Wise Men  
Matthew 2:1-12  
Meeting a need 

Current Series:  
Faith through Action  
5 men to guide us into the new year

Study & Share Insert
...#2 Read the rest of Matthew 2. In addition to the symbolism of the gifts, how do they show God’s provision for the up coming journey to Egypt and back? Is Jesus a “trust fund baby” LOL?    

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2025-01-05_Epiphany  

Today is the fifth day of Christmas, just like the old song goes. Christmas is such good news that it takes 12 days to celebrate it fully. No sermon this week as we celebrate our annual Lessons & Carols service, hearing the story of our Savior's birth from its promise in the Old Testament to its fulfillment in the New Testament. 

Next Sunday we'll observe our celebration of the Festival of Our Lord's Epiphany, comemorating the historical day that the Wise Men, or Magi, brought the infant Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myhrr. During coffee time we'll have a king cake, and according to the south Texas tradition, whoever finds the baby in their piece of cake gets to bring tamales next week for coffee time. Good luck!
(Yes, we know Epiphany is properly January 6, 13 days after Christmas.)

Study & Share Insert
...#4 How did you become a child of God (vv12-13)? Who has helped you grow & how? Praise God right now for those people who showed & told you about Jesus’ birth. See Small Catechism: Apostles’ Creed II, Holy Baptism; available bookofconcord.org; John 3:1-8; Romans 6:1-11, 8:14-17, 9:8; 1 Corinthians, 4:14-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16b-18; Galatians 3:26, 4:4-7 Ephesians 1:5-14; 2 Timothy 1:5-7

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2024-12-29_LessonsCarols 

St. Joseph  
Luke 2:1-20  
Expecting action 

Current Series:  
Faith through Action  
5 men to guide us in the new year 
 

Study & Share Insert
...#3 The fulfillment of the Christmas promises points to the coming fulfillment of Jesus’ return (Titus 2:13). How can you be ready for action like St. Jospeh in body & spirit, heart & mind?    

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2024-12-24_ChristmasEve

Our Families  
Luke 1:39-45  
Encouraging the promises we have in common across the generations 

Current Series:  
Proclamation  
How do I talk to people about Jesus?

Study & Share Insert
...#4 Tell of at least 3 times when you were grateful that a family member came bringing the gospel of new life & salvation into your everyday life (see v43). Be specific; find the Bible stories they referenced.   

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2024-12-22_Advent04

Pre-Christians  
Luke 7:18-28  
Honest & earnest questions deserve honest & earnest responses 

Current Series:  
Proclamation  
How do I talk to people about Jesus?

Study & Share Insert
...#2 Compare St. John the Baptizer’s preaching (3:1-20) to Jesus’ initial preaching (4:16-21). How is the question in v19 earnest? How is Jesus’ answer honest, even as it redirects attention? Review Mark 6:17-29; how is it evidence for Jesus’ claims in vv24-27? Hint: use your Bible’s study notes to help understand Jesus’ figures of speech.    

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2024-12-15_Advent03

Cultural Christians  
Luke 19:28-40  
Honest & earnest questions deserve honest & earnest responses 

Current Series:  
Proclamation  
How do I talk to people about Jesus?

Study & Share Insert
...#5 Who among your circle of family & friends are casual, non-committed, unconvinced, cultural Christians? How can the coming seasons of Advent & Christmas, with their rich stories & symbolism, give you an opportunity to speak to them while the Holy Spirit opens their mind to the Scriptures (cf. Luke 24:45) & you proclaim the Gospel (cf. Acts 8:26-39). Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the names of at least 3 of these people & to give you simple opportunities. See Luke 12:8-12, 1 Peter 3:15   

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2024-11-24_CtK