The Twin Steeples Podcast

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!

October 16, 2024

• Devotion
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

 

• Announcements
  
  • Weekend Sunday School and Bible Class
  • CLC Teachers' Conference
  • History DC Tour
  • Hymn Study Podcast
  • Red Cross Blood Drive
  • MN Area Reformation Service

 

• Prayer List
  
  • Pastor John Hein
  • Pastor Tim Wheaton
  • Jim Lien
  • Marlene Hanel
  • Rosie Timm
  • Lilea Howley
  • Bob Timm
  • Douglas Schaller and Alan Olmanson
  • Mission in Pakistan

 

• Hymn: 429 “Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart”

Hymn 2 - To Thy Temple I Repair

This week we are looking at the hymn "To Thy Temple I Repair" (Hymn 2 in The Lutheran Hymnal), written by English hymn writer James Montgomery who wrote 13 other hymns which are included in our hymnal.

This hymn is found in the Opening of Service section of our hymnal, and it fits well here. It is a beautiful description of why Christians worship, and what God offers us through worship. 

This hymn is based largely on selections of several Psalms as well as a few passages in the New Testament. This hymn uses the picture of the temple or tabernacle in the Old Testament as a picture of our worship still today. But unlike the Old Testament, because Christ has died and fulfilled the Old Testament laws, the veil separating us from God because of sin has been removed and we have the ability to come into the presence of God in worship to sing His praise, to bring Him our prayers, and to hear His word to us through His called servants. What joy and blessing is ours as we come together in worship.    

Study this hymn with us, as we are reminded of the blessings God offers to us in worship through His Word and Sacrament. 

May we, with David respond to every opportunity to worship with this Spirit-worked thought: “I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the LORD.'” (Psalm 121:1). 

The LORD will bless your worship this weekend!