Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan

December 24, 2023. Christmas Eve Divine Service. 10 p.m. | Luke 2:1-20 | The Birth of Jesus Christ

Let us with the shepherds approach the manger of Christ, that is, the Church, and let us come upon this infant wrapped in bandages, that is, in the Sacred Scriptures. Let us also ponder with Mary words of such great mystery, the holy mother of the Lord, and let us continually and daily reflect on this in remembrance. Let us continue the singing of the angels with our own voices and let us give thanks for his merits on account of their great benefit. Let us sing joyfully and cheer with the heavenly host. If indeed the angels rejoice to such a degree for our cause, how much more ought we, for whom this infant is born and given, rejoice (Isaiah 9:6)? If the Israelites raised voices and shouts of joy when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to them (1 Samuel 4:5), which was a figure and shadow of the incarnation of the Lord, how much more ought we be joyful since the Lord himself descended to assume our flesh? If Abraham was glad when he saw the day of the Lord and prepared for the time when the Lord himself would assume human form, what ought we do when our nature has been joined with him in an indissoluble and perpetual covenant? Let us marvel at this immense kindness of God who, when we were not able to ascend to him, chose to descend to us. Let us look in wonder at the immense power of God who was able to make one most intimate union out of two most distant things, namely, the divine and human nature, so that now man and God may also likewise be one. Let us wonder at the wisdom of God who was able to find a way for our redemption when neither angels nor men were able to see a way. The offense was infinitely great, requiring an infinitely great satisfaction. Man offended God. From man satisfaction was required. But man was able neither to furnish an infinite satisfaction nor to satisfy divine righteousness without an infinite ransom. Therefore, God was made man in order to make satisfaction for those who had sinned and to pay an infinite ransom to him who was infinite. Let us marvel at this wonderful plan of righteousness and mercy from the divine, which no creature was able to discover before God manifested Himself, and now after he has been made manifest, no creature is fully able to comprehend. Marvel thus, and do not probe more curiously. We may desire to look into it, although we cannot understand it all. Let us admit our ignorance rather than choose to deny the power of God.” – From Sacred Meditations, Concerning the Mystery of the Incarnation, Johann Gerhard, pages 25-26. ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #advent #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Sermon: Let It Be To Me According To Your Word | 4th Sunday in Advent. 10:00 a.m. | Luke 1:26-38 | Birth of Jesus Foretold

Today we hear one of the world’s best-known stories: An angel comes to Mary with an unbelievable message from God. She will be the mother of His son. At first, Mary is reluctant to believe the Word of God, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” God always comes to his people with hard to believe words and messages. This plain water, combined with God’s Word in baptism, works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation.” The absolution, spoken from the mouth of a common, ordinary man, gives to us exactly what it says: forgiveness of sins. This bit of bread and sip of wine are the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. More than that, they give us forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. It is hard to believe that such meager looking means could do such high and wonderful things. We respond with the same word as Mary, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Dec. 24, 2023. 4th Sunday in Advent. 10:00 a.m. | Luke 1:26-38 | Birth of Jesus Foretold

Today we hear one of the world’s best-known stories: An angel comes to Mary with an unbelievable message from God. She will be the mother of His son. At first, Mary is reluctant to believe the Word of God, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” God always comes to his people with hard to believe words and messages. This plain water, combined with God’s Word in baptism, works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation.” The absolution, spoken from the mouth of a common, ordinary man, gives to us exactly what it says: forgiveness of sins. This bit of bread and sip of wine are the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. More than that, they give us forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. It is hard to believe that such meager looking means could do such high and wonderful things. We respond with the same word as Mary, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Bible Study: Do You Have Room for God? | | Luke 2:1-20 | The Birth of Jesus Christ

Let us with the shepherds approach the manger of Christ, that is, the Church, and let us come upon this infant wrapped in bandages, that is, in the Sacred Scriptures. Let us also ponder with Mary words of such great mystery, the holy mother of the Lord, and let us continually and daily reflect on this in remembrance. Let us continue the singing of the angels with our own voices and let us give thanks for his merits on account of their great benefit. Let us sing joyfully and cheer with the heavenly host. If indeed the angels rejoice to such a degree for our cause, how much more ought we, for whom this infant is born and given, rejoice (Isaiah 9:6)? If the Israelites raised voices and shouts of joy when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to them (1 Samuel 4:5), which was a figure and shadow of the incarnation of the Lord, how much more ought we be joyful since the Lord himself descended to assume our flesh? If Abraham was glad when he saw the day of the Lord and prepared for the time when the Lord himself would assume human form, what ought we do when our nature has been joined with him in an indissoluble and perpetual covenant? Let us marvel at this immense kindness of God who, when we were not able to ascend to him, chose to descend to us. Let us look in wonder at the immense power of God who was able to make one most intimate union out of two most distant things, namely, the divine and human nature, so that now man and God may also likewise be one. Let us wonder at the wisdom of God who was able to find a way for our redemption when neither angels nor men were able to see a way. The offense was infinitely great, requiring an infinitely great satisfaction. Man offended God. From man satisfaction was required. But man was able neither to furnish an infinite satisfaction nor to satisfy divine righteousness without an infinite ransom. Therefore, God was made man in order to make satisfaction for those who had sinned and to pay an infinite ransom to him who was infinite. Let us marvel at this wonderful plan of righteousness and mercy from the divine, which no creature was able to discover before God manifested Himself, and now after he has been made manifest, no creature is fully able to comprehend. Marvel thus, and do not probe more curiously. We may desire to look into it, although we cannot understand it all. Let us admit our ignorance rather than choose to deny the power of God.” – From Sacred Meditations, Concerning the Mystery of the Incarnation, Johann Gerhard, pages 25-26. ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #advent #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

December 20, 2023. Choral Candlelight Service. 6:30 p.m.

----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Sermon: Saint Katherina Von Bora Luther | Proverbs 31:10-28 | The Woman Who Fears the Lord

----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Dec. 20, 2023. Mid Week Advent Service. 8:30 a.m. | Proverbs 31:10-28 | The Woman Who Fears the Lord

----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Sermon: John, the Joyful One | John 1:6-8, 19-28 | The Testimony of John the Baptist

----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

December 17, 2023. Divine Service.10:45 A.M. | John 1:6-8, 19-28 | The Testimony of John the Baptist

“Behold, your king comes to you.” He comes to you in ways the world will see as powerless and unimpressive. Jesus made his advent on a donkey. It was the ride of a slave. Jesus entered Jerusalem in humility for the same reason He was born in all humility. He came to serve, not to be served. He came to give His life as a ransom for the many. Jesus still comes to you in the way of the donkey, in lowliness and humility. He still comes to you to take from you your sin, your death, your hell, and to give to you His own righteousness. That’s why, even to this day, the Church has never stopped crying out to Him: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” So, if Christ’s Church is to be about donkey business, then we have no time for monkey business. “Behold your King!” Behold means close your eyes and open your ears. Christ confronts and challenges what your eyes want to see. You want an impressive God who dazzles you with flash and fireworks. But Jesus says, “No!” He says, “I will only come to you in the way of the donkey.” Jesus says, “Walk by faith and not by sight!” For faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). And what does faith delight in and behold? It sees our King who still comes to us in the way of the donkey. ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Bible Study: John, the Joyful One | John 1:6-8, 19-28 | The Testimony of John the Baptist

When he preaches repentance, John the Baptist points us to Christ Jesus. John was sent by God “as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, that all might believe through him” (John 1:7). He baptizes with water in order to “make straight the way of the Lord,” who shall redeem His people from their sins (John 1:23). That Lord Jesus “who comes after” John now stands among us and makes Himself known to us (John 1:26–27). He has been anointed by the Holy Spirit “to bring good news to the poor” and “to bind up the brokenhearted” (Is. 61:1). By the washing of the water with His Word and Spirit, He clothes His Church with “the garments of salvation” and adorns her with His own righteousness “as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Is. 61:10). Therefore, we “rejoice always” in the Lord, “pray without ceasing,” and “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:16–18). For “the God of peace,” who has called you by the Gospel, will surely “sanctify you completely,” so that “your whole spirit and soul and body” will “be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23–24). ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService