Book: The Final Advent: 25 Advent Devotions from the Book of Revelation

25 Advent Devotions from the Book of Revelation

He came once in a manger. He will come again in glory.

Revelation, the final book of the Bible, may not be the first place we think to look during Advent. But from beginning to end, it points us to Jesus: the Lamb who was slain, the King who reigns, and the One who is coming again.

This Advent, journey through twenty-five passages from Revelation and discover what this often-misunderstood book has to say about Christ, His promises, and the hope we have while we wait for His return.

At Christmas, we remember that Jesus came just as He promised. But Advent also looks ahead. The story didn't end at the manger, and neither does our waiting.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

Available from Amazon

2026 Advent and Christmas resources

Advent and Christmas is an ideal opportunity to engage with the wider community and refresh the Christian Faith in people who are part of your local Christian Community.  

Advent

On the four Sundays before Christmas the Christian church for centuries has participated in the season of Advent.  The beginnings of Advent can be traced back to 380AD and the four Sundays of Advent became a regular occurrence in the late 6th Century.   

Advent from its original Latin adventus means coming or arrival, and this is the posture we are encouraged to take during the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.   We are waiting for the arrival to celebrate Christmas (the nativity) and we are waiting for the arrival for Jesus' second coming.   

One common tradition that many Christians utilise are four Advent Candles and a Christ Candle.   Each Sunday the congregation lights another candle with the Christ Candle lit on Christmas Eve or Day, as  reminder that the light of Christ is coming into our dark and sin affected world.    The most common name for the Advent Candles are hope, peace, joy and love.   

As the posture of Advent is one of waiting for the arrival of Christmas, the focus and mood of the readings and the worship services are a combination of repentance, waiting and a little joy(as we know Christ will come).   

Christmas Season

The Christmas season celebrates the arrival of Jesus and all the good He gives us.  The Christmas season is from 25 December through to 6 January (Epiphany), the twelve days of Christmas.   Congregations are encouraged to keep their Christmas symbols and decorations up until 7 January to remind people that there is much  praise God and be thankful for because of the arrival of Jesus.  

Advent and Christmas Worship resources

Lutheran Church of Australia - Advent Worship 

Lutheran Church of Australia - Christmas Worship 

Center for Worship Leadership - Advent and Christmas Resources

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada - Worship Resources 

Living Lutheran 

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Advent resources

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 2026 resources 

Eastern Synod Lutheran Church in Canada - Advent and Christmas Worship Resources 

Contemporary and Traditional songs - Advent

Contemporary and Traditional songs - Christmas

Traditional Hymns - Advent 

Traditional Hymns - Christmas 

Advent Candle Lighting Liturgies

Characters of Christmas 

God's unending love

Before the Manger 

Moravian Church 

Candle Lighting Song - tune Be still and know that i am God 

Other songs • "We Light the Candle" (Mary Nelson Keithahn & John D. Horman),  "Like a Candle Flame" (Graham Kendrick), "Light the Advent Candle" (The Faith We Sing #2090), "Go Light Your World" (Chris Rice), "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" – A classic traditional hymn frequently sung during candlelight or Advent services.

Christmas/Nativity Plays

Instant Christmas Pagaent

Disorganised Sunday School resources 

Salvation Army resources 

Religion Teacher script

Previous Years on Lutheran Mission Blog

Family and Children resources

Grow Ministries 

South Eastern Synod ELCA 

Advent Christmas Devotions/Studies/Resources 

Lutheran Tract Mission - currently offers 9 different devotion books free of charge 

North American Lutheran Church devotional

Lutheran Hour Ministries - offers pdf and online devotions

Lutheran Church in Mission for Christ devotional

ELCA - Filled with Good things - devotional, bulletin insert, calendar and action guide 

Lutheran World Federation Advent and Christmas Hymns and Carols 

Lutheran World Federation Advent Calendar

Bible Project - Advent 

Red Letter studies - Advent 

Advent Conspiracy 

Sola Publishing resources

Social Media and Promoting Christmas resources

The Church of England - 6 ideas for using Social Media

Methodist Church - Don't be afraid resources

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - media kit

10 Social media ideas for your church 

Christmas Advert Flyer adaptable for Congregational times (2 formats)

Free or by donation resources

Bible Society New Zealand 

Bible Society of Australia - resource for 2026 has not been advertised as of yet

Lutheran Tract Mission - Advent

Lutheran Tract Mission - Christmas

Lutheran Mission Blogspot previous Advent postings 

Lutheran Mission Blogspot previous Christmas postings

Book - Confessing Jesus Mission

Confessing Jesus Mission is available through Amazon here

Mission and confession are not competitive. They are complementary and collaborative. Two sides of the same coin. Balancing, catalyzing, proclaiming and sending. This is the way it’s always supposed to be. The Gospel must be preached. Eternities are at stake. We need more proclaimers. Pastors and marketplace leaders united in a common confession to let the world know, “Jesus is LORD!”

Somewhere along our way the LCMS started to pit these two words against each other.

Tribes such as “missional” and “confessional” began to form. “Confessional” pastors virtue signal through collars and chanting, smells and bells. “Missional” pastors virtue signal through casual dress and drums. Maybe tribalism is the way it’s always been in the LCMS. Maybe so, but that does not mean it is the way it should be. I certainly don’t have to like it. I know Jesus doesn’t.

“Mission” is why the church exists. God wants all of His rebellious kids back. God is radically, and even ridiculously, in love with us. Jesus is proof.

“Confession” is what we preach. Pastors preach. The royal priesthood also boldly proclaims. Christ crucified. Christ risen. Christ ascended and reigning. The Holy Spirit descending. For you. For me. For the world.

Priorities matter. Values matter. Unfortunately, the values in the LCMS have shifted. We’ve prioritized protecting the faith over advancing the mission of making Jesus known. When “what and how” gets in the way of “why” any organization exists, trouble and petty power plays will be the end result.

Book: And so to bed a biblical view of sleep

And so to be - a biblical view of sleep

Sleep is part of our created humanity, a good gift from God to be treasured and enjoyed; an earthly picture of a spiritual reality. In this reflection on sleep, Reynolds reflects on what the Bible has to say about sleep and rest, and how that can impact not only your night but your life. He includes his suggestions for turning off and enjoying rest.

Chapter 1: Night Night!

Examines how widespread sleeplessness and anxiety are, and how lack of sleep harms daily life, relationships, and mood.

Chapter 2: Good Night!

Explores the biblical view of sleep, showing that sleep is part of God's design and that lying down to sleep is an act of trust and dependence on a sovereign God.

Chapter 3: Sleep Tight!

Focuses on the unchanging, all-powerful God who never slumbers or sleeps, and invites believers to rest in His care.

Chapter 4: See you in the morning!

Looks at sleep as an earthly picture of a spiritual reality, connecting physical rest and waking to the Christian hope of resurrection and eternal life.

Chapter 5: Hope the bed bugs don't bite!

Offers practical, real-world suggestions and wisdom for turning off, winding down, and getting a good night's rest.

Chapter 6: Feeling sleepy now?

Concludes with reflections on sleep as a gracious, daily gift from God to be received with thankfulness.

Available from Amazon 

Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings - November 2026

 

Click on the weekly links below  to access the weekly resources

November week 1:  1 John 3:1-3 All Saints 

November week 2:  Matthew 25:1–13  Proper 27

November week 3:  Matthew 25:14-30 Proper 28

November week 4:  Matthew 25:31–46  Christ the King

November week 5:  Mark 13:24–37 Advent 1 

DONATE HERE

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Course - Becoming a Christlike leader

Becoming a Christlike Leader - Drawing Closer to Jesus -Growing in Character is a 4 week video curriculum from Lasaunne

Rooted in the Sermon on the Mount and shaped by global voices, the series creates space for honest conversations about the person behind the leadership role—and what it means to become more like Jesus as we lead.

This four-part video series is designed especially for those who mentor, coach, and develop others. The series combines biblical teaching, global voices, honest stories, reflection, prayer, and guided conversation.  In addition to the videos there is also Discussion Guides and Devotional Plans

Week 1 - Becoming a Christlike leader

Week 2 - What kind of leadership does Jesus bless?

Week 3 - How can leaders remain faithful under pressure?

Week 4 - How can leaders become more like Jesus

To access the series visit https://lausanne.org/becoming-a-christlike-leader

Book: Gathered Guests

Gathered guests - a guide to worship in the Lutheran Church 

God's gathered guests come together because God calls us by His Gospel. We are gathered in His name to receive His Word and Meal. We respond in praise and prayers and works of service. This gathering time provides us with the power for living and believing. The worship service ends, but our service continues throughout the week as we live out our faith in Christ in our daily lives.-from the Introduction

This second edition of Gathered Guests explores the elements that compose the broad category of Lutheran worship, including:

• The historic nature of and current structure of the Divine Service, prayer offices (including Matins and Vespers), and festival and occasional services used in the Lutheran Church.
• An overview of music, the arts, architecture, and their relationship to worship.
• The role of liturgy, rite, and ceremony in the Divine Service.

Special features include

• Glossary and topical and Scripture indexes.
• Targeted information for lectors and worship planners.
• Family and small-group devotional outlines.
• Addresses the service orders included in the Lutheran Service Book.

Available from Amazon

Book: Think like Jesus

The main reason people don't act like Jesus is because they don't think like Jesus. Discover the seven core questions that Christians must be able to answer biblically in order to live a transformed life.

The latest data from researcher George Barna’s polls across America shows that we are confused by the issues that confront us today. We find ourselves wrestling with what is right and wrong. Some of us cut ethical corners and don’t even know it. We often base our actions on what feels right or keeps people happy rather than on what is best or true.

All because, Barna concludes, we lack an active, clear belief system based on solid, scriptural principles.

Now more than ever, we need a way of life that brings us clarity in chaos, peace in the problems, and boldness in the bad times. We need a new way of seeing—a biblical perspective that guides our every thought and action.

What is a biblical perspective on life? To put it simply, Barna says, it is a "way of dealing with the world so that we act like Jesus, twenty-four hours a day, because we think like Jesus. It’s like wearing a pair of eyeglasses that enable us to see things differently, to see things from God’s point of view, and to respond to these perceptions in the way He prescribes.”

Think Like Jesus:

• Uncovers the seven core beliefs of Christianity necessary for developing a strong Christian worldview
• Provides a firm explanation of why Christians believe what we believe
• Includes detailed statistics and polls on where Americans agree with the Bible on key topics
• Exposes causes of concern in modern Christianity through the misalignment of key beliefs

Would you like to simplify your life, shore up your moral foundations, and strengthen your Christian witness? Think Like Jesus can help you chart a path that will allow you to make a difference for eternity in your home, your job, your church, and your community. 

You can order Think Like Jesus here

Year B Worship Planning Tool for 2026-27

The Worship Planning Tool for Year B 2026-27 is a spreadsheet that you can adapt for your worship planning

The Planning tool includes Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary Readings, alternative readings for many Festivals and some events, plus categories such as rostered leaders, song selection options and other liturgical options.   

It is designed so you can adapt it for your own context

Access the Worship Planning Tool for Year B 2026-27 here

2026-27 Year B Church Calendar - for Outlook and Google Calendar

 You can download free 2026-27 Church Calendar Year B 

Augsburg Fortress version available here

CPH Version available here

Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings - October 2026

 

Click on the weekly links below  to access the weekly resources

October week 1:  Matthew 21:33–46 Proper 22 

October week 2:  Matthew 22:1–14  Proper 23

October week 3:  Matthew 22:15–22 Proper 24

October week 4:  John 8:31-36  Reformation Sunday

DONATE HERE

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Book: The Teaming church - Ministry in the age of collaboration

A committee is not the same thing as a team.

To become a great team, a group must have a goal that is deeply challenging, a leader who is creatively empowering, and a willingness to work within a collaborative community that honors the Bible.

The Bible is full of examples of great things accomplished through teaming leaders. Scripture also provides a compelling model from which church communities and teams can learn to live and serve in light of the "Divine Team" - the Trinity. Author Robert C. Crosby provides several innovative ways in which biblical teams reflect the workings and nature of the Trinity and thus the image of God.

Revealing what he calls "The Four C's of Great Teams" - The Character, The Carrot, The Coach, and The Context - Crosby shows how successful teams reach their goals more effectively. Conversely, he also addresses the "Four Fatal Teaming Errors" and how to avoid unnecessary, time-consuming missteps.

This book provides biblical motivations, vivid examples, and practical approaches for creating a teaming culture in any faith community. Crosby, a leader who has built teams as a senior pastor, youth leader, and university administrator, is now training and mentoring a new generation of pastors and leaders. 

Christmas Plays: No Stable too Small

No Stable Too Small: Fifteen Christmas Plays for Churches of All Sizes

Lois Anne DeLong (Author), Barbara Anne Antonucci (Author)

Here's a collection of humorous, down-to-earth plays that bring a fresh perspective to the Christmas story through such creative devices as imagining the thoughts and feelings of fringe characters (like an innkeeper or a servant to one of the magi) or by updating the story with contemporary settings and characters. 

No Stable Too Small offers a variety of practical material for any situation, ranging from shorter plays with small casts and lines that can be easily mastered by younger children to more elaborate pieces with sophisticated themes for older children and adults. And they're ideal for use with today's young people -- the dialogue reflects the way they really talk, yet never detracts from the biblical message. These flexible scenes offer a mix of speaking parts for all age groups, from preschool through adult, and are especially valuable for small congregations that lack the resources to mount large-scale productions. 

No sets are required, and only simple costumes and minimal props are needed. The plays can be performed by smaller churches with as few as 8-10 cast members, or parts can be easily divided to accommodate groups as large as 25-30. And with a running time of approximately 20-25 minutes each, it's easy to fit them within a Christmas Eve or Advent Sunday worship service. 

Some of the charming presentations include: 

• Love Finds a Way
• It Wasn't the Hilton, You Know
• Christmas Eve at Angel School
• Because God Said So, That's Why
• No Small Parts
• Unto Us a Child Is Born"... Next on Omar 
• Miracles? No Problem! ...and eight more! 

Lois Anne DeLong is currently a freelance writer and editor in Bay Shore, New York. She previously served 25 years in public relations, publishing, and marketing for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. A graduate of New York University, DeLong is an active member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, New York. Barbara Anne Antonucci was born and raised in Brentwood, New York, and is a lifelong member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church. A graduate of St. Joseph's College, Antonucci now resides in Monroe, North Carolina.

No Stable too small is available from Amazon

Book: Beginners Gospel Story Bible

The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible is a gospel-centered, Bible storybook for toddlers and preschoolers with fifty-two Bible stories retold in a simple and compelling way.

Author Jared Kennedy traces through the stories of the Old and New Testament how God keeps his promises in surprising ways better than anyone could have ever thought or imagined! Each story highlights for young children God's story of redemption through Jesus Christ and the unexpected ways that God's grace and mercy are revealed throughout the Bible. Children will hear the good news of God's love for them clearly expressed in ways that will speak to their young hearts. Each story ends with a question that Christian parents and caregivers can use to further reinforce the story. 

Brightly colored illustrations highlight each story and add fun teaching elements of
counting, opposites, patterns, and object recognition to keep even the youngest child's attention on these important Christian teachings about God's love.

Available from Amazon

Article: How to Share the Good News of Jesus

How to Share Your Faith

from Christ the King Lutheran Church LCMC - West Hoover

A definition of faith-sharing success is NOT leading someone to Jesus Christ.   Instead, it is sharing Christ, inviting to faith in Christ, and living out your Christian life whether people accept Christ or not.

What is the central message of the gospel?

The message we as Christians proclaim is “Christ has Risen!”

In Christ's resurrection, he defeated humanity’s greatest enemy - Death itself.

Death is coming for us all. We exist in a state of Sin and Death.

The GOSPEL is: Christ defeated our Death and made us alive in Him!

Through Jesus’ Death on the cross he takes our sin - our sin was crucified with Christ. Through his resurrection, he defeats Death - he takes victory over Death. At Jesus’ resurrection Death itself was defeated and the devil’s grip on this world was broken.

Why is the news good?

Jesus defeated sin, death, and the devil for YOU.

The 4 P’s Method

• Pray - for divine appointments - send people and show me who I should share the gospel with
• Post - make a note - create a follow-up method
• Pray - again for the names you post. Pray for softened hearts and opportunity to share the Good News
• Plant - the seed when God opens the door. Become spiritually alert.

Two questions that show Christ’s love…

• Can I pray with you? (right now? this shows immediate love for them…)
• How’s your soul? (when people have things going on in their life - remind them of their salvation and offer encouragement)

Questions to initiate the conversation (***Listen, do not argue: love is listening***)

• Do you have any kind of spiritual belief?
• What is your understanding of Jesus Christ?
• Do you think there’s heaven or hell?

Verses you can use to share your faith 

(Ask what each verse means to the other person. The person teaches themselves.)

Why do I need salvation?

• Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
• Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is Death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How did God meet my need - Why is the news good?

• John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life; for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

How do I receive salvation?

• John 3:3 - Jesus answered him (Nicodemus), “Truly , truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
• Acts 2:38 - Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Born of our mothers in sin and death, born again through the Spirit)
• Romans 10:9-11 - If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

Story / Narrative Evangelism: >>> Share parables

eg.  The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) - I like this one if they have walked away from the Church

• “Where are you in the story?”
• “Are you still partying; are you at rock bottom with the pigs; are you ready to come back to your Father?”

What’s next?

• Jesus Prayer - “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
• You’re not finished! Hand them off to your church leadership for catechism and Baptism (if they haven’t already been baptized)
• A word on Baptism - it’s that marked moment in time where I can always remember and know that God saved me. God did not save me because I was very sincere when I prayed the Jesus prayer (for our sincerity can wax or wane). Rather, it was God’s grace that saved me.

2026: September - Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

 AUGUST weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below  to access the weekly resources

September week 1:  Matthew 18:15-20 Proper 19 

September week 2:  Matthew 20:1-16  Proper 20

September week 3:  Matthew 21:23-32 Proper 21

September 4:  Matthew 21:33–46  Proper 22

DONATE HERE

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Lutheran bible studies and other resources for women

The following Lutheran bible studies and resources are available for women

Lutheran Women of Australia - Bible Studies   

Lutheran Women of Australia - Devotions 

Women of North American Lutheran Church - Online Bible Study 

Gather magazine Bible Studies

Boldcafe

Lutheran Women in Mission - Bible Studies 

Book:  Preaching from Home: The Stories of Seven Lutheran Women Hymn Writers 

Book:  Pew Sisters- A Women's group bible study

Book:  Strong in the Lord: A Women's Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health

Lutheran Women who write studies for Lutheran Women

Donna Snow

Deb Burma 

Sharla Fritz

Heidi Goehmann

Gretchen Ronnevik

 

Book: Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable

Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable is a book written by Sam Chan, an experienced evangelist who has experienced evangelising in modern and post modern scenarios, varying cultural contexts and over many years.   

He recognises that many of the old methods of evangelism no longer work effectively today. We need new methods to communicate the timeless message of the gospel in culturally relevant ways.

In a post-Christian, post-churched, post-reached world, most Christians have been poorly equipped to tell their friends about Jesus. Dr. Chan combines the theological and biblical insights of classic evangelistic training with his own and hard-won insights from missiology on contextualization, cultural hermeneutics, and storytelling.

Every chapter is illustrated with real-world examples drawn from over fifteen years of evangelistic ministry across the globe. These are methods that really work—with university students, urban workers, and professionals—getting past the defensive posture that people have toward Christianity so they can seriously consider the claims of Jesus Christ.

Field-tested and filled with unique, fresh, and creative insights, this book will equip you to share the gospel in today's world and help as many people as possible hear the good news about Jesus.

Chapters include

1. A Theology of Evangelism
2. Everyday Evangelism
3. How to Craft a Gospel Presentation
4. Evangelism to Postmoderns
5. Contextualization for Evangelism
6. Gospel-Cultural Hermeneutics
7. Storytelling the Gospel
8. How to Give Evangelistic Topical Talks
9. How to Give Evangelistic Expository Talks
10. Religious Epistemology, Apologetics, and Defeater Beliefs

Evangelism in a Skeptical World available here

Book: Contending for Christ Through the Creed: Apologetics for Loving Answers on the Christian Faith

Holy Scripture directs all Christians to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). 

Unfortunately, all too often the Christian resorts to defensiveness that amounts to becoming contentious, which is contrary to the way of Jesus Christ. Engaging for Christ requires both gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:15). 

But where to begin? In this unique approach to cultural apologetics, Alfonso Espinosa employs the outline of the ancient Apostles’ Creed. Creedal organization not only demonstrates the timeless and enduring relevance of the Christian faith, but it also puts forth a logical and systematic approach to Christian apologetics. Such a method is first immensely personal since the Creed begins with “I believe.”

At the same time, however, it does not perpetuate the hyper self-centeredness of our age but presents the outward orientation to consider the importance of creation, Christ-centered salvation, and the churchly context of the work of the Holy Spirit. 

In all this apologetic clarification, important answers to the faith once delivered are offered so that comfort is had not in religious ambiguity and subjectivism, but rather in the objective foundation of truth that endures, truth that we can contend for. 

Chapters:

Introduction: Contending While Loving

Part I: Contending for the Faith According to the First Article of the Creed

     1. Contending for Identity: “I”
     2. Culture and the Old “I"
     3. Contending for the Father
     4. Contending for the Creator

Part II: Contending for the Faith According to the Second Article of the Creed

     5. Contending for Jesus Christ of Real History

     6. Contending for Jesus, God Who Die

     7. Contending for Jesus, the Death of Death

     8. Contending for Jesus, the Keeper of Promises Coming Again

Part III: Contending for the Faith According to the Third Article of the Creed
     9. Contending for the Holy Christian Church
   10. Contending for Our Same Bodies Raised
   11. Contending for the Life Everlasting

Available from Amazon 

Podcast: Preaching to Uncle Bob: Evangelistic Preaching in a Post-Christian World with John Dickson

In this episode, Ridley College Faculty member, Tim Johnson, sits down with the John Dickson — historian, author, podcaster, and public Christian — ahead of the annual Ridley Preachers Conference. 

Their conversation centres on one of the most important and underestimated skills in ministry: evangelistic preaching. Not the Billy Graham crusade kind — but the kind that happens every Sunday in local churches around the country, where real doubters are sitting in real pews. 

John makes a compelling case that the local church is still the most powerful evangelistic tool we have, and that any preacher — not just the gifted evangelist — can learn to preach in a way that has something for the doubter in the room. 

They explore the difference between evangelistic preaching and evangelism, the common missteps that lose sceptical listeners, how to handle questions about Christianity's goodness and reputation, what Aristotle's three elements of persuasion have to do with the pulpit, and John's one piece of advice for anyone preparing an evangelistic sermon this Sunday. 

Whether you're a seasoned preacher or just starting out, this is a conversation that will change the way you think about your next sermon.

You can listen to this podcast here

Book: Apply the Word

Every preacher wants to see God’s Word impact their congregation. 

We wrestle with meaning, check the original Greek, and consult commentaries to make sure we’re faithful, articulate, and gospel-driven . But what if, in our diligence, we’re neglecting application, leaving our listeners informed rather than transformed?

Richard Coekin is passionate about application and candidly shares his own mistakes and growth in preaching over the past thirty years. Writing for both new and experienced preachers, Coekin lays out what good application is, what it’s not, and how to develop in this vital area so congregations don’t just hear the Word, but are equipped to put it into practice.

Key Points 

• The Problem with Expository Preaching: Why accurate textual exposition often neglects clear, practical application, leaving congregations informed but unchanged.
• Defining True Application: What faithful, text-driven application looks like (and distinguishing it from legalism, moralism, or subjective opinion).
• Application to the Heart: Shepherding listeners across different life situations—addressing tired parents, anxious believers, proud leaders, and skeptical guests.
• Nuts and Bolts of Sermon Preparation: Practical techniques and structural tools for incorporating clear application directly into sermon outlines and delivery.

Available on Amazon

Worship and Study resource: Creation in Christ Day

Creation in Christ or Feast of Creation has been introduced into the liturgical calendar to be celebrated on 1 September or the nearest following Sunday.  

Grounded in the ancient liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church, “Creation in Christ” (or “Feast of Creation”) celebrates God as Creator and ponders the great mystery that everything was created through Christ. And, as a result, it also inspires us to care for the gift of the created world. Although the rich theme of Christ’s activity in creation abounds throughout the liturgical year, setting aside this day brings an important focus to this mystery.

Resources 

Creation in Christ Web site

LWF  information

Consultation on Common Texts - recommended texts and rationale

ELCA - Year A worship resources

2026 August Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

 

AUGUST weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below  to access the weekly resources

August week 1:   Pentecost 10 Proper 13 Matthew 14:13-21

August week 2:  Pentecost 11 Proper 14 Matthew 14:22-33

August week 3:  Pentecost 12  Proper 15 Matthew 15:10-28

August week 4:  Pentecost 13 Proper 16 Matthew 16:13-20 

August week 5:  Pentecost 14 Proper 17 Matthew 16:21-28

DONATE HERE

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Study: Lutheran Hermeneutics - The Bible in the life of the Lutheran communion

For Lutherans the Bible is the word of God 

The Bible is also read in hugely diverse cultural, political, economic and religious contexts. 

The Bible in the life of the Lutheran Communion engages with the question how Lutheran churches in such varied contexts can reach a shared and mutual understanding regarding their reading and interpretation of biblical texts. 

Chapters

1. Introduction:  The Lutheran churches’ focus on the Bible and its interpretation 
2. What does sola scriptura mean?  
3. Challenges of interpreting the Bible today
4. Opportunities for reading and understanding the Bible in the twenty-first century 

Download a copy of The Bible in the life of the Lutheran Communion here

Resource: Beyond the hymnals - New Lutheran Hymns

Beyond the hymnals resource arose because every year new original hymns are composed for Lutheran congregations and worship.   Many of these new hymns grow out of a pastoral need or situation. 

The goal of this resource is to sustain awareness and access to this treasure of Christian hymnody and to demonstrate possible uses for the Sundays and festivals of the Church Year, of Year A.   They pray it is a source of inspiration to pastors, church musicians, worship planners, classroom teachers, composers, and others. 

There are 211 hymns representing the work of 19 Lutheran hymn writers, ranging from the now sainted to current college students. 

You can download the resource Beyond the hymnals - here

Free Bible Studies

 The Church of the Lutheran Brethren offers free downloadable bible study series.

The studies available include:

• Symbols of our savior - Lent Study
• Spiritual Formation - working with Jesus to become more like Jesus
• Our artists God 
• Full of grace and truth
• Intentionally intergenerational
• Mental health and the church
• Partner in Mission
• All things new
• Identity in Christ
• Identity in Christ - Justification
• Innocent Blood
• Triumphant Christian living
• The truth in Jesus 
• The life in Jesus
• Living Faith
• From disappointment to joy
• Directions in God's Word

  These studies are available at https://clbforge.org/studies

Hymn Devotion: Devotions on hymns of the day (Church Season)

Behind every hymn there is a story.  
Concordia University - Centre for Music helps us reflect more deeply on the hymns and their stories by offering us Devotions on the hymn of the day

Written by a wide variety of Lutheran pastors, teachers, church musicians and laity, each of these devotions seeks to unwrap the gift of the hymn text and apply it to the our Christian life.

To discover these devotions visit:   https://www.cuchicago.edu/academics/centers-of-excellence/center-for-church-music/devotions-on-the-hymn-of-the-day/

Book: Uproar: Calm leadership in anxious times

Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times helps leaders understand the powerful impact that emotional processes have on the people they lead.

If “these are the times that test men’s souls,” never more than for the leader’s ability to think clearly, to be present calmly, and to challenge effectively. 

It’s a time when leaders cannot be as anxious as those they serve; otherwise, the system is leaderless. Anxiety flows down like water from a leaky pipe. To lead effectively we must understand the impact of powerful emotional forces on people’s behavior, especially in anxious times.

Peter Steinke, bestselling author of Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times draws on decades of work on system conflict and personal experiences to share real stories of challenges leaders have faced and how understanding the power of emotions has dramatically influenced their success. 

In this book, readers will observe important leadership characteristics such as separating oneself from the surrounding anxiety, making decisions based on principle and not instinct, taking responsibility for one’s own emotional being, staying connected to others including those who disagree with you, being a non-anxious presence, focusing on emotional processes rather than the symptoms they produce, knowing people naturally influence one another, and recognizing leader and follower as complements. 

At the end of each chapter, there is a Leader’s Notebook, a short section to illustrate, enrich or engage your thinking about leadership. 

As Steinke suggests, being anxious causes you to lose perspective, and leaders do their best thinking when they are not overly stressed and can think about options, doing their best work when they work on themselves. 

So where are you in your leadership journey? No matter where you are―beginning, middle or end― this book will be one the most significant leadership books you’ll read.

Chapel Curriculum: Your word is growing in me

 

A chapel curriculum that has been developed by LCMS Lutherans for LCMS Schools.

Each Chapel suggests a simple theme on which to build a Chapel message, Bible verses that the Chapel message is based on, Song suggestions that connect to the Chapel message and Bible verses, 

Includes:

• Theme Song and motions, music score, chord charts, videos, and more! 
• Chapel Ideas for 35 Weeks of the school year that are thematically tied to “God’s Word is Growing Me.” 
• Chapels are sequenced to connect with major seasons of the church year
• Week 1: Opening Chapel - God’s Word is Growing Me (Orientation to the theme) 
• Weeks 2-3: God’s Wisdom 
• Weeks 4-8: God’s Word and its reliability 
• Weeks 9-17: God’s Word was Growing Them (a look at important people from the Bible who were changed by God’s Word) 
• Weeks 18-29: God’s Word Gives Me…(a look at the promises God gives us in His Word) 
• ○ Weeks 30-34: God’s Word Shapes My Values and Character (a look at how God’s Words can align our values and character can be more like his) 
• Week 35: Closing Chapel - Keeping God’s Word so that it continues to grow,     
• Theme graphics

To preview the resources visit https://mailchi.mp/cui.edu/your-word-preview

App: Weave Worship

A worship app built for the local church

• Faster Discovery -  Search by theme, Scripture, service fit, meaning, tune, doctrines and more.
• Clearer Discernment  - Learn more about how a particular song or hymn functions in the Lutheran service.
• Better Building - Filter doctrinally reviewed resources, create setlists, find liturgy pairings, and sync to Planning Center Services.

Weave is a powerful, searchable worship planning suite that empowers pastors, music directors, and worship leaders to select songs and liturgical elements with theological confidence and clarity. Rooted in confessional Lutheran theology and attentive to the rhythms of the church year, Weave helps evaluate music by both its sound and its substance. It also integrates seamlessly with Planning Center Online, streamlining the planning process from reflection to execution.

Developed by the Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine,

Sign up for free  https://weaveworship.com/

Book-pdf Be at Leisure-A Lutheran approach to outreach

 "Be at Leisure: A Lutheran Approach to Outreach" addresses how outreach happens naturally within the congregation. 

The advice in this book is not so much about changing practices as it is about focusing the faith of the heart on Christ, and teaching minds to think according to how the Scriptures speak. 

Chapters

1. Motives - Approach (Diagram) 
2. Faithfulness 
3. Beauty 
4. Hospitality 
5. Procreation 
6. Catechesis 
7. Straying 
8. Invitation 
9. Good Works 
10. Epilogue: Waiting

You can download a free copy of the book at https://steadfastlutherans.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Be-at-Leisure-by-Andrew-Richard.pdf

Worship and Study Resources: Leaving no one behind

In 2026, the Bible Society of New Zealand, in celebrating their 180th anniversary, are focusing on 5 powerful parables from the Gospel of Luke....with the theme Leaving no one behind

The resources they are providing are for all ages — designed to help individuals, churches, and ministries engage deeply with God’s Word.

Each week you will focus on one of the parables:

• The lost coin
• The lost sheep
• The prodigal son
• The Good Samaritan 
• The Sower

The resources available include:

• Adult devotional bible studies
• Teen devotional bible studies
• 7 day challenge plan
• Children's lesson
• 31 day reading plan

For more information visit

https://biblesociety.org.nz/bible-month-2026/#bm

Resources: Faith and Lead

Faith and Lead:   Faith Leadership for Everyone

Faith and lead provides on-demand courses, live ministry workshops, learning communities, and peer support for congregations, pastors, lay workers, leaders  and members.

Resources available include

• live learning 
• on demand learning 
• Ebooks
• Podcasts
• Blogs

You can choose to have becoming a member giving you access to courses and resources for no further charge or you can pay a one off fee for a resource/course. 

They also offer a limited number of free courses and resources

Main Topics covered include:

• Bible
• Cultivate community
• Faith and contemporary issues
• Faith in daily life
• Faithful innovation
• Justice and service
• Ministry leadership
• Mission and Evangelism
• Rural Ministry
• Spiritual Practices
• Stewardship and Sustainability
• Theology and History 

Begin exploring faith and lead https://faithlead.org/