Hymn “Thy Strong Word” LSB # 578
1 Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank thee While thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
2 Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness, Dark as night and deep as death,
Broke the light of thy salvation, Breathed thine own life-giving breath.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
3 Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; Bright with thine own holiness,
Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hope confess.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
4 From the cross Thy wisdom shining Breaketh forth in conquering might;
From the cross forever beameth All Thy bright redeeming light.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
5 Give us lips to sing Thy glory, Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim,
Throats that shout the hope that fills us, Mouths to speak Thy holy name.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
6 God the Father, light-creator, To Thee laud and honor be.
To Thee, Light of Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
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 “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.
(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.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. 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 foreve
C: Amen.
Scripture Readings
Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 51:4-6)
4 “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.
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Epistle Reading (Jude 20-25)
20 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.
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 13:24-37)
24 But 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: Praise to You, O Christ.
Hymn “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” LSB #516
1 "Wake, awake, for night is flying," The watchmen on the heights are crying;
"Awake, Jerusalem, arise!"
Midnight hears the welcome voices And at the thrilling cry rejoices;
"Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake! Your lamps with gladness take! Allelujah!
With bridal care Yourselves prepare To meet the Bridegroom, who is near."
2 Zion hears the watchmen singing, And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes down all-glorious, The strong in grace, in truth victorious;
Her star is ris'n, her light is come.
Now come, Thou Blessed One, Lord Jesus, God's own Son, Hail! Hosanna!
We enter all The wedding hall To eat the Supper at Thy call.
3 Now let all the heav'ns adore Thee, Let saints and angels sing before Thee
With harp and cymbals' clearest tone.
Of one pearl each shining portal, Where, joining with the choir immortal,
We gather round Thy radiant throne.
No eye has seen the light, No ear has heard the might Of Thy glory;
Therefore will we Eternally Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!
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.
Sermon
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 “Christ the Eternal Lord” LSB # 829
1 Christ the eternal Lord, Whose promise here we claim,
Whose gifts of grace are freely poured On all who name Your name;
With thankfulness and praise We stand before Your throne,
Intent to serve You all our days And make Your glory known.
2 Christ the unchanging Word To ev'ry passing age,
Whose timeless teachings still are heard Set forth on Scripture's page;
Transform our thought and mind, Enlighten all who read,
Within Your word by faith to find The bread of life indeed.
3 Christ the redeeming Son, Who shares our human birth,
And by His death salvation won For ev'ry child of earth;
Inspire our hearts, we pray, To tell Your love abroad,
That all may honor Christ today And follow Him as Lord.
4 Christ the unfading Light Of everlasting day,
Our Morning Star in splendor bright, The Life, the Truth, the Way;
That light of truth You give To servants as to friends,
Your way to walk, Your life to live, Till earth's brief journey ends.
5 Christ the ascended King Exalted high above,
Whose praise unending ages sing, Whom yet unseen we love;
When mortal life is past Your voice from heaven's throne
Shall call Your children home at last To know as we are known.