Week of Septuagesima - February 1-7, 2026

Theme: Strive to Enter Through the Narrow Door

Learn by Heart

Verse: Psalm 51:7

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Hymn: “To Jordan Came Our Lord, the Christ” | ELH #247:1-3

Listen to the tune here.

The Catechism: The Office of the Keys

What is the Office of the Keys?

The Office of the Keys is the special authority which Christ has given to His Church on earth: to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to retain the sins of the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.

Where is this written?

The evangelist writes, in John 20:22-23, “Jesus breathed on His disciples and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; and if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’”

What do you believe according to these words?

I believe that when the called servants of Christ deal with us by His divine command, specifically, when they exclude public, unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation, and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to amend their ways, this is just as valid and certain in heaven as if Christ our dear Lord has done it Himself.

Week of Epiphany 3 - January 25-31, 2026

Theme: Jesus Is Lord of the Persecuted

Learn by Heart

Verse: Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

Hymn: “To Jordan Came Our Lord, the Christ” | ELH #247:1

Listen to the tune here.

The Catechism: Confession

What is Confession?

Confession consists of two parts: one, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the pastor or confessor as from God himself, and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.

What sins should we confess?

Before God we should acknowledge ourselves guilty of all sins, even of those which we do not know about, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. But before the pastor or confessor we should acknowledge those sins only which we know and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

Here consider your own station according to the Ten Commandments, whether you are a father, mother, son, daughter, employer, employee; whether you have been disobedient, dishonest, lazy; whether you have injured anyone by word or deed; whether you have stolen, neglected, wasted anything, or done any harm.

Week of Epiphany 2 - January 18-24, 2026

Theme: The Church of Christ Is Built on the Rock

Learn by Heart

Verse: Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Hymn: “How Lovely Shines the Morning STar” | ELH #167:1-7

Listen to the tune here.

The Catechism: The Meaning of Baptism

The Meaning of Baptism

What does such baptizing with water mean?

Such baptizing with water means that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires; and that a new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

St. Paul writes in Romans 6:4, “We are buried with Christ by baptism into death, that just as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Week of Epiphany 1 - January 11-17, 2026

Theme: Jesus Had to Be in His Father’s House

Learn by Heart

Verse: 1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

Hymn: “How Lovely Shines the Morning STar” | ELH #167:1-5

Listen to the tune here.

The Catechism: The Power of Baptism

The Power of Baptism

How can water do such great things?

It is not the water that does these things, but the Word of God which is in and with the water, and faith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without the Word of God the water is simply water, and no baptism; but with the Word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit.

Where is this written?

St. Paul says in Titus 3:5-8, “According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that having been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.”

Week of Christmas 2 - January 4-10, 2026

Theme: Blessing Is Given to Those Who Suffer with Christ

Learn by Heart

Verse: Acts 2:38-39

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Hymn: “How Lovely Shines the Morning STar” | ELH #167:1-3

Listen to the tune here.

The Catechism: The Nature and Blessings of Baptism

The Nature of Baptism

What is Baptism?

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used according to God’s command and connected with His Word.

What is that Word and command of God concerning Bap­tism?

Jesus says: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20.

The Blessings of Baptism

What does Baptism give or profit?

Baptism delivers forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, just as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are these words and promises of God?

Christ our Lord says in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”