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able
to rescue you from the lions?”
21
Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel,
and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found
innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.”
23
The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And
when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had
trusted in his God.
Epistle
Lesson 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always, 17
pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this
is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Gospel
Lesson Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)
9 In this manner, therefore,
pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Responsory
for Lent.................................................................................. Page
231
Hymn
“Our Father, Who from Heaven Above”................. Hymn
766
(Stanza 9)
Martin
Luther wrote this hymn in 1539. With it
he completed his desire to provide a hymn for every part of the catechism. From
the Middle Ages on, many others had tried to versify the Lord’s Prayer, however,
none of those attempts compare to Luther’s outstanding version. Luther begins each stanza with an almost
literal rendering of the Lord’s Prayer phrase by phrase. He then explains each petition according to
the catechism. This is one of only two hymns where the original in Luther’s own
hand remains. Luther was not content with the original melody he wrote for this
hymn. Our melody is a more subdued and
devotional tune than his original.
Although its progression does not reflect the emphasis of the text as
closely as his earlier version, he must have preferred the mood of this melody.
THE SERMON
Our Father in
Heaven: The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
The
Gathering of Our Tithes and Sacrificial Offerings
(We request all who are present to sign the
attendance book that is at the end of your row. Please pass it on to the person
next to you.)
Canticle
and Prayer
P: Let my prayers rise before you as incense,
C and the lifting up of my hands
as the evening sacrifice.
Canticle:
“On My Heart Imprint Your Image”..................... Hymn
422
Luther’s
Evening Prayer
C I thank You, my heavenly
Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me
this day; and I pray that you would forgive me all my sins where I have done
wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself,
my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me; that the evil
foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Benedicamus.................................................................................................. Page
234
Benediction..................................................................................................... Page
234
Hymn:
“Abide with Me”..................................................................... Hymn
878
(Stanzas 3 & 6)
+ Silent Prayer +
Using Luther’s Catechisms
for Lent
The concept for this midweek Lenten series was inspired by the Book
of Concord:
Such matters also concern the laity and the salvation of their
souls. Therefore we also confess Dr. Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms as
they are included in Luther’s works. They are “the layman’s Bible” because
everything necessary for a Christian to know for salvation is included in them,
which is handled more extensively in the Holy Scriptures. (FC
Ep I 5)
As part of your Lenten emphasis on Luther’s catechisms, you may
wish to make the catechism a part of your daily Lenten routine. Each of the Six
Chief Parts of Christian Doctrine could be read through each week in Lent, and
the Large Catechism could be read once in its entirety during the
Lenten season.
Spiritual Growth in Lent: Many people choose to give up
something for Lent. Instead, you may
want to take on something for your Lenten discipline. You may want to read
the Six Chief Parts of Christian Doctrine from Luther’s Small Catechism each
day according to the following schedule:
Monday—The
Ten Commandments
Tuesday—The
Apostles’ Creed
Wednesday—The
Lord’s Prayer
Thursday—The
Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Friday—Confession
Saturday—The
Sacrament of the Altar
Sunday—Daily
Prayers, Table of Duties, or
Christian
Questions with Their Answers
The Small Catechism is found on page 321 in Lutheran
Service Book. You may also choose to read Luther’s Large Catechism during Lent,
focusing on one chief part each week. If you choose to read through the Large
Catechism, there is an interesting note about the Exhortation to Confession.
The Large Catechism, first published in 1529, did not originally contain this
exhortation, but before 1529 ended, a revised edition came out that did include
it. Nevertheless, the original 1580 German and 1584 Latin editions of the Book
of Concord do not include the Exhortation to Confession. So if you have Concordia:
Book of Concord, you will find the exhortation instead in Appendix B.
