Catechesis for Septuagesima Sunday February 4 2007

A note about the Gesima Sundays These Sundays are the 3 Sundays between the Mount of Transfiguration and Lent or the journey to Mount Calvary. They are a chance for the church to catch her breath so to speak from the high holy day of Transfiguration before we enter the figurative valley of Lent. We call these gesima Sundays, pre-lent. In the ancient church you would notice a difference in Matins and Vespers which the church prayed daily. During the pre-lenten Sundays, the choir would not sing the alleluias in the Gradual and there were no alleluias after the Gloria. It was a subtle change so that we could become accustomed to the approach of Lent with it's restrictions and changes during the service. Today when the church no longer corporately prays Matins and Vespers there is not much difference between pre Lent and the services leading up to Transfiguration Sunday. We continue with the tradition though of calling these the Gesima Sundays.

Begin with Luther’s Morning Prayer

Recite the Books of the Bible Ask how many books in the OT (39), NT(27) and entire Bible (66). Ask what language the OT was written in (Hebrew and Aramaic). What language was the NT written in (Greek).

New Lesson Point out that Transfiguration is over and we are now in pre-lent. The color remains green on the altar. This Sunday is called Septuagesima Sunday because it contains the day which is 70 days(Septa) before Easter. Even though a week is 7 days, next Sunday will be Sexagesima because it will contain the day which is 60 days (Sexa) before Easter.

Memory Review:
You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love and trust in God above all things. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. Honor your father and mother. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities. But honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them. You shall not murder. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need. You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other. You shall not steal. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.

NEW MEMORY WORK
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation,

Explain/read/enact the Gospel lesson Matt 20: 1-16 (The workers don’t come to him, but the landowner comes to them. Jesus came to seek the lost. We are the lost found by him. The vineyard is the kingdom of God – forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. What He pays has everything to do with HIS generosity and love toward us and has NOTHING to do with whether we earned or deserve it.)

Memorize Lamb of God Pure and Holy TLH 146

Lamb of God, pure and holy, Who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly, Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us, Else had despair reigned o’er us:
Have mercy on us, O Jesus! O Jesus!