Sunday Worship March 7, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun”  LSB # 868

1 Awake, my soul, and with the sun Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise To pay thy morning sacrifice.

2 In conversation be sincere, Thy conscience as the noon-day clear;
Think how the all-seeing God thy ways And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

3 All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept And hast refreshed me while I slept;
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, I may of endless light partake.

4 Lord, I my vows to Thee renew; Disperse my sins as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will And with Thyself my spirit fill.

5 Direct, control, suggest this day All I design or do or say
That all my pow'rs with all their might In Thy sole glory may unite.

6 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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

C: Amen.

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C: who made heaven and earth.

P: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

C: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.

P: Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

C: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. 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.


COLLECT FOR THE DAY

P: The Lord be with you. 

C: And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings


Old Testament Reading  (Exodus 20:1-17)

1 And God spoke all these words, saying,

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

“You shall have no other gods before me.

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 1:18-31) 

18 The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


gospel Reading (John 2:13-22)

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. John the 2nd chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.


13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.


Hymn of the Day  “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”  LSB # 425

1 When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

3 See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all!

Sermon 


CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE NICENE CREED

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 worshipped 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 you 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  “God of Grace and God of Glory”  LSB # 850

1 God of grace and God of glory, On Your people pour Your pow'r;
Crown Your ancient Church’s story; Bring its bud to glorious flow'r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us Scorn the Christ, assail His ways!
From the fears that long have bound us Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.

3 Cure Your children’s warring madness; Bend our pride to Your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage Lest we miss Your kingdom’s goal,
Lest we miss Your kingdom’s goal.

4 Save us from weak resignation To the evils we deplore;
Let the gift of Your salvation Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, Serving You whom we adore,
Serving You whom we adore.

Sunday Worship February 28, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Baptized into Your Name Most Holy”  LSB # 590 vv. 1-2

1 Baptized into Your name most holy, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
I claim a place, though weak and lowly, Among Your saints, Your chosen host.
Buried with Christ and dead to sin, Your Spirit now shall live within.

2 My loving Father, here You take me To be henceforth Your child and heir.
My faithful Savior, here You make me The fruit of all Your sorrows share.
O Holy Spirit, comfort me When threat'ning clouds around I see.


Baptism of Lydia Grace Vanderhyde


Hymn “Baptized into Your Name Most Holy”  LSB # 590 vv. 3-4

3 My faithful God, You fail me never; Your promise surely will endure.
O cast me not away forever If words and deeds become impure.
Have mercy when I come defiled; Forgive, lift up, restore Your child.

4 All that I am and love most dearly-- Receive it all, O Lord, from me.
Let me confess my faith sincerely; Help me Your faithful child to be!
Let nothing that I am or own Serve any will but Yours alone.



INNVOCATION

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

C: Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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: 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.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

P:   Let us pray.  O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength.  By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings


Old Testament (Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16)

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you….

15 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (Romans 5:1-11)

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Gospel Reading (Mark 8:27-38)

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Mark the 8th chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

27And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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


Hymn of the Day  “ ‘Come, Follow Me,’ the Savior Spake”  LSB # 688

  1. "Come, follow Me," the Savior spake, "All in My way abiding;
    Deny yourselves, the world forsake, Obey My call and guiding.
    O bear the cross, whate'er betide, Take my example for your guide.

  2. "I am the Light, I light the way, A godly life displaying;
    I bid you walk as in the day; I keep your feet from straying.
    I am the way, and well I show, How you must sojourn here below.

  3. "My heart abounds in lowliness, My soul with love is glowing;
    And gracious words My lips express, With meekness overflowing.
    My heart, My mind, My strength, My all, To God I yield, on Him I call.

  4. "I teach you how to shun and flee What harms your soul's salvation,
    Your heart from ev'ry guile to free, From sin and its temptation.
    I am the refuge of the soul And lead you to your heav'nly goal."

  5. Then let us follow Christ, our Lord, And take the cross appointed
    And, firmly clinging to His Word, In suff'ring be undaunted.
    For those who bear the battle's strain The crown of heav'nly life obtain.


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


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 “Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service”  LSB # 848

1. Lord, whose love through humble service Bore the weight of human need,

Who upon the cross, forsaken, Offered mercy’s perfect deed,

We, Your servants, bring the worship Not of voice alone, but heart, 

Consecrating to Your purpose Ev’ry gift that You impart.

2. Still Your children wander homeless; Still the hungry cry fro bread;

Still the captives long for freedom; Still in grief we mourn our dead.

As, O Lord, Your deep compassion Healed the sick and freed the soul,

Use the love Your Spirit kindles Still to save and make us whole.

3. As we worship, grant us vision, Till Your love’s revealing light 

In its height and depth and greatness, Dawns upon our quickened sight, 

Making known the needs and burdens Your compassion bids us bear, 

Stirring us to tireless striving, Your abundant life to share.

4. Called by worship to Your service, Forth in Your dear name we go,

To the child, the youth, the aged, Love in living deeds to show;

Hope and health, goodwill and comfort, Counsel, aid, and peace we give,

That Your servants, Lord, in freedom May Your mercy know and live.


Sunday Worship February 21, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “The God of Abraham Praise”  LSB # 798

1 The God of Abr'ham praise, Who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days And God of love.
Jehovah, great I AM! By earth and heav'n confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name Forever blest.

3 The God of Abr'ham praise, Whose all-sufficient grace
Shall guide me all my pilgrim days In all my ways.
He deigns to call me friend; He calls Himself my God.
And He shall save me to the end Through Jesus' blood.

4 He by Himself has sworn; I on His oath depend.
I shall, on eagle wings upborne, To heav'n ascend.
I shall behold His face; I shall His pow'r adore
And sing the wonders of His grace Forevermore.

6 The goodly land I see, With peace and plenty blest:
A land of sacred liberty And endless rest.
There milk and honey flow, And oil and wine abound,
And trees of life forever grow With mercy crowned.

7 There dwells the Lord our king, The Lord our righteousness,
Triumphant o'er the world and sin, The Prince of Peace.
On Zion's sacred height His kingdom He maintains
And glorious with His saints in light Forever reigns.

8 The God who reigns on high The great archangels sing,
And, "Holy, holy, holy!" cry, "Almighty King!
Who was and is the same And evermore shall be;
Jehovah, Father, great I AM! We worship Thee!"

9 The whole triumphant host Give thanks to God on high.
"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!" They ever cry.
Hail, Abr'ham's God and mine! I join the heav'nly lays:
All might and majesty are Thine And endless praise!

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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 the Word, I announce the grace of God to  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.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

P: Let us pray. O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of your Church that, following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Genesis 22:1-18)

                  22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

                                    9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

                                    15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (James 1:12-18)

 

 

      12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

            16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading (Mark 1:21-28)

All: Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and abounding in steadfast love.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Mark the 1st chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.


9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

            12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

            14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.


Hymn of the Day  “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”  LSB # 656

1    A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;
      He helps us free from ev'ry need That hath us now o'ertaken.
      The old evil foe Now means deadly woe; Deep guile and great might

Are his dread arms in fight; On earth is not his equal.

2    With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected;
      But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.
      Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is, Of Sabaoth Lord,
      And there's none other God; He holds the field forever.

3    Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us.
      We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow'r us.
      This world's prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none.
      He's judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.

4    The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it;
      He's by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit.
      And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife, Though these all be gone,
      Our vict'ry has been won; The Kingdom ours remaineth.


Sermon

CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE NICENE CREED

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 worshipped 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 you 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  “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”  LSB # 702

1          My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine.
   Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away;
   Oh, let me from this day Be wholly Thine!

 

2 May Thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart;
   My zeal inspire!
   As Thou hast died for me, Oh, may my love to Thee
   Pure, warm, and changeless be, A living fire!

 

3 While life's dark maze I tread And griefs around me spread,
   Be Thou my guide;
   Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow's tears away,
   Nor let me ever stray From Thee aside.

 

4 When ends life's transient dream, When death's cold, sullen stream
   Shall o'er me roll,
   Blest Savior, then, in love, Fear and distrust remove;
   O bear me safe above, A ransomed soul!

Sunday Worship February 14, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”  LSB # 821

1 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; His the scepter, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion Thunder like a mighty flood:
"Jesus out of ev'ry nation Has redeemed us by His blood."

2 Alleluia! Not as orphans Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us; Faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received Him When the forty days were o'er,
Shall our hearts forget His promise: "I am with you evermore"?

3 Alleluia! Bread of heaven, Here on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! Here the sinful Flee to You from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, Earth's Redeemer, hear our plea
Where the songs of all the sinless Sweep across the crystal sea.

4 Alleluia! King eternal, Lord omnipotent we own;
Alleluia! Born of Mary, Earth Your footstool, heav'n Your throne.
As within the veil You entered, Robed in flesh, our great High Priest,
Here on earth both priest and victim In the eucharistic feast.

5 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; His the scepter, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion Thunder like a mighty flood:
"Jesus out of ev'ry nation Has redeemed us by His blood."


Confession & Absolution

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

C: Amen.

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C: who made heaven and earth.

P: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

C: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.

P: Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

C: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. 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.


Collect for the day

P: The Lord be with you. 

C: And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  O God, in the glorious transfiguration of your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah.  In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace.  Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven;  through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings

Old Testament (2 Kings 2:1-12)

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”

Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”

Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 10 And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (2 Corinthians 3:12,13; 4:1-6)

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end….

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Gospel Reading (Mark 9:2-9)

C:   (Sung)  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 9th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.


P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.


Hymn of the Day  “O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair”  LSB #413

1 O wondrous type! O vision fair Of glory that the Church may share,
Which Christ upon the mountain shows, Where brighter than the sun He glows!

2 With Moses and Elijah nigh The incarnate Lord holds converse high;
And from the cloud the Holy One Bears record to the only Son.

3 With shining face and bright array Christ deigns to manifest today
What glory shall be theirs above Who joy in God with perfect love.

4 And faithful hearts are raised on high By this great vision's mystery,
For which in joyful strains we raise The voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.

5 O Father, with the eternal Son And Holy Spirit ever one,
We pray Thee, bring us by Thy grace To see Thy glory face to face.


Sermon  “Transfigured”  (Mark 9:2-9)    


CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE NICENE CREED

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 worshipped 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: Let us pray to the Lord,

C: Lord have mercy.

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  “’Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here”  LSB # 414

1 'Tis good, Lord, to be here! Thy glory fills the night;
Thy face and garments, like the sun, Shine with unborrowed light.

2 'Tis good, Lord, to be here, Thy beauty to behold
Where Moses and Elijah stand, Thy messengers of old.

3 Fulfiller of the past And hope of things to be,
We hail Thy body glorified And our redemption see.

4 Before we taste of death, We see Thy kingdom come;
We long to hold the vision bright And make this hill our home.

5 'Tis good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain;
But since Thou bidst us leave the mount, Come with us to the plain.

Sunday Worship February 7, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”  LSB # 528

1 Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace!

2 My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad, The honors of Thy name.

3 Jesus! The name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 'Tis life and health and peace.

4 He breaks the pow'r of canceled sin; He sets the pris'ner free.
His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood avails for me.

5 Look unto Him, ye nations; own Your God, ye fallen race.
Look and be saved through faith alone, Be justified by grace.

6 See all your sins on Jesus laid; The Lamb of God was slain.
His soul was once an off'ring made For ev'ry soul of man.

7 To God all glory, praise, and love Be now and ever giv'n
By saints below and saints above, The Church in earth and heav'n.



INNVOCATION

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

C: Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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: 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.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

P: Let us pray. O Lord, keep your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings


Old Testament (Isaiah 40:21-31)

21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?
    Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
23 who brings princes to nothing,
    and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
    scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
    and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

25 To whom then will you compare me,
    that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 9:16-27)

16 “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Gospel Reading (Mark 1:29-39)

C: (sung) Alleluia.  Alleluia.  Alleluia.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 2nd chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

29And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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


CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE APOSTLES’ CREED

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.
On 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.

Sermon 

Hymn of the Day  “Son of God, Eternal Savior”  LSB # 842

1 Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race,
You our Head, who, throned in glory, For Your own will ever plead:
Fill us with Your love and pity, Heal our wrongs, and help our need.

2 As You, Lord, have lived for others, So may we for others live.
Freely have Your gifts been granted; Freely may Your servants give.
Yours the gold and Yours the silver, Yours the wealth of land and sea;
We but stewards of Your bounty Held in solemn trust will be.

3 Come, O Christ, and reign among us, King of Love and Prince of Peace;
Hush the storm of strife and passion, Bid its cruel discords cease.
By Your patient years of toiling, By Your silent hours of pain,
Quench our fevered thirst of pleasure, Stem our selfish greed of gain.

4 Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race:
By your praying, by Your willing, That Your people should be one,
Grant, O grant our hope’s fruition; Here on earth Your will be done.

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.

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 “O God, My Faithful God”  LSB # 696

1 O God, my faithful God, True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is, All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame, And may I have within
A conscience free from blame, A soul unstained by sin.

2 Grant me the strength to do With ready heart and willing
Whatever You command, My calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should While trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good, For You must give success.

3 Keep me from saying words That later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech May from my lips be falling;
But when within my place I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace Lest I offend the weak.

4 Lord, let me win my foes With kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends For counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught, To love both great and small
And by Your Spirit's might To live in peace with all.

5 Let me depart this life Confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul That it may live forever;
And let my body have A quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave; And let it sleep in peace.

6 And on that final day When all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand, My deathly slumber breaking.
Then let me hear Your voice, Redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice With those who love Your name.



Sunday Worship January 31, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee”  LSB # 750

1 If thou but trust in God to guide thee And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God's unchanging love Builds on the rock that naught can move.

2 What can these anxious cares avail thee, These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee O'er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness.

3 Be patient and await His leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure And His discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own.

4 God knows full well when times of gladness Shall be the needful thing for thee.
When He has tried thy soul with sadness And from all guile has found thee free,
He comes to thee all unaware And makes thee own His loving care.

5 Nor think amid the fiery trial That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial Must surely be of God preferred.
Time passes and much change doth bring And sets a bound to ev'rything.

6 All are alike before the Highest; 'Tis easy to our God, we know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest, To make the rich man poor and low.
True wonders still by Him are wrought Who setteth up and brings to naught.

7 Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving, Perform thy duties faithfully,
And trust His Word; though undeserving, Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook in need The soul that trusted Him indeed.



CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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 the Word, I announce the grace of God to  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.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

P: Let us pray. Almighty God, you know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Deuteronomy 18:15-20)

15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— 16 just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the LORD said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)

1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Gospel Reading (Mark 1:21-28)

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 1st chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.


21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.


Hymn of the Day  “O Christ, Our True and Only Light”  LSB # 839

1 O Christ, our true and only light, Enlighten those who sit in night;
Let those afar now hear Your voice And in Your fold with us rejoice.

2 Fill with the radiance of Your grace The souls now lost in error's maze;
Enlighten those whose inmost minds Some dark delusion haunts and blinds.

3 O gently call those gone astray That they may find the saving way!
Let ev'ry conscience sore oppressed In you find peace and heav'nly rest.

4 Shine on the darkened and the cold; Recall the wand'rers to Your fold.
Unite all those who walk apart; Confirm the weak and doubting heart,

5 That they with us may evermore Such grace with wond'ring thanks adore
And endless praise to You be giv'n By all Your Church in earth and heav'n.


Sermon

CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE NICENE CREED

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 worshipped 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 you 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  “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus”  LSB # 685

1 Let us ever walk with Jesus, follow his example pure, 

Through a world that would deceive us And to sin our spirits lure.

Onward in his footsteps treading, Pilgrims here, our home above, 

Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do our Savior's bidding. 

Faithful Lord, with me abide; I shall follow where you guide. 

2 Let us suffer here with Jesus, And with patience bear our cross. 

Joy will follow all our sadness; Where he is there is no loss. 

Though today we sow no laughter, We shall reap celestial joy: 

All discomforts that annoy Shall give way to mirth hereafter. 

Jesus, here I share your woe; Help me there your joy to know.

3 Let us gladly die with Jesus. Since by death he conquered death, 

He will free us from destruction, Give to us immortal breath. 

Let us mortify all passion That would lead us into sin; 

And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven. 

Jesus, here with you I die, there to live with you on high. 

4 Let us also live with Jesus. He has risen from the dead 

That to life we may awaken. Jesus, you are now our head, 

We are your own living members; Where you live, there we shall be 

In your presence constantly, Living there with you forever. 

Jesus, let me faithful be; Life eternal grant to me.

Sunday Worship January 24, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “As with Gladness Men of Old”  LSB # 397

1    As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led by Thee.

2    As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to Thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before Thee, whom heav'n and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

3    As they offered gifts most rare At Thy cradle, rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heav'nly King.

4    Holy Jesus, ev'ry day Keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

5    In the heav'nly country bright Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown, Thou its sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing Alleluias to our King.

INVOCATION

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

C: Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C: who made heaven and earth.

P: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

C: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.

P: Let us consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

C: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. 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.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

P: The Lord be with you. 

C: And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  Almighty God, You have poured into our hearts the true Light of Your incarnate Word. Grant that this Light may shine forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

Scripture Readings


Old Testament (Jonah 3:1-5, 10)

      Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

            10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL READING (Mark 1:14-20)

C:   (Sung)  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 1st chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

            14 After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “O Christ, Who Called the Twelve”  LSB #856

1    O Christ, who called the Twelve To rise and follow you,

      Forsaking old, familiar ways For ventures bold and new:

      Grant us to hear your call To risk security

      And, bound in heart and will to you, Find perfect liberty.

 

2    O Christ, who taught the Twelve The truth for ages sealed,   

      Whose words and works awakened faith, The ways of God revealed:

      Instruct us now, we pray, By your empow’ring Word.

      True teacher, be for all who seek Their light, their life, their Lord.

 

3    O Christ, who sent the Twelve On roads they’d never trod

      To serve, to suffer, teach, proclaim The nearer reign of God:

      Send us on ways where faith Transcends timidity,

      Where love informs and hope sustains Both life and ministry.

 

4    O Christ, th’apostles’ Lord, The martyrs’ strength and song,

      The crucified and risen King To whom the saints belong:

      Though generations pass, Our tribute still we bring,

      Our hymns a sacrifice of praise, Our lives an offering.

Sermon:  “Called to Follow”  (Mark 1:14-20)   


CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE NICENE CREED

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 worshipped 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: Let us pray to the Lord,

C: Lord have mercy.

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  “How Firm a Foundation”  LSB #728

1  How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord,
   Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
   What more can He say than to you He has said
   Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?                                                                       

2 "Fear not! I am with you, O be not dismayed,
   For I am your God and will still give you aid;
   I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
   Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

3 "The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
   I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
   That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
   I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

4 "When through fiery trials your pathway will lie,
   My grace, all-sufficient, will be your supply.
   The flames will not hurt you; I only design
   Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

5 "Throughout all their lifetime My people will prove
   My sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love;
   And then, when gray hairs will their temples adorn,
   Like lambs they will still in My bosom be borne."


Sunday Worship January 17, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning”  LSB # 400

1 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2 Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.

3 Shall we not yield Him, in costly devotion,
Fragrance of Edom and off'rings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure,
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

5 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.


INNVOCATION

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

C: Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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: 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.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

P:   Let us pray.  Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of your people and grant us your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings


Old Testament (1 Samuel 3:1-10)

10 The young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.

Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Gospel Reading (John 1:43-51)

C: (sung) Alleluia.  Alleluia.  Alleluia.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 2nd chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.


43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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


CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE APOSTLES’ CREED

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.
On 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 of the Day  “O Savior of Our Fallen Race”  LSB # 589

1 Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens, Let Your Word to me come near;
Newborn life and spirit give me, Let each promise still my fear.
Death's dread pow'r, its inward strife, Wars against Your Word of life;
Fill me, Lord, with love's strong fervor That I cling to You forever!

2 Oh, what blessing to be near You And to listen to Your voice;
Let me ever love and hear You, Let Your Word be now my choice!
Many hardened sinners, Lord, Flee in terror at Your Word;
But to all who feel sin's burden You give words of peace and pardon.

3 Lord, Your words are waters living When my thirsting spirit pleads.
Lord, Your words are bread life-giving; On Your words my spirit feeds.
Lord, Your words will be my light through death's cold and dreary night;
Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing!

4 As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let Your words in me take root.
May Your Spirit e'er be near me That I bear abundant fruit.
May I daily sing Your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise,
Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven.


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.

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 “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”  LSB # 924

1 Lord, dismiss us with Your blessing; Fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, Your love possessing, Triumph in redeeming grace.
O refresh us, O refresh us, Trav'ling through this wilderness.

2 Thanks we give and adoration For Your Gospel's joyful sound.
May the fruits of Your salvation In our hearts and lives abound.
Ever faithful, ever faithful To Your truth may we be found.

3 Savior, when Your love shall call us From our struggling pilgrim way,
Let not fear of death appall us, Glad Your summons to obey.
May we ever, may we ever Reign with You in endless day.


Sunday Worship January 10, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”  LSB # 398

1 Hail to the Lord's anointed,
Great David's greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression
And rule in equity.

2 He comes with rescue speedy
To those who suffer wrong,
To help the poor and needy
And bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Were precious in His sight.

3 He shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth;
Love, joy, and hope, like flowers,
Spring in His path to birth.
Before Him on the mountains
Shall peace, the herald, go;
And righteousness in fountains
From hill to valley flow.

4 Kings shall fall down before Him
And gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing.
To Him shall prayer unceasing
And daily vows ascend;
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end.

5 O'er ev'ry foe victorious,
He on His throne shall rest,
From age to age more glorious,
All blessing and all-blest.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His name shall stand forever–
That name to us is Love.


CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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 the Word, I announce the grace of God to  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.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

P:   Let us pray.  O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of Your people who call upon You and grant that they both perceive and know what things they ought to do and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Genesis 1:1-5)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (Romans 6:1-11)

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.


P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Gospel Reading (Mark 1:4-11)

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 1st chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.


Hymn of the Day  “To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord”  LSB # 405

1 To Jordan's river came our Lord, The Christ,

whom heav'nly hosts adored, 

The God from God, the Light from Light,

The Lord of glory, pow'r and might. 

2 The Savior came to be baptized

– The Son of God in flesh disguised – 

To stand beneath the Father's will

And all his promises fulfill. 

3 As Jesus in the Jordan stood

And John baptized the Lamb of God, 

The Holy Spirit, heav'nly dove,

Descended on him from above. 

4 Then from God's throne with thund'rous sound

Came God's own voice with words profound: 

"This is my Son," was his decree,

"The one I love, who pleases me." 

5 The Father's word, the Spirit's flight

Anointed Christ in glorious sight 

As God's own choice, from Adam's fall

To save the world and free us all.

6 Now rise, faint hearts: be resolute!

This man is Christ, our substitute! 

He was baptized in Jordan's stream,

Proclaimed Redeemer, Lord supreme

Sermon:  The Baptism of Our Lord (Rev. Roger Wohletz)

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P: Lord, in you 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


Closing Hymn  “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”  LSB # 394

1 Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar,
Branch of royal David's stem
In Thy birth at Bethlehem:
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

2 Manifest at Jordan's stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
And at Cana wedding guest
In Thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in pow'r divine,
Changing water into wine;
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

3 Manifest in making whole
Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight,
Quelling all the devil's might;
Manifest in gracious will,
Ever bringing good from ill;
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

4 Sun and moon shall darkened be,
Stars shall fall, the heav'ns shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
All will see His glorious sign;
All will then the trumpet hear,
All will see the Judge appear;
Thou by all wilt be confessed,
God in man made manifest.

5 Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord,
Present in Thy holy Word–
Grace to imitate Thee now
And be pure, as pure art Thou;
That we might become like Thee
At Thy great epiphany
And may praise Thee, ever blest,
God in man made manifest.


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.

Sunday Worship January 3, 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Angels from the Realms of Glory”  LSB # 367

1 Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth:
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.

Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship;
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

2 Shepherds in the field abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
Yonder shines His Infant Light. [Refrain]

3 Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star. [Refrain]

4 Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear. [Refrain]

5 All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son.
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One. [Refrain]


INVOCATION

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

C: Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C: who made heaven and earth.

P: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

C: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.

P: Let us consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

C: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. 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.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

P: The Lord be with you. 

C: And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  Almighty God, You have poured into our hearts the true Light of Your incarnate Word.  Grant that this Light may shine forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings


Old Testament (1 Kings 3:4-15)

4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (Ephesians 1:3-14)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


GOSPEL READING (Luke 2:40-52)

C:   (Sung)  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 2st chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

40 The child [Jesus] grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.


Hymn of the Day  “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”  LSB #384

1 Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

2 Oh, that birth forever blessed,
When the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bore the Savior of our race,
And the babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.

3 This is He whom seers in old time
Chanted of with one accord,
Whom the voices of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.

4 O ye heights of heav'n, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing,
Pow'rs, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Ev'ry voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.

5 Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.
Amen.

Sermon:  “It’s Our Destiny”  (Eph 1:3-6)    Rev. Roger Wohletz


CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE NICENE CREED

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 worshipped 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: Let us pray to the Lord,

C: Lord have mercy.

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  “From East to West”  LSB #385

1 From east to west, from shore to shore
Let ev'ry heart awake and sing
The holy child whom Mary bore,
The Christ, the everlasting king.

2 Behold, the world's creator wears
The form and fashion of a slave;
Our very flesh our maker shares,
His fallen creatures all to save.

3 For this how wondrously He wrought!
A maiden, in her lowly place,
Became, in ways beyond all thought,
The chosen vessel of His grace.

4 And while the angels in the sky
Sang praise above the silent field,
To shepherds poor the Lord Most High,
the one great Shepherd, was revealed.

5 All glory for this blessed morn
To God the Father ever be;
All praise to You, O Virgin-born,
And Holy Ghost eternally.


Sunday Worship December 27, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s special Christmas Day service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Let All Together Praise Our God”  LSB # 389

1 Let all together praise our God Before His glorious throne; 

Today He opens heav’n again To give us His own Son, To give us His own Son. 

2 He leaves His heav’nly Father’s throne, Is born an infant small, 

And in a manger, poor and lone, Lies in a humble stall, Lies in a humble stall.

3 Within an earth-born form He hides His all creating light; 

To serve us all He humbly cloaks The splendor of His might, The splendor of His might.

4 He undertakes a great exchange, Puts on our human frame, 

And in return gives us His realm, His glory, and His name, His glory, and His name.

5 He is a servant, I a lord: How great a mystery! 

How strong the tender Christ Child’s love! No truer friend than He, No truer friend than He. 

6 He is the key and He the door To blessed paradise; 

The angel bars the way no more. To God our praises rise, To God our praise rise. 

7 Your grace in lowliness revealed, Lord Jesus, we adore 

And praise to God the Father yield And Spirit evermore; We praise You evermore.


Innvocation

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

C: Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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: 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.

Collect of the Day

P:   Let us pray.  O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature.  Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings


Old Testament (Isaiah 61:10-62:3)

10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
    and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to sprout up before all the nations.

62 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
    and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
    and her salvation as a burning torch.
The nations shall see your righteousness,
    and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
    that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
    and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Reading    (Galatians 4:4-7)

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Gospel Reading (Luke 2:22-40)

C: (sung) Alleluia.  Alleluia.  Alleluia.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 2nd chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

22 When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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


CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE APOSTLES’ CREED

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.
On 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 of the Day  “O Savior of Our Fallen Race”  LSB # 403

1 O Savior of our fallen race, O Brightness of the Father’s face, 

O Son who shared the Father’s might Before the world knew day or night Alleluia!

2 O Jesus, very Light of Light, Our constant star in sin’s deep night:

Now hear the prayers Your people pray Throughout the world this holy day.  Alleluia!

3 Remember, Lord of life and grace, How once, to save our fallen race, 

You put our human vesture on And come to us as Mary’s son.  Alleluia!

4 Today, as year by year its light Bathes all the world in radiance bright, 

One precious truth outshines the sun: Salvation comes from You alone.  Alleluia!

5 For from the Father’s throne You came, His banished children to reclaim;

And earth and sea and sky revere The love of Him who sent You here.  Alleluia!

6 And we are jubilant today, For You have washed our guilt away.  

O hear the glad new song we sing On this, the birthday of our King!  Alleluia!

7 O Christ, Redeemer virgin-born, Let songs of praise Your name adorn, 

Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Spirit evermore.  Alleluia!


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.

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 “By All Your Saints in Warfare”  LSB # 518 (vv.1, 15, 24, 3)

1 O sing of Christ, whose birth made known The kindness of the Lord,

Eternal Word made flesh and bone So we could be restored. 

Upon our frail humanity God’s finger chose to trace 

The fullness of His deity, The icon of His grace. 

15 What Adam lost, none could reclaim, And Paradise was barred 

Until the second Adam came To mend what sin had marred. 

For when the time was full and right God sent His only Son; 

He came to us as life and light And our redemption won. 

24 He came to that which was His own, But He was not received; 

Yet still through Him God’s glory shone, And some His name believed. 

To these He gave the right to be The heirs of heav’n above, 

Born not of human ancestry But born of God in love. 

3 Lord Jesus Christ, you deigned to dwell Among us here on earth 

As God with us, Emmanuel, To bring this holy birth. 

Though rich, you willingly became One with our poverty, 

That we might share your wealth and name For all eternity.


Christmas Day Worship December 25, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s special Christmas Day service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn: “Angels from the Realms of Glory” LSB#367

 

P:      The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

C:      For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.

P:      His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

C:      The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

P:      The word became flesh and dwelt among us.

C:      Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth.

All:    I confess to God Almighty, before the whole company of heaven and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault; wherefore I pray God Almighty to have mercy on me, forgive me all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life.  Amen.

P:      In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus the Christ was born of the Virgin Mary to suffer and die to pay our debt.  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.

 

The Collect Prayer

 

Hymn: “See amid the Winter’s Snow” LSB#373

 

Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 52:7-10)

Epistle Reading (Hebrews 1:1-12)

Gospel Reading (John 1:1-14)

P:      The holy Gospel according to St. John, the 1st chapter.

C:      Glory to you, O Lord.

P:      This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:      Praise to You, O Christ.

               

Hymn:  “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice” LSB# 386

 

Sermon

 

CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE APOSTLES’ CREED

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.
On 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.

    

Prayers

God’s Benediction

 

Hymn: “Joy to the World” LSB# 387

 

Christmas Eve Worship December 24, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to this evening’s special Christmas Eve service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

A Service of Lessons and Carols

Hymn: “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” LSB# 358  

 

P:   Beloved in Christ, as we gather here tonight let it be our desire to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels, and in our hearts and minds go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, and behold the Babe lying in a manger, our Redeemer and our King.

Let us hear tonight in Holy Scripture of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience to the glorious redemption wrought for us by this Holy Child; and let us once again tell out the story of His birth with our carols of praise.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for unity and brotherhood within our nation, across the world, and in the Church.

Let us also at this time remember the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick in body and in mind and all who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; and all who do not know the Lord Jesus.

And let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose eternal hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we forevermore are one. (A moment of silence)

For all this, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

 

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.

 

Hymn:  Once in Royal David’s City #376 (1, 2, 5)

Lesson 1

Genesis 3:8-19

  “O Sing of Christ, Whose Birth Made Known”  #362 (1, 2, 4)

 

Lesson 2

Isaiah 9:1-7

  “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”  #366 (1, 2, 4)

 

Lesson 3

Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9

  “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”  #359 (1,, 2, 4)

 

Lesson 4

Luke 1:26-38

  “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” #356 (1-3)

 

Lesson 5

Luke 2:1-7

 “Still, Still, Still” - arr. Dennis Alexander

 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” #361 (1-4)

 “O Holy Night” Adolphe Adam

                           Duet (Steve Shellenberger, Beth Vanderhyde)

 

Lesson 6

Luke 2:8-20

  “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”

God rest ye merry, gentlemen let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,(repeat)

From God our Heavenly Father a blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, (repeat)

Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, (repeat)

Lesson 7

John 1:1-14

  “O Come, All Ye Faithful” #379 (1, 3, 4)

 

Lighting Of the Candles

 

P:   Let us pray. O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when he comes to be our Judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

C: Amen.

P:   Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!

C:  Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.  

P:   The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be and abide with you all.

C:  Amen.

  

Hymn:  “Silent Night”   #363

 

This service has been adapted from A Festival of Nine Carols first held on Christmas Eve in 1918 in England.  Its origins began as an Order drawn up by E. W. Benson, later the Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the cathedral in Truro on Christmas Eve, 1880.  The service in various forms continues to be used around the world on Christmas Eve to this day.

Sunday Worship December 20, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.

Hymn “Dearest Jesus We Are Here”  LSB # 592

1 Dearest Jesus, we are here,
Gladly Your command obeying;
With this child we now draw near
In response to Your own saying
That to You it shall be given
As a child and heir of heaven.

2 Your command is clear and plain,
And we would obey it duly:
"You must all be born again,
Heart and life renewing truly,
Born of water and the Spirit,
And My kingdom thus inherit."

3 Therefore we have come to You,
In our arms this infant bearing.
Truly here Your grace we view;
May this child, Your mercy sharing,
In Your arms be shielded ever,
Yours on earth and Yours forever.


Baptism of Adelaide Diane Vanderhyde, born Dec. 7, 2020, to Ben and Grace Vanderhyde


Hymn “Dearest Jesus We Are Here”  LSB # 592

4 Gracious Head, Your member own;
Shepherd, take Your lamb and feed it;
Prince of Peace, make here Your throne;
Way of Life, to heaven lead it;
Precious Vine, let nothing sever
From Your side this branch forever.

5 Now into Your heart we pour
Prayers that from our hearts proceeded.
Our petitions heav'nward soar;
May our hearts' desires be heeded!
Write the name we now have given;
Write it in the book of heaven!



CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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 the Word, I announce the grace of God to  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.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

P:   Let us pray.  Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


Scripture Readings


Old Testament Reading  (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16)

Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house…16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me.[a] Your throne shall be established forever.’”


P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.



Epistle Reading    (Romans 16:25-27)

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.



Gospel Reading (Luke 1:26-38)

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

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 1st chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.



Hymn of the Day  “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came”  LSB # 356

1 The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame:
"All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

2 "For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee;
Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

3 Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said.
"My soul shall laud and magnify God's holy name."
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

4 Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
"Most highly favored lady." Gloria!


Sermon: 



PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P: Lord, in you 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


Closing Hymn  “Arise, O Christian People”  LSB # 354

1 Arise, O Christian people!
Prepare yourselves today;
Prepare to greet the Savior,
Who takes you sins away.
To us by grace alone
The truth and light were given;
The promised Lord from heaven
To all the world is shown.

2 Prepare the way before Him;
Prepare for Him the best.
Cast out what would offend Him,
This great, this heav'nly guest.
Make straight, make plain the way:
The lowly valleys raising,
The heights of pride abasing,
His path, all even lay.

3 The humble heart and lowly
God raises up on high;
Beneath His feet in terror
The haughty soul shall lie.
The heart sincere and right,
That heeds God's invitation
And makes true preparation--
It is the Lord's delight.

4 Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus;
Turn not from me aside,
And help me to receive You
This blessed Advent-tide.
From stall and manger low
Come now to dwell within me;
I'll sing Your praises gladly
And forth Your glory show.




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.

Sunday Worship Dec 6, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s sermon. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.


INVOCATION

P: We make our beginning in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  

C: Amen.



Hymn “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”  LSB # 344

1 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings!

2 Then cleansed be ev'ry life from sin;
Make straight the way for God within,
And let us all our hearts prepare
For Christ to come and enter there.

3 We hail Thee as our Savior, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward;
Without Thy grace we waste away
Like flow'rs that wither and decay.

4 Lay on the sick Thy healing hand
And make the fallen strong to stand;
Show us the glory of Thy face
Till beauty springs in ev'ry place.

5 All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Whose advent sets Thy people free.
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore.



CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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: 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.



Collect of the Day

P:   Let us pray.  Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.



Scripture Readings


Old Testament (Isaiah 40:1-11)

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
    that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
    double for all her sins.

A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry!”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever.

Go on up to a high mountain,
    O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
    lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
    “Behold your God!”
10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
    and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.
11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.



Epistle Reading    (2 Peter 3:8-14)

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.



Gospel Reading (Mark 1:1-8)

C: (sung) Alleluia.  Alleluia.  Alleluia.

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

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance  for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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



CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE APOSTLES’ CREED

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.
On 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 of the Day  “When All the World Was Cursed”  LSB # 346

1 When all the world was cursed By Moses’ condemnation, 

Saint John the Baptist came With words of consolation. 

With true forerunner’s zeal The greater One he named, 

And him, as yet unknown, As Savior he proclaimed.

2 Before he yet was born, He leaped in joyful meeting, 

Confessing him as Lord Whose mother he was greeting 

By Jordan’s rolling stream, A new Elijah bold, 

He testified of him Of whom the prophets told. 

3 Behold the Lamb of God, That bears the world’s transgression, 

Whose sacrifice removes The devil’s dread oppression. 

Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away our sin,

Who for our peace and joy Will full atonement win.

4 O grant, dear Lord of love, That we receive, rejoicing,

The word proclaimed by John, Our true repentance voicing,

That gladly we may walk Upon our Savior’s way

Until we live with Him In His eternal day.


Sermon 



PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P: For this… let us pray to the Lord:

C: Lord, have mercy.

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.



Closing Hymn “By All Your Saints in Warfare”  LSB # 518 (vv.1, 15, 24, 3)

1 By all Your saints in warfare,
For all Your saints at rest,
Your holy name, O Jesus,
Forevermore be blest!
For You have won the battle
That they might wear the crown;
And now they shine in glory
Reflected from Your throne.

15 For Mark, O Lord, we praise You,
The weak by grace made strong,
Whose labors and whose Gospel
Enrich our triumph song.
May we, in all our weakness,
Reflect Your servant life
And follow in Your footsteps,
Enduring cross and strife.

24 Our thanks for John the Baptist

Who, till his dying day,

Made straight paths for the Savior

And heralded His way!

In witnessing to Jesus

Through times of threat or shame

May we with faith and courage

The Lamb of God proclaim.


3 Then let us praise the Father
And worship God the Son
And sing to God the Spirit,
Eternal Three in One,
Till all the ransomed number
Fall down before the throne,
Ascribing pow'r and glory
And praise to God alone.



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.



Sunday Worship November 29, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and local recommendations, we are continuing to post our digital services for the time being for those who feel more comfortable worshiping at home. Socially-distanced in-person worship is now resuming each Sunday at 12pm. Please click the audio bar below to listen to today’s service. Scroll down to follow along with the service text.



INVOCATION

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

C: Amen.



Hymn “Savior of the Nations, Come”  LSB # 332

1 Savior of the nations, come,
Virgin's Son, make here Your home!
Marvel now, O heav'n and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth/

2 Not by human flesh and blood,
By the Spirit of our God,
Was the Word of God made flesh--
Woman's offspring, pure and fresh.

3 Here a maid was found with child,
Yet remained a virgin mild.
In her womb this was shown:
God was there upon His throne.

4 Then stepped forth the Lord of all
From His pure and kingly hall;
God of God, yet fully man,
His heroic course began.

5 God the Father was His source,
Back to God He ran His course.
Into hell His road went down,
Back then to His throne and crown.

6 For You are the Father's Son
Who in flesh the vic'try won.
By Your mighty pow'r make whole
All our ills of flesh and soul.

7 From the manger newborn light
Shines in glory through the night.
Darkness there no more resides;
In this light faith now abides.




CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

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 the Word, I announce the grace of God to  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.


Collect for the day

P:   Let us pray.  Almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You.  Dispel from us the works of darkness and grant us to live in the light of Your Son, Jesus Christ, that our faith may never be found wanting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.



Scripture Readings


Old Testament Reading  (Isaiah 64:1-9)

1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
    that the mountains might quake at your presence—
as when fire kindles brushwood
    and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
    and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
    you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From of old no one has heard
    or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
    who acts for those who wait for him.
You meet him who joyfully works righteousness,
    those who remember you in your ways.
Behold, you were angry, and we sinned;
    in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?
We have all become like one who is unclean,
    and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
    and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls upon your name,
    who rouses himself to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
    and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.
Be not so terribly angry, O Lord,
    and remember not iniquity forever.
    Behold, please look, we are all your people.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.



Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 1:3-9)

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.


P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.




Gospel Reading (Mark 11:1-10)

C: 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 11th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.



Hymn of the Day  “O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide”  LSB #355

1      O Savior, rend the heavens wide;
Come down, come down with mighty stride;
Unlock the gates, the doors break down;
Unbar the way to heaven’s crown.

2      O Father, light from heaven send;
As morning dew, O Son, descend.
Drop down, you clouds, the life of spring:
To Jacob’s line rain down the King.

3      O earth, in flow’ring bud be seen;
Clothe hill and dale in garb of green.
Bring forth, O earth, a blossom rare,
Our Savior, sprung from meadow fair.

4      O Fount of hope, how long, how long?
When will You come with comfort strong?
O come, O come, Your throne forego;
Console us in our vale of woe.

5     O Morning Star, O radiant Sun,
When will our hearts behold Your dawn?
O Sun, arise; without Your light
We grope in gloom and dark of night.

6     Sin’s dreadful doom upon us lies;
Grim death looms fierce before our eyes.
O come, lead us with mighty hand
From exile to our promised land.

7     There shall we all our praises bring
And sing to You, our Savior King;
There shall we laud You and adore
Forever and forevermore.


Sermon 



CONFESSION OF FAITH: THE NICENE CREED

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 worshipped 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 you 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



Closing Hymn  “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise”  LSB # 917

1 Savior, again to Thy dear name we raise
With one accord our parting hymn of praise;
Once more we bless Thee ere our worship cease,
Then, lowly bending, wait Thy word of peace.

2 Grant us thy peace upon our homeward way;
With Thee began, with Thee shall end, the day.
Guard Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
That in this house have called upon Thy name.

3 Grant us Thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;
Turn Thou for us its darkness into light.
From harm and danger keep Thy children free;
For dark and light are both alike to Thee.

4 Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life,
Our balm in sorrow and our stay in strife;
Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,
Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.



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.