The Twin Steeples Podcast

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” 

Sermon - May 3, 2026

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on May 3, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: John 6:60-69 (NKJV)

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 "What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 "But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 "Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Theme: To Whom Shall We Go? 

Hymn 47 - Savior, Again, to Thy Dear Name We Raise

This weekend we are going to study a hymn from the "Close of Service" section of our hymnal, but which has a connection to Easter. The hymn is "Savior, again, to Thy dear name we raise" (TLH 47), written by John Ellerton. 

The hymn emphasizes the PEACE that Jesus assures us of because of His life, death and resurrection for us. The opening verse points to the conclusion of worship shared by fellow believers and the LORD's promise to us in the Benediction at the close of every service: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26) 

The Psalmist proclaimed: "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23  This was the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24  This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25  Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. 26  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 27  God is the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 28  You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. 29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118:22-29)

The hymn is a prayer that the peace that we have been assured of by the LORD and through our pastor in worship, would go with us as we go into the world. We pray that Jesus would go with us, guard our lips and hearts from evil, both at night and during the day, and throughout our lives, until He calls us to PEACE in heaven. There is a final verse of the hymn that is not included in our hymnal that makes a beautiful connection to Easter, and the promise of peace from the Resurrected Savior. Ellerton wrote:

Grant us Thy peace – the peace Thou dids’t bestow
On Thine apostles in Thine hour of woe;
The peace Thou broughtest when at eventide
They saw Thy pierced hands, Thy wounded side.

Yes, "Peace be to you!" Jesus says. To them, and to you!

May the peace of your Savior continue to encourage you in worship, and as you leave worship this and every weekend! Thanks be to God for the peace He gives!

April 29, 2026

Devotion

• Romans 3:27-31

 

Announcements

• Cemetery Clean Up
• Confirmation
• Ladies' Auxiliary
• Church Choir
• Men's Breakfast
• Ladies' Bible Study
• Weekend Worship Services
  
  • Bible Class - The Lord's Supper
  • Sunday School - The Daughter of Jairus and The Canaanite Woman’s Daughter
  • Communion
• Board of Elders

 

Prayer List 

• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Pastor Tim Wheaton's Family
• Mark Geiger
• Steve Groth
• Merl
• Families who have lost loved ones
• Grace, Fridley and their new Pastor
• Congregations calling pastors/teachers.

 

Common Christian Q&A

• How can I trust in Christianity when so many Christians are hypocrites?

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 379 “I do Not Come Because My Soul”