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Pastors' Study Group in Plano
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[F] The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord (W)
[F] The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord (W)
February 2, 2023
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 1:21-28\rPsalm 84 (antiphon: v. 4)\rEpistle: Hebrews 2:14-18\rGospel:Luke 2:22-32 (33-40)\r\rGod Gives the Gift of a Child to Destroy Death\rThe Lord opened the barren womb of Hannah and gave her the gift of the son for whom she prayed, and in grateful response she presented and gave the child, Samuel, to the Lord's service. "As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD" (1 Sam. 1:28). So, too, did Mary and Joseph present the Child promised from the fall, born of a virgin's womb. The true offering wasn't the turtledoves or young pigeons. It was the Child they carried. This Child has come to "destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" (Heb. 2:14b-15). Set free by His advent in our flesh and the promise of what He would do "in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people" (Heb. 2:17b), Simeon and Anna rejoiced. We also rejoice, for we, too, can face death unafraid and "depart in peace" (Luke 2:29) when our time comes.
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5
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[C] Jacob (Israel), Patriarch
[C] Jacob (Israel), Patriarch
February 5, 2023
Jacob, the third of the three Hebrew patriarchs, was the younger of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. After wrestling with the Angel of the Lord, Jacob, whose name means "deceiver," was renamed "Israel," which means "he strives with God" (Gen. 25:26; 32:28). His family life was filled with trouble, caused by his acts of deception toward his father and his brother Esau and his parental favoritism toward his son Joseph (March 31). Much of his adult life was spent grieving over the death of his beloved wife Rachel and the presumed death of Joseph, who had been appointed by the Egyptian Pharaoh to be in charge of food distribution during a time of famine in the land. Prior to Jacob's death during the blessing of his sons, God gave the promise that the Messiah would come through the line of Jacob's fourth son, Judah (Genesis 49).
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Septuagesima (G)
Septuagesima (G)
February 5, 2023
Introit: Ps. 18:1-2a, 27, 32, 49; antiphon: Ps. 18:5-6a\rGradual: Ps. 9:9-10, 18-19a\rOld Testament: Ex. 17:1-7\rPsalm 95:1-9 (antiphon: v. 6)\rEpistle: 1 Cor. 9:24-10:5\rTract: Ps. 130:1-4\rGospel: Matt. 20:1-16\r\rGrace Alone\rThe people of Israel contended with the Lord in the wilderness (Ex. 17:1-7). They were dissatisfied with His provision. In the same way, the first laborers in the vineyard complained against the landowner for the wage he provided them (Matt. 20:1-16). They charged him with being unfair, but in reality he was being generous. For the Lord does not wish to deal with us on the basis of what we deserve but on the basis of His abounding grace in Christ. The first-those who rely on their own merits-will be last. "For they were overthrown in the wilderness" (1 Cor. 10:5). But the last, those who rely on Christ, will be first. For Christ is the Rock (1 Cor. 9:24-10:5). He is the One who was struck and from whose side blood and water flowed that we may be cleansed of our sin.
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Divine Service
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Bible Study/Sunday School
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Youth Catechesis
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9
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Elder Meeting
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Ladies Group
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10
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[C] Silas, Fellow Worker of St. Peter and St. Paul
[C] Silas, Fellow Worker of St. Peter and St. Paul
February 10, 2023
Silas, a leader in the church at Jerusalem, was chosen by Paul (Acts 15:40) to accompany him on his second missionary journey from Antioch to Asia Minor and Macedonia. Silas, also known as Silvanus, was imprisoned with Paul in Philippi and experienced the riots in Thessalonica and Berea. After rejoining Paul in Corinth, he apparently remained there for an extended time. Beyond that there is little further mention of Silas and his association with Paul.
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12
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Sexagesima (G)
Sexagesima (G)
February 12, 2023
Introit: Ps. 44:1-2, 7-8; antiphon: Ps. 44:23, 25a, 26a\rGradual: Ps. 83:18, 13\rOld Testament: Is. 55:10-13\rPsalm 84 (antiphon: v. 4)\rEpistle: 2 Cor. 11:19-12:9\r or Heb. 4:9-13\rTract: Ps. 60:1-2, 5\rGospel: Luke 8:4-15\r\rScripture Alone\rThe Sower sows the seed of His Word (Luke 8:4-15). This Word is living and powerful (Heb. 4:9-13) to conceive new life in those who hear it. But the planting of Christ is attacked by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Satan snatches the Word away from hard hearts. The riches and pleasures of this life choke off faith. Shallow and emotional belief withers in time of temptation and trouble. But see how Christ bears this attack for us! Christ's cross was planted in the hard and rocky soil of Golgotha. A crown of thorns was placed upon His head. Satan and His demons hellishly hounded and devoured Him. Yet, through His dying and rising again, He destroyed these enemies of ours. Jesus is Himself the Seed which fell to the ground and died in order that it might sprout forth to new life and produce much grain. In Him, the weak are strong (2 Cor. 11:19-12:9). He is the Word of the Father which does not return void (Is. 55:10-13) but yields a harvest hundredfold.
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Divine Service
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Bible Study/Sunday School
Bible Study/Sunday School
February 12, 2023 10:45 am - 11:45 am
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Youth Catechesis
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13
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[C] Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos
[C] Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos
February 13, 2023
Aquila and his wife Priscilla (Prisca), Jewish contemporaries of St. Paul, traveled widely. Because of persecution in Rome, they went to Corinth where they met the apostle Paul, who joined them in their trade of tentmaking (Acts 18:1-3). They, in turn, joined him in his mission of proclaiming the Christian Gospel. The couple later traveled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18), where the two of them established a home that served as hospitality headquarters for new converts to Christianity. Apollos was one of their numerous Jewish pupils in the faith. An eloquent man, Apollos "spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus" (Acts 18:25). He later traveled from Corinth to the province of Achaia, where he "showed by the Scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus" (Acts 18:28). Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos are all remembered and honored for their great missionary zeal.
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Bible Class
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14
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[C] Valentine, Martyr
[C] Valentine, Martyr
February 14, 2023
A physician and priest living in Rome during the rule of the Emperor Claudius, Valentine become one of the noted martyrs of the third century. The commemoration of his death, which occurred in the year 270, became part of the calendar of remembrance in the early church of the West. Tradition suggests that on the day of his execution for his Christian faith, he left a note of encouragement for a child of his jailer written on an irregularly-shaped piece of paper. This greeting became a pattern for millions of written expressions of love and caring that now are the highlight of Valentine's Day in many nations.
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Choir
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15
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[C] Philemon and Onesimus
[C] Philemon and Onesimus
February 15, 2023
Philemon was a prominent first-century Christian who owned a slave named Onesimus. Although the name "Onesimus" means "useful," Onesimus proved himself "useless" when he ran away from his master and perhaps even stole from him (Philemon 18). Somehow Onesimus came into contact with the apostle Paul while the latter was in prison (possibly in Rome), and through Paul's proclamation of the Gospel he became a Christian. After confessing to the apostle that he was a runaway slave, he was directed by Paul to return to his master and become "useful" again. In order to help pave the way for Onesimus' peaceful return home, Paul sent him on his way with a letter addressed to Philemon, a letter in which he urged Philemon to forgive his slave for having run away and "to receive him as you would receive me" (v. 17), "no longer as a slave, but as a beloved brother" (v. 16). The letter was eventually included by the church as one of the books of the New Testament.
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Men's Study
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16
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[C] Philip Melanchthon (birth), Confessor
[C] Philip Melanchthon (birth), Confessor
February 16, 2023
Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) was a brilliant student of the classics and a humanist scholar. In 1518 he was appointed to teach along with Martin Luther at the University of Wittenberg. At Luther's urging, Melanchthon began teaching theology and Scripture in addition to his courses in classical studies. In April of 1530, Emperor Charles V called an official meeting between the representative of Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism, hoping to effect a meeting of minds between two opposing groups. Since Luther was at that time under papal excommunication and an imperial ban, Melanchthon was assigned the duty of being the chief Lutheran representative at this meeting. He is especially remembered and honored as the author of the Augsburg Confession, which was officially presented by the German princes to the emperor on June 25, 1530, as the defining document of Lutheranism within Christendom. Melanchthon died on April 19, 1560.
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18
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[C] Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor
[C] Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor
February 18, 2023
Martin Luther, born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, initially began studies leading toward a degree in law. However, after a close encounter with death, he switched to the study of theology, entered an Augustinian monastery, was ordained a priest in 1505, and received a doctorate in theology in 1512. As a professor at the newly-established University of Wittenberg, his scriptural studies led him to question many of the church's teachings and practices, especially the selling of indulgences. His refusal to back down from his convictions resulted in his excommunication in 1521. Following a period of seclusion at the Wartburg castle, Luther returned to Wittenberg, where he spent the rest of his life preaching and teaching, translating the Scriptures, and writing hymns and numerous theological treatises. He is remembered and honored for his lifelong emphasis on the biblical truth that for Christ's sake God declares us righteous by grace through faith alone. He died on February 18, 1546, while visiting the town of his birth.
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Quinquagesima (G)
Quinquagesima (G)
February 19, 2023
Introit: Ps. 31:1, 5, 9, 16; antiphon: Ps. 31:2b-3\rGradual: Ps. 77:14-15\rOld Testament: 1 Sam. 16:1-13\r or Is. 35:3-7\rPsalm 89:18-29 (antiphon: 20)\r or Psalm 146 (antiphon: v. 2)\rEpistle: 1 Cor. 13:1-13\rTract: Ps. 100:1-3\rGospel: Luke 18:31-43\r\rFaith Alone\rThe seeing are blind, while the one who is blind can see (Luke 18:31-43). Jesus tells the twelve that He is going up to Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise again, but they cannot understand or grasp what He is saying. The meaning of His words is hidden from their sight. However, as Jesus makes His way up to Jerusalem, a blind man calls out to Him for mercy. This blind man sees that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, for he calls Him "Son of David." Indeed, Jesus is the Lord's anointed, the keeper of sheep (1 Sam. 16:1-13) who goes to lay down His life for the sheep. He is the incarnate love of the Father who suffers long and is kind, who is not puffed up, who never fails us (1 Cor. 13:1-13). Jesus opens the eyes of the blind (Is. 35:3-7) to see Him not according to outward appearances of lowliness, but according to His heart of mercy and compassion. Those who behold Him thus by faith follow Him to the cross through death into life.
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Divine Service
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Bible Study/Sunday School
Bible Study/Sunday School
February 19, 2023 10:45 am - 11:45 am
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Youth Catechesis
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Circuit Pastors' Meeting
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Choir
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Ash Wednesday (Bk/V)
Ash Wednesday (Bk/V)
February 22, 2023
Introit: Ps. 57:1-3a,c; antiphon: Wisdom 11:24-26\rGradual: Ps. 57:1a, 3a\rOld Testament: Joel 2:12-19/n or Jonah 3:1-10\rPsalm 51:1-13 (14-19) (antiphon: v. 17)\rEpistle: 2 Peter 1:2-11\rTract: Ps. 103:10; 79:8a, 9a\rGospel: Matt. 6:(1-6) 16-21\r\r
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Men's Study
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Divine Service with Ashes
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23
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[C] Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr
[C] Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr
February 23, 2023
Born c. 69, Polycarp was a central figure in the early church. A disciple of the evangelist John, he linked the first generation of believers to later Christians. After serving for many years as bishop of Smyrna, Polycarp was arrested, tried, and executed for his faith on February 23, c. 156. An eyewitness narrative of his death, The Martyrdom of Polycarp, continues to encourage believers in times of persecution.
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24
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[F] St. Matthias, Apostle (R)
[F] St. Matthias, Apostle (R)
February 24, 2023
Old Testament: Isaiah 66:1-2\rPsalm 134 (antiphon: Ps. 133:1)\rNew Testament: Acts 1:15-26\rGospel: Matthew 11:25-30\r\rSt. Matthias, Apostle\rWe know almost nothing about St. Matthias compared to Judas. While we know the grisly details of Judas' death (Acts 1:18-19), we are unsure of Matthias'. After his election, the Bible never mentions him again. He seems to be a forgotten apostle. But what is fame to God? He looks to "he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word" (Is. 66:2). Judas trembled, but his contrition was without faith in God's mercy in Christ. He tried to bear his own sin in the form of a noose. Jesus does not say, "see to it yourself," (Matt. 27:4) but "come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. . . and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:28-29). Matthias was a witness of Christ's ministry from John's baptism to the resurrection (Acts 1:21-22), chosen to proclaim "the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 10:7) from repentance to redemption and new life. He and countless other forgotten ministers continually announce the truth that no sinner must bear his own yoke, for Christ bears it all and has put sin to death forever in His cross.
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26
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Lent 1 (V)
Lent 1 (V)
February 26, 2023
Invocabit\rIntroit: Ps. 91:1-2, 9-10, 13; antiphon: Ps. 91: 15-16\rGradual: Ps. 91:11-12\rOld Testament: Gen. 3:1-21\r or 1 Sam. 17:40-51\rPsalm 32 (antiphon: v. 7)\r or Psalm 118:1-13 (antiphon: v. 5)\rEpistle: 2 Cor. 6:1-10\r or Heb. 4:14-16\rTract: Ps. 91:1, 4a, 15a, 16\rGospel: Matt. 4:1-11\r\rJesus Does Battle in Our Place\rIn the Garden, man exalts himself to be a god in place of God (Gen. 3:1-21). He succumbs to the temptation of the devil, and eating of the forbidden fruit, he receives death. But in the sin-cursed wilderness, God humbles Himself to become man in place of man (Mt. 4:1-11). He does not eat but fasts and bears the onslaughts of the devil for us that we may be restored to life. Jesus stands as David in our place to do battle against the Goliath, Satan (1 Samuel 17:40-51). Though outwardly Jesus appears weak, yet He comes in the name of the Lord of hosts. He draws from the five smooth stones of the books of Moses and slings the Word of God. The stone sinks into the forehead, and the enemy falls. In Christ we are victorious over the devil. Let us therefore not receive the grace of God in vain (2 Cor. 6:1-10), but seeing that we have a great High Priest, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain help in time of need (Heb 4:14-16).
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Divine Service
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Bible Study/Sunday School
Bible Study/Sunday School
February 26, 2023 10:45 am - 11:45 am
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Youth Catechesis
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