Sunday, May 14, 2023

Hymn:  “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”   LSB # 802

1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;

Thy justice like mountains high soaring above

Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3 To all life Thou givest--to both great and small--

In all life Thou livest, the true Life of all;

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree

And wither and perish--but naught changes Thee.

4 Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

All laud we would render: O help us to see

'Tis only the splendor of light that hides Thee.

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

C:   Amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

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 17:16-31)

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Peter 3:13-22)

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 14:15-21)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) 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

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 “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It”  LSB # 594

God's own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ!

He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price.

Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any

That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity!

Sin, disturb my soul no longer: I am baptized into Christ!

I have comfort even stronger: Jesus' cleansing sacrifice.

Should a guilty conscience seize me Since my Baptism did release me

In a dear forgiving flood, Sprinkling me with Jesus' blood!

Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ!

Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed.

Now that to the font I've traveled, All your might has come unraveled,

And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!

Death, you cannot end my gladness: I am baptized into Christ!

When I die, I leave all sadness To inherit paradise!

Though I lie in dust and ashes Faith's assurance brightly flashes:

Baptism has the strength divine To make life immortal mine.

There is nothing worth comparing To this lifelong comfort sure!

Open-eyed my grave is staring: Even there I'll sleep secure.

Though my flesh awaits its raising, Still my soul continues praising:

I am baptized into Christ; I'm a child of paradise!

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Hymn “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing”  LSB # 475

1 Good Christian friends, rejoice and sing! Now is the triumph of our King!

To all the world glad news we bring: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2 The Lord of life is ris'n this day; Bring flow'rs of song to strew His way;

Let all the world rejoice and say: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

3 Praise we in songs of victory That love, that life which cannot die,

And sing with hearts uplifted high: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4 Your name we bless, O risen Lord, And sing today with one accord

The life laid down, the life restored: Alleluia, alleluia, 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:   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.

Hymn “’Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here”  LSB # 517 vv. 1, 7, 3

1 By all Your saints in warfare, For all Your saints at rest,

Your holy name, O Jesus, Forevermore be blest!

For You have won the battle That they might wear the crown;

And now they shine in glory Reflected from Your throne.

7 Praise for the first of martyrs Who saw You ready stand

To help in time of torment, To plead at God’s right hand.

Like You, our suff’ring Savior, His enemies he blessed,

With “Lord, receive my spirit,” His faith, by death, confessed.

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.

Scripture Readings

First Reading (Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60)

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them…

And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me…

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Peter 2:2-10 )

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

    a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

    has become the cornerstone,”

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,

    and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(John 14:1-14)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

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 “Christ Sits at God’s Right Hand”  LSB # 564

Christ sits at God’s right hand, His saving work complete,

To reign till every foe will lie Beneath His feet.

All that the Father planned, The Son sought to fulfill,

When first He said, “Lord, here am I to do Your will.”

Christ was that priest God swore, uniquely First and Last,

Who would in righteousness and love be unsurpassed;

“A priest forevermore,” An oath God would not break,

“A priest within the order of Melchizedek.”

Christ’s altar was the tree, where on the wolrd’s behalf

He shed a blood, unlike the blood of goat or calf,

To seal God’s guarantee of grace that cannot fail;

With blood He entered for our good behind the veil.

What costly sacrifice to cover human sin!

Who but Christ Jesus had the right to enter in?

His blood, that sprinkled price, so we might be assured

That our inheritance in light has been secured.

Then let us now draw near, Washed in that precious flood

And enter the Most Holy Place by Jesus’ blood.

From hearts that are sincere, Let tongues our hope profess,

And trust anew God’s faithful grace That we confess.

All praise to Christ we bring, Our Lord who intercedes,

Our great High Priest enthroned above Who knows our needs;

And to the Father sing Our songs of thankful praise,

Who with the Spirit reigns in love for endless days.

Sermon

Prayer of the Church

P:   Lord, in your mercy,

C:   Receive our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And with thy spirit.

P:   Bless we the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me”  LSB # 722

1    Lord, take my hand and lead me upon life’s way;
      Direct, protect, and feed me from day to day.
      Without Your grace and favor I go astray;
      So take my hand. O Savior, and lead the way.

2)   Lord, when the tempest rages, I need not fear;
      For You, the Rock of Ages, are always near.
      Close by Your side abiding, I fear no foe,
      For when Your hand is guiding, in peace I go.

3)   Lord, when the shadows lengthen and night has come,
      I know that You will strengthen my steps toward home,
      And nothing can impede me, O blessed Friend!
      So take my hand and lead me unto the end.

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Hymn  “Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven”  LSB # 477

(Verses 1 and 2 were not recorded)

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:   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  “O God of God, O Light of Light”  LSB #810

1 O God of God, O Light of Light, O Prince of Peace and King of kings:

To You in heaven's glory bright The song of praise forever rings.

To Him who sits upon the throne, The Lamb once slain but raised again,

Be all the glory He has won, All thanks and praise! Amen, amen.

2 For deep in the prophets' sacred page, And grand in poets' winged word,

Slowly in type, from age to age The nations saw their coming Lord;

Till through the deep Judean night Rang out the song, "Good will to men!"

Sung once by first-born sons of light, It echoes now, "Good will!" Amen.

3 That life of truth, those deeds of love, That death so steeped in hate and scorn--

These all are past, and now above He reigns, our King once crowned with thorn.

Lift up your heads, O mighty gates! So sang that host beyond our ken.

Lift up your heads, your King awaits. We lift them up. Amen, amen.

4 Then raise to Christ a mighty song, And shout His name, His mercies tell!

Sing, heav'nly host, your praise prolong, And all on earth, your anthem swell!

All hail, O Lamb for sinners slain! Forever let the song ascend!

Worthy the Lamb, enthroned to reign,  All glory, pow'r! 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.  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 2:42-47)

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Peter 2:19-25)

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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 10th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 10:1-10)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”  LSB # 709

1   The King of Love my Shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never;

     I nothing lack if I am His And He is mine forever.

2   Where streams of living water flow, My ransomed soul He leadeth

     And, where the verdant pastures grow, With food celestial feedeth.

3   Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, But yet in love He sought me

     And on His shoulder gently laid And home rejoicing brought me.

4   In death's dark vale I fear no ill With Thee, dear Lord, beside me,

     Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me.

5   Thou spreadst a table in my sight; Thine unction grace bestoweth;

     And oh, what transport of delight From Thy pure chalice floweth!

6   And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never;

     Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise Within Thy house forever!

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 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”  LSB # 918

1 Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land.
   I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand.
   Bread of heaven, bread of heaven Feed me till I want no more;
   Feed me till I want no more.

2 Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing stream doth flow;
   Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through.
   Strong deliv'rer, strong deliv'rer, Be Thou still my strength and shield;
   Be Thou still my strength and shield.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside;
   Death of death and hell's destruction, Land me safe on Canaan's side.
   Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to Thee;
   I will ever give to Thee.

Sunday, April 23, 2023

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!

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

C:   Amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Matins (sung)

P     O Lord, open my lips,

C     and my mouth will declare Your praise.

P     Make haste, O God, to deliver me;

C     make haste to help me, O Lord.

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

Psalmody (Psalm 95) (sung)

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

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

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

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Acts 2:14a, 36-41)

Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them…

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Peter 1:17-25)

If you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for

“All flesh is like grass

    and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

    and the flower falls,

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this is the good news that was preached to you.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 24th chapter.

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Luke 24:13-35)

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness”  LSB # 563

1    Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress;

      Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head.

2    Bold shall I stand in that great day, Cleansed and redeemed, no debt to pay;

      Fully absolved through these I am From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

3    Lord, I believe Thy precious blood, Which at the mercy seat of God

      Pleads for the captives' liberty, Was also shed in love for me.

4    Lord, I believe, were sinners more Than sands upon the ocean shore,

      Thou hast for all a ransom paid, For all a full atonement made.

5    When from the dust of death I rise To claim my mansion in the skies,

      This then shall be my only plea: Jesus hath lived and died for me.

6    Jesus, be endless praise to Thee, Whose boundless mercy hath for me,

      For me, and all Thy hands have made, An everlasting ransom paid.

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 “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, April 16, 2023

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  “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!

(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, 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.

Scripture Readings

First Reading  (Acts 5:29-42)

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 20:19-31)

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:   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  “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

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.

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 9, 2023

WELCOME

OPENING HYMN                        Jesus Christ Is Risen Today         LSB 457

      [v. 2: Choir only]

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!         

Amen.

INVOCATION & OPENING SENTENCES  adapt. From Matthew 28:7, Hebrews2:7; Psalm 8:6

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

C   Amen.

P     Christ has risen from the dead.

C     God the Father has crowned Him with glory and honor.

P     He has given Him dominion over the works of His hands;

C     He has put all things under His feet.

EASTER ACCLAMATION

P     Alleluia! Christ is risen!           C   He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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.

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.

INTROIT                                              Exodus 15:2a, 6, 13, 17–18; antiphon: v. 1b

P     I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;

C     the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

P     The Lord is my strength and my song,

C     and he has become my salvation.

P     Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,

C     your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.

P     You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;

C     you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

P     You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,

C     the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode,

P     the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.

C     The Lord will reign forever and ever.

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     I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;

C     the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

KYRIE

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.

FIRST READING                                                                  Acts 10:34-43

 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

P    This is the Word of the Lord.         

C   Thanks be to God.

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.   

Amen.

EPISTLE                                                                               Colossians 3:1–4

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

P    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                                                                      Matthew 28:1–10

P    The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-eighth chapter.

 C Glory to you O Lord.          

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

P    This is the Gospel of the Lord.         

C Praise to you, O Christ.           

HYMN OF THE DAY                     I Know That My Redeemer Lives   LSB 461

      [v.4: Choir only]

 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!          

SERMON                          "CHRIST IS RISEN!"                  Matthew 28:1-10

I.       If Jesus' bones were ever found, then our faith would be futile.

II.      But the testimony of Scripture is that Jesus rose physically from His grave on Easter. This means that, on the Last Day, we will also rise physically from our grave.

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 and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the  Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made Man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.  He suffered and was buried.  And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.  And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.  And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.  And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

OFFERING                "At the Lamb's High Feast"                  by Jeffrey Blersch

OFFERTORY                  Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful                  LSB 955

“Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing. Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, that we may be fed with the Bread of Life. Gather the hopes and the dreams of all, unite them with prayers we offer now. Grace our table with Your presence and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.”

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P     The resurrection of our Lord shouts that death has been conquered and that He is living today and always. We pray for people here and around the world in our living Lord Jesus’ name. Let us pray for all who do not know that by His rising our Lord has destroyed death, for all who have given up hope, and for all who face this day with inconsolable tears and sorrow. O Holy Spirit, use the Church here and around the world to announce the joyful news of our Lord’s resurrection in ways understandable to them so they may look beyond their circumstances to the eternity awaiting all who call out to God in our risen Savior’s name. Spirit, in Your mercy,

C     hear our prayer.

P     Let us pray for all who are in danger from hostile neighbors or neighboring nations; who lack adequate food, clothing, or shelter; and who are suffering from natural or manmade disasters. Come to their aid, heavenly Father. Surround them with compassionate individuals and caring agencies. Give them faith to rely on You as their true source of refuge and strength. Lift up wise leaders so that human needs may be met and that peace and justice may conquer conflict within our country and among the nations of the world. Father, in Your mercy,

C     hear our prayer.

P     Let us pray for the Church as we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection here and around the world. On this most holy day, Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith and embolden our witness to Your resurrection, the central focus of our hope and joy. Unite the Church to tell the news that You have conquered every obstacle to our being with You in eternal peace and joy. Lord, in Your mercy,

C     hear our prayer.

P     Let us pray for [names . . . and] all who call out to God in illness, sorrow, injustice, and fear. Almighty God, author of life and health, use first responders, doctors and nurses, and agencies of every sort so that those near and dear to us and the thousands known only to You enjoy the healing, comfort, and relief that fits Your gracious plans for them. Grant that they join us here to rejoice together. Lord, in Your mercy,

C     hear our prayer.

P     Into Your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C     Amen.

 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.         

EASTER ACCLAMATION

P     Alleluia! Christ is risen!

C     He is risen indeed! Alleluia!                             

CLOSING 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!           

Sunday, April 2, 2023

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 (Isaiah 50:4-9a)

      Thus says the Lord:

“Where is your mother's certificate of divorce,

    with which I sent her away?

Or which of my creditors is it

    to whom I have sold you?

Behold, for your iniquities you were sold,

    and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

2 Why, when I came, was there no man;

    why, when I called, was there no one to answer?

Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?

    Or have I no power to deliver?

Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea,

    I make the rivers a desert;

their fish stink for lack of water

    and die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with blackness

    and make sackcloth their covering.”

4 The Lord God has given me

    the tongue of those who are taught,

that I may know how to sustain with a word

    him who is weary.

Morning by morning he awakens;

    he awakens my ear

    to hear as those who are taught.

5 The Lord God has opened my ear,

    and I was not rebellious;

    I turned not backward.

6 I gave my back to those who strike,

    and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;

I hid not my face

    from disgrace and spitting.

7 But the Lord God helps me;

    therefore I have not been disgraced;

therefore I have set my face like a flint,

    and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

8     He who vindicates me is near.

Who will contend with me?

    Let us stand up together.

Who is my adversary?

    Let him come near to me.

9 Behold, the Lord God helps me;

    who will declare me guilty?

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. Matthew’s Account of Jesus’ Humiliation and Death †

Jesus is anointed and institutes the Lord’s Supper (26:1-29)

      When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

Hymn: “My Song Is Love Unknown”………………………………….   # 430, vv. 2, 3, & 6

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.

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.

Jesus is betrayed and condemned by the Jews (26:30-27:23)

          And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

27 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Hymn: “O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken?”…………….. # 439 vv. 2 & 3

2          They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;

            With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;

            They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;

            They crucify Thee.

3          Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?

            It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;

            Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,

            This I do merit.

Jesus is crucified (27:24-44)

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Hymn: “The Lamb”………………………………………………………………  # 457 vv. 2-3

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!

Jesus dies (27:45-66)

      Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Hymn: “The Lamb”………………………………………………………………..  # 547 v. 4

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 Lord’s Prayer

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, March 26, 2023

Hymn:  “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”   LSB # 575

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

C:   Amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Matins (sung)

P     O Lord, open my lips,

C     and my mouth will declare Your praise.

P     Make haste, O God, to deliver me;

C     make haste to help me, O Lord.

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

Psalmody (Psalm 95) (sung)

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

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

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

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Ezekiel 37:1-14)

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 8:1-11)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 11:1-45)

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day “Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won”  LSB # 490

1    Jesus lives! The vict'ry's won! Death no longer can appall me;

Jesus lives! Death's reign is done! From the grave Christ will recall me.

Brighter scenes will then commence; This shall be my confidence.

2    Jesus lives! To Him the throne High above all things is given.

I shall go where He is gone, Live and reign with Him in heaven.

God is faithful; doubtings, hence! This shall be my confidence.

3    Jesus lives! For me He died. Hence will I, to Jesus living,

Pure in heart and act abide, Praise to Him and glory giving.

All I need God will dispense; This shall be my confidence.

4    Jesus lives! I know full well Nothing me from Him shall sever,

Neither death nor pow'rs of hell Part me now from Christ forever.

God will be my sure defense; This shall be my confidence.

5    Jesus lives! And now is death But the gate of life immortal;

This shall calm my trembling breath When I pass its gloomy portal.

Faith shall cry, as fails each sense; Jesus is my confidence!

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 “Thanks to Thee, O Christ Victorious”  LSB # 548

1    Thanks to Thee, O Christ victorious! Thanks to Thee, O Lord of Life!

Death hath now no power o'er us, Thou hast conquered in the strife.

Thanks because Thou didst arise And hast opened paradise!

None can fully sing the glory Of the resurrection story.

2    Thou hast died for my transgression, All my sins on Thee were laid;

Thou hast won for me salvation, On the cross my debt was paid.

From the grave I shall arise And shall meet Thee in the skies.

Death itself is transitory; I shall lift my head in glory.

3    For the joy Thine advent gave me, For Thy holy, precious Word;

For Thy Baptism, which doth save me, For Thy blest Communion board;

For Thy death, the bitter scorn, For Thy resurrection morn,

Lord, I thank Thee and extol Thee, And in heav'n I shall behold Thee.

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Hymn “Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs”  LSB # 812

1    Come, let us join our cheerful songs With angels round the throne;

Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, But all their joys are one.

2    "Worthy the Lamb that died," they cry, "To be exalted thus!"

"Worthy the Lamb," our lips reply, "For He was slain for us!"

3    Jesus is worthy to receive Honor and pow'r divine;

And blessings more than we can give Be, Lord, forever Thine.

4    Let all creation join in one To bless the sacred name

Of Him who sits upon the throne And to adore the Lamb.

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.

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect of the Day:

P:   Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul.  Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; 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 “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.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 42:14-21)

For a long time I have held my peace;

    I have kept still and restrained myself;

now I will cry out like a woman in labor;

    I will gasp and pant.

15 I will lay waste mountains and hills,

    and dry up all their vegetation;

I will turn the rivers into islands,

    and dry up the pools.

16 And I will lead the blind

    in a way that they do not know,

in paths that they have not known

    I will guide them.

I will turn the darkness before them into light,

    the rough places into level ground.

These are the things I do,

    and I do not forsake them.

17 They are turned back and utterly put to shame,

    who trust in carved idols,

who say to metal images,

    “You are our gods.”

18 Hear, you deaf,

    and look, you blind, that you may see!

19 Who is blind but my servant,

    or deaf as my messenger whom I send?

Who is blind as my dedicated one,

    or blind as the servant of the Lord?

20 He sees many things, but does not observe them;

    his ears are open, but he does not hear.

21 The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness' sake,

    to magnify his law and make it glorious.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Ephesians 5:8-14)

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,

    and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(John 9:1-41)

          As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.
                             

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 “Just As I Am”  LSB # 570

1 Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2 Just as I am and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3 Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4 Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5 Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6 Just as I am; thy love unknown Has broken ev'ry barrier down;

Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

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

Offering

Prayer of the Church

P:   Lord, in your mercy,

C:   Receive our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And with thy spirit.

P:   Bless we the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn “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, March 12, 2023

Hymn  “Glorious Things of You Are Spoken”  LSB # 648

(Apologies, only the last verse is recorded…)

1 Glorious things of you are spoken, Zion, city of our God;

He whose word cannot be broken Formed you for His own abode.

On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake your sure repose?

With salvation's walls surrounded, You may smile at all your foes.

2 See, the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love,

Well supply your sons and daughters And all fear of want remove.

Who can faint while such a river Ever will their thirst assuage?

Grace, which like the Lord, the giver, Never fails from age to age.

3 Round each habitation hov'ring, See the cloud and fire appear

For a glory and a cov'ring, Showing that the Lord is near.

Thus deriving from their banner Light by night and shade by day,

Safe they feed upon the manna Which God gives them on their way.

4 Savior, since of Zion's city I through grace a member am,

Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Your name.

Fading are the world's vain pleasures, All their boasted pomp and show;

Solid joys and lasting treasures None but Zion's children know.

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

C:   amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn  “My Song Is Love Unknown”  LSB # 430

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.

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!

(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.

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.  O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:   Amen.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Exodus 17:1-7)
All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 5:1-8)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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. John, the 4th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 4:5-26)

So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “Jesus Shall Reign”  LSB # 832

1   Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does its successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

2   To Him shall endless prayer be made, And endless praises crown His head;

His name like sweet perfume shall rise With ev'ry morning sacrifice.

3   People and realms of ev'ry tongue Dwell on His love with sweetest song;

And infant voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on His name.

4   Blessings abound where'er He reigns; The pris'ners leap, unloose their chains,

The weary find eternal rest, And all who suffer want are blest.

5   Let ev'ry creature rise and bring Honors peculiar to our King;

Angels descend with songs again, And earth repeat the loud amen.

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.

Offering and Offertory

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?  I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.  I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord.  I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

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 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”  LSB # 809

1 Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee.

Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. [Refrain]

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Hymn  “Today Your Mercy Calls Us”  LSB #915

1 Today Your mercy calls us To wash away our sin.

However great our trespass, Whatever we have been,

However long from mercy Our hearts have turned away,

Your precious blood can wash us And make us clean today.

2 Today Your gate is open, And all who enter in

Shall find a Father's welcome And pardon for their sin.

The past shall be forgotten, A present joy be giv'n,

A future grace be promised, A glorious crown in heav'n.

3 Today our Father calls us; The Holy Spirit waits;

His blessed angels gather Around the heav'nly gates.

No question will be asked us How often we have come;

Although we oft have wandered, It is our Father's home.

4 O all-embracing Mercy, O ever-open Door,

What should we do without You When heart and eye run o'er?

When all things seem against us, To drive us to despair,

We know one gate is open, One ear will hear our prayer.

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 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”  #425

1    When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died,

      My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride.

2    Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast Save in the death of Christ, my God;

      All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

3    See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

      Did e'er such love and sorrow meet Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4    Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tribute far too small;

      Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all!

(Sung)

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect for the day:

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

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Genesis 12:1-9)

The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 4:1-8, 13-17)

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,

    and whose sins are covered;

8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. John the 3rd chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 3:1-17)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through 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 of the Day  “God Loved the World So That He Gave”  LSB #

1 God loved the world so that He gave His only Son the lost to save,

That all who would in Him believe Should everlasting life receive.

2 Christ Jesus is the ground of faith, Who was made flesh and suffered death;

All then who trust in Him alone Are built on this chief cornerstone.

3 God would not have the sinner die; His Son with saving grace is nigh;

His Spirit in the Word declares How we in Christ are heaven's heirs.

4 Be of good cheer, for God's own Son Forgives all sins which you have done;

And, justified by Jesus' blood, Your Baptism grants the highest good.

5 If you are sick, if death is near, This truth your troubled heart can cheer:

Christ Jesus saves your soul from death; That is the firmest ground of faith.

6 Glory to God the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One!

To Thee, O blessed Trinity, Be praise now and eternally!

Sermon

Offering

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  “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, February 26, 2023

Hymn:  “This Is the Day the Lord Has Made”   LSB # 903

1 This is the day the Lord has made; He calls the hours His own.

Let heav'n rejoice, let earth be glad And praise surround the throne.

2 Today He rose and left the dead, And Satan's empire fell;

Today the saints His triumphs spread And all His wonders tell.

3 Hosanna to the anointed King, To David's holy Son!

Help us, O Lord; descend and bring Salvation from Your throne.

4 Blessed is He who comes to us With messages of grace;

He, in the Lord's name, comes to us To save our fallen race.

5 Hosanna in the highest strains The Church on earth can raise.

The highest heav'ns, in which He reigns, Shall give Him nobler praise.

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

Old Testament Reading (Genesis 3:1-21)

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You[a] shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[b] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool[c] of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”[d] 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,

    cursed are you above all livestock

    and above all beasts of the field;

on your belly you shall go,

    and dust you shall eat

    all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,

    and between your offspring[e] and her offspring;

he shall bruise your head,

    and you shall bruise his heel.”

16 To the woman he said,

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;

    in pain you shall bring forth children.

Your desire shall be contrary to[f] your husband,

    but he shall rule over you.”

17 And to Adam he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife

    and have eaten of the tree

of which I commanded you,

    ‘You shall not eat of it,’

cursed is the ground because of you;

    in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;

    and you shall eat the plants of the field.

19 By the sweat of your face

    you shall eat bread,

till you return to the ground,

    for out of it you were taken;

for you are dust,

    and to dust you shall return.”

20 The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.[g] 21 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 5:12-19)

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men[a] because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass[b] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[c] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 4th chapter.

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 4:1-11)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,

    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,

    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God

    and him only shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day “Christ, the Lord of Hosts Unshaken”  LSB # 521

1    Christ, the Lord of hosts, unshaken By the devil’s seething rage,

Thwarts the plan of Satan’s minions; Wins the strife from age to age;

Conquers sin and death forever; Slams them in their steely cage.

2    Michael fought the heavenly battle, Godly angels by his side;

Warred against the ancient serpent, Foiled the beast, so full of pride,

Cast him earthbound with his angels; Now he prowls, unsatisfied.

3    Long on earth the battle rages, Since the serpent’s first deceit;

Twisted God’s command to Adam, Made forbidden fruit look sweet. 

Then the curse of God was spoken: “You’ll lie crushed beneath His feet!”

4    Jesus came, this word fulfilling, Trampled Satan, death defied;

Bore the brunt of our temptation, On the wretched tree He died

Yet to life was raised victorious; By His life our life supplied.

5    Swift as lightning falls the tyrant From his heavenly perch on high,

As the word of Jesus’ victory Floods the earth and fills the sky. 

Wounded by a wound eternal Now his judgment has drawn nigh!

6    Jesus, send Your angel legions When the foe would us enslave. 

Hold us fast when sin assaults us; Come, then, Lord, Your people save. 

Overthrow at last the dragon; Send him to his fiery grave.

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 “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.

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Hymn “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!”  LSB # 821

1    Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; His the scepter, His the throne;

Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion Thunder like a mighty flood:

"Jesus out of ev'ry nation Has redeemed us by His blood."

2    Alleluia! Not as orphans Are we left in sorrow now;

Alleluia! He is near us; Faith believes, nor questions how.

Though the cloud from sight received Him When the forty days were o'er,

Shall our hearts forget His promise: "I am with you evermore"?

3    Alleluia! Bread of heaven, Here on earth our food, our stay;

Alleluia! Here the sinful Flee to You from day to day.

Intercessor, Friend of sinners, Earth's Redeemer, hear our plea

Where the songs of all the sinless Sweep across the crystal sea.

4    Alleluia! King eternal, Lord omnipotent we own;

Alleluia! Born of Mary, Earth Your footstool, heav'n Your throne.

As within the veil You entered, Robed in flesh, our great High Priest,

Here on earth both priest and victim In the eucharistic feast.

5    Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; His the scepter, His the throne;

Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion Thunder like a mighty flood:

"Jesus out of ev'ry nation Has redeemed us by His blood."

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

C:   Amen.

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

1 'Tis good, Lord, to be here! Thy glory fills the night;

      Thy face and garments, like the sun, Shine with unborrowed light.

2 'Tis good, Lord, to be here, Thy beauty to behold

      Where Moses and Elijah stand, Thy messengers of old.

3 Fulfiller of the past And hope of things to be,

      We hail Thy body glorified And our redemption see.

4 Before we taste of death, We see Thy kingdom come;

      We long to hold the vision bright And make this hill our home.

5 'Tis good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain;

      But since Thou bidst us leave the mount, Come with us to the plain.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Exodus 24:8-18)

Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” 9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank. 12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.” 13 Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them.” 15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16 and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (2 Peter 1:16-21)

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[a] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 17th chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(Matthew 17:1-9)

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

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 “O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair”  LSB # 413

1    O wondrous type! O vision fair Of glory that the Church may share,

      Which Christ upon the mountain shows, Where brighter than the sun He glows!

2    With Moses and Elijah nigh The incarnate Lord holds converse high;

      And from the cloud the Holy One Bears record to the only Son.

3    With shining face and bright array Christ deigns to manifest today

      What glory shall be theirs above Who joy in God with perfect love.

4    And faithful hearts are raised on high By this great vision's mystery,

      For which in joyful strains we raise The voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.

5    O Father, with the eternal Son And Holy Spirit ever one,

      We pray Thee, bring us by Thy grace To see Thy glory face to face.

Sermon

Prayer of the Church

P:   Lord, in your mercy,

C:   Receive our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And with thy spirit.

P:   Bless we the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn “Alleluia! Let Praises Ring”  LSB # 829

1 Christ the eternal Lord, Whose promise here we claim,

Whose gifts of grace are freely poured On all who name Your name;

With thankfulness and praise We stand before Your throne,

Intent to serve You all our days And make Your glory known.

2 Christ the unchanging Word To ev'ry passing age,

Whose timeless teachings still are heard Set forth on Scripture's page;

Transform our thought and mind, Enlighten all who read,

Within Your word by faith to find The bread of life indeed.

3 Christ the redeeming Son, Who shares our human birth,

And by His death salvation won For ev'ry child of earth;

Inspire our hearts, we pray, To tell Your love abroad,

That all may honor Christ today And follow Him as Lord.

4 Christ the unfading Light Of everlasting day,

Our Morning Star in splendor bright, The Life, the Truth, the Way;

That light of truth You give To servants as to friends,

Your way to walk, Your life to live, Till earth's brief journey ends.

5 Christ the ascended King Exalted high above,

Whose praise unending ages sing, Whom yet unseen we love;

When mortal life is past Your voice from heaven's throne

Shall call Your children home at last To know as we are known.

Sunday, February12, 2023

OPENING HYMN Songs of Thankfulness and Praise LSB 394

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

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

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

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

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

INVOCATION & OPENING SENTENCES Baptism, First & Fourth

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

C Amen.

P These are the words of your Baptism. What is Baptism?

C Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word.

P What does such baptizing with water indicate?

C It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS

P As God’s baptized people, therefore, let’s do that! Let us repent anew that we may arise to live. But first let me ask, what is Confession?

C Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.

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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

INTROIT Psalm 98:7–9; antiphon: v. 2

P The LORD has made known his salvation;

C he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

P Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

C the world and those who dwell in it!

P Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD,

C for he comes to judge the earth.

P He will judge the world with righteousness,

C and the peoples with equity.

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 The LORD has made known his salvation;

C he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

HYMN OF PRAISE 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.

SALUTATION & COLLECT OF THE DAY

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

All: Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and take them to heart that, by the patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

SHARING OF THE PEACE

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C Amen.

P Let us share this peace with one another.

(People greet one another saying: “Peace be with you. And also with you.”)

OLD TESTAMENT READING Deuteronomy 30:15–20

15“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

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

EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 3:1–9

1But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

5What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

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

ALLELUIA VERSE Ephesians 5:2

All: Alleluia. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Alleluia.

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 5:21–37

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the fifth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord.

21[Jesus said:] “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

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

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.

SERMON “WE ARE GOD’S FIELD, GOD’S BUILDING IN GOD’S SERVICE” 1 Cor. 3:1-9

The Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo, Executive Director at Lutheran Bible Translators

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 “Holy Spirit Ever Dwelling”

OFFERTORY Listen, God Is Calling LSB 833

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH [Incorporating the words of LSB 850]

P God of grace and God of glory, we give thanks to You this day that You do not leave us in silence but continually comfort, defend, and strengthen us by Your Word and Spirit.

On Your people pour Your pow’r;

Crown Your ancient Church’s story;

Bring its bud to glorious flow’r.

C Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour.

P Bless Your holy Church throughout the world and guide and direct all nations and kingdoms among men.

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.

C Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days.

P In the forgiveness of our sins and as Your own children by our Baptism into Christ, give to all in need healing for the sick, restoration to the broken, confidence to those without hope, and peace to all in trouble, [including…].

Cure Your children’s warring madness;

Bend our pride to Your control;

Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,

Rich in things and poor in soul.

C Grant us wisdom, grant us courage lest we miss Your kingdom’s goal.

P Remembering all who have gone before us with the sign of faith, especially the prophets and apostles and martyrs of old as well as those nearer to us whom we name before You in our hearts, help us to continue walking in faith to Your glory and our salvation.

Save us from weak resignation

To the evils we deplore;

Let the gift of Your salvation

Be our glory evermore.

C Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving You whom we adore.

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

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 Spread the Reign of God the Lord LSB 830

1    Spread the reign of God the Lord, Spoken, written, mighty Word;
Ev'rywhere His creatures call To His heav'nly banquet hall.

2    Tell how God the Father's will Made the world, upholds it still,
How His own dear Son He gave Us from sin and death to save.

3    Tell of our Redeemer's grace, Who, to save our human race
And to pay rebellion's price, Gave Himself as sacrifice.

4    Tell of God the Spirit giv'n Now to guide us on to heav'n,
Strong and holy, just and true, Working both to will and do.

5    Enter, mighty Word, the field; Ripe the promise of its yield.
But the reapers, oh, how few For the work there is to do!

6    Lord of harvest, great and kind, Rouse to action heart and mind;
Let the gath'ring nations all See Your light and heed Your call.

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Hymn  “Only-Begotten, Word of God Eternal”  LSB # 916

1    Only-begotten, Word of God eternal,

      Lord of creation, merciful and mighty:

      Hear us, Your servants, as our tuneful voices

      Rise in Your presence.

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

C:   amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn  “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”  LSB #411

1 I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.

God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

2 I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.

Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father.

In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

3 I'm looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus.

When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

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

C:   Amen.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Isaiah 58:3-9a)

‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?

    Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’

Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,

    and oppress all your workers.

4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight

    and to hit with a wicked fist.

Fasting like yours this day

    will not make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is such the fast that I choose,

    a day for a person to humble himself?

Is it to bow down his head like a reed,

    and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?

Will you call this a fast,

    and a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 “Is not this the fast that I choose:

    to loose the bonds of wickedness,

    to undo the straps of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

    and to break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

    and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover him,

    and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

    and your healing shall spring up speedily;

your righteousness shall go before you;

    the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

    you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 2:1-12)

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

    nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

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. Matthew the 5th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 5:13-20)

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “Thy Strong Word”  LSB # 578

1   Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At thy speaking it was done.

     For created light we thank thee While thine ordered seasons run.

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

2   Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness, Dark as night and deep as death,

     Broke the light of thy salvation, Breathed thine own life-giving breath.

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

3   Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; Bright with thine own holiness,

     Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hope confess.

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

4   From the cross Thy wisdom shining Breaketh forth in conquering might;

     From the cross forever beameth All Thy bright redeeming light.

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

5   Give us lips to sing Thy glory, Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim,

     Throats that shout the hope that fills us, Mouths to speak Thy holy name.

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

6   God the Father, light-creator, To Thee laud and honor be.

     To Thee, Light of Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally.

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!

     Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

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 “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, January 29, 2023

Hymn “Arise and Shine in Splendor”  LSB # 396

Arise and shine in splendor; Let night to day surrender.

Your light is drawing near. Above, the day is beaming,

In matchless beauty gleaming; The glory of the Lord is here.

See earth in darkness lying, The heathen nations dying

In hopeless gloom and night. To you the Lord of heaven

Your life, your hope-has given Great glory, honor, and delight.

Lift up your eyes in wonder-See, nations gather yonder

From sin to be set free. The world has heard your story;

Your sons come to your glory, And daughters haste your light to see.

Your heart will leap for gladness When from the realms of sadness

They come from near and far. Your eyes will wake from slumber

As people without number Rejoice to see the Morning Star.

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  “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.

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

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Micah 6:1-8)

Hear what the Lord says:

Arise, plead your case before the mountains,

    and let the hills hear your voice.

2 Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord,

    and you enduring foundations of the earth,

for the Lord has an indictment against his people,

    and he will contend with Israel.

3 “O my people, what have I done to you?

    How have I wearied you? Answer me!

4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt

    and redeemed you from the house of slavery,

and I sent before you Moses,

    Aaron, and Miriam.

5 O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised,

    and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,

and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,

    that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,

    and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

    with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

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

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

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

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

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 5th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 5:1-12)

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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  “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”  LSB # 427

1 In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wrecks of time.

   All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.

   2 When the woes of life o'ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,

   Never shall the cross forsake me; Lo, it glows with peace and joy.

3 When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon my way,

   From the cross the radiance streaming Adds more luster to the day.

   4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure By the cross are sanctified;

   Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide.

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.

Hymn  “From All That Dwell Below the Skies”  LSB # 816

From all that dwell below the skies Let the Creator's praise arise; Alleluia, alleluia!

Let the Redeemer's name be sung Through ev'ry land by ev'ry tongue.

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends Thy Word. Alleluia, alleluia!

Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore Till suns shall rise and set no more.

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

All praise to God the Father be, All praise, eternal Son, to Thee. Alleluia, alleluia!

Whom with the Spirit we adore Forever and forevermore:

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Hymn:  “Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices”   LSB # 811

1 Oh, that I had a thousand voices To praise my God with thousand tongues!

My heart, which in the Lord rejoices, Would then proclaim in grateful songs

To all, wherever I might be, What great things God has done for me!

2 O all you pow'rs that he implanted, Arise, keep silence now no more;

Put forth the strength that God has granted! Your noblest work is to adore!

O soul and body, join to raise With heartfelt joy our maker's praise!

3 You forest leaves so green and tender That dance for joy in summer air,

You meadow grasses, bright and slender, You flow'rs so fragrant and so fair,

You live to show God's praise alone. Join me to make his glory known!

4 All creatures that have breath and motion, That throng the earth, the sea, the sky,

Come, share with me my heart's devotion, Help me to sing God's praises high!

My utmost pow'rs can never quite Declare the wonders of his might!

5 Creator, humbly I implore you To listen to my earthly song

Until that day when I adore you, When I have joined the angel throng

And learned with choirs of heav'n to sing Eternal anthems to my king!

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

Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 9:1-4)

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

    on them has light shone.

3 You have multiplied the nation;

    you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

    as with joy at the harvest,

    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

4 For the yoke of his burden,

    and the staff for his shoulder,

    the rod of his oppressor,

    you have broken as on the day of Midian.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 1:10-18)

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

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

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 4th chapter.

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 4:12-25)

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

    the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people dwelling in darkness

    have seen a great light,

and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,

    on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

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

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

      Forsaking old, familiar ways For ventures bold and new:

      Grant us to hear your call To risk security

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Send us on ways where faith Transcends timidity,

      Where love informs and hope sustains Both life and ministry.

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

      The crucified and risen King To whom the saints belong:

      Though generations pass, Our tribute still we bring,

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

Sermon

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 “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”  LSB # 643

1    Sent forth by God's blessing, our true faith confessing, the people of God from his dwelling take leave. The supper is ended; Oh, be now extended the fruits of this service in all who believe. The seed of his teaching, receptive souls reaching, shall blossom in action for God and for all. His grace did invite us; His love shall unite us to work for God's kingdom and answer his call.

2    With praise and thanksgiving, to God ever living, the tasks of our everyday life we will face. Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring, embracing his children of each tribe and race. With your feast you feed us; With your light now lead us; Unite us as one in this life that we share. Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving give honor to Christ and his name that we bear.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

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

1    Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;

Star of the East, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2    Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining;

Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;

Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,

Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.

3    Shall we not yield Him, in costly devotion,

Fragrance of Edom and off'rings divine,

Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,

Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

4    Vainly we offer each ample oblation,

Vainly with gifts would His favor secure,

Richer by far is the heart's adoration;

Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

5    Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;

Star of the East, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn “Hail, O Source of Every Blessing”  LSB # 409

1 Hail, O Source of ev'ry blessing, Father of our human race!

Gentiles now, Your grace possessing, In Your courts obtain a place.

Grateful now, we fall before You, In Your Church rejoice to live,

See Your glory and adore You, Thankful for the grace You give.

2 Once far off but now invited, We approach Your sacred throne,

In Your covenant united, Reconciled, redeemed, made one.

Now revealed to Eastern sages, See the Star of Mercy shine,

Myst'ry hid in former ages, Myst'ry great of love Divine.

3 Hail, O all-inviting Savior! Gentiles now their off'rings bring,

In Your temples seek Your favor, Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.

May we, body, soul, and spirit, Live devoted to Your praise,

Glorious realms of bliss inherit, Grateful anthems ever raise.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 49:1-7)

Listen to me, O coastlands,

    and give attention, you peoples from afar.

The Lord called me from the womb,

    from the body of my mother he named my name.

2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword;

    in the shadow of his hand he hid me;

he made me a polished arrow;

    in his quiver he hid me away.

3 And he said to me, “You are my servant,

    Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

4 But I said, “I have labored in vain;

    I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

yet surely my right is with the Lord,

    and my recompense with my God.”

5 And now the Lord says,

    he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,

to bring Jacob back to him;

    and that Israel might be gathered to him—

for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord,

    and my God has become my strength—

6 he says:

“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant

    to raise up the tribes of Jacob

    and to bring back the preserved of Israel;

I will make you as a light for the nations,

    that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

7 Thus says the Lord,

    the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,

to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,

    the servant of rulers:

“Kings shall see and arise;

    princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;

because of the Lord, who is faithful,

    the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)

          Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(John 1:29-42a)

           The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus.
                             

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 “Christ, the Word of God Incarnate”  LSB # 540

1    Christ, the Word of God incarnate, Lord and Son of Abraham;

      Christ, the radiance of the Father, Perfect God, the great I Am;

      Christ, the light, You shine unvanquished, Light and life You bring to all;

      Light our path with Your own presence, Grant us grace to heed Your call.

2    Christ, the living bread from heaven, Food for body, food for soul;

      Christ, the manna daily given, Nourish, strengthen, make us whole.

      Feed us with the food of heaven, Fore-taste of the feast to be;

      Quench our thirst with living water Springing up eternally.

3    Christ, the shoot that springs triumphant From the stump of Jesse’s tree;

      Christ, true vine, You nurture branches To bear fruit abundantly.

      Graft us into You, O Savior; Prune our hearts so we remain

      Fruitful branches in Your vineyard Till eternal life we gain.

4    Christ, our good and faithful shepherd, Watching all Your lambs and sheep;

      Christ, the gate that guards the sheepfold, Never failing vigil keep.

      When we stray, Good Shepherd, seek us, Find us, lift us, bear us home;

      Lamb of God, our shepherd, keep us; Let us hear Your voice alone.

5    Christ, the way that leads unfailing To the Father’s home on high,

      Christ, the truth that frees the captive, Christ, the life that cannot die.

      Mediator to the Father, Sacrifice and great High Priest:

      Lead us to Your heav’nly mansions, There to share Your wedding feast.

6    Christ, the Alpha and Omega, Christ, the firstborn from the dead,

      Christ, the life and resurrection, Christ, the Church’s glorious head:

      Praise and thanks and adoration And unending worship be

      To the Father and the Spirit And to You eternally.

Sermon

Prayer of the Church

P:   Lord, in your mercy,

C:   Receive our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And with thy spirit.

P:   Bless we the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn “Alleluia! Let Praises Ring”  LSB # 822

1 Alleluia! Let praises ring! To God the Father let us bring

Our songs of adoration. To Him through everlasting days

Be worship, honor, pow'r, and praise, Whose hand sustains creation.

Singing, ringing: Holy, holy, God is holy; Spread the story

Of our God, the Lord of glory.

2 Alleluia! Let praises ring! Unto the Lamb of God we sing,

In whom we are elected. He bought His Church with His own blood,

He cleansed her in that blessed flood, And as His Bride selected.

Holy, holy Is our union And communion. His befriending

Gives us joy and peace unending.

3 Alleluia! Let praises ring! Unto the Holy Ghost we sing

For our regeneration. The saving faith in us He wrought

And us unto the Bridegroom brought. Made us His chosen nation.

Glory! Glory! Joy eternal, Bliss supernal; There is manna

And an endless, glad hosanna.

Sunday, January 8, 2023

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

1    Hail to the Lord's anointed, Great David's greater Son!

Hail, in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun!

He comes to break oppression, To set the captive free,

To take away transgression And rule in equity.

2    He comes with rescue speedy To those who suffer wrong,

To help the poor and needy And bid the weak be strong;

To give them songs for sighing, Their darkness turn to light,

Whose souls, condemned and dying, Were precious in His sight.

3    He shall come down like showers Upon the fruitful earth;

Love, joy, and hope, like flowers, Spring in His path to birth.

Before Him on the mountains Shall peace, the herald, go;

And righteousness in fountains From hill to valley flow.

4    Kings shall fall down before Him And gold and incense bring;

All nations shall adore Him, His praise all people sing.

To Him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend;

His kingdom still increasing, A kingdom without end.

5    O'er ev'ry foe victorious, He on His throne shall rest,

From age to age more glorious, All blessing and all-blest.

The tide of time shall never His covenant remove;

His name shall stand forever– That name to us is Love.

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

C:   amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn  “O Savior of Our Fallen Race”  LSB #403

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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, by the leading of a star You made known your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles.  Lead us, who know you by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:   Amen.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Isaiah 42:1-9)

 
Behold my servant, whom I uphold,

    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my Spirit upon him;

    he will bring forth justice to the nations.

2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,

    or make it heard in the street;

3 a bruised reed he will not break,

    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;

    he will faithfully bring forth justice.

4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged

    till he has established justice in the earth;

    and the coastlands wait for his law.

5 Thus says God, the Lord,

    who created the heavens and stretched them out,

    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people on it

    and spirit to those who walk in it:

6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;

    I will take you by the hand and keep you;

I will give you as a covenant for the people,

    a light for the nations,

7     to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

    from the prison those who sit in darkness.

8 I am the Lord; that is my name;

    my glory I give to no other,

    nor my praise to carved idols.

9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,

    and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth

    I tell you of them.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 6:1-11)

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 3rd chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 3:13-17)

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

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

1   To Jordan's river came our Lord, The Christ, whom heav'nly hosts adored,

     The God from God, the Light from Light, The Lord of glory, pow'r and might.

2   The Savior came to be baptized – The Son of God in flesh disguised –

     To stand beneath the Father's will And all his promises fulfill.

3   As Jesus in the Jordan stood And John baptized the Lamb of God,

     The Holy Spirit, heav'nly dove, Descended on him from above.

4   Then from God's throne with thund'rous sound Came God's own voice with words profound:

     "This is my Son," was his decree, "The one I love, who pleases me."

5   The Father's word, the Spirit's flight Anointed Christ in glorious sight

     As God's own choice, from Adam's fall To save the world and free us all.

6   Now rise, faint hearts: be resolute! This man is Christ, our substitute!

     He was baptized in Jordan's stream, Proclaimed Redeemer, Lord supreme

Sermon

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 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”  LSB # 394

1    Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,

      Manifested by the star To the sages from afar,

      Branch of royal David's stem In Thy birth at Bethlehem:

      Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest.

2    Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;

      And at Cana wedding guest In Thy Godhead manifest;

      Manifest in pow'r divine, Changing water into wine;

      Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest.

3    Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul;

      Manifest in valiant fight, Quelling all the devil's might;

      Manifest in gracious will, Ever bringing good from ill;

      Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest.

4    Sun and moon shall darkened be, Stars shall fall, the heav'ns shall flee;

      Christ will then like lightning shine, All will see His glorious sign;

      All will then the trumpet hear, All will see the Judge appear;

      Thou by all wilt be confessed, God in man made manifest.

5    Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord, Present in Thy holy Word–

      Grace to imitate Thee now And be pure, as pure art Thou;

      That we might become like Thee At Thy great epiphany

      And may praise Thee, ever blest, God in man made manifest.

Sunday, December 18 2022

Hymn:  “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”   LSB # 341

1 Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates! Behold, the King of glory waits.

The King of kings is drawing near; The Savior of the world is here.

Life and salvation He doth bring; Therefore rejoice and gladly sing.

To God the Father raise Your joyful songs of praise.

2 A righteous Helper comes to thee; His chariot is humility,

His kingly crown is holiness, His scepter, pity in distress.

The end of all our woe He brings; Therefore the earth is glad and sings.

To Christ the Savior raise Your grateful hymns of praise.

3 How blest the land, the city blest, Where Christ the ruler is confessed!

O peaceful hearts and happy homes To whom this King in triumph comes!

The cloudless sun of joy is He Who comes to set His people free.

To God the Spirit raise Your happy shouts of praise.

4 Fling wide the portals of your heart; Make it a temple set apart

From earthly use for heav'n's employ, Adorned with prayer and love and joy.

So shall your Sov'reign enter in And new and nobler life begin.

To God alone be praise For word and deed and grace!

5 Redeemer, come and open wide My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide!

O enter with Thy grace divine; Thy face of mercy on me shine.

Thy Holy Spirit guide us on Until our glorious goal is won.

Eternal praise and fame We offer to Thy name.

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, King who comes to save us. (Advent response)

Psalmody (Psalm 95) (sung)

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

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

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

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

C:   O come, let us worship Him.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 7:10-17)

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your[a] God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 1:1-7)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

P:   O Lord, have mercy on us.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 1:18-25)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day “At the Name of Jesus”  LSB # 512

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

Ev'ry tongue confess Him King of glory now.

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

Who from the beginning Was the mighty Word.

2    At His voice creation Sprang at once to sight,

All the angel faces, All the hosts of light,

Thrones and bright dominions, Stars upon their way,

All the heav'nly orders In their great array.

3    Humbled for a season, To receive a name

From the lips of sinners Unto whom He came,

Faithfully He bore it Spotless to the last,

Brought it back victorious When from death He passed;

4    Bore it up triumphant With its human light,

Through all ranks of creatures To the central height,

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

Filled it with the glory Of that perfect rest.

5    In your hearts enthrone Him; There let Him subdue

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

Crown Him as your Captain In temptation's hour;

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

6    Christians, this Lord Jesus Shall return again

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

For all wreaths of empire Meet upon His brow,

And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

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

To a world in darkness Brought the gift of sight:

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

Praise we all together Him who reigns above.

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 “Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love”  LSB #900

1 Jesus! Name of wondrous love, Name all other names above,

Unto which must ev'ry knee Bow in deep humility.

2 Jesus! Name decreed of old, To the maiden mother told,

Kneeling in her lowly cell, By the angel Gabriel.

3 Jesus! Name of priceless worth To the fallen sons of earth

For the promise that it gave, "Jesus shall His people save."

4 Jesus! Name of mercy mild, Given to the holy Child

When the cup of human woe First He tasted here below.

5 Jesus! Only name that's giv'n Under all the mighty heav'n

Whereby those to sin enslaved Burst their fetters and are saved.

6 Jesus! Name of wondrous love, Human name of God above;

Pleading only this, we flee Helpless, 0 our God, to Thee.