„In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. (Ps.56,5)

„For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations, and it abideth. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Mine eyes long for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.“ (Ps.119,89.90a.105.114.116.123)

The readings for this second Sunday before Lent (Sexagesimae) are:

• Old Testament: Isaiah 55,6-12a
• The Epistle: Hebrews 4,12-13
• The Gospel: St. Luke 8,4-15

The liturgical colour is green.

The hymn for this week is from The Lutheran Hymnal 500

“May God Bestow on Us His Grace” by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

1. May God bestow on us His grace,
With blessings rich provide us,
And may the brightness of His face
To life eternal guide us
That we His saving health may know,
His gracious will and pleasure,
And also to the heathen show
Christ’s riches without measure
And unto God convert them.

2. Thine over all shall be the praise
And thanks of every nation,
And all the world with joy shall raise
The voice of exultation;
For Thou shalt judge the earth, O Lord,
Nor suffer sin to flourish;
Thy people’s pasture is Thy Word
Their souls to feed and nourish,
In righteous paths to keep them.

3. Oh, let the people praise Thy worth,
In all good works increasing;
The land shall plenteous fruit bring forth,
Thy Word is rich in blessing.
May God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit bless us!
Let all theworld praise Him alone,
Let solemn awe possess us.

Martin Luther, 1524 translated by: Richard Massie, 1851, alt. Titled: “Es woll’ uns Gott genadig sein“. Tune: “Es woll’ uns Gott genadig sein”

And here is the Bach Cantata for this Sunday: BWV 18 Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt… 

May you have a very blessed week and time to meditate on the watchword for this second week before Lent: But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:15 KJV)

We pray with this collect: O God, who sees that we put not our trust in anything that we do, mercifully grant that by Thy power we may be defended against all adversity;  through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TLH 61)