Pentecost Sunday 2026

 

The Feast of Pentecost, 2025.

 

 From Norma A. Boeckler

The melodies are linked in the hymn name. 

The lyrics are linked in the hymn number.

• The melody site is linked here.
• TLH Lyrics are linked on the Bethany Lutheran Hymnal Blog

The Hymn #1         Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty    
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: Hallelujah!

Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm. Let God arise; let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth, etc.

The Epistle

Gradual 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: 

and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah!

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful: 

and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

The Gospel 
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 224   Luther - Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord 

The Communion Hymn #227       Come, Holy Ghost, in Love 
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #309       Kingo - O Jesus Blessed Lord

In Our Prayers

• June Oak is celebrating her first birthday Wednesday.
• Lynda Roper is 80 tomorrow.
• Prayers continue for Dr. Lito Cruz, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, and Sarah Buck.
•  Norma Boeckler has been included in another art exhibition.

KJV Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

KJV John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

A Pentecost Lesson

KJV John 14:23 If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The Holy Spirit is so plain and simple - and yet so profound - that we need to pay attention to the concept. The Spirit connects with the Father and Son, the Three are One.

Importance - The Father will send the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, because they do not believe in Jesus Christ. That is the over-riding work of the Spirit, unbelief in the Good Shepherd is the one and only factor. Faith in Jesus Christ is the Spirit's object. This is so simple and yet so profound. And some will obsess on the environment (as they see it), recycling, or many other items.

We have to learn about the Trinity because there is a smog screen of many different attitudes and priorities. People scoff at the Holy Trinity because it is unique, the clear sign of God in Three Persons.

In contrast, the pagan world invents thousands of gods and has enormous sources of their false teaching. From the beginning of the Christian faith, people abandoned their false religions and became believers in Christ. That happened because the teachers and disciples revealed the truth and performed miracles as well. Truth and miracles continue.

So it continues - we pray through the Son and through the Father. Prayer is from the Holy Spirit.

Or this - the Word of God is carefully preserved and saved in the Scriptures -  the unique Word of God, conveyed by the Spirit. 

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

These brief sayings all point toward the works of God - nothing for those who scorn and reject the Word, everything for the power, energy, and mercy of God. People can fashion themselves very wise - and glory in their rejection of what they cannot see - or what they demand and cannot understand.

A helper pointed out some plants growing fast by the porch and having orange flowers. "What's that? Looks like weeds." I said, "They are weeds. I planted them." Consternation! I added, "Those are butterfly weeds. Butterflies like them, and so do the gardeners." The weed-wacker was put down.

The difficulties of life often put us in strange, hurtful, or awkward situations. What we desire is distant from the way God works, but first we need to defer to the Scriptures and not our instant emotions. They build our Spiritual wisdom.

It's easy to see how people abandon the Word of God. The complexities cannot be imagined, there is so much to study, absorb, and apply. The Holy Spirit's wisdom in the Scriptures often open up to treasures we never imagined until that day we realized the truth.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

We all know our weaknesses, but the Holy Spirit knows and addresses them. Isn't it absurd that someone can have a problem, say nothing out loud, recall from memory, and connect with God's wisdom? That is the foolishness of mankind, thinking, "That is impossible! 

I can buy some self-help books from the Self-Help Book of the Month Club!  or"An attorney-in-fact, also called an “agent,” is a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person, known as the “principal,” typically to perform business or other official transactions."

One must have faith in Jesus Christ to open the door to His eternal Kingdom and gather peace from it. And faith comes from Him, or we might say, faith in Him gives us access to God's grace and forgiveness. The Word of God teaches us by hearing, reading, and remembering the Gospel. 

Exaudi Sunday, The Sunday after Exaudi

 

Exaudi Sunday - 2025.

 

The Hymn #145              Jesus Refuge of the Weary              

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Hear (Exaudi), O Lord, when I cry with my voice: Hallelujah!

When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face, 

my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek: 

Hide not Thy face from me. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm. The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: 

whom shall I fear?

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Almighty, everlasting God, make us to have always a devout will toward Thee and to serve Thy Majesty with a pure heart; 

through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. God reigneth over the heathen: 

God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness. Hallelujah!

V. I will not leave you comfortless: 

I go, and I will come again to you, and your heart shall rejoice. 

Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #523      Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me?

                         The Spirit of Truth

            

The Communion Hymn #314         Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray - Henry Eyster Jacobs

The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #370           My Hope Is Built

In Our Prayers

• Dr. Lito Cruz, Pastor Jim Shrader and his wife Chris, Kermit Way, Callie and her mother Peggy; those with stress and metabolic disorders; Lynda Roper. BibleJohn Ewing.
• The son of our Lutheran friend died overseas suddenly at the age of 49 - Clinton Michael Roberts. His mother Virginia helped greatly with the Luther books reprinted and posted various ways.
• Tom Fisher is dealing with serious oral surgery.

 Graphic by Norma A. Boeckler

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.  2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.  3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.  4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

The Spirit of Truth

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

So many learned professors make fun of the Trinity - or - deny these simple words. Nothing churns up reaction to the Trinity more than this simplicity. Harvard Divinity School has libraries worth, but no truth. The emphasis of the Spirit is especially strong in John's Gospel, and this will show the listener why. Jesus is teaching His disciples about the Spirit managing the Father and Son. What was there in the beginning (Genesis 1 and John 1) is the energy of the Spirit, the direct power of God moving faithful ministers, organists, teachers, members, and parents. 

As described many times, in John 16:8 - 

8 And when He is come, He will reprove [expose or convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 

Sin is not the sins of the flesh, our egos, or many alternatives - The Spirit convicts unbelief. The Word is always energized through the Spirit - even when people are hardening their hearts against the Truth and blinding their eyes to Jesus Christ.

John 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended [scandalized, set off by the trigger in the trap].

Notice how early Jesus teaches, warns, and strengthens the disciples. They were right on the edge when they gathered inside locked doors. Fear overcame faith, and through Jesus faith overcame fear. That was so strong with the risen Christ that it led them into the opposition and rejoiced in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ - the Good Shepherd, the True Vine, the Way the Truth and the Light.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.  3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Like Jesus, the disciples would be removed from the synagogues. They would be pursued and even killed for teaching the truth. Like Paul, who came along rather early, some of the most antagonistic toward Jesus also became His followers. The crowds were overwhelmed by the witness of Stephen, and his death by stoning opened up the Heavens to Christ and His glory. 

Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

These things had to happen because the Antichrist was stirred up by the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 

This passage - look at how much more needs to be said, up to and including John 21. The events, discussions, and conflicts are quite condensed. They have remained the Word of God over the centuries. Many people speak or write from their perspective, but that does not mean they are correct. Luther called them "wolf preachers," who are eagerly followed by many. When people complain about this, it is a reminder of what Jesus described in John 10. Those who hear His voice follow Him - He leads them out to the pure water and green pastures. Those are the three elements most needed - His voice, food and water.

They listen to His Voice but many do not. I can count four churches I served, where the buildings are either empty, a small business, or demolished. Bethany began from members of two congregations, moved to Phoenix, and then to the Internet. We used phones at first, handed a video camera (with great reluctance), and moved from ancient IBM video streaming, then to Vimeo, finally to Zoom.

The foundation is not in creating a building. That arrived with the papacy, priests, bishops, and the pope. 

The foundation is the Word of God, as clearly portrayed (but often ignored) in the KJV. This has been turned upside-down, with the unscrupulous moving from the Word itself to interpretations and endless puerile arguments about the footnotes and other highways and byways. 

The Spirit is always in the Word and will not make the gimmicks of the day fruitful. The gimmicks devour themselves, as they are doing now, because they are no better than the ashes and poisons of the past.

John 16:8 And when He is come, He will reprove [expose or convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me;

Typical Sunday for Cantate Sunday. Mother's Day.

 

The Feast of Pentecost, 2025.

 

 From Norma A. Boeckler

The melodies are linked in the hymn name. 

The lyrics are linked in the hymn number.

• The melody site is linked here.
• TLH Lyrics are linked on the Bethany Lutheran Hymnal Blog

The Hymn #1         Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty    
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: Hallelujah!

Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm. Let God arise; let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth, etc.

The Epistle

Gradual 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: 

and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah!

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful: 

and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

The Gospel 
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 224   Luther - Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord 

The Communion Hymn #227       Come, Holy Ghost, in Love 
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #309       Kingo - O Jesus Blessed Lord

In Our Prayers

• June Oak is celebrating her first birthday Wednesday.
• Lynda Roper is 80 tomorrow.
• Prayers continue for Dr. Lito Cruz, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, and Sarah Buck.
•  Norma Boeckler has been included in another art exhibition.

KJV Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

KJV John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

A Pentecost Lesson

KJV John 14:23 If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The Holy Spirit is so plain and simple - and yet so profound - that we need to pay attention to the concept. The Spirit connects with the Father and Son, the Three are One.

Importance - The Father will send the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, because they do not believe in Jesus Christ. That is the over-riding work of the Spirit, unbelief in the Good Shepherd is the one and only factor. Faith in Jesus Christ is the Spirit's object. This is so simple and yet so profound. And some will obsess on the environment (as they see it), recycling, or many other items.

We have to learn about the Trinity because there is a smog screen of many different attitudes and priorities. People scoff at the Holy Trinity because it is unique, the clear sign of God in Three Persons.

In contrast, the pagan world invents thousands of gods and has enormous sources of their false teaching. From the beginning of the Christian faith, people abandoned their false religions and became believers in Christ. That happened because the teachers and disciples revealed the truth and performed miracles as well. Truth and miracles continue.

So it continues - we pray through the Son and through the Father. Prayer is from the Holy Spirit.

Or this - the Word of God is carefully preserved and saved in the Scriptures -  the unique Word of God, conveyed by the Spirit. 

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

These brief sayings all point toward the works of God - nothing for those who scorn and reject the Word, everything for the power, energy, and mercy of God. People can fashion themselves very wise - and glory in their rejection of what they cannot see - or what they demand and cannot understand.

A helper pointed out some plants growing fast by the porch and having orange flowers. "What's that? Looks like weeds." I said, "They are weeds. I planted them." Consternation! I added, "Those are butterfly weeds. Butterflies like them, and so do the gardeners." The weed-wacker was put down.

The difficulties of life often put us in strange, hurtful, or awkward situations. What we desire is distant from the way God works, but first we need to defer to the Scriptures and not our instant emotions. They build our Spiritual wisdom.

It's easy to see how people abandon the Word of God. The complexities cannot be imagined, there is so much to study, absorb, and apply. The Holy Spirit's wisdom in the Scriptures often open up to treasures we never imagined until that day we realized the truth.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

We all know our weaknesses, but the Holy Spirit knows and addresses them. Isn't it absurd that someone can have a problem, say nothing out loud, recall from memory, and connect with God's wisdom? That is the foolishness of mankind, thinking, "That is impossible! 

I can buy some self-help books from the Self-Help Book of the Month Club!  or"An attorney-in-fact, also called an “agent,” is a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person, known as the “principal,” typically to perform business or other official transactions."

One must have faith in Jesus Christ to open the door to His eternal Kingdom and gather peace from it. And faith comes from Him, or we might say, faith in Him gives us access to God's grace and forgiveness. The Word of God teaches us by hearing, reading, and remembering the Gospel. 

Cantate Sunday.

 

The Hymn #347                           Jesus Priceless Treasure                     

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Oh, sing (cantate) unto the Lord a new song: 

for He hath done marvelous things.

The Lord hath made known His salvation: 

His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalm. His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant unto Thy people that they may love what Thou commandest and desire what Thou dost promise, that among the manifold changes of this world our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual 

Gradual

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: 

the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Hallelujah!

V. Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more: 

death hath no more dominion over Him. Hallelujah!

    

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #132                O God of God   

                 Jesus Teaching the Holy Spirit

Communion Hymn #259     Flung to the Heedless Winds

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657                        Beautiful Savior                     

In Our Prayers -

• Treatment and recovery - Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Lori Howell, . Dr. Kermit Way, Sarah Buck, Dr. Cruz is doing better. BibleJohn is getting diabetic treatments.
• The St. Louis tornado took 5 lives and much more to comprehend.
• Pray for our country's leaders as the major trials continue. 
• Biblical doctrine is broadcast live on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10 AM Central. 
• The Bethany Lutheran Hymnal  has 91,547 views.

KJV James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

KJV John 16:5-15 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;  11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

   Jesus Teaching the Holy Spirit

John 15:5-7 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

This puzzles many people in great numbers, because they assume or argue everything except the message given, the Spirit-Word combination. 

• Everyone has to be excited and entertained. No.
• Everyone has to be learned, impressed by the most educated. No.
• Everyone has to name the newest building as an honor to him. No.
• Everyone has to be popular. No.

The Spirit works through the Word of God, so we are certain that gardens and fields, lawns and weeds will spring up, flower, fruit, and set seed. Jesus taught the disciples that they must mourn and be without Him as it was in their time together. These passages in John's Gospel show us what has to be so that a few hundred or thousand people can cover the earth with the Gospel of forgiveness and everlasting life.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

This is the center of Jesus' work and cannot be escaped. Not only are denominations against faith in Jesus Christ, they openly ridicule the basics of the Good Shepherd's divinity - teaching, miracles, dying to atone for the sins of the world, rising from death and ascending to heaven. How is it that the Father of the Church Growth Movement - Donald McGavran - published his approval of Planned Parenthood? His book was the bible for all the Lutherans, including LCMS-ELS-WELS-ELCA.

That is the big picture, as they say, but it also covers the small one, down to the individuals, based on whether they believe the blessings, miracles, and divine help of the Savior. Some pick and choose.

I remember that my mother had me memorize the 23rd Psalm when I was in Sunday School. I was about 5 years old and we were at Plymouth Congregational Church, now gone, along with First Christian Church. I had her join the Lutheran Church later. Her last stay was in our sun-lit living room in Glendale, Arizona, not far from the venue of the ELCA convention in July. One final day I brought my Bible to her and said, "You taught me this, Mom." I read the 23rd Psalm to her and she passed into eternal life.

The foundational work of the Christian Church is to teach faith in Jesus Christ, in all aspects, from Genesis 1 to the end of time. The wife of my friend from Moline boasted about her studies at a joint-seminary  - Unitarian and Disciples of Christ. "They work together, unified!" So Christina said, "How can you tell the difference?" The lady said this - about the Virgin Birth of Jesus and His resurrection - "Those items are not very important." I was removed from my friend's Facebook list. He had all the catechism lessons of our Augustana congregation and he attended a Lutheran college. 

People feel the burdens of past errors, sins, and various difficulties. This issue is extremely important because the Bible is there for our healing and peace. "Access to His grace" is the key.