Week of The Baptism of Jesus - February 15-21, 2026

Theme: The Son of God Is Baptized as Sinners Are

Learn by Heart

Verse: John 6:35

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Hymn: “To Jordan Came Our Lord, the Christ” | ELH #247:1-7

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The Catechism: The Benefit & Power of the Sacrament of the Altar

The Benefit of the Sacrament of the Altar

What benefit do we receive from such eating and drinking?

The benefit which we receive from such eating and drinking is shown us by these words: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins,” namely, that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given to us in the Sacrament through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

The Power of the Sacrament of the Altar

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

It is not the eating and drinking that does this, but the words here written: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” These words, along with the eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: the forgiveness of sins.

Week of Sexagesima - February 8-14, 2026

Theme: You Are the Garden of God

Learn by Heart

Verse: Acts 2:41a, 42

So those who received his word were baptized.... And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Hymn: “To Jordan Came Our Lord, the Christ” | ELH #247:1-5

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The Catechism: The Nature of the Sacrament of the Altar

The Nature of the Sacrament of the Altar

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

The Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself, for us Christians to eat and to drink.

Where is this written?

The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark and Luke, together with St. Paul, write thus: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”

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

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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

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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

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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.”