Mar. 16, 2026
A voice cries: in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord… (Is 40:3)
It is important to remember that, when we are examining ourselves for Communion, that we are asking, “Am I ready to meet the Lord?” This is a much deeper question than, “Am I a sinner and sorry for it?” For at the end of Communion we often sing the Nunc Dimittis which roughly translates as “now dismiss us.” It can be read as a prayer for God to take you home to Him.
If you consider this, you may want a little more preparation. If this is the case, Martin Luther wrote a series of questions. If you have honestly answered these questions, he considered you ready for Communion.
A copy of these questions can be found in the LSB hymnal on page 329. They lead you through repentance, confidence in your salvation, what is happening in the sacrament, and ask if you desire to commune. Their length and breadth help remind us of the seriousness of the Sacrament of the Altar and help us to consider our relationship with God.
Dearest God, help us to ever repent of our sins and realize the importance of walking in Your ways. In Your holy Name we pray. – Amen.

Mar. 17, 2026
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (Jas. 5:16)
If you ever find yourself in a condition of such great sorrow and even shame about your sins, Individual Confession and Absolution from a Pastor is a wonderful tonic. Unless you have experienced someone pronouncing the forgiveness of God to you over a sin that is eating at your heart and soul, you cannot understand the power of that experience.
Individual Confession and Absolution is also a way to prepare for Holy Communion. It is a way of reflecting on your sin and hearing that forgiveness is yours in a very real and tangible way as you share the experience with your Pastor.
If you are intimidated by such a personal exchange regarding your sin, Corporate Confession and Absolution is provided at the beginning of every Divine Service that includes the Holy Supper. Pay special attention to this process and internalize the forgiveness as being, like Jesus’ death on the cross, FOR YOU!
Dearest Lord, help me to always feel not only the need to repent but the freedom and joy that is felt in truly receiving forgiveness for my sins. In Jesus’ Name we pray. – Amen.

Mar. 18, 2026
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thes. 5:11)
By its very nature Holy Communion is an interpersonal process. Jesus comes to us in His Body and Blood. The Holy Spirit comes to us to strengthen our faith. We are welcomed to the rail as “brothers and sisters in Christ.” And we stand and kneel at the rail, together, as the very Body of Christ, His Church. In so doing we encourage one another in the faith. We are there with one another and we are there for one another.
As we draw deep into the Lenten season, it is good to hear from members of Christ’s Body, our Church to see what their participation in the very Body and Blood of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ means to them. Over the next few days we will hear from some of your brothers and sisters. We pray that in these perspectives you find encouragement and are built up in your faith in Christ Jesus.
Dearest Holy Spirit, we pray that You bring unity to Your Church. Help us to find encouragement for our faith in the faith of our brothers and sisters, especially in our greatest Brother, Jesus Christ our Lord. – Amen.

Mar. 19, 2026
Terri Schmitt – Pastor’s Wife
“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Rev 19:9
At this time in my life, I eagerly anticipate receiving The Lord’s Supper! I love going to the Communion rail with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I love kneeling with them in repentant joy, hearing the words of our Lord, “Take eat, Drink of it, all of you.”
I am so blessed to be one of His own children! I will be present at the marriage feast of the Lamb with all my Christian brothers and sisters! It is beyond my understanding how glorious and wonderful it will be! It will be Joy in the purest form! I am blessed to have a foretaste of this marriage feast every time I come to the Communion rail. I look forward to each opportunity to take part in Holy Communion with eager anticipation.
May I always remember this prayer of Thanksgiving after receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion,
“Almighty and everlasting God, I thank and praise You for feeding me the life-giving body and blood of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Send Your Holy Spirit that, having with my mouth received the holy Sacrament, I may by faith obtain and eternally enjoy Your divine grace, the forgiveness of sins, unity with Christ, and life eternal: through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen (LSB)
Mar 20, 2026
Jason Garner – Head Elder
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (Mk 11:9)
One of the various things that I think about as the Lenten season approaches is the memory of preparing for Confirmation and to receive the Sacraments for the first time. One by one, the pastor put his hand on us, we received the Holy Spirit, receiving Communion for the first time, and singing “Hosanna in the Highest!” This would be a memorable Palm Sunday for myself, friends and family.
The young kid in me knew what I had been taught in class and bible readings, but as an adult I have grown spiritually, I have developed more of an understanding and appreciation for what the Body and Blood represent. The ultimate sacrifice and gift the world would ever receive. But then I think about how Christ did this for me, specifically me (and for you)! Jesus entered into Jerusalem for one purpose, to die on the cross to pay for our sin (my sin) and to defeat sin, death and the devil once and for all!
The thought of this amazing act gives me pause each time I come to Communion, and when I help administer the Sacraments as and Elder in the Church. I always say a prayer before Communion and finish with another prayer of thanksgiving when the entire act is finished. I give thanks for the sacrifice that Christ gave for me. We ask Jesus to “save us!” “Hosanna!” and that is exactly what He has come to do.
Dearest Jesus, thank You for coming to save us from our sin. Thank you for all that you do for us and for all the blessings you bestow upon us. In your holy Name we pray. Amen.
Mar. 21, 2026
Sara Bieser – Principal SPLS
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:1)
Throughout this devotional series we have learned how important the Lord’s Supper is. This Psalm reminds us that we are truly blessed by having our sins forgiven, not blessed by being sinless. This truth comes directly to us in the Lord’s Supper. When we come to the altar, we do not come as people who have it all together. We come honest—aware of our sin, our guilt, our failures. The Law has already done its work: it has shown us the truth about ourselves. Like David, we know we cannot hide our sin from God, and we cannot fix it on our own.
Notice the word righteous. We are righteous not because we earned it, but because it was given to us. The Lord’s Supper sends us away not burdened by the guilt of our sin, but joyful; not pretending to be sinless, but confident that we are forgiven. So come to the rail confessing but leave rejoicing. Blessed, forgiven, and free because Christ has done it all. In the Lord’s Supper, Christ does not hand us a reminder of our failures. He hands us His body and His blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins.
Lord, thank you for all You have done to earn my forgiveness. In Your Holy Name we pray. – Amen

Mar. 22, 2026
Sara Bieser – Principal SPLS
“Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Ps. 32:11)
When I was new to the Lutheran Church, having communion every other week was truly surprising to me. Sitting in the pew waiting for everyone to take their turn seemed a bit much. But then it was my turn to participate in the sacrament, and my perspective changed. Coming to the rail as a sinner, realizing my sin, kneeling before the Lord, and being offered His forgiveness through the bread and wine…wow! Each week it is something I have come to look forward to. As the distribution hymns play, and I wrestle with the little boy who sits beside me, I take the moment to reflect on my week, see the times I failed at making the right choice, and noticing the times I was able to fulfill God’s will. As we line up in the aisle, waiting our turn and reminding the little one to fold his hands, I imagine what it will be like walking up to Christ in eternity. When I bow and kneel at the rail, it allows me to humble myself before God. I love this spot- knelt down, head bowed, offering thanksgiving and praise for the unbounding love of Jesus. This time at the rail is so special, hearing forgiveness offered to all those in communion with me, hearing the blessings placed on my children, peeking at their faces to see how their face looks when they are locked in on hearing that blessing. It is a time that is intimate, yet public surrounded with other members of the body.
Dear Jesus, Thank you for your unending love and forgiveness. Thank you for this special time to commune with fellow members and for the blessings bestowed on me. Amen.