The Twin Steeples Podcast

Hymn 472 - Rise, Ye Children of Salvation

This week we study the hymn "Rise, Ye Children of Salvation" (Hymn 472 in The Lutheran Hymnal), written by German hymn writer Justus Falckner who wrote this hymn in the late 1600's.

This hymn is found in the Communion of Saints section of our hymnal, which is especially fitting for the celebration of All Saints Day, which we will be celebrating this weekend. This hymn is addressed to believers, Christ's Church, as an encouragement to wake up and boldly fight for the faith that has been entrusted to us as Christians. 

The hymnwriter begins by reminding us that, as Christians, we are at war. The devil rages against Christ and His church, using everything at his disposal to destroy God's Church by separating believers from God and His Word. While this might be intimidating and discouraging, we are not alone. Many Christians before us have fought this battle as well. And through the blood of Jesus, they have won the victory, even in death! Falckner reminds us that Jesus has already won. The victory is ours. Thus we are motivated to look to Jesus, and to boldly march forward into this battle, with the confidence that our Savior goes before us. The church today needs this reminder. We need to wake up and fight in this fight, and not stand on the sidelines.

Study this hymn with us, as we are encouraged to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12) and to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). May the LORD give us the zeal to fight this faith, going forward with the strength that He gives!

The LORD bless your worship and proclamation of this truth, both this weekend, and always!

October 30, 2024

• Devotion
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

 

• Announcements
  
  • Weekend Sunday School and Bible Class
  • MN Area Reformation Service
  • Ladies Auxiliary 
  • Time and Talent Offering
  • Recessed Voters Meeting
  • Invite a Friend to Church

 

• Prayer List
  
  • Pat Hemmingsen
  • Pastor John Hein
  • Pastor Tim Wheaton
  • Marlene Hanel
  • Rosie Timm
  • Lilia Howley
  • Bob Timm
  • Laura Stutzman
  • Part-Time Staff 
  • Mission in Uganda

 

• Common Christian Q&A: 
  • What happens to those who never hear the gospel? 

 

• Hymn: 267 “If God Had Not Been on Our Side”

Hymn 473 - The Church's One Foundation

This week we study the hymn "The Church's One Foundation" (Hymn 473 in The Lutheran Hymnal), written by English hymn writer Samuel Stone who wrote this hymn in the late 1800's.

This hymn is found in the Communion of Saints section of our hymnal, but it is also appropriate for Reformation, which we will be celebrating this weekend. It wonderfully describes what the Church is, as well as how it is established and maintained. 

Stone masterfully weaves passages from the Old and New Testaments together, using pictures from Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and even the Psalms to describe the Holy Christian Church and the enemies that it faces in this fallen world. It also comforts the Christian who fights in this battle of the Church Militant with the assurance that Christ has won, and that Christ's Church will be preserved no matter what challenge it faces. It will become the Church Triumphant! 

Study this hymn with us, as we are reminded Jesus is the Church's One Foundation and that the "gates Hades will not prevail against it"! (Matthew 16:18). Thanks be to God!

The LORD bless your worship and proclamation of this truth, both this weekend, and always!

October 23, 2024

• Devotion
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

 

• Announcements
  
  • Weekend Sunday School and Bible Class
  • CLC Teachers' Conference
  • Red Cross Blood Drive
  • Voters Meeting
  • MCAC Tournament
  • MN Area Reformation Service
  • Time and Talent Offering
  • Invite a Friend to Church

 

• Prayer List
  
  • Family of Sue Schweim
  • Pat Hemmingsen
  • Pastor John Hein
  • Pastor Tim Wheaton
  • Jim Lien
  • Marlene Hanel
  • Rosie Timm
  • Lilia Howley
  • Bob Timm
  • Board of Deacons
  • Mission in Philippines

 

• Common Christian Q&A: 
  • Is your church pro-Israel or pro-Hamas?

 

• Hymn: 424 “My God, My Father, Make Me Strong”

Hymn 383 - Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way

This week we are looking at the hymn "Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way" (Hymn 383 in The Lutheran Hymnal), written by German hymn writer Georg Weissel who wrote about 100 years after the Reformation and the time of Martin Luther.

This hymn is found in the Faith and Justification section of our hymnal, and it fits well here. It is a beautiful description of what make the Christian faith different from any other religion, and the hope that is found in Jesus alone. 

This hymn is based on a variety of passages from the Old and New Testaments, weaving in passages from the Psalms, Romans, the Gospels and other places in Scripture. It is amazing as we study hymns like this to see the thorough familiarity that these hymn writers had of the Scriptures, to  be able to use passages and weave them together is a poetic, beautiful and meaningful way. Knowing the Scriptures so well is something that we should aspire to as well!

Study this hymn with us, as we are reminded of work of God for us in the person of Jesus and the fact that there is no hope in any other religion apart from Christ. Peter declared about Jesus: "There is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved"! (Acts 4:12). How true indeed! 

The LORD bless your worship and proclamation of this truth, both this weekend, and always!