Sunday September 18, 2022

Hymn “The Lord, My God, be Praised”  LSB # 794

1    The Lord, my God, be praised, My light, my life from heaven;

My maker, who to me Has soul and body given;

My Father, who will shield And keep me day by day

And make each moment yield New blessings on my way.

2    The Lord, my God, be praised, My trust, my life from heaven,

The Father's own dear Son, Whose life for me was given,

Who for my sin atoned With His most precious blood

And gives to me by faith The highest heav'nly good.

3    The Lord, my God, be praised, My hope, my life from heaven,

The Spirit, whom the Son In love to me has given.

His grace revives my heart And gives my spirit pow'r,

Help, comfort, and support In sorrow's gloomy hour.

4    The Lord, my God, be praised, My God, the ever-living,

To whom the heav'nly host Their laud and praise are giving.

The Lord, my God, be praised, In whose great name I boast,

God Father, God the Son, And God the Holy Ghost.

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

C:   Amen.

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

C:   who made heaven and earth.

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

C:   and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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

P:   O almighty God, merciful Father,

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn  “You Are the Way, through You Alone”  LSB # 526

1 You are the way; through You alone  Can we the Father find;

In You, O Christ, has God revealed His heart and will and mind.

2 You are the truth; Your Word alone True wisdom can impart;

You only can inform the mind And purify the heart.

3 You are the life; the empty tomb Proclaims Your conqu'ring arm,

And those who put their trust in You Not death nor hell shall harm.

4 You are the way, the truth, the life; Grant us that way to know,

That truth to keep, that life to win Whose joys eternal flow.

The Introit is read…

(Sung)

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

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

Amen.

The Antiphon is read…

(Sung)

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

(Glory be to God on high)

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect of the Day:

P:   Let us pray.  O Lord, keep Your Church in Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fall, preserve us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; 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 (Amos 8:4-7)

Hear this, you who trample on the needy

    and bring the poor of the land to an end,

5 saying, “When will the new moon be over,

    that we may sell grain?

And the Sabbath,

    that we may offer wheat for sale,

that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great

    and deal deceitfully with false balances,

6 that we may buy the poor for silver

    and the needy for a pair of sandals

    and sell the chaff of the wheat?”

7 The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:

“Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Timothy 2:1-15)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 16th chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(Luke 16:1-15)

          [Jesus] also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
                             

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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

Hymn of the Day  “What Is the World to Me”  LSB #730

1 What is the world to me With all its vaunted pleasure

When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my Treasure!

You only, dearest Lord, My soul's delight shalt be;

You are my peace, my rest. What is the world to me!

2 The world seeks to be praised And honored by the mighty

Yet never once reflects That they are frail and flighty.

But what I truly prize Above all things is He,

My Jesus, He alone. What is the world to me!

3 The world seeks after wealth And all that mammon offers

Yet never is content Though gold should fill its coffers.

I have a higher good, Content with it I'll be:

My Jesus is my wealth. What is the world to me!

4 What is the world to me! My Jesus is my treasure,

My life, my health, my wealth, My friend, my love, my pleasure,

My joy, my crown, my all, My bliss eternally.

Once more, then, I declare: What is the world to me!

Sermon

Confession of Faith  --  Apostles’ Creed

C:   I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

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

      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

      born of the Virgin Mary,

      suffered under Pontius Pilate,

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

      The third day He rose again from the dead.

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

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

      the holy Christian Church,
      the communion of saints,

      the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body,

      and the life + everlasting. Amen.

Offertory

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence,

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,

And uphold me with Thy free Spirit.  Amen.

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  “Take My Life and Let It Be”  LSB #783

1 Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2 Take my hands and let them move At the impulse of Thy love;

Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3 Take my voice and let me sing Always, only for my King;

Take my lips and let them be Filled with messages from Thee.

4 Take my silver and my gold, Not a mite would I withhold;

Take my intellect and use Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.

5 Take my will and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine;

Take my heart, it is Thine own, It shall be Thy royal throne.

6 Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store;

Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee.

Sunday September 11, 2022

Hymn  “All Glory Be to God on High”  LSB # 947

1 All glory be to God on high And thanks for all His favor;

No harm can touch or terrify A child of God forever.

God shows His good and gracious will And grants His peace, the world to fill

All strife at last has ended.

2 We praise and laud and worship You; We give You thanks forever,

O Father, for Your rule is true And just and changes never.

With boundless pow’r, Your mighty reign

Fulfills whatever You ordain. Lord, grant us ev’ry blessing!

3 O Jesus Christ, the only Son Begotten of the Father,

Your saving death has made us one With God and with each other.

O Lamb of God, to You on high In our distress we sinners cry,

Have mercy on us, amen!

4 O Holy Spirit, our delight And source of consolation,

Protect us from the devil’s might Through Jesus, our salvation,

Who by His death upon a tree Has rescued us from misery:

To this we hold forever.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn  “Shepherd of Tender Youth”  LSB #864

1    Shepherd of tender youth, Guiding in love and truth

Through devious ways; Christ, our triumphant king,

We come Your name to sing And here our children bring

To join Your praise.

2    You are our holy Lord, The all-subduing Word,

Healer of strife. Yourself You did abase

That from sin's deep disgrace You so might save our race

And give us life.

3    You are the great High Priest; You have prepared the feast

Of holy love; And in our mortal pain

None calls on You in vain; Our pleas do not disdain;

Help from above.

4    O ever be our guide, Our shepherd, and our pride,

Our staff and song. Jesus, O Christ of God,

By your enduring Word Lead us where You have trod;

Make our faith strong.

5    So now, and till we die, Sound we Your praises high

And joyful sing: Infants, and all the throng,

Who to the Church belong, Unite to swell the song

To Christ, our king!

(Sung)

P:   In peace let us pray to the Lord.

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  Almighty and merciful God, it is by Your grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service.  Grant that we may walk by faith, and not by sight, in the way that leads to eternal life; 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

First Reading  (Ezekiel 34:11-24)

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

17 “As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? 19 And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?

20 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22 I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 15th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Luke 15:1-10)

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “By Grace I’m Saved”  LSB # 566

1 By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless; My soul, believe and doubt it not.

Why stagger at this word of promise? Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?

No! Then this word must true remain; By grace you too will life obtain.

2 By grace! None dare lay claim to merit; Our works and conduct have no worth.

God in His love sent our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth;

His death did for our sins atone, And we are saved by grace alone.

3 By grace God's Son, our only Savior, Came down to earth to bear our sin.

Was it because of your own merit That Jesus died your soul to win?

No, it was grace, and grace alone, That brought Him from His heav'nly throne.

4 By grace! This ground of faith is certain; So long as God is true, it stands.

What saints have penned by inspiration, What in His Word our God commands,

Our faith in what our God has done Depends on grace--grace through His Son.

5 By grace to timid hearts that tremble, In tribulation's furnace tried,

By grace, in spite of fear and trouble, The Father's heart is open wide.

Where could I help and strength secure If grace were not my anchor sure?

6 By grace! On this I'll rest when dying; In Jesus' promise I rejoice;

For though I know my heart's condition, I also know my Savior's voice.

My heart is glad, all grief has flown Since I am saved by grace alone.         

Sermon

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

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.

Sunday August 28, 2022

PRESERVICE MUSIC / PIANO DUET            “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise"

WELCOME

OPENING HYMN                                             Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now            LSB 902

1 Lord Jesus Christ, be present now; Our hearts in true devotion bow.

    Your Spirit send with light divine, And let Your truth within us shine.

2 Unseal our lips to sing Your praise In endless hymns through all our days.
    Increase our faith and light our minds; And set us free from doubt that blinds.

3 Then shall we join the hosts that cry, "O holy, holy Lord Most High!"
     in the light of that blest place We then shall see You face to face.

4 All glory to the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
    To You, O blessed Trinity, Be praise throughout eternity

INVOCATION

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

C             Amen.

OPENING SENTENCES     Psalm 124:8; 130:3–4

P             Our help is in the name of the LORD,

C             who made heaven and earth.

P             If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

C             But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared.

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS

P             The Spirit of God calls forth sacrifices pleasing to God: brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, care for all in need, faithfulness in marriage and the family, fearless joy in the Lord, right faith, and right worship. Let us ask God to forgive our sinful neglect of faith’s power to have free course in our life.

C             Almighty God, we confess to You that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved You with our entire being, and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Alone we remain without hope, health, or help. Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

P             May the God of peace equip you with everything good that you may do His will. 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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C             Amen.

INTROIT                                                                           Psalm 75:1–2, 6, 9; antiphon: v. 7

P             It is God who executes judgment,

C             putting down one and lifting up another.

P             We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near.

C             We recount your wondrous deeds.

P             At the set time that I appoint

C             I will judge with equity.

P             For not from the east or from the west

C             and not from the wilderness comes lifting up.

P             But I will declare it forever;

C             I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

All:         Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning,

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

P             It is God who executes judgment,

C             putting down one and lifting up another.

HYMN OF PRAISE                                           Earth and All Stars           LSB 817

1 Earth and all stars, loud rushing planets, sing to the Lord a new song!

O victory, loud shouting army, sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things. I, too, will praise him with a new song!

2 Hail, wind, and rain, loud blowing snowstorms, sing to the Lord a new song!

Flowers and trees, loud rustling leaves, sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things. I, too, will praise him with a new song!

3 Trumpet and pipes, loud clashing cymbals, sing to the Lord a new song!

Harp, lute, and lyre, loud humming cellos, sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things. I, too, will praise him with a new song!                   

4 Engines and steel! Loud pounding hammers! Sing to the Lord a new song!
Limestone and beams! Loud building workers! Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things.  I, too, will praise him with a new song!                  

5. Classrooms and labs!  Loud boiling test tubes!  Sing to the Lord a new song!
Athlete and band! Loud cheering people! Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things. I, too, will praise him with a new song!

6.  Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom! Sing to the Lord a new song!
Daughter and son! Loud praying members! Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things. I, too, will praise him with a new song!

7. Children of God, Dying and rising, Sing to the Lord a new song!
Heaven and earth, Hosts everlasting, Sing to the Lord a new song!
He has done marvelous things. I, too, will praise him with a new song!

SALUTATION & COLLECT OF THE DAY

P             The Lord be with you.

C             And also with you.

P             Let us pray.

All:         Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd of the sheep, give to us the power of Your Spirit and equip us with everything good that we may do Your will in lives that are pleasing in Your sight; for You live and reign with the Father and the same Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING          Proverbs 25:2–10

2It is the glory of God to conceal things,

               but the glory of kings is to search things out.

3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,

               so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Take away the dross from the silver,

               and the smith has material for a vessel;

5take away the wicked from the presence of the king,

               and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

               or stand in the place of the great,

7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

               than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

               8do not hastily bring into court,

for what will you do in the end,

               when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9Argue your case with your neighbor himself,

               and do not reveal another’s secret,

10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,

               and your ill repute have no end.

L             This is the Word of the Lord.          C   Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE                                                             Hebrews 13:1–17

               1Let brotherly love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;

               I will not fear;

what can man do to me?”

               7Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

               17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

A             This is the Word of the Lord.          C   Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA VERSE               Luke 14:11

All:         Alleluia. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Alleluia.

HOLY GOSPEL                                   Luke 14:1–14

P             The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the fourteenth chapter.

C             Glory to You, O Lord.

               1One Sabbath, when [Jesus] went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 5And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” 6And they could not reply to these things.

               7Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

               12He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

P             This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C   Praise to You, O Christ.

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.                        

SERMON                                                           “WHAT SACRIFICE LOOKS LIKE”  Hebrews 13:1-17

I.             In the Old Testament, many animals were sacrificed for forgiveness, leading up to Jesus’ final sacrifice for sin on the cross.

II.           We no longer offer sacrifices to gain forgiveness.  Instead, we offer sacrifices of time, talent and treasure to serve God and our neighbor.

APOSTLE’S CREED

C             I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.  And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The third day He rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From there 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.

OFFERING / HANDBELL SELECTION           “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

OFFERTORY                                      I Love You, Lord

BLESSING FOR RENEE ORTADO

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P             Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we give You thanks for all the goodness and loving kindness You have bestowed on us, especially for redeeming us through the great sacrifice of the death and resurrection of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and for giving us the gift of true repentance, faith, hope, and love by Your Holy Spirit. Work in us a right understanding of Your will, and grant us hearts, lips, and lives that show forth true thanksgiving in all we say and do. Lord, in Your mercy,          C   hear our prayer.

P             Guide and govern Your Church throughout the world that all may walk in the way of truth and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Send Your grace on all ministers of the Gospel and upon the congregations committed to their care that they may please You in all things. Lord, in Your mercy,

C             hear our prayer.

P             Have mercy upon all who are in authority over us, those who keep watch over our souls, as well as those in the authority of worldly government that we may have free course to live as Your redeemed people and serve one another in love. Bless all who serve to protect us in our nation and our community. Lord, in Your mercy,          C   hear our prayer.

P             Preserve those who travel and help all who call upon You in any need, [especially…] that they may have patience and trust in the midst of suffering and, according to Your will, be released from their afflictions. Lord, in Your mercy,

C             hear our prayer.

P             We remember with thanksgiving those who have loved and served You in Your Church on earth, who now rest from their labors. Keep us in fellowship with all Your saints and bring us at last to the joys of Your heavenly kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy,

C             hear our prayer.

P             Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.          C   Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER

P             O Lord Jesus Christ, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

C             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                                  Numbers 6:24-26

P             The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you His peace.

C   Amen.

CLOSING HYMN                               Lord of All Nations           LSB 844

1.      Lord of all nations, grant me grace Too love all people, every race;

And in each person may I see My kindred, loved, redeemed by Thee.

2.      Break down the wall that would divide Thy children, Lord, on every side.

My neighbor’s good let me pursue; Let Christian love bind warm and true.

3.   Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred By loveless act and thoughtless word.
Make me to see the wrong I do Will grieve my wounded Lord anew.

4.   Give me Thy courage, Lord, to speak Whenever strong oppress the weak.

Should I myself the victim be, Help me forgive, rememb’ring Thee.

5.   With Thine own love may I be filled And by Thy Holy Spirit willed,
That all I touch, where’er I be, May be divinely touched by Thee.

Sunday August 21, 2022

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

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

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

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.

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

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

Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in His faithfulness.

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

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

Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows.

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Matins (sung)

P     O Lord, open my lips,

C     and my mouth will declare Your praise.

P     Make haste, O God, to deliver me;

C     make haste to help me, O Lord.

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

Psalmody (Psalm 95) (sung)

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

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

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

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

Scripture Readings

First Reading (Isaiah 66:18-23)

“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, 19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the Lord, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. 21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the Lord.

22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth

    that I make

shall remain before me, says the Lord,

    so shall your offspring and your name remain.

23 From new moon to new moon,

    and from Sabbath to Sabbath,

all flesh shall come to worship before me,

declares the Lord.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us..

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Hebrews 12:4-24)

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

    nor be weary when reproved by him.

6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

P:      O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Luke 13:22-30)

[Jesus] went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn “A Multitude Come from the East and the West”  LSB # 510

1 A multitude comes from the east and the west To sit at the feast of salvation

With Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the blest, Obeying the Lord's invitation.

Have mercy upon us, O Jesus!

2 O God, let us hear when our Shepherd shall call In accents persuasive and tender,

That while there is time we make haste, one and all, And find Him, our mighty Defender.

Have mercy upon us, O Jesus!

3 All trials shall be like a dream that is past, Forgotten all trouble and mourning.

All questions and doubts have been answered at last, When rises the light of that morning.

Have mercy upon us, O Jesus!

4 The heavens shall ring with an anthem more grand Than ever on earth was recorded.

The blest of the Lord shall receive at His hand The crown to the victors awarded.

Have mercy upon us, O Jesus!

Sermon

Te Deum (Sung)

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

All the earth now worships You, the Father everlasting.

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

To You cherubim and seraphim continually do cry:

      Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

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

The glorious company of the apostles praise You.

The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise You.

The noble army of martyrs praise You.

The holy Church throughout all the world does acknowledge You.

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

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

      You are the everlasting Son of the Father.

When You took upon Yourself to deliver man,

You humbled Yourself to be born of a virgin.

When You had overcome the sharpness of death,

You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

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

We believe that You will come to be our judge.

We therefore pray You to help Your servants,

whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.

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

O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage.

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

And we worship Your name forever and ever.

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

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

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

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

Offertory

Prayer of the Church

P:   Lord, in Your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “Jerusalem, My Happy Home”  LSB # 673

1 Jerusalem, my happy home, When shall I come to thee?
When shall my sorrows have an end? Thy joys when shall I see?

2 O happy harbor of the saints, O sweet and pleasant soil!
In thee no sorrow may be found, No grief, no care, no toil.

3 Thy gardens and thy gallant walks Continually are green;
There grow such sweet and pleasant flow'rs As nowhere else are seen.

4 There trees forevermore bear fruit And evermore do spring;
There evermore the angels dwell And evermore do sing.

5 Apostles, martyrs, prophets, there Around my Savior stand;
And soon my friends in Christ below Will join the glorious band.

6 O Christ, do Thou my soul prepare For that bright home of love
That I may see Thee and adore With all Thy saints above.

Sunday August 14, 2022

Hymn “Come, Thou Almighty King”  LSB # 905

1 Come, Thou almighty King, Help us Thy Name to sing: Help us to praise;
Father all-glorious, O’er all victorious,
Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days.

2 Come, Thou incarnate Word, Gird on Thy mighty sword; Our prayer attend.

Come and Thy people bless, And give Thy Word success,

And let Thy righteousness On us descend.

3 Come, holy Comforter, Thy sacred witness bear In this glad hour!

Thou, who almighty art, Now rule in ev'ry heart,

And ne’er from us depart, Spirit of pow'r.

4 To Thee, great One in Three, Eternal praises be Hence evermore!

Thy sov'reign majesty May we in glory see,

And to eternity Love and adore.

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

C:   Amen.

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

C:   who made heaven and earth.

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

C:   and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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

P:   O almighty God, merciful Father,

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

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

C:   Amen.

The Introit is read…

(Sung)

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

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

Amen.

The Antiphon is read…

(Sung)

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

(Glory be to God on high)

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect of the Day:

P:   Let us pray.  Merciful Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church by the sacrifice of Christ.  United with Him in Holy Baptism, give us grace to receive with thanksgiving the fruits of His redeeming work and daily follow in His way; 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.

Hymn  “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”  LSB # 655

1 Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword

Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son And bring to naught all He has done.

2 Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow'r make known, For You are Lord of lords alone;

Defend Your holy Church that we May sing your praise eternally.

3 O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth;

Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament (Jeremiah 23:16-29)

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”

18 For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord

    to see and to hear his word,

    or who has paid attention to his word and listened?

19 Behold, the storm of the Lord!

    Wrath has gone forth,

a whirling tempest;

    it will burst upon the head of the wicked.

20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back

    until he has executed and accomplished

    the intents of his heart.

In the latter days you will understand it clearly.

21 “I did not send the prophets,

    yet they ran;

I did not speak to them,

    yet they prophesied.

22 But if they had stood in my council,

    then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,

and they would have turned them from their evil way,

    and from the evil of their deeds.

23 “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26 How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27 who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Hebrews 11:17-31; 12:1-3)

y faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(Luke 12:49-53)

          “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
                             

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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

Hymn of the Day  “God Has Spoken by His Prophets”  LSB #583

1 God has spoken by His prophets, Spoken His unchanging Word;
   Each from age to age proclaiming God the one, the righteous Lord.
   In the world's despair and turmoil One firm anchor holds us fast:
   God is king, His throne eternal; God the first, and God the last.

2 God has spoken by Christ Jesus, Christ, the everlasting Son,
   Brightness of the Father's glory, With the Father ever one;
   Spoken by the Word Incarnate, God of God, before time was;
   Light of Light, to earth descending, He reveals our God to us.

3 God is speaking by His Spirit, Speaking to our hearts again,
   In the ageless Word declaring His own message, now as then.
   Through the rise and fall of nations One sure faith yet standing fast;
   God abides, His Word unchanging; God the first, and God the last.

Sermon

Confession of Faith  --  Apostles’ Creed

C:   I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

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

      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

      born of the Virgin Mary,

      suffered under Pontius Pilate,

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

      The third day He rose again from the dead.

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

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

      the holy Christian Church,
      the communion of saints,

      the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body,

      and the life + everlasting. Amen.

Offertory

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence,

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,

And uphold me with Thy free Spirit.  Amen.

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  “Almighty Father, Bless the Word”  LSB #923

1       Almighty Father, bless the Word Which through Your grace we now have heard.
         Oh, may the precious seed take root,   Spring up, and bear abundant fruit!

2       We praise You for the means of grace As homeward now our steps we trace.
         Grant, Lord, that we who worshiped here May all at last in heav'n appear.

3       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.

Sunday August 7, 2022

Hymn of the Day  “Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng”  LSB #813

1    Rejoice, O pilgrim throng! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;

      Your festal banner wave on high, The cross of Christ, your king.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

2 With voice as full and strong As ocean's surging praise,

      Send forth the sturdy hymns of old, The psalms of ancient days.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

3 With all the angel choirs, With all the saints on earth

      Pour out the strains of joy and bliss, True rapture, noblest mirth.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

4 Yet on and onward still, With hymn and chant and song,

      Through gate and porch and columned aisle The hallowed pathways throng.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

5 Still lift your standard high, Still march in firm array,

      As pilgrims through the darkness wend Till dawns the golden day.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

6 At last the march shall end; The wearied ones shall rest;

      The pilgrims find their home at last, Jerusalem the blest.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

7 Praise Him who reigns on high, The Lord whom we adore;

      The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God forevermore.

      Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn “We Sing for All the Unsung Saints”  LSB # 678

1 We sing for all the unsung saints, That countless, nameless throng,

Who kept the faith and passed it on With hope steadfast and strong

Through all the daily griefs and joys No chronicles record,

Forgetful of their lack of fame, But mindful of their Lord.

2 Though uninscribed with date or place, With title, rank, or name,

As living stones their stories join To form a hallowed frame

Around the myst'ry in their midst: The Lamb once sacrificed,

The Love that wrested life from death, The wounded, risen Christ.

3 So we take heart from unknown saints Bereft of earthly fame,

Those faithful ones who have received A more enduring name:

For they reveal true blessing comes When we our pride efface

And offer back our lives to be The vessels of God's grace.

(Sung)

P:   In peace let us pray to the Lord.

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  Almighty and merciful God, it is by Your grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service.  Grant that we may walk by faith, and not by sight, in the way that leads to eternal life; 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

First Reading  (Genesis 15:1-6)

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Hebrews 11:1-16)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

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

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Luke 12:22-34)

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “Fight the Good Fight”  LSB # 664

1 Fight the good fight with all your might; Christ is your strength, and Christ your right.

Lay hold on life, and it shall be Your joy and crown eternally.

2 Run the straight race through God's good grace; Lift up your eyes, and seek His face.

Life with its way before us lies; Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

3 Cast care aside, lean on your guide; His boundless mercy will provide.

Trust, and enduring faith shall prove Christ is your life and Christ your love.

4 Faint not nor fear, His arms are near; He changes not who holds you dear;

Only believe, and you will see That Christ is all eternally.
                                                    

Sermon

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “Sing Praise to the God of Israel”  LSB #936

1.   Sing praise to the God of Israel! Sing praise for His visitation!

      Redeeming His people from their sin, Accomplishing their salvation,

      Upraising a mighty horn within The house of His servant David.

2.   God spoke by the prophets long ago, His promise an oath recalling

      To Abraham made in former years; Of vanquishing foes appalling,

      That those He delivered from their fears Might gladly and truly serve Him.

3.   You, child will go on before the Lord As prophet, His way preparing;

      To speak on behalf of God Most High, His counsel of truth declaring;

      Rich mercy and grace for all whereby Iniquity is forgiven.

4.   O, bright, rising Sun, now shine on us In need of illumination;

      Come scatter the shades of sin and death And shatter their domination.

      Be guiding our footsteps on the path, of peace, in Your presence dawning!

Sunday July 31, 2022

OPENING HYMN                               Baptized into Your Name Most Holy  LSB 590

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.

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.                

INVOCATION

P          In the name of the Father, who graciously calls us His sons and daughters.

C          Amen.

P          In the name of the T Son, whose death and resurrection has given us eternal life.

C          Amen.

P          In the name of the Holy Spirit, who has given us the gift of faith to trust all the promises of God.

C          Amen.

REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:1–4

P          In his Epistle to the Church in Rome, Paul wrote, “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.” And in today’s Epistle, Paul writes, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Let us therefore remember our Baptism.

Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry ground, foreshadowing the washing of Your Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood and a lavish washing away of sin.

C          We give thanks that according to Your boundless mercy, You have beheld us and have blessed us with true faith by the Holy Spirit, that through this saving flood all sin in us, which has been inherited from Adam, has been drowned and died. Grant that we be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, we could be declared worthy of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

P          Do you renounce the devil, all his works, and all his ways?

C          Yes, I renounce them.

P          Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth?

C          Yes, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

P          Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son?

C          Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

P          Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

C          Yes, 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.

P          The almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with His grace to life T everlasting.

C          Amen.

P          Let us pray. Almighty and most merciful God and Father, we thank and praise You that You graciously preserve and enlarge Your family and have granted us new birth in Holy Baptism and made us members of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and heirs of Your heavenly kingdom.

C          We humbly implore You that, as we are Your children, You would keep us in our baptismal grace, that according to Your good pleasure we may faithfully lead godly lives to the praise and honor of Your holy name and finally, with all Your saints, obtain the promised inheritance in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

P          Peace T be with you.

C          Amen.

INTROIT                                                           Psalm 49:7–8, 13–14a, 15; antiphon: vv. 1–2

P          Hear this, all peoples!

C          Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

P          both low and high,

C          rich and poor together!

P          Truly no man can ransom another,

C          or give to God the price of his life,

P          for the ransom of their life is costly

C          and can never suffice.

P          This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;

C          yet after them people approve of their boasts.

P          Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;

C          death shall be their shepherd.

P          But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,

C          for he will receive me.

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

P          Hear this, all peoples!

C          Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

P          both low and high,

C          rich and poor together!

HYMN OF PRAISE                                Father Welcomes       LSB 605

                         
Father welcomes all his children To His family Through His Son.

Father giving His salvation, Life eternal has been won.

Little children, come to Me, For My kingdom is of these.

Life and love I have to give, Mercy for your sin.

Father welcomes all his children To His family Through His Son.

Father giving His salvation, Life eternal has been won.

In the water, in the Word, In His promise, be assured:

Those who are baptized and believe Shall be born again.

Father welcomes all his children To His family Through His Son.

Father giving His salvation, Life eternal has been won.

Let us gladly die to sin; Let us daily rise with Him,

Walk in the love of Christ our Lord, Live in the peace of God.

Father welcomes all his children To His family Through His Son.

Father giving His salvation, Life eternal has been won.

SALUTATION & COLLECT OF THE DAY

P          The Lord be with you.

C          And also with you.

P          Let us pray.

All:       O Lord, You have made great and gracious promises that come to us through our Baptism into Christ. As we recall our Baptism, assure us of Your forgiveness, strengthen our faith, and lead us to be instruments of Your peace and joy, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING  Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26

            2Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. . . .

            12I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. . . .

            18I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, 19and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

            24There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

L          This is the Word of the Lord.          C   Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE                                                            Colossians 3:1–11

            1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

            5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

L          This is the Word of the Lord.          C   Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA VERSE                    Colossians 3:1-11

All: Alleluia. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  Alleluia.

HOLY GOSPEL                          Luke 12:13–21

P          The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twelfth chapter.

C          Glory to You, O Lord.

            13Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

P          This is the Gospel of the Lord.          C   Praise to You, O Christ.

HYMN OF THE DAY   The Gifts Christ Freely Gives  LSB 602

1 The gifts Christ freely gives He gives to you and me
To be His Church, His bride, His chosen, saved and free!
Saints blest with these rich gifts Are children who proclaim

That they were won by Christ And cling to His strong name.

2 The gifts flow from the font Where He calls us His own;

New life He gives that makes Us His and His alone.

Here He forgives our sins With water and His Word;

The triune God Himself Gives pow’r to call Him Lord.

3 The gifts of grace and peace From absolution flow;

The pastor’s words are Christ’s For us to trust and know.

Forgiveness that we need Is granted to us there;

The Lord of mercy sends Us forth in His blest care.

4 The gifts are there each day The holy Word is read;

God’s children listen, hear, Receive, and they are fed.

Christ fills them with Himself, Blest words that give them life,

Restoring and refreshing Them for this world’s strife.

5 The gifts are in the feast, Gifts far more than we see;

Beneath the bread and wine Is food from Calvary.

The body and the blood Remove our ev’ry sin;

We leave His presence in His peace, renewed again.

6 All glory to the One Who lavishes such love;

The triune God in love  Assures our life above.

His means of grace for us Are gifts He loves to give;

All thanks and praise for His Great love by which we live!               

SERMON                                 “RAISED WITH CHRIST”          Colossians 3:1-11

OFFERING                                                                                          

OFFERTORY                                         Create in Me   LSB 956

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P          Remembering the gift of our Baptism, let us join in prayer to our Lord, asking for His guidance and care along the way. 

HYMN “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus”            LSB 685 (v.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 the Father’s bidding.

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

P          For all who are deceived by the world’s valuing property over people and power over service, that God would open their eyes that they serve Him above all, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

P          For all who focus on themselves, trusting their own efforts rather than relying on the mercy and blessings of our heavenly Father, that God would move them to faithful trust in His care and loving service for the people around them, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

P          For the Church around the world, wherever the Gospel is proclaimed, calling people to follow our Lord as pilgrims treading toward the gracious and eternal promises of Christ, that God would protect and direct her, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

HYMN “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus”  (v. 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.

P          For all who languish, working in joyless jobs, those who are underemployed or unemployed, and each person who awakens to another day of discomfort and pain, that God would provide strength, endurance, and solace, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

P          For all who call out to God for relief from illness, pain, or difficult circumstances, [especially . .], that God would hear their prayers and graciously answer them in His almighty wisdom and love, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

P          For the leaders of the nations, that God would guide them to provide decent food, clothing, and shelter for their citizens and protection both from enemies outside their borders and from lawlessness within, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

HYMN             “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus”  (v. 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.

P          For all who do not know Christ’s resurrection, but see the grave as the end of life, that the Holy Spirit would grant them faith to trust in our Lord’s victory, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

P          For health care workers, first responders, and all who minister to people nearing the end of this mortal life, that God would sustain them in their ministry and use them as His instruments for Jesus’ sake, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

P          For ourselves, that we look beyond the grave in our daily living, anticipating our entry into heaven and living in the light of God’s love, let us pray to the Lord:

C          Lord, have mercy.

P          Into Your hands, heavenly Father, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.         

C   Amen.

HYMN             “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus”            (v. 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.

LORD'S PRAYER          

P          O Lord Jesus Christ, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: 

C          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.

DISMISSAL

P          Go in peace as you serve the Lord.

C          Thanks be to God!

BENEDICTION

P          The blessing of God Almighty—the Father, who graciously calls you His sons and daughters; the T Son, whose death and resurrection has given you eternal life; and the Holy Spirit, who has given you the gift of faith to trust all the promises of God—be upon you, now and forever.

C          Amen.

CLOSING HYMN                                              Go, My Children, with My Blessing    LSB 922

1    Go, my children, with my blessing, Never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are my own.
In my love's baptismal river I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing - You are my own.

2    Go, my children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, What I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son's story; Here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.

3    Go, my children, fed and nourished, Closer to me;
Grow in love and love by serving, Joyful and free.
Here my Spirit's power filled you; Here his tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, Joyful and free.

4    I the Lord will bless and keep you And give you peace;
I the Lord will smile upon you And give you peace;
I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother.
Go, my children; I will keep you And give you peace.     

Sunday July 24, 2022

Hymn  “Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good”  LSB #819

1    Sing praise to God, the highest good, The author of creation.

The God of love who understood Our need for His salvation.

With healing balm our souls He fills And ev'ry faithless murmur stills:

To God all praise and glory!

2    What God’s almighty pow'r has made, In mercy He is keeping.

By morning glow or evening shade His eye is never sleeping.

Within the kingdom of His might All things are just and good and right:

To God all praise and glory!

3    We sought the Lord in our distress; O God, in mercy hear us.

Our Savior saw our helplessness And came with peace to cheer us.

For this we thank and praise the Lord, Who is by one and all adored:

To God all praise and glory!

4    He never shall forsake His flock, His chosen generation;

He is their refuge and their rock, Their peace and their salvation.

As with a mother's tender hand, He leads His own, His chosen band:

To God all praise and glory!

5    All who confess Christ’s holy name, Give God the praise and glory.

Let all who know His pow'r proclaim Aloud the wondrous story.

Cast ev'ry idol from its throne, For God is God, and He alone:

To God all praise and glory!

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.

Hymn  “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”  LSB #770

1 What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry Ev'rything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear–

All because we do not carry Ev'rything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged–Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness–Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3 Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge–Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.

In His arms He'll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.

(Sung)

Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

To God on high be glory and peace to all the earth;

Good will from God in heaven proclaimed at Jesus’ birth!

We praise and bless You, Father; Your holy name, we sing,

Our thanks for Your great glory, Lord God, our heav’nly King.

To You, O sole-begotten, the Father’s Son, we pray;

O Lamb of God, our Savior, You take our sins away.

Have mercy on us, Jesus; Receive our heartfelt cry,

Where You in pow’r are seated at God’s right hand on high.

For You alone are holy; You only are the Lord.

Forever and forever, be worshiped and adored;

You with the Holy Spirit alone are Lord Most High,

In God the Father’s glory. “Amen!” our glad reply.

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect for the day:

O Lord, let Your merciful ears be attentive to the prayers of Your servants, and by Your Word and Spirit teach us how to pray that our petitions may be pleasing before You; 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 18:20-33)

Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”

22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” 26 And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” 30 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Colossians 2:6-15)

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 11th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Luke 11:1-13)

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread,

4 and forgive us our sins,

    for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And lead us not into temptation.”

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C:  Praise to You, O Christ.

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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

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

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

Holy Zion’s help forever And our confidence alone.

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

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

And Your fullest benediction Shed within these walls today.

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

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

And hereafter in Your glory Evermore with You to reign.

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

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

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

Sermon

Offering

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “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 July 17, 2022

Hymn “All People That on Earth Do Dwell”  LSB # 791

1 All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.

Him serve with mirth, His praise forthtell; Come ye before Him and rejoice.

2 Know that the Lord is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make.

We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take.

3O enter then His gates with praise; Approach with joy His courts unto.

Praise, laud, and bless His name always, For it is seemly so to do.

4For why? the Lord our God is good: His mercy is for ever sure.

His truth at all times firmly stood And shall from age to age endure.

5 To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom heav'n and earth adore,

From us and from the angel host Be praise and glory evermore.

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

C:   Amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Matins (sung)

P     O Lord, open my lips,

C     and my mouth will declare Your praise.

P     Make haste, O God, to deliver me;

C     make haste to help me, O Lord.

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

Psalmody (Psalm 95) (sung)

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

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

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

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

Scripture Readings

First Reading (Genesis 18:1-10a)

The Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us..

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Colossians 1:21-29)

You, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me

P:      O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 10th chapter.

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Luke 10:38-42)

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

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.

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!

Sermon

Te Deum (Sung)

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

All the earth now worships You, the Father everlasting.

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

To You cherubim and seraphim continually do cry:

      Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

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

The glorious company of the apostles praise You.

The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise You.

The noble army of martyrs praise You.

The holy Church throughout all the world does acknowledge You.

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

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

      You are the everlasting Son of the Father.

When You took upon Yourself to deliver man,

You humbled Yourself to be born of a virgin.

When You had overcome the sharpness of death,

You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

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

We believe that You will come to be our judge.

We therefore pray You to help Your servants,

whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.

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

O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage.

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

And we worship Your name forever and ever.

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

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

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

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

Prayer of the Church

P:   Lord, in Your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “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 July 10, 2022

Hymn “O Holy Spirit, Enter In”  LSB # 913

1    O Holy Spirit, enter in, And in our hearts Your work begin,

Your dwelling place now make us.

Sun of the soul, O Light divine, Around and in us brightly shine,

To joy and gladness wake us

That we may be Truly living, To You giving Prayer unceasing

And in love be still increasing.

2    Give to Your Word impressive pow'r, That in our hearts from this good hour

As fire it may be glowing,

That in true Christian unity We faithful witnesses may be,

Your glory ever showing.

Hear us, cheer us By Your teaching; Let our preaching And our labor

Praise You, Lord, and serve our neighbor.

3    O mighty Rock, O Source of Life, Let Your dear Word, in doubt and strife,

In us be strongly burning

That we be faithful unto death And live in love and holy faith,

From You true wisdom learning.

Your grace and peace On us shower; By Your power Christ confessing,

Let us see our Savior's blessing.

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

C:   Amen.

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

C:   who made heaven and earth.

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

C:   and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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

P:   O almighty God, merciful Father,

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us” LSB# 851

1    Lord of Glory, You have bought us With Your life-blood as the price,

Never grudging for the lost ones That tremendous sacrifice;

And with that have freely given Blessings countless as the sand

To the unthankful and the evil With Your own unsparing hand.

2    Grant us hearts, dear Lord, to give You Gladly, freely of Your own.

With the sunshine of Your goodness Melt our thankless hearts of stone

Till our cold and selfish natures, Warmed by You, at length believe

That more happy and more blessed 'Tis to give than to receive.

3    Wondrous honor You have given To our humblest charity

In Your own mysterious sentence, "You have done it all to Me."

Can it be, O gracious Master, That You deign for alms to sue,

Saying by Your poor and needy, "Give as I have giv'n to you"?

4    Lord of glory, You have bought us With Your life-blood as the price,

Never grudging for the lost ones That tremendous sacrifice.

Give us faith to trust You boldly, Hope, to stay our souls on You;

But, oh, best of all Your graces, With Your love our love renew.

The Introit is read…

(Sung)

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

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

Amen.

The Antiphon is read…

(Sung)

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

(Glory be to God on high)

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

P:      The Lord be with you.

C:      And also with you.

P:      Let us pray.

Collect of the Day:

P:   Lord Jesus Christ, in Your deep compassion You rescue us from whatever may hurt us.  Teach us to love You above all things and to love our neighbors as ourselves; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:      Amen.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Leviticus 19:9-18)

               When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.

11 “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

P:      This is the Word of the Lord.

C:      Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Colossians 1:1-14)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

P:      This is the Word of the Lord.

C:      Thanks be to God.

P:      The holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 10th chapter.

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

(Luke 10:25-37)

               And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
                                            

P:      This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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

Confession of Faith  --  Apostles’ Creed

C:      I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

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

            who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

            born of the Virgin Mary,

            suffered under Pontius Pilate,

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

            The third day He rose again from the dead.

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

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

            the holy Christian Church,
            the communion of saints,

            the forgiveness of sins,

            the resurrection of the body,

            and the life + everlasting. Amen.

Hymn of the Day  “Where Charity and Love Prevail”  LSB #845

1 Where charity and love prevail There God is ever found;

Brought here together by Christ’s love By love are we thus bound.

2 With grateful joy and holy fear His charity we learn;

Let us with heart and mind and soul Now love Him in return.

3Forgive we now each other’s faults As we our faults confess,

And let us love each other well In Christian holiness.

4 Let strife among us be unknown; Let all contention cease;

Be God’s the glory that we seek; Be ours His holy peace.

5 Let us recall that in our midst Dwells Christ, His only Son;

As members of His body joined We are in Him made one.

6 For love excludes no race or clan That names the Savior’s name;

His family embraces all Whose Father is the same.

Sermon (Rev. Mike Hiller) Pastor vacation

Offertory

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence,

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,

And uphold me with Thy free Spirit.  Amen.

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  “May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill”  LSB #698

1 May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfill And do on earth our Father's will

As angels do above; Still walk in Christ, the living way,

With all Thy children and obey The law of Christian love.

2 So may we join Thy name to bless, Thy grace adore, Thy pow'r confess,

From sin and strife to flee. One is our calling, one our name,

The end of all our hopes the same, A crown of life with Thee.

3 Spirit of life, of love and peace, Unite our hearts, our joy increase,

Thy gracious help supply. To each of us the blessing give

In Christian fellowship to live, In joyful hope to die.

Sunday June 26, 2022

Hymn  “God Himself Is Present”  LSB #907

1 God Himself is present: Let us now adore Him And with awe appear before Him.

God is in His temple; All within keep silence; Humbly kneel in deepest rev'rence.

He alone On His throne Is our God and Savior; Praise His Name forever!

2 God himself is present: Hear the harps resounding; See the hosts the throne surrounding.

"Holy, Holy, Holy!" Hear the hymn ascending, Songs of saints and angels blending.

Bow Your ear To us here: Hear, O Christ, the praises That Your church now raises.

3 Fount of every blessing, Purify my spirit, Trusting only in Your merit.

Like the holy angels, Worshiping before You, May I ceaselessly adore You.

Let Your will Ever still Rule Your Church terrestrial As the hosts celestial.

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.

Hymn  “Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens”  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.

(Sung)

Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

To God on high be glory and peace to all the earth;

Good will from God in heaven proclaimed at Jesus’ birth!

We praise and bless You, Father; Your holy name, we sing,

Our thanks for Your great glory, Lord God, our heav’nly King.

To You, O sole-begotten, the Father’s Son, we pray;

O Lamb of God, our Savior, You take our sins away.

Have mercy on us, Jesus; Receive our heartfelt cry,

Where You in pow’r are seated at God’s right hand on high.

For You alone are holy; You only are the Lord.

Forever and forever, be worshiped and adored;

You with the Holy Spirit alone are Lord Most High,

In God the Father’s glory. “Amen!” our glad reply.

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect for the day:

Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft  into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we may love and serve our neighbor; 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  (1 Kings 19:9b-21)

Behold, the word of the Lord came to [Elijah], and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Galatians 5:1, 13-25)

      For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery…13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

      16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Luke 9:51-62)

      When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.

      57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C:  Praise to You, O Christ.

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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

Offertory

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence;

and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;

and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

Amen.

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God”  LSB # 941

We praise You and acknowledge You, O God, to be the Lord,

The Father everlasting, by all the earth adored.

To You all angel powers cry aloud, the heavens sing,

The cherubim and seraphim their praises to You bring:

“O holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

Your majesty and glory fill the heavens and the earth!”

The band of the apostles in glory sing Your praise;

The fellowship of prophets their deathless voices raise.

The martyrs of Your kingdom, a great and noble throng,

Sing with the holy Church throughout all the world this song:

“O all majestic Father, Your true and only Son,

And Holy Spirit, Comforter forever Three in One!”

You, Christ, are King of glory, the everlasting Son,

Yet You, with boundless love, sought to rescue ev’ry one:

You laid aside Your glory, were born of virgin’s womb,

Were crucified for us and were placed into a tomb;

Then by Your resurrection You won for us reprieve

You opened heaven’s kingdom to all who would believe.

You sit in splendid glory, enthroned at God’s right hand,

Upholding earth and heaven by forces You command.

We know that you will come as our Judge that final day,

So help Your servants You have redeemed by blood, we pray;

May we with saints be numbered where praises never end,

In glory everlasting. Amen, O Lord, amen

Sunday June 5, 2022

Hymn of the Day  “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”  LSB #940

1 Holy God, we praise Thy name; Lord of all, we bow before Thee.

All on earth Thy scepter claim, All in heav'n above adore Thee.

Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign.

2 Hark! the glad celestial hymn Angel choirs above are raising;

Cherubim and seraphim, In unceasing chorus praising,

Fill the heav'ns with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy Lord!

3 Lo, th'apostles' holy train Join Thy sacred name to hallow;

Prophets swell the glad refrain, And the white-robed martyrs follow,

And from morn to set of sun Through the Church the song goes on.

4 Thou art King of glory, Christ; Son of God, yet born of Mary.

For us sinners sacrificed, As to death a Tributary,

First to break the bars of death, Thou hast opened heav'n to faith.

5 Holy Father, holy Son, Holy Spirit, three we name Thee;

Though in essence only one, Undivided God we claim Thee

And, adoring, bend the knee While we own the mystery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn “Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid”  LSB # 500

1    Creator Spirit, by whose aid The world's foundations first were laid,
Come, visit ev'ry humble mind; Come, pour Your joys on humankind;
From sin and sorrow set us free; May we Your living temples be.

2    O Source of uncreated light, The bearer of God's gracious might,
Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire, Our hearts with heav'nly love inspire;
Your sacred, healing message bring To sanctify us as we sing.

3    Giver of grace, descend from high; Your sev'nfold gifts to us supply;
Help us eternal truths receive And practice all that we believe;
Give us Yourself that we may see The glory of the Trinity.

4    Immortal honor, endless fame Attend the almighty Father's name;
The Savior-Son be glorified, Who for all humankind has died;
To You, O Paraclete, we raise Unending songs of thanks and praise.

(Sung)

P:   In peace let us pray to the Lord.

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will.  Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; 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

First Reading  (Genesis 11:1-9)

          Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Second Reading    (Acts 2:1-21)

      When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

    and your young men shall see visions,

    and your old men shall dream dreams;

18 even on my male servants and female servants

    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above

    and signs on the earth below,

    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

20 the sun shall be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood,

    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. John the 14th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 14:23-31)

      Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest”  LSB # 498

1    Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, And make our hearts Your place of rest;
      Come with Your grace and heav'nly aid, And fill the hearts which You have made.

2    To You, the Counselor, we cry, To You, the gift of God Most High;
      The fount of life, the fire of love, The soul's anointing from above.

3    In You, with graces sevenfold, We God's almighty hand behold
      While You with tongues of fire proclaim To all the world His holy name.

4    Your light to ev'ry thought impart, And shed Your love in ev'ry heart;
      The weakness of our mortal state With deathless might invigorate.

5    Drive far away our wily foe, And Your abiding peace bestow;
      With You as our protecting guide, No evil can with us abide.

6    Teach us to know the Father, Son, And You, from both, as Three in One
      That we Your name may ever bless And in our lives the truth confess.

7    Praise we the Father and Son, And Holy Spirit, with them One,
      And may the Son on us bestow The gifts that from the Spirit flow!

Sermon

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “O Day Full of Grace”  LSB #503

1    O day full of grace that now we see Appearing on earth’s horizon, 

      Bring light from our God that we may be Replete in his joy this season.

      God, shine for us now in this dark place; Your name on our hearts emblazon.

2    O day full of grace, O blessed time, Our Lord on the earth arriving;

      Then came to the world that light sublime, Great joy for us all retrieving;

      For Jesus all mortals did embrace, All darkness and shame removing.

3    For Christ bore our sins, and not his own, When he on the cross was hanging;

      And then he arose and moved the stone, That we, unto him belonging,

      Might join with angelic hosts to raise Our voices in endless singing.

4    God came to us then at Pentecost, His Spirit new life revealing, 

      That we might no more from him be lost, All darkness for us dispelling.

      His flame will the mark of sin efface And bring to us all his healing.

5    When we on that final journey go That Christ is for us preparing,

      We gather in song, our hearts aglow, All joy of the heavens sharing,

      And walk in the light of God’s own place, With angels his name adoring.

Sunday May 22, 2022

Hymn “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”  LSB # 821

1, 2 Apologies, these verses were not recorded.

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."

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

C:   Amen.

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

C:   who made heaven and earth.

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

C:   and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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

P:   O almighty God, merciful Father,

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

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

C:   Amen.

The Introit is read…

(Sung)

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

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

Amen.

The Antiphon is read…

(Sung)

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

(Glory be to God on high)

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect of the Day:

P:   O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:   Amen.

Hymn  “Up through Endless Ranks of Angels”  LSB # 491

1 Up through endless ranks of angels, Cries of triumph in His ears,

To His heav’nly throne ascending, Having vanquished all their fears,

Christ looks down upon His faithfull, Leaving them in happy tears.

2 Death-destroying, life-restoring, Proven equal to our need,

Now for us before the Father As our brother intercede;

Flesh that for our world was wounded, Living, for the wounded plead!

3 To our lives of wanton wand’ring Send Your Spirit, promised guide;

Through our lives of fear and failure With Your pow’r and love abide;

Welcome us, as You were welcomed, To an endless Eastertide.

4  Alleluia, alleluia! Oh, to breathe the Spirit’s grace!

Alleluia, alleluia! Oh, to see the Father’s face!

Alleluia, alleluia! Oh, to feel the Son’s embrace!

Scripture Readings

First Reading (Acts 16:9-15)

          A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27)

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. John, the 16th chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(John 16:23-33)

          In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
                             

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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

Confession of Faith  --  Apostles’ Creed

C:   I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

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

      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

      born of the Virgin Mary,

      suffered under Pontius Pilate,

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

      The third day He rose again from the dead.

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

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

      the holy Christian Church,
      the communion of saints,

      the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body,

      and the life + everlasting. Amen.

Hymn of the Day  “Hear Us, Father, When We Pray”  LSB #773

Hear us, Father, when we pray, through Your Son and in Your Spirit. By Your Spirit’s Word convey all that we through Christ inherit, that as baptized heirs we may truly pray.

When we know not what to say and our wounded souls are pleading, my Your Spirit, night and day, groan within us interceding; by His sighs, too deep for words, we are heard.

Jesus, advocate on high, sacrificed on Calvry’s altar, through Your priestly blood we cry: hear our prayers, though they may falter; place them on Your Father’s throne as your own.

By Your Spirit now attend to our prayers and supplications, as like incense they ascend to Your heav’nly habitations. May their fragrance waft above, God of love.

Sermon

Offertory

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence,

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,

And uphold me with Thy free Spirit.  Amen.

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  “Abide, O Dearest Jesus”  LSB #919

1    Abide, O dearest Jesus, Among us with Your grace
That Satan may not harm us Nor we to sin give place.

2    Abide, O dear Redeemer, Among us with Your Word,
And thus now and hereafter True peace and joy afford.

3    Abide with heav'nly brightness Among us, precious Light;
Your truth direct and keep us From error's gloomy night.

4    Abide with richest blessings Among us, bounteous Lord;
Let us in grace and wisdom Grow daily through Your Word.

5    Abide with Your protection Among us, Lord, our strength,
Lest world and Satan fell us And overcome at length.

6    Abide, O faithful Savior, Among us with Your love;
Grant steadfastness and help us To reach our home above.

Sunday May 15, 2022

Hymn “Only-Begotten, Word of God Eternal”  LSB # 916

1    (Apologies - Was not recorded)

2    Holy this temple where our Lord is dwelling; This is none other than the gate of heaven.

Ever Your children, year by year rejoicing, Chant in Your temple.

3    Hear us, O Father, as we throng Your temple. By Your past blessings, by Your present bounty,

Smile on Your children, and in grace and mercy Hear our petition.

4    God in three persons, Father everlasting, Son co-eternal, ever blessed Spirit:

To You be praises, thanks, and adoration, Glory forever.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

(Sung)

P:   In peace let us pray to the Lord.

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Lord, have mercy.

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

C:   Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will.  Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; 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

First Reading  (Acts 11:1-18)

          Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Second Reading    (Revelation 21:1-7)

      Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. John the 16th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 16:12-22)

      [Jesus said],” I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”  LSB # 633

1 At the Lamb's high feast we sing Praise to our victorious King,

Who has washed us in the tide Flowing from His piercèd side.

Alleluia!

2 Praise we Him, whose love divine Gives His sacred blood for wine,

Gives His Body for the feast-- Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Alleluia!

3 Where the paschal blood is poured, Death's dread angel sheathes the sword;

Israel's hosts triumphant go Through the wave that drowns the foe.

Alleluia!

4 Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed, Paschal victim, paschal bread;

With sincerity and love Eat we manna from above.

Alleluia!

5 Mighty Victim from the sky, Hell's fierce pow'rs beneath You lie;

You have conquered in the fight, You have brought us life and light.

Alleluia!

6 Now no more can death appall, Now no more the grave enthrall;

You have opened paradise, And Your saints in You shall rise.

Alleluia!

7 Easter triumph, Easter joy! This alone can sin destroy;

From sin's pow'r, Lord, set us free, Newborn souls in You to be.

Alleluia!

8 Father, who the crown shall give, Savior, by whose death we live,

Spirit, guide through all our days; Three in One, Your name we praise.

Alleluia!
                                                    

Sermon

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”  LSB # 700

1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav'n, to earth come down!

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter ev'ry trembling heart.

2 Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit Into ev'ry troubled breast;

Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find Thy promised rest.

Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.

3 Come, Almighty, to deliver; Let us all Thy life receive;

Suddenly return, and never, Nevermore Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,

Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.

4 Finish then Thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be;

Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee,

Changed from glory into glory, Till in heav'n we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise!

Sunday May 8, 2022

Hymn  “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”  LSB #469

1    "Christ the Lord is ris'n today!" Saints on earth and angels say;

Raise your joys and triumphs high; Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth, reply.

2    Love's redeeming work is done, Fought the fight, the battle won;

Lo! Our Sun's eclipse is o'er; Lo! He sets in blood no more.

3    Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Christ hath burst the gates of hell.

Death in vain forbids His rise; Christ has opened Paradise.

4    Lives again our glorious King!  Where, O death, is now thy sting?

Once He died our souls to save; Where thy victory, O grave?

5    Soar we now where Christ has led; Foll'wing our exalted Head.

Made like Him, like Him we rise; Ours the cross, the grave, the skies.

6    Hail the Lord of earth and heav'n!  Praise to Thee by both be giv'n!

Thee we greet triumphant now:  Hail, the Resurrection Thou!

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.

Hymn  “Jerusalem the Golden”  LSB #672

1    Jerusalem the golden, With milk and honey blest--

      The promise of salvation, The place of peace and rest--

      We know not, oh, we know not What joys await us there;

      The radiancy of glory, The bliss beyond compare!

2    Within those halls of Zion Sounds forth the joyful song,

      As saints join with the angels and all the martyr throng.

      The Prince is ever with them; The daylight is serene;

      The city of the blessed Shines bright with glorious sheen.

3    Around the throne of David, The saints, from care released,

      Raise loud their songs of triumph To celebrate the feast.

      They sing to Christ their leader, Who conquered in the fight,

      Who won for them forever Their gleaming robes of white.

4    O sweet and blessèd country, The home of God's elect!

      O sweet and blessed country That faithful hearts expect!

      In mercy, Jesus, bring us To that eternal rest

      With You and God the Father And Spirit, ever blest.

(Sung)

Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.

To God on high be glory and peace to all the earth;

Good will from God in heaven proclaimed at Jesus’ birth!

We praise and bless You, Father; Your holy name, we sing,

Our thanks for Your great glory, Lord God, our heav’nly King.

To You, O sole-begotten, the Father’s Son, we pray;

O Lamb of God, our Savior, You take our sins away.

Have mercy on us, Jesus; Receive our heartfelt cry,

Where You in pow’r are seated at God’s right hand on high.

For You alone are holy; You only are the Lord.

Forever and forever, be worshiped and adored;

You with the Holy Spirit alone are Lord Most High,

In God the Father’s glory. “Amen!” our glad reply.

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect for the day:

Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; 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

First Reading  (Acts 20:17-35)

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Revelation 7:9-17)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,

    and serve him day and night in his temple;

    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;

    the sun shall not strike them,

    nor any scorching heat.

17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,

    and he will guide them to springs of living water,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. John the 10th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 10:22-30)

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C:  Praise to You, O Christ.

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Hymn “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”  LSB #711

1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us; Much we need Your tender care.

In Your pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Your fold prepare.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have bought us; we are Yours.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have bought us; we are Yours.

2 We are Yours; in love befriend us, Be the guardian of our way;

Keep Your flock, from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear us children when we pray.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear us children when we pray.

3 You have promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be;

You have mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to You.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to You.

4 Early let us seek Your favor, Early let us do Your will;

Blessed Lord and only Savior, With Your love our spirits fill.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have loved us, love us still.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have loved us, love us still.

Sermon

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “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 May 1, 2022

Hymn:  “Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven”   LSB #477

1    Alleluia, alleluia!  Hearts to heav'n and voices raise;
      Sing to God a hymn of gladness, Sing to God a hymn of praise;
      He who on the cross a victim For the world's salvation bled--
      Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, Now is risen from the dead.

2    Alleluia, Christ is risen!  Death at last has met defeat;

      See the ancient pow’rs of evil In confusion and retreat;

      Once He died, and once was buried: Now He lives forevermore,

      Jesus Christ the world’s Redeemer, Whom we worship and adore.

3    Alleluia, alleluia!  Glory be to God on high;
      Alleluia to the Savior Who has gained the victory;
      Alleluia to the Spirit, Fount of love and sanctity!
      Alleluia, alleluia to the triune Majesty.

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

C:   Amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Matins (sung)

P     O Lord, open my lips,

C     and my mouth will declare Your praise.

P     Make haste, O God, to deliver me;

C     make haste to help me, O Lord.

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

Psalmody (Psalm 95) (sung)

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

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

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

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

Scripture Readings

First Reading (Acts 9:1-22)

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us..

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Revelation 5:8-14)

8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll

    and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

    from every tribe and language and people and nation,

10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

    and they shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. John the 21st chapter.

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 21:1-14)

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day “By All Your Saints in Warfare”  LSB # 517

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.

4 Apostles, prophets, martyrs, And all the noble throng

Who wear the spotless raiment And raise the ceaseless song --

For these, passed on before us, We offer praises due

And, walking in their footsteps, Would live our lives for You.

12 Praise for the light from heaven And for the voice of awe;

Praise for the glorious vision The persecutor saw.

O Lord, for Paul's conversion, We bless Your name today;

Come shine within our darkness, And guide us on our way.

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.

Sermon

Te Deum (Sung)

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

All the earth now worships You, the Father everlasting.

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

To You cherubim and seraphim continually do cry:

      Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

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

The glorious company of the apostles praise You.

The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise You.

The noble army of martyrs praise You.

The holy Church throughout all the world does acknowledge You.

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

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

      You are the everlasting Son of the Father.

When You took upon Yourself to deliver man,

You humbled Yourself to be born of a virgin.

When You had overcome the sharpness of death,

You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

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

We believe that You will come to be our judge.

We therefore pray You to help Your servants,

whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.

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

O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage.

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

And we worship Your name forever and ever.

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

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

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

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

Prayer of the Church

P:   Lord, in Your mercy,

C:  hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn “The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done”  LSB #464

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

1    The strife is o'er, the battle done;
Now is the victor's triumph won;
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!

2    The pow'rs of death have done their worst,
But Christ their legions hath dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!

3    The three sad days have quickly sped,
He rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!

4    He broke the age-bound chains of hell;
The bars from heav'n's high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise His triumph tell.
Alleluia!

5    Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
From death's dread sting Thy servants free
That we may live and sing to Thee.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sunday April 24, 2022

Hymn: “Jesus Christ Is Ris’n Today”............................................................. # 457

1 Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

2 Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ, our heav'nly king, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

3 But the pains which He endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!

Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!

Praise Him, all ye heav'nly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

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

C:   Amen.

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

C:   who made heaven and earth.

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

C:   and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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

P:   O almighty God, merciful Father,

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

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

C:   Amen.

The Introit is read…

(Sung)

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

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

Amen.

The Antiphon is read…

(Sung)

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

(Glory be to God on high)

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect of the Day:

P:   Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:   Amen.

Hymn of the Day  “Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling”  LSB #650

1    Holy Spirit, ever dwelling In the holiest realms of light;

Holy Spirit, ever brooding O'er a world of gloom and night;

Holy Spirit, ever raising Those of earth to thrones on high;

Living, life-imparting Spirit, You we praise and magnify.

2    Holy Spirit, ever living As the Church's very life;

Holy Spirit, ever striving Through us in a ceaseless strife;

Holy Spirit, ever forming In the Church the mind of Christ;

You we praise with endless worship For your gifts and fruits unpriced.

3    Holy Spirit, ever working Through the Church's ministry;

Quick'ning, strength'ning, and absolving, Setting captive sinners free;

Holy Spirit, ever binding Age to age and soul to soul

In communion never ending, You we worship and extol.

Scripture Readings

First Reading (Acts 5:12-20)

          Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

      17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Revelation 1:4-18)

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

      Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

      To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

      8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

      9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

      12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

      17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. John, the 20th chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(John 20:19-31)

          19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

      24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

      26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

      30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
                             

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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

Confession of Faith  --  Apostles’ Creed

C:   I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

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

      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

      born of the Virgin Mary,

      suffered under Pontius Pilate,

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

      The third day He rose again from the dead.

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

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

      the holy Christian Church,
      the communion of saints,

      the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body,

      and the life + everlasting. Amen.

Hymn of the Day  “O Sons and Daughters of the King”  LSB #470

1    O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heav'nly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave hath lost its sting!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2    That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

3    An angel clad in white they see,
Who sits and speaks unto the three,
"Your Lord will go to Galilee."
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

4    That night the Apostles met in fear;
Among them came their master dear
And said: "My peace be with you here."
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

5    When Thomas first the tidings heard
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples' word.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

6    "My pierced side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon My hands, My feet;
Not faithless but believing be."
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

7    No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
"You are my Lord and God!" he cried.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

8    How blest are they that have not seen
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

9    On this most holy day of days
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voices raise.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sermon

Offertory

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence,

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,

And uphold me with Thy free Spirit.  Amen.

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.

Hymn “Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen”  LSB # 474

1    Alleluia! Jesus is risen! Trumpets resounding in glorious light!

      Splendor, the Lamb, Heaven forever! Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!

      Jesus is risen and we shall arise: Give God the glory! Alleluia!

2    Walking the way, Christ in the center Telling the story to open our eyes;

      Breaking our bread, Giving us glory: Jesus our blessing, our constant surprise.

      Jesus is risen and we shall arise: Give God the glory! Alleluia!

3    Jesus the vine, We are the branches; Life in the Spirit the fruit of the tree;

      Heaven to earth, Christ to the people, Gift of the future now flowing to me.

      Jesus is risen and we shall arise: Give God the glory! Alleluia!

4    Weeping, be gone; Sorrow, be silent: Death put asunder, and Easter is bright.

      Cherubim sing: “O grave, be open!” Clothe us in wonder, adorn us in light.

      Jesus is risen and we shall arise: Give God the glory! Alleluia!

5    City of God, Easter forever, Golden Jerusalem, Jesus the Lamb,

      River of life, Saints and archangels, Sing with creation to God the I AM!

      Jesus is risen and we shall arise: Give God the glory! Alleluia!

Easter Sunday April 17, 2022

OPENING HYMN              Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds  LSB 465

(1) Now all the vault of heav’n resounds

In praise of love that still abounds:

    “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”

Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear!

Repeat their song of glory here:

    “Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!”

    Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

(2) Eternal is the gift He brings,

Therefore our heart with rapture sings:

    “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”

Now still He comes to give us life

And by His presence stills all strife.

    Christ has triumphed! He is living!

    Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

(3) O fill us, Lord, with dauntless love;

Set heart and will on things above

    That we conquer through Your triumph;

Grant grace sufficient for life’s day

That by our lives we truly say:

    “Christ has triumphed! He is living!”

    Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

(4) Adoring praises now we bring

And with the heav’nly blessèd sing:

    “Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!”

Be to the Father and our Lord,

To Spirit blest, most holy God,

    All the glory, never ending!

    Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Amen.   

           
INVOCATION

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

C  Amen.

EASTER ACCLAMATION

P     Alleluia! Christ is risen!

C     He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM [LSB p. 268] [Baptism of JieMi Erica Hsu Broome’]

HYMN  Dearest Jesus, We Are Here [v. 5]                                               LSB 592

        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 & FORGIVENESS

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.

(Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.)

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

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

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

C      Amen.

HYMN                    Jesus Christ Is Risen Today                             LSB 457

1 Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

2 Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heav'nly king, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

3 But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!

Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!

Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!

Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!

Praise Him, all ye heav'nly host, Alleluia!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

KYRIE

(Sung)

P:    In peace let us pray to the Lord.

C:    Lord, have mercy.

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

C:    Lord, have mercy.

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

C:    Lord, have mercy.

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

C:    Lord, have mercy.

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

C:    Amen.

HYMN OF PRAISE                                                             This Is the Feast

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

SALUTATION & COLLECT OF THE DAY

P     The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P     Let us pray.

All: Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING                                                 Isaiah 65:17–25

17“Behold, I create new heavens
      and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
      or come into mind.
18But be glad and rejoice forever
      in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy,
      and her people to be a gladness.
19I will rejoice in Jerusalem
      and be glad in my people;
no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping
      and the cry of distress.
20No more shall there be in it
      an infant who lives but a few days,
      or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the young man shall die a hundred years old,
      and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
21They shall build houses and inhabit them;
      they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22They shall not build and another inhabit;
      they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
      and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23They shall not labor in vain
      or bear children for calamity,
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord,
      and their descendants with them.
24Before they call I will answer;
      while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25The wolf and the lamb shall graze together;
      the lion shall eat straw like the ox,
      and dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt or destroy
      in all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.

A    This is the Word of the Lord.          C  Thanks be to God.

EPIST LESSON                                                     1 Corinthians 15:19–26

      19If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

      20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

A    This is the Word of the Lord.         

C    Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA VERSE

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

HOLY GOSPEL                                                                          Luke 24:1–12

P    The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-fourth chapter.

C Glory to You O Lord.

      1On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8And they remembered his words, 9and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

P    This is the Gospel of the Lord.         

C Praise to You, O Christ.

HYMN OF THE DAY       Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia                      LSB 466

 1 Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise him, alleluia.
For our redeemer burst from the tomb,
even from death, dispelling its gloom.
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!

2 For three long days the grave did its worst
until its strength by God was dispersed.
He who gives life did death undergo,
and in its conquest his might did show.
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!

3 The angel said to them, “Do not fear.
You look for Jesus who is not here.
See for yourselves the tomb is all bare.
Only the graveclothes are lying there.”
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!

4 “Go spread the news: he’s not in the grave.
He has arisen this world to save.
Jesus’ redeeming labors are done.
Even the battle with sin is won.”
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!

5 Christ has arisen to set us free.
Alleluia, to him praises be.
Jesus is living! Let us all sing;
he reigns triumphant, heavenly king.
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy.
Death’s fearful sting he has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia!        

SERMON: He Is Not Here

NICENE CREED

C    I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in One Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made Man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

OFFERING / CHORAL SELECTION                      “Jesus, Victorious Lamb”

OFFERTORY        Crown Him with Many Crowns                          LSB 525

4 Crown Him the Lord of Life,
Who triumphed o'er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die.

5 Crown Him the Lord of heav'n,
Enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to whom is giv'n
The wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns
As thrones before him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns,
For He is King of all.       

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P     Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. With great joy and thanksgiving, we praise You, our Father in heaven, for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. By His life, death, and resurrection, He has granted us everlasting life with You. He has opened the way for us to know You forever and to live with confidence that You hear us when we pray, for: He lives, He lives, who once was dead;

C     He lives, my ever-living head.

P     In a world full of chaos and confusion, we find refuge in the fact that You are on Your throne as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Instead of foolishly looking to this world for our peace and purpose, help us, O Father, to look to Jesus, who is seated in power at Your right hand, for: He lives all-glorious in the sky;

C     He lives exalted there on high.

P     We bring to You, faithful Lord, the needs of our lives and the concerns of those we love. For those who are hungry and hurting, doubting and dismaying, grant that the message of Christ’s resurrection bring restoration and peace, for we know: He lives my hungry soul to feed;

C     He lives to help in time of need.

P     There are many among us who are in need, O Lord. For the sick, suffering, hurting, and ailing, we ask for Your healing touch, [especially . . .]. Help them to know that: He lives to comfort me when faint;

C     He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

P     When the troubles of life seem overwhelming, steady us with Your presence, gracious God. Be the rock on which Your Church is built and through whom we confidently share the Good News of Christ’s resurrection with the world He died to save. When we waver, help us to remember: He lives to calm my troubled heart;

C     He lives all blessings to impart.

P     Death was not the end for Jesus; neither is it the end for those who trust in You. Give peace, hope, and the certainty of the coming Day of resurrection to all those who mourn and grieve, We are confident that: He lives my mansion to prepare;

C     He lives to bring me safely there.

P     What a blessing it is to be in Your house today, Lord God, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior! His triumph over sin, death, and the devil is the reason we rejoice this day, and every day, knowing that: He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;

C     He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

P     He lives, all glory to His name! He lives, my Jesus, still the same;

C     Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!

BENEDICTION                                                                           Numbers 6:24-26

P     The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you His peace.                

C    Amen.

EASTER ACCLAMATION

P     Alleluia! Christ is risen!          C  He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

CLOSING HYMN              I Know That My Redeemer Lives             LSB 461

1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head.

2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.

3 He lives to bless me with His love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.

4 He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with His eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

5 He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.

6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav'nly Friend;
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

8 He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives;
I know that my Redeemer lives!

Sunday April 10, 2022

THE PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION

The congregation gathers outside the church entrance (weather permitting) and the following order of worship will be used to start the service.

P:   Let us bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

C:  Praise God for the Son of David!

P:   Let us pray. (A brief silence is kept.)

               O Lord, Giver of salvation, help us, this week, to concentrate on

               the mighty acts by which You have given us life everlasting.  We

               pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:   Hear now Matthew’s account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

P:   “Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

C:  This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

P:  The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting,

C:  “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

P:   Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy!

C:  Praise God for the Son of David!

P:   Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter!

C:  For the Lord most high is awesome, putting our enemies beneath our feet.  We bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

P:   Let us go forth with praise on our lips.

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!  Let angels prostrate fall;

Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all. (repeat)

O Seed of Israel’s chosen race, now ransomed from the fall,

Hail Him who saves you by His grace and crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall,

Go, spread your trophies at His feet and crown Him Lord of all.

Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe on this terrestrial ball

To Him all majesty ascribe and crown Him Lord of all.

Oh, that with yonder sacred throng we at His feet may fall!

We’ll join the everlasting song and crown Him Lord of all!

P:   Let us bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord!

C:  Praise God for the Son of David!

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:   Let us pray. 

Almighty God, Your most beloved Son did not go up to joy until first He suffered pain; nor did He enter into glory until first He was crucified; as we, this week, walk in the way of His cross, help us to discover that it is the only way of life and peace; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C:  Amen.

Old Testament Lesson (Deuteronomy 32:36-39)

      For the Lord will vindicate his people

    and have compassion on his servants,

when he sees that their power is gone

    and there is none remaining, bond or free.

37 Then he will say, ‘Where are their gods,

    the rock in which they took refuge,

38 who ate the fat of their sacrifices

    and drank the wine of their drink offering?

Let them rise up and help you;

    let them be your protection!

39 “‘See now that I, even I, am he,

    and there is no god beside me;

I kill and I make alive;

    I wound and I heal;

    and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.

L:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Epistle Lesson (Philippians 2:5-11)

      Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

L:   This is the Word of the Lord

C:  Thanks be to God.

Hymn:  “No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet”…………..…………………….. # 444

1    No tramp of soldiers’ marching feet With banners and with drums,
      No sound of music’s martial beat: “The King of glory comes!”
      To greet what pomp of kingly pride No bells in triumph ring,
      No city gates swing open wide: “Behold, behold your King!”

2    And yet He comes. The children cheer; With palms His path is strown.
      With ev'ry step the cross draws near: The King of glory’s throne.
      Astride a colt He passes by As loud hosannas ring,
      Or else the very stones would cry “Behold, behold your King!”

3    What fading flow'rs His road adorn; The palms, how soon laid down!
      No bloom or leaf but only thorn The King of glory’s crown.
      The soldiers mock, the rabble cries, The streets with tumult ring,
      As Pilate to the mob replies, “Behold, behold your King!”

4    Now he who bore for mortals’ sake The cross and all its pains
      And chose a servant’s form to take, The King of glory reigns.
      Hosanna to the Savior’s name Till heaven’s rafters ring,
      And all the ransomed host proclaim “Behold, behold your King!”

† St. Luke’s Account of Jesus’ Humiliation and Death †

Jesus is condemned by Israel’s leaders (23:1-25)

      Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Hymn: “O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken?”…………….. # 439, vv. 1 & 5

1 O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken

That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?

Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession,

What dark transgression?

5 The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;

The sinful child of man may live in gladness;

Man forfeited his life and is acquitted;

God is committed.

Jesus is crucified (23:26-43)

          And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Hymn: “Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow”……………………………….            # 428

2 Here the King of all the ages, Throned in light ere worlds could be,

Robed in mortal flesh is dying, Crucified by sin for me.

3 O mysterious condescending! O abandonment sublime!

Very God Himself is bearing All the sufferings of time!

4 Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow, Where the blood of Christ was shed,

Perfect Man on thee did suffer, Perfect God on thee has bled!

Jesus dies (23:44-56)

      It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

Hymn: “The Lamb”………………………………………………………………..     # 547, vv. 2-4

2    The Lamb, the Lamb, One perfect final offering.
      The Lamb, the Lamb, Let earth join heav'n His praise to sing.
      Worthy is the Lamb Whose death makes me His own!
      The Lamb is reigning on His throne!

3    The Lamb, the Lamb, As wayward sheep their shepherd kill
      So still, His will On our behalf the Law to fill.
      Worthy is the Lamb Whose death makes me His own!
      The Lamb is reigning on His throne!

4    He sighs, he dies, He takes my sin and wretchedness.
      He lives, forgives, He gives me His own righteousness.
      Worthy is the Lamb Whose death makes me His own!
      The Lamb is reigning on His throne!

Homily

Apostles’ Creed  

C:  I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

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

      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

      born of the Virgin Mary,

      suffered under Pontius Pilate,

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

      The third day He rose again from the dead.

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

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

      the holy Christian Church,
      the communion of saints,

      the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body,

      and the life + everlasting. Amen.

Offering

The Prayer of the Church

The Benediction

Hymn: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”………………………………………………………                                                                                                                        # 443

1    Hosanna, loud hosanna, The little children sang;
      Through pillared court and temple The lovely anthem rang.
      To Jesus, who had blessed them, Close folded to His breast,
      The children sang their praises, The simplest and the best.

2    From Olivet they followed Mid an exultant crowd,
      The victor palm branch waving And chanting clear and loud.
      The Lord of earth and heaven Rode on in lowly state
      Nor scorned that little children Should on His bidding wait.

3    "Hosanna in the highest!" That ancient song we sing;
      For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heav'n our King.
      Oh, may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice
      And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!

Sunday April 4, 2022

Hymn “Christ Is Our Cornerstone”  LSB # 912

1    Christ is our cornerstone, On Him alone we build;

With His true saints alone The courts of heav'n are filled.

On His great love Our hopes we place Of present grace And joys above.

2    Here may we gain from heav'n The grace which we implore,

And may that grace, once giv'n, Be with us evermore

Until that day When all the blest To endless rest Are called away.

3    Oh, then, with hymns of praise These hallowed courts shall ring;

Our voices we will raise The Three in One to sing

And thus proclaim In joyful song, Both loud and long, That glorious name.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Collect for the day:

P:   Let us pray.  Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and 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.

Hymn “Jesus, Refuge of the Weary”  LSB # 423

1    Jesus, refuge of the weary, Blest Redeemer, whom we love,
Fountain in life's desert dreary, Savior from the world above:
Often have Your eyes, offended, Gazed upon the sinner's fall;
Yet upon the cross extended, You have borne the pain of all.

2    Do we pass that cross unheeding, Breathing no repentant vow,
Though we see You wounded, bleeding, See Your thorn-encircled brow?
Yet Your sinless death has brought us Life eternal, peace, and rest;
Only what Your grace hath taught us Calms the sinner's deep distress.

3    Jesus, may our hearts be burning With more fervent love for You;
May our eyes be ever turning To behold Your cross anew
Till in glory, parted never From the blessed Savior's side,
Graven in our hearts forever, Dwell the cross, the Crucified.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Isaiah 43:16-21)

16 Thus says the Lord,

    who makes a way in the sea,

    a path in the mighty waters,

17 who brings forth chariot and horse,

    army and warrior;

they lie down, they cannot rise,

    they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

18 “Remember not the former things,

    nor consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;

    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

    and rivers in the desert.

20 The wild beasts will honor me,

    the jackals and the ostriches,

for I give water in the wilderness,

    rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,

21     the people whom I formed for myself

that they might declare my praise.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Philippians 3:8-14)

      8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

      12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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. Luke the 20th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Luke 20:9-20)

      9 [Jesus] began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Hymn of the Day  “My Song Is Love Unknown”  LSB # 430 vv. 1-4

1    My song is love unknown, My Savior’s love to me,

      Love to the loveless shown That they might lovely be.
      Oh, who am I That for my sake
      My Lord should take Frail flesh and die?

2    He came from His blest throne Salvation to bestow;
      But men made strange, and none The longed-for Christ would know.
      But, oh, my friend, My Friend indeed,
      Who at my need His life did spend!

3    Sometimes they strew His way And His sweet praises sing;
      Resounding all the day Hosannas to their King.
      Then “Crucify!” Is all their breath,
      And for His death They thirst and cry.

4    Why, what hath my Lord done? What makes this rage and spite?
      He made the lame to run, He gave the blind their sight.
      Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
      Themselves displease And 'gainst Him rise.

Sermon

Hymn of the Day  “My Song Is Love Unknown”  LSB # 430 vv. 5-7

5    They rise and needs will have My dear Lord made away;
      A murderer they save, The Prince of Life they slay.
      Yet cheerful He To suff'ring goes
      That He His foes From thence might free.

6    In life no house, no home My Lord on earth might have;
      In death no friendly tomb But what a stranger gave.
      What may I say? Heav'n was His home
      But mine the tomb Wherein He lay.

7    Here might I stay and sing, No story so divine!
      Never was love, dear King, Never was grief like Thine.
      This is my friend, In whose sweet praise
      I all my days Could gladly spend!

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn “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.