The Twin Steeples Podcast

Hymn 618 - Jerusalem, My Happy Home

This Sunday is the Last Sunday of the Church year and focus our attention on Jesus' return and the eternal joy of heaven. Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit makes comparisons between the promised land of Israel or the city of Jerusalem with the promised land of Heaven. The Bible refers to the new heaven and earth as "the new Jerusalem" (Revelation 21:2). Many of our hymns pick up this comparison and use it to describe Heaven as well. This week we will be singing a hymn that does that, based primarily on the books of Hebrews and Revelation. This hymn, "Jerusalem, My Happy Home" (TLH 618), describes the longing of the Child of God to be delivered from this world of sin to the promised glories of heaven. The poet writes: "When shall my labors have an end? Thy joys when shall I see?" (verse 1). But the hymn writer goes on to describe what heaven will be like using the pictures given in Scripture: Gates of pearl, streets of gold, and heaven built walls (verse 2). And who will be there? The angels (verse 3), apostles, martyrs, prophets (verse 4), and our fellow saints in Christ will also be present (verses 4,6).

John writes: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-6).

This hymn has a very interesting history, possibly dating back to St. Augustine and the 4th century, and it still serves to encourage God's people still today. 

Sing it with joy and expectation this weekend, and with confidence that Jesus has opened the narrow door for us by His life and death!

November 19, 2025

Devotion

• Ecclesiastes 10:1-4

 

Announcements

• Youth Group
• Ladies' Auxiliary
• Immanuel Service Organization Meeting
• Church Choir
• Men’s Breakfast
• Ladies Bible Study 
• Drama Performances
• Weekend Worship
• Board of Education
• Thanksgiving
• Pie Palooza
• Kiwanis
• Janitor Position
• Advent Theme

 

Prayer List 

• Pastor John Hein
• Pastor Tim Wheaton
• Jim Lien
• Becky
• Sharon Roubal
• Judy Mielke
• Elaine Carstensen
• Kathy Greve
• Principal Rick Mariner and Kindergarten Teacher Erika Hart
• Mission in Liberia

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 366 “One Thing’s Needful; Lord, This Treasure”

Sermon - November 16, 2025

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on November 16, 2025. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

 

Sermon Text: Matthew 24:37-44 (NKJV)

"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Theme: Ready or Not, He Comes
1. Life Will Continue as Normal
2. Until the Son of Man Returns

Hymn 605 - The World is Very Evil

As we come to the end of the Trinity season, our attention shifts to the Lord's promise to return on the Last Day. That will will be a day of both judgment and mercy. Jesus tells us that He is coming again and that this sinful world will be destroyed, and that He will create a new heavens and earth. On that day, believers and unbelievers will be separated. Believers will receive the kingdom  (Heaven) which Jesus has won for them by His death, but unbelievers will receive what all sinners deserve - eternal judgment in hell. 

For this reason our God tells us to be ready for that day. James writes: "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!" (James 5:8-9)

Knowing that we have an eternal kingdom, we are to live our lives in faith and godliness: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

This hymn is a beautiful poetic description of the glory of heaven, and a reminder of the evil world the LORD desires to deliver us from. It also serves as a reminder to be faithful and sober as we await and prepare for His return.

Verse 4 is a wonderful summary of the hymn in its entirety:

• Strive, man, to win that glory;
• Toil, man, to gain that light;
• Send hope before to grasp it
• Till hope be lost in sight.
• Exult, O dust and ashes,
• The Lord shall be thy part;
• His only, His forever,
• Thou shalt be and thou art. 

Join us as we are reminded of the the Lord's promise to return to deliver us from this evil world through His work on the cross and as we encourage one another to strive, in our Christian lives, to enter His glory! May it be so, by God's grace, for each of us! 

November 12, 2025

Devotion

• Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

 

Announcements

• MN Mission Festival
• Youth Group
• Women's Book Study
• Board of Deacons
• Church Choir
• Church Council
• Men’s Breakfast
• Ladies Bible Study 
• Weekend Worship
• Board of Elders
• Women's Study Guild
• Ladies' Auxiliary

 

Prayer List 

• Pastor John Hein
• Pastor Tim Wheaton
• Jim Lien
• Becky
• Sharon Roubal
• Judy Mielke
• Kathy Greve
• Church Leaders
• Mission in India

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 294 “O Word of God Incarnate”