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Septuagesima Sunday: Grace Alone

From First Thoughts

The Scriptures Appointed for Septuagesima Introit: Psalm 18:1–2a, 27, 32, 49; antiphon: Ps. 18:5–6Psalter: Psalm 95:1-9 (antiphon: v. 6)Old Testament: Exodus 17:1–7Gradual: Ps. 9:9–10, 18–19aEpistle: 1 Corinthians 9:24—10:5Verse: Ps. 130:1–4Gospel: Matthew . . . . Continue Reading »

Scooping Out the White Stuff

From First Thoughts

Thoughts from Pastor Larry Peters of Grace Lutheran Church, Clarksville, TN.We got 6-8 inches of snow last night. While for some of you that is nothing, for a city in the South it is like a major heart blockage. Everything has shut down. Where I should have been with a new member class this morning, . . . . Continue Reading »

The Savior’s Glory

From First Thoughts

SING, my tongue,the Savior’s glory;tell His triumph far and wide;tell aloud the famous storyof His body crucified;how upon the cross a victim,vanquishing in death, He died.Eating of the tree forbidden,man had sunk in Satan’s snare,when our pitying Creator didthis second tree . . . . Continue Reading »

“We tremble not, we fear no ill”

From First Thoughts

From Pastor Gregory Alms:That line is one of my favorites in Luther’s great hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God. I always get a lump in my throat as I sing it. I stand a bit taller and thrust out my chest just a bit in defiance of enemies, spiritual and otherwise.But it is a curious moment. For . . . . Continue Reading »