This weekend at Immanuel we not only celebrate the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany, but we also celebrate with our preschoolers in recognition of National Lutheran Schools Week. How appropriate, then, that the Gospel lesson for this Sunday has to do withJesus being a teacher who teaches with authority. Jesus boldly proclaims the coming of God’s kingdom just before this weekend’s text (Mark 1:14-15) and then goes on to show the truth of his teaching as he casts out an unclean spirit showing that he truly brings God’s rule and reign.

We invite you to join us this weekend to hear God’s Word, receive His good gifts and praise His name.

Check out the service folder below along with the service summary and deeper dive into the parts of the liturgy with IssuesEtc as you prepare your heart and mind for worship this weekend.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Service Folder

IssuesEtc Digs into the Service

Our Lord Jesus Christ, True God in the Flesh, Cleanses Our Consciences from Sin

As He promised, the Lord our God has raised up “a prophet” like Moses, namely Jesus, our brother in the flesh. “To him you shall listen,” because the Word of the Lord is “in his mouth” (Deut. 18:15–18). Indeed, He is more than a prophet and more than a scribe of the Scriptures; He is the incarnate Word, and He speaks “a new teaching with authority” (Mark 1:22, 27). He enters “the synagogue” of His Church and provides true Sabbath rest, using His authority to silence and cast out “even the unclean spirits” (Mark 1:21–27). By His Word of the cross, He removes the accusations of the Law and of the devil, and He cleanses our consciences before God the Father, “from whom are all things and for whom we exist.” Hence, we are now set free from bondage and commended to God by the one Lord, Jesus Christ, “through whom are all things and through whom we exist” (1 Cor. 8:6). Therefore, use your freedom to care for your brothers and sisters, neither causing them to stumble nor wounding their consciences (1 Cor. 8:9–12), but cleansing and strengthening them with the Gospel.

Published by pastordemski