About the Series Theme

Journey through the history and hymn text for “O Love, How Deep” to see the depth, breadth, and height of God’s love for us, His creation. “For us” encompasses how God is beyond our comprehension yet took on the most accessible form to walk with us. Meditate on this historical hymn throughout the season of Lent to see how God’s love is steady, deep, and endless. This all-inclusive series features sermons and sermon notes, Bible studies, children’s messages, and more in the preaching and worship resources. Additionally, families can have devotional time together with a daily adult devotional and a new Arch® Book. Wrap it all together with custom bulletins for your congregation to enjoy during services.

About the Series Author

Series author Rev. Dr. Todd A. Peperkorn is assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions and vice president of spiritual formation at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also serves as director of pastoral formation programs and director of vicarage (internship). A Lutheran pastor since 1997, he served congregations in Wisconsin and Northern California before joining the seminary faculty in 2021. Dr. Peperkorn graduated from Concordia University Nebraska (CUNE) in 1992, is a graduate of CTSFW (MDiv, 1996; STM, 1999), and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching from the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis in 2021. His written works include assistance with Treasury of Daily Prayer in 2008, as well as the book I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression (CPH, 2009), and the 2012 Lent Series, God’s Gift of Forgiveness (CPH). Dr. Peperkorn is one of the founding pastors of Higher Things, and he and his wife, Kathryn, have four children.

“Some hymns tell a story, others teach, and still others create pictures in our minds of the great works of God. Some hymns do all three, weaving together a tapestry that is beautiful yet simple, wondrous yet easy to understand. ‘O Love, How Deep’ (Lutheran Service Book 544) is that kind of hymn.” — From the Series Introduction

Weekly Sermon Themes

Ash Wednesday

“O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High”

An introduction to “O Love, How Deep” (LSB 544) while examining ourselves so we can understand God’s love for us.

Ephesians 3:14–19

Midweek 1

The Robe of Human Frame

Examine why Christ came as a human to redeem us as His own. 

Hebrews 1

Midweek 2

Done for Us

An introduction to the phrase “for us” and how God’s nature is self-giving love.

Mark 1:9–13

Midweek 3

For Us He Seeks

See how Jesus seeks us out and looks for ways to help and strengthen us.

Mark 1:35–39

Midweek 4

Healing from Demons

Hear how Jesus heals a man with a demon and how that work of healing continues today.

Mark 5:1–13

Midweek 5

For Us Betrayed

Understand how the way of salvation only comes through the path of suffering, and how Christ participates in this suffering with us.

Mark 8:31–9:1

Holy (Maundy) Thursday

For Many Means for You

Introduce the phrase “for many” and see how Christ gave His own body and blood for the forgiveness of sins “for many.”

or many."Matthew 26:28

Good Friday

His Dying Breath

Salvation has been won for us. See how in Scripture while using LSB hymn 544.

John 19:28–30

Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday)

For Us He Rose from Death Again

Jesus Christ has risen from the dead! See how we are now justified by faith through Christ’s death and resurrection. 

Romans 4:23–25

Easter Sunday

For Us He Lives on High to Reign

See how Christ’s resurrection reunites us with God once again. 

Romans 8:38–39