Then our Lord Jesus Christ took unto him the twelve, and said unto them: „Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.“ (Luke 18:31)

„Be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. I trust in the Lord. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.“ (Ps.31:2.3a.6.8-9)

The readings for the last Sunday before Lent (Estomihi) are:

• Old Testament: Amos 5:21-24
• The Epistle: 1.Corinthians 13:1-13
• The Gospel: St. Mark 8:31-38

The liturgical colour is green.

The hymn for this week before Lent is from the Lutheran Hymnal 409

1. Let us ever walk with Jesus,
   Follow His example pure,
   Flee the world, which would deceive us
   And to sin our souls allure.
   Ever in His footsteps treading,
   Body here, yet soul above,
   Full of faith and hope and love,
   Let us do the Father’s bidding.
   Faithful Lord, abide with me;
   Savior, lead, I follow Thee.
2. Let us suffer here with Jesus,
   To His image, e’er conform;
   Heaven’s glory soon will please us,
   Sunshine follow on the storm.
   Though we sow in tears of sorrow,
   We shall reap with heavenly joy;
   And the fears that now annoy
   Shall be laughter on the morrow.
   Christ, I suffer here with Thee;
   There, oh, share Thy joy with me!
3. Let us also die with Jesus.
   His death from the second death,
   From our soul’s destruction, frees us,
   Quickens us with life’s glad breath.
   Let us mortify, while living,
   Flesh and blood and die to sin;
   And the grave that shuts us in
   Shall but prove the gate to heaven.
   Jesus, here I die to Thee
   There to live eternally.
4. Let us gladly live with Jesus;
   Since He’s risen from the dead,
   Death and grave must soon release us.
   Jesus, Thou art now our Head,
   We are truly Thine own members;
   Where Thou livest, there live we.
   Take and own us constantly,
   Faithful Friend, as Thy dear brethren.
   Jesus, here I live to Thee,
   Also there eternally.

Hymn #409 from The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: John 11:16 Author: Sigismund von Birken, 1653 translated by: J. Adam Rimbach, 1900 Tune of the original titled: “Lasset uns mit Jesu ziehen” composer: Georg G. Boltze, 1788

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. (LH 61)