The Twin Steeples Podcast

Hymn 277 - I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say

As we continue in the Easter season we move to another theme in this season and that is Jesus' invitation to the world to come to Him, even though He has physically ascended into heaven and is no longer visibly present as He was during His earthly ministry. This weekend we will hear and read examples of that invitation which Jesus offers to the world of sinners. 

The hymn we are studying this weekend is 277 in The Lutheran Hymnal: "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say." This hymn was written by a Scottish pastor, Horatius Bonar, who was compelled to write hymns that children could understand. You will see in this hymn a very simple style and simple concepts drawn from three different statements and invitations of Jesus:  

• Matthew 11:28 - “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The first verse is based on Jesus' invitation in Matthew, for rest which only He can give.

• John 4:14 - “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

The second verse is based on Jesus' words to the Woman of Samaria about the Life that He alone offers through His Word.

• John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

The third verse is based on the words of Jesus in John 8 about the Light that He brings to the dark world because of sin and death.

Each of these invitations is followed by the Christian's response to that invitation, by God's grace, and describes what we receive from Him as a result of His life and death for us, and the gifts He offers us in His Word and Sacrament. 

Lord, lead us to listen to and respond to Your invitation of Grace, that we might receive Your rich blessings!

May the LORD bless your reflection on this truth this weekend.

May 13, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 4:9-18

 

Announcements

• Mini-Musical
• Muffins with Mom
• TVBS Ice Cream and Information
• Outreach
• Ascension Day Service
• No Church Choir
• Men's Breakfast
• Graduation
• No Ladies' Bible Study
• Weekend Worship Services
  
  • Bible Class - Christian Life
  • Sunday School - Jesus' Ascension
• Board of Deacons
• Church Council

 

Prayer List 

• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Phyllis
• Merl

 

Principal's Report

• Looking back on the past year
• Looking forward to the summer and the future

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 586 “A Pilgrim and a Stranger” 

Sermon - May 10, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on May 10, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: Psalm 145:13-21 (NKJV)

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 16 You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 20 The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.

Theme: The LORD’s Kingdom is Very Good

Hymn 456 - Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat

This weekend our worship service emphasizes one of the blessings of Christ's resurrection, the privilege and power of prayer. Our hymn, "Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat" is a hymn by John Newton about prayer. 

Jesus invites us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) 

In our lives in this fallen world we are going to face trials. Our sin, Satan, and thing outside of us and inside of us threaten us, often cause us to despair. David writes: "There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long." (Psalm 38:4-7)

For this reason we come to Jesus knowing what He has done for us! Newton writes:

O wondrous Love, to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame,
That guilty sinners such as I
Might plead Thy gracious Name!

Thanks be to Jesus for all He has done for us through His life and death! 

May 6, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 4:1-8

 

Announcements

• Banquet
• Mini-Musical
• Church Choir
• Men's Breakfast
• Ladies' Bible Study
• Hymnal Committee Meeting
• Weekend Worship Services
  
  • Bible Class - The Lord's Supper
  • Sunday School - The Lost Sons
• Muffins with Mom
• Granny Shots
• TVBS Ice Cream and Information
• Board of Education
• Board of Property

 

Prayer List 

• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Pastor Tim Wheaton's Family
• Merl
• Roman Nathanael Mayhew
• End of School Year
• Mission in Congo

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 369 “All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall”