This weekend we will celebrate the festival of the Holy Trinity, and study the nature of the only true God. Our readings and hymns will all highlight the unique work of the different persons of the Triune God.

Our closing hymn will be a summary of what we reflect on in our worship service. Written by Reginald Heber, this hymn is a majestic declaration of and tribute to the work of our Triune God. 

The two main Bible passages that serve as a foundation for the words of this hymn are:

Revelation 4:6,8-11 - Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.... The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10  the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11  “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

And Isaiah 6:3 - And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

Heber was a gifted writer, and was especially gifted in poetry. While his hymns are not as Scripturally rooted as many early Christian or Lutheran hymns, they are very beautifully written. 

The tune Nicaea was written specifically for this hymn, and given the name because it was at the Council of Nicaea that the Christian Church staunchly defended and proclaimed the doctrine of the Trinity against the Arian heresy. 

Triune God, bless our worship of You in our worship this weekend, and with all we say and do throughout our lives!

Devotion

Announcements

Prayer List 

Hymn of the Day

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on May 24, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 (NKJV)

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Theme: God's Incredible Church Building Project

This weekend we come to the festival of Pentecost, and focus on the work of God the Holy Spirit. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we receive the benefits of Christ's work for sinners.  

The hymn we are studying this weekend is 234 in The Lutheran Hymnal: "Holy Ghost, with Light Divine" by English pastor and hymn writer, Andrew Reed. You will see in this hymn a very simple way of communicating the work of God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit:  

One of the Bible passages that serves as a foundation for this hymn is 1 Thessalonians 5:23: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Thank the LORD for the Holy Spirit's work! Rejoice in the peace, joy, forgiveness, life, light and knowledge that you have been give through His work in you through Word and Sacrament! Thanks be to God. Pray that He would continue that good work in you throughout your life!

May the LORD bless your thankful worship through the work of the Holy Spirit this weekend!

Devotion

Announcements

Prayer List 

Hymn of the Day

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on May 14, 2026, Ascension Day. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Sermon Text: Colossians 3:1-4 (NKJV)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Theme: Your Life Is Hidden with Christ

As we continue in the Easter season we move to another theme in this season and that is Jesus' invitation to the world to come to Him, even though He has physically ascended into heaven and is no longer visibly present as He was during His earthly ministry. This weekend we will hear and read examples of that invitation which Jesus offers to the world of sinners. 

The hymn we are studying this weekend is 277 in The Lutheran Hymnal: "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say." This hymn was written by a Scottish pastor, Horatius Bonar, who was compelled to write hymns that children could understand. You will see in this hymn a very simple style and simple concepts drawn from three different statements and invitations of Jesus:  

The first verse is based on Jesus' invitation in Matthew, for rest which only He can give.

The second verse is based on Jesus' words to the Woman of Samaria about the Life that He alone offers through His Word.

The third verse is based on the words of Jesus in John 8 about the Light that He brings to the dark world because of sin and death.

Each of these invitations is followed by the Christian's response to that invitation, by God's grace, and describes what we receive from Him as a result of His life and death for us, and the gifts He offers us in His Word and Sacrament. 

Lord, lead us to listen to and respond to Your invitation of Grace, that we might receive Your rich blessings!

May the LORD bless your reflection on this truth this weekend.

Devotion

Announcements

Prayer List 

Principal's Report

Hymn of the Day

This recording is a condensed version of the sermon preached at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota on May 10, 2026. You can watch the full recording on our YouTube Channel.

Sermon Text: Psalm 145:13-21 (NKJV)

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 16 You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 20 The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.

Theme: The LORD’s Kingdom is Very Good

This weekend our worship service emphasizes one of the blessings of Christ's resurrection, the privilege and power of prayer. Our hymn, "Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat" is a hymn by John Newton about prayer. 

Jesus invites us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) 

In our lives in this fallen world we are going to face trials. Our sin, Satan, and thing outside of us and inside of us threaten us, often cause us to despair. David writes: "There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long." (Psalm 38:4-7)

For this reason we come to Jesus knowing what He has done for us! Newton writes:

O wondrous Love, to bleed and die,

Thanks be to Jesus for all He has done for us through His life and death!