Sunday, November 24, 2024

Hymn “Blessed Jesus, at Your Word”  LSB # 663

 

1    Rise, my soul, to watch and pray; From your sleep awaken!

Be not by the evil day Unawares o'ertaken;

For the foe, Well we know, Is a harvest reaping

While the saints are sleeping.

 

2    Watch against the devil's snares Lest asleep he find you;

For indeed no pains he spares To deceive and blind you.

Satan's prey Oft are they Who secure are sleeping

And no watch are keeping.

 

3    Watch! Let not the wicked world With its lies defeat you

Lest with bold deceptions hurled It betray and cheat you.

Watch and see Lest there be Faithless friends to charm you,

Who but seek to harm you.

 

4    Watch against yourself, my soul, Lest with grace you trifle;

Let not self your thoughts control Nor God's mercy stifle.

Pride and sin Lurk within, All your hopes to shatter;

Heed not when they flatter.

 

5    But while watching, also pray To the Lord unceasing.

God protects you day by day, Strength and faith increasing,

So that still Mind and will Shall unite to serve Him

And forever love Him.

 

P:   In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

C:   Amen.

P:   Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C:   who made heaven and earth.

P:   I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,

C:   and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

 

(We reflect on God’s Word and examine ourselves)

 

P:   O almighty God, merciful Father,

C:   I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You, and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.

 

P:   Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

 

C:   Amen.

 

The Introit is read…

 

(Sung)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

 

The Antiphon is read…

 

(Sung)

Lord, have mercy upon us.  Christ have mercy upon us.  Lord, have mercy upon us.

(Glory be to God on high)

…and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.  We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory.  O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father Almighty.  O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.  Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.  For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord.  Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

 

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

 

Collect of the Day:

P:   Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

C:   Amen.

 

Hymn “At the Name of Jesus”  LSB # 512


1    At the name of Jesus Ev'ry knee shall bow,

Ev'ry tongue confess Him King of glory now.

’Tis the Father’s pleasure We should call Him Lord,

Who from the beginning Was the mighty Word.

 

2    At His voice creation Sprang at once to sight,

All the angel faces, All the hosts of light,

Thrones and bright dominions, Stars upon their way,

All the heav'nly orders In their great array.

 

3    Humbled for a season, To receive a name

From the lips of sinners Unto whom He came,

Faithfully He bore it Spotless to the last,

Brought it back victorious When from death He passed;

 

4    Bore it up triumphant With its human light,

Through all ranks of creatures To the central height,

To the throne of Godhead, To the Father’s breast,

Filled it with the glory Of that perfect rest.

 

5    In your hearts enthrone Him; There let Him subdue

All that is not holy, All that is not true:

Crown Him as your Captain In temptation's hour;

Let His will enfold you In its light and pow'r.

 

6    Christians, this Lord Jesus Shall return again

In His Father's glory, With His angel train;

For all wreaths of empire Meet upon His brow,

And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

 

7    Glory then to Jesus, Who, the Prince of light,

To a world in darkness Brought the gift of sight:

Praise to God the Father; In the Spirit's love

Praise we all together Him who reigns above.


Scripture Readings

 

Old Testament Reading:  Isaiah 51:4-6

“Give attention to me, my people,

    and give ear to me, my nation;

for a law will go out from me,

    and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.

5 My righteousness draws near,

    my salvation has gone out,

    and my arms will judge the peoples;

the coastlands hope for me,

    and for my arm they wait.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

    and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens vanish like smoke,

    the earth will wear out like a garment,

    and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;

but my salvation will be forever,

    and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

 

R: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

 

Epistle Reading: Jude 20-25

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

 

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

 

R: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

 

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 13th chapter.

C: (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

 

Holy Gospel: Mark 13:24-37

[Jesus said,] “In those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

 

28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

 

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: (sung) Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

 

Confession of Faith  --  Apostles’ Creed

 

C:   I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

      maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,

      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

      born of the Virgin Mary,

      suffered under Pontius Pilate,

      was crucified, died and was buried.
      He descended into hell.

      The third day He rose again from the dead.

      He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

      From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,

      the holy Christian Church,
      the communion of saints,

      the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body,

      and the life + everlasting. Amen.

 

Hymn “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”  LSB # 336

 

1 Lo! He comes with clouds descending, Once for ev'ry sinner slain;

Thousand thousand saints attending Swell the triumph of His train;

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Christ the Lord returns to reign.

 

2 Ev'ry eye shall now behold Him Robed in glorious majesty;

Those who set at naught and sold Him, Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,

Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, Shall their true Messiah see.

 

3 Those dear tokens of His passion Still His dazzling body bears,

Cause of endless exultation To His ransomed worshipers.

With what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture

Gaze we on those glorious scars!

 

4 Yea, amen, let all adore Thee, High on Thine eternal throne;

Savior, take the pow'r and glory, Claim the kingdom as Thine own.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and Thou alone!

 

Sermon

 

Prayer of the Church

 

P:   Lord, in your mercy,

C:   Receive our prayer.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Our Father who art in heaven,
      hallowed be thy name,
      Thy kingdom come,
      Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
      Give us this day our daily bread;
      and forgive us our trespasses
            as we forgive those
            who trespass against us;
      and lead us not into temptation,
      but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
      and the power and the glory
      forever and ever. Amen

 

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And with thy spirit.

P:   Bless we the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

 

Benediction

 

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

      The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

      The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

C:   Amen.

 

Closing Hymn “Glory Be to God the Father”  LSB # 506

 

1 Glory be to God the Father, Glory be to God the Son,

Glory be to God the Spirit: Great Jehovah, Three in One!

Glory, glory While eternal ages run!

 

2 Glory be to Him who loved us, Washed us from each spot and stain:

Glory be to Him who bought us, Made us kings with Him to reign!

Glory, glory To the Lamb that once was slain!

 

3 Glory to the King of angels, Glory to the Church’s King,

Glory to the King of nations; Heav'n and earth, your praises bring!

Glory, glory To the King of glory sing!

 

4 Glory, blessing, praise eternal! Thus the choir of angels sings:

Honor, riches, pow'r, dominion! Thus its praise creation brings.

Glory, glory, Glory to the King of kings!

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Hymn “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation”  LSB # 909

 

1 Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ, our head and cornerstone,

Chosen of the Lord and precious, Binding all the Church in one;

Holy Zion’s help forever And our confidence alone.

 

2 To this temple, where we call You, Come, O Lord of hosts, and stay;

Come with all Your lovingkindness, Hear Your people as they pray;

And Your fullest benediction Shed within these walls today.

 

3 Grant, we pray, to all Your faithful All the gifts they ask to gain;

What they gain from You, forever With the blessed to retain;

And hereafter in Your glory Evermore with You to reign.

 

4 Praise and honor to the Father, Praise and honor to the Son,

Praise and honor to the Spirit, Ever three and ever one:

One in might and one in glory While unending ages run!

 

P:   In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

C:   amen.

P:   If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C:   But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   (1 John 1:8-9)

 

(We reflect on God’s Word and examine ourselves)

 

P:   Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C:   Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

P:   Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:   Amen.

 

Hymn  “Christ Is Surely Coming”  LSB # 509

 

1    Christ is surely coming Bringing His reward,

      Alpha and Omega, First and Last and Lord:

      Root and stem of David, Brilliant Morning Star:

      Meet your Judge and Savior, Nations near and far!

 

2    See the holy city! There they enter in,

      All by Christ made holy, Washed from ev'ry sin:

      Thirsty ones, desiring All he loves to give,

      Come for living water, Freely drink, and live!

 

3    Grace be with God's people! Praise His holy name!

      Father, Son, and Spirit, Evermore the same;

      Hear the certain promise From the eternal home:

      "Surely I come quickly! Come, Lord Jesus, come!"

 

(Sung)

P:   In peace let us pray to the Lord.

C:   Lord, have mercy.

P:   For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.

C:   Lord, have mercy.

P:   For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord

C:   Lord, have mercy.

P:   For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.

C:   Lord, have mercy.

P:   Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

C:   Amen.

 

Hymn of Praise

P:   Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.

C:   Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:  We worship You, we give You thanks, we praise You for Your glory.  Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God: You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.  You are seated at the right hand of the Father receive our prayer.  For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

 

P:   Let us pray.  O Lord, by Your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

C:   Amen.

 

Scripture Readings

 

Old Testament Reading  (Daniel 12:1-3)


At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.


P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

 

Epistle Reading    (Hebrews 10:11-25)

 

 

Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

 

15 The Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

 

16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them

    after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws on their hearts,

    and write them on their minds,”

 

17 then he adds,

 

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

 

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. 

     19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

 

All: Alleluia.  Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Alleluia, alleluia.

 

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Mark the 13th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

 

(Mark 13:1-13)

 

As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

 

9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.


P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

 

Hymn of the Day  “The Day Is Surely Drawing Near”  LSB #508

 

1 The day is surely drawing near When Jesus, God's anointed,

In all His power shall appear As judge whom God appointed.

Then fright shall banish idle mirth, And flames on flames shall ravage earth

As Scripture long has warned us.

 

2 The final trumpet then shall sound And all the earth be shaken,

And all who rest beneath the ground Shall from their sleep awaken.

But all who live will in that hour, By God's almighty, boundless pow'r,

Be changed at His commanding.

 

3 The books are opened then to all, A record truly telling

What each has done, both great and small, When he on earth was dwelling,

And ev'ry heart be clearly seen, And all be known as they have been

In thoughts and words and actions.

 

4 Then woe to those who scorned the Lord And sought but carnal pleasures,

Who here despised His precious Word And loved their earthly treasures!

With shame and trembling they will stand And at the judge's stern command

To Satan be delivered.

 

5 My Savior paid the debt I owe And for my sin was smitten;

Within the Book of Life I know My name has now been written.

I will not doubt, for I am free, And Satan cannot threaten me;

There is no condemnation!

 

6 May Christ our intercessor be And through His blood and merit

Read from His book that we are free With all who life inherit.

Then we shall see Him face to face, With all His saints in that blest place

Which He has purchased for us.

 

7 O Jesus Christ, do not delay, But hasten our salvation;

We often tremble on our way In fear and tribulation.

O hear and grant our fervent plea; Come, mighty judge, and make us free

From death and ev'ry evil.

Sermon

 

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

 

C:   I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

            God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God,

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

            who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

                        and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.

            And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

            who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Church

 

 

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Our Father who art in heaven,
      hallowed be thy name,
      Thy kingdom come,
      Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
      Give us this day our daily bread;
      and forgive us our trespasses
            as we forgive those
            who trespass against us;
      and lead us not into temptation,
      but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
      and the power and the glory
      forever and ever. Amen

 

Benediction

 

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

      The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

      The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

C:   Amen.

 

Hymn “Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense”  LSB # 741

 

1 Jesus Christ, my sure defense And my Savior, now is living!

Knowing this, my confidence Rests upon the hope here given,

Though the night of death be fraught Still with many an anxious thought

 

2 Jesus, my Redeemer, lives; Likewise I to life shall waken.

He will bring me where He is; Shall my courage then be shaken?

Shall I fear, or could the Head Rise and leave His members dead

 

3 No, too closely I am bound By my hope to Christ forever;

Faith's strong hand the Rock has found, Grasped it, and will leave it never;

Even death now cannot part From its Lord the trusting heart

 

4 I am flesh and must return To the dust, whence I am taken;

But by faith I now discern That from death I shall awaken

With my Savior to abide In His glory, at His side

 

7 Laugh to scorn the gloomy grave And at death no longer tremble;

He, the Lord, who came to save Will at last His own assemble.

They will go their Lord to meet, Treading death beneath their feet.

 

8 O, then, draw away your hearts From all pleasures base and hollow;

Strive to share what He imparts While you here His footsteps follow.

As you now still wait to rise, Fix your hearts beyond the skies!

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Hymn “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” LSB# 793

 

1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; To His feet your tribute bring;

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Evermore His praises sing:

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.

 

2 Praise Him for His grace and favor To His people in distress;

Praise Him still the same as ever, Slow to chide and swift to bless:

Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in His faithfulness.

 

3 Father-like He tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame He knows;

In His hand He gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes.

Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows.

 

4 Angels, help us to adore Him; You behold Him face to face;

Sun and moon, bow down before Him, All who dwell in time and space.

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace.

 

P:   If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C:   But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   (1 John 1:8-9)

 

(We reflect on God’s Word and examine ourselves)

 

P:   Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C:   Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

P:   In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins.  To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.  May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C:   Amen.

 

Matins (sung)

 

P     O Lord, open my lips,

C     and my mouth will declare Your praise.

P     Make haste, O God, to deliver me;

C     make haste to help me, O Lord.

C     Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to You, O Christ, Alleluia. (Common response)

 

Psalmody (Psalm 95) (sung)

 

P:   Blessed be God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

 

O come, let us sing to the Lord. 
Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving,
Let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise.
For the Lord is a great God and a great king above all gods.
The deep places of the earth are in His hands;
The strength of the hills is His also.
The sea is His, for He made it, and His hand formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.
For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture
And the sheep of His hand.  


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

 

P:   Blessed be God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

 

Scripture Readings

 

Old Testament Reading (1 Kings 17:8-16)

 

8 Then the word of the Lord came to [Elijah], 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

 

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

 

Epistle Reading    (Hebrews 9:24-28)

 

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

 

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

 

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Mark the 12th chapter.

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

 

(Mark 12:38-44)

 

In his teaching [Jesus] said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

 

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

 

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

 

Hymn of the Day “Lord of All Hopefulness”  LSB # 738

 

1 Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,

Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares can destroy,

Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,

Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

 

2 Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,

Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,

Be there at our labors, and give us, we pray,

Your strength in our hearts, Lord at the noon of the day.

 

3 Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,

Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,

Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,

Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

 

4 Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,

Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,

Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,

Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

 

Sermon

 

Te Deum (Sung)

 

We praise You, O God; we acknowledge You to be the Lord.

All the earth now worships You, the Father everlasting.

To You all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the pow'rs therein.

To You cherubim and seraphim continually do cry:

      Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

      heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Your glory.

The glorious company of the apostles praise You.

The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise You.

The noble army of martyrs praise You.

The holy Church throughout all the world does acknowledge You.

The Father of an infinite majesty; Your adorable, true, and only Son;

      also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. You are the king of glory, O Christ;

      You are the everlasting Son of the Father.

When You took upon Yourself to deliver man,

You humbled Yourself to be born of a virgin.

When You had overcome the sharpness of death,

You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You sit at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.

We believe that You will come to be our judge.

We therefore pray You to help Your servants,

whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with Your saints in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage.

Govern them and lift them up forever. Day by day we magnify You.

And we worship Your name forever and ever.

Grant, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.

O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.

O Lord, let Your mercy be upon us, as our trust is in You.

O Lord, in You have I trusted; let me never be confounded.

 

Prayer of the Church

 

P:   Lord, in Your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Our Father who art in heaven,
      hallowed be thy name,
      Thy kingdom come,
      Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
      Give us this day our daily bread;
      and forgive us our trespasses
            as we forgive those
            who trespass against us;
      and lead us not into temptation,
      but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
      and the power and the glory
      forever and ever. Amen

 

Benediction

 

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

      The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

      The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

C:   Amen.

 

Closing Hymn  “Gracious God, You Send Great Blessing”  LSB #782

 

 

1 Gracious God, You send great blessings New each morning all our days.

For Your mercies never ending, For Your love we offer praise.

Lord, we pray that we, Your people Who Your gifts unnumbered claim,

Through the sharing of Your blessings May bring glory to Your name.

 

2 By Your Word You formed creation Filled with creatures large and small;

As we tend that endless treasure May our care encircle all. Refrain

Lord, we pray that we, Your people Who Your gifts unnumbered claim,

Through the sharing of Your blessings May bring glory to Your name.

 

3 In His earthly life, our Savior Knew the care of faithful friends;

May our deeds of dedication Offer love that never ends.

Lord, we pray that we, Your people Who Your gifts unnumbered claim,

Through the sharing of Your blessings May bring glory to Your name.

 

4 Heav’nly Father, may our caring Bear the imprint of Your grace;

With the Son and Holy Spirit, Praise be Yours in ev’ry place! Refrain                      

Lord, we pray that we, Your people Who Your gifts unnumbered claim,

Through the sharing of Your blessings May bring glory to Your name.