The Twin Steeples Podcast

Hymn 322 - And Wilt Thou Pardon, Lord

The hymn we are studying this week is an old one (sort of). The English hymn was written by John Neale, based (roughly) on a Greek hymn by St. Joseph the Hymnographer from the 800's. In essence it is a completely new hymn but is based on the idea of St. Joseph. 

The hymn we are studying this weekend is 322 in The Lutheran Hymnal: "And Wilt Thou Pardon, Lord." It does a beautiful job of presenting the Law, the Gospel and Christian Sanctification which flows from the Gospel. The hymnwriter, like the Psalmists of the Old Testament wrestle with the reality of sin and what we deserve because of them. It almost shows the incredulity of one who has been brought to know the depravity of his or her nature, that God could possibly forgive us or cleanse us from our sin. And that attitude is proper. Peter says: "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:17-18).

Knowing our sin, we turn to God and the work of Jesus for help. In Psalm 51 we confess with David: "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin... Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9  Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit."

What joy is our when we know the salvation that is ours, and the confidence that His Spirit is at work in us!

May the LORD bless your reflection on our depravity and His mercy to you this weekend.

June 10, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 5:12-17

 

Announcements

• MN Delegates’ Conference
• Communion service
• Outreach Committee
• Men's Breakfast
• Ladies' Bible Study
• Adopt a Highway
• Weekend Worship Services
  
  • No Bible Class or Sunday School this Summer
  • 9am Sunday Service
• Favorite Hymn Survey
• Thank you for Marie Casto
• Board of Deacons
• Church Council

 

Prayer List 

• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Sue Heise
• Merl
• Gerhard Matzke
• Bible Studies and Bible Study Leaders
• Mission in the Philippines

 

Convention Preview

• Committee #2

 

Hymn of the Day

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

Sermon - June 7, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on June 7, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: Matthew 13:31-35 (NKJV)

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” 33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” 34  All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

 

Theme: The Wonders of God's Kingdom

1. A Great Kingdom which Offers Rest
2. A Permeating Kingdom which Renews

Hymn 294 - O Word of God Incarnate

This weekend we follow the festival of Holy Trinity with the Season of Trinity. The Season of Trinity takes up half of the "church year" and reveals that what we have learned about the life of Jesus and His work for us has an impact on our lives.  

The first Sunday after Trinity focuses our attention on the power of God's Word which is at work to bring us into His kingdom.

The hymn we are studying this weekend is 294 in The Lutheran Hymnal: "O Word of God Incarnate." This hymn was written by a pastor in the Church of England in the 1800's, by the name William How. 

In this hymn How points to the power and value of God's Word. He reminds us that God's Word is a treasure box which contains gems of rich truths for us to mine and benefit from. God's Word points us to Christ, and gives us direction in this life, and opens for us the life to come in Jesus. 

May the LORD lead us to a deep yearning and hunger for God's Word which is a true treasure, for us and for all people. Learn from it. Be comforted by it. Share it!

LORD, bless our mediation on Your promises and gifts in both Word and Sacrament, and enable us to receive them eagerly, often, and with great joy!

June 3, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 5:6-11

 

Announcements

• Tim Wheaton Victory Service
• Trinity Sunday
• Youth Group
• Board of Elders
• Men's Breakfast
• Ladies' Bible Study
• MN Delegates' Conference
• Weekend Worship Services
  
  • No Bible Class or Sunday School this Summer
  • 9am Sunday Service
  • Communion
  • Liturgy
• Favorite Hymn Survey
• Outreach Committee
• Board of Education
• Board of Property

 

Prayer List 

• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Sue Heise
• Merl
• Bev Menton
• Growth in the Word
• 2026 CLC Mission Helper Trip

 

Convention Preview

• Committee #1

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 371 “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness”