The Twin Steeples Podcast

Hymn 8 - Father, Who the Light This Day

The hymn that we are studying in preparation for our worship this weekend is from the "Lord's Day" section. The Lord's Day is a term found in Revelation, which referred to Sunday. The early Christians called the first day of the week the Lord's Day, because it was on that day that the Lord had risen from the dead. He was the victor! It was now HIS day!

This hymn by Julia Elliott does several creative things. First it uses the Biblical idea of light vs. darkness in each of the verses, tying this concept to three different historical events: The creation of Light, the resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. With each verse she focuses on a different person of the Triune God. And in each verse she points out that we pray that our Triune God would continue His work of bringing light into our dark lives and world through the Gospel. 

Ephesians 5:13-17 serves as part of the basis for this beautiful hymn. There Paul writes: "But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  

Join us in our study of this hymn and its writer, and as we learn more about the Scriptural foundation and meaning of our hymns so that our use of them would be more beneficial as we gather in worship and use this hymn of praise.

May the LORD bless you as He enlightens you through His word this weekend!

February 4, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 1:5-7

 

Announcements

• Virtual Women's Retreat Watch Party
• Installation of Church Officers and Board Members
• Voters' Meeting
• Church Choir
• Men's Breakfast
• Ladies Bible Study
• Weekend Worship
  • Bible Class - Death and Resurrection of Jesus
  • Sunday School - The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus
• Immanuel Women who Hike
• ERC Meeting
• Board of Elders
• Board of Property
• Youth Group
• Board of Education
• Ash Wednesday - February 18

 

Prayer List 

• Lynette Roehl
• Pastor John Hein
• Pastor Tim Wheaton
• Jim Lien
• Becky
• Phyllis Brandt
• Mary Schweim
• Pastoral Assistants
• Seminary in Tanzania

 

Hymn of the Day

• WS 778 “Grace Has a Thrilling Sound”

Sermon - February 1, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on February 1, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42  “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” 

Theme: One Thing Is Needed

Hymn 305 - Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness

This weekend we take a break from the season of the church year to reflect on the rich instruction that we find on the doctrine of the Lord's Supper in one of our Communion hymns. 

The doctrine of the Lord's Supper is a very important and serious doctrine. The proper understanding and use of it has great implications in a Christian's life. Paul says: 

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (1 Corinthians 11:23-29) 

The hymn we are studying this weekend is 305 in The Lutheran Hymnal: "Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness." This hymn was written by a Lutheran laymen in the 1600's, who studied law, but also was concerned about the study of Christian doctrine and used his gifts to write many hymns reflecting on those Christian doctrines. 

In this hymn he reflects on the joy that is ours in being able to receive the Lord's Supper. He reminds us what it is that we are receiving here: A precious treasure from God that cannot be purchased with any thing on this earth. Only His blood could win it, and He offers it to us by His grace. 

He also correctly teaches the doctrine of Christ's real presence, that Jesus tells us that we receive His very body and blood, with the bread and the wine of the Lord's Supper. The elements of bread and wine do not merely symbolize His body and blood, Jesus says: "This IS my body... this is my blood of the new covenant" (Matthew 26:26-28).

While our reason cannot comprehend this truth, it does not change Jesus' clear words and Paul's warning.

May the LORD lead us to a deep yearning and hunger for this Sacrament because of the promises of Jesus to sinners such as us. We should take our preparation for the Lord's Supper seriously, we should treat it with the respect that it is due, but we should also receive it with absolute joy and with the confidence that forgiveness, life and salvation are mine in and through it!

LORD, bless our mediation on Your promises and gifts in this sacrament and receive them eagerly, often, and with great joy!

January 28, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 1:1-4

 

Announcements

• Whitewater Youth Camp
• Church Board Reorganization Meeting
• Outreach Committee Meeting
• Ladies' Auxiliary
• Board of Education
• Church Choir
• Men's Breakfast
• No Ladies Bible Study
• Virtual Women’s Retreat Watch Party
• Weekend Worship
  • Bible Class - Death and Resurrection of Jesus
  • Sunday School - Joseph Makes Himself Known
• Installation of Church Officers and Board Members
• Recessed Voters' Meeting
• Veteran's Memorial Bridge Closing
• Ash Wednesday - February 18

 

Prayer List 

• Pastor John Hein
• Pastor Tim Wheaton
• Jim Lien
• Becky
• Phyllis Brandt
• Mary Schweim
• ERC Work
• CLC Mission in Philippines

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 347 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”