Sunday, November 5, 2023 All Saints Day

Hymn of the Day “For All the Saints”  LSB # 677

1    For all the saints who from their labors rest,

      Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,

      Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

2    Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;

      Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;

      Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

3    Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,

      Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old

      And win with them the victor's crown of gold!  Alleluia! Alleluia!

4    Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!

      We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

      Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

5    And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,

      Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

      And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

6    The golden evening brightens in the west;

      Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;

      Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

7    But lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;

      The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

      The King of glory passes on His way.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

8    From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,

      Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

      Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:  Alleluia! Alleluia!

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  “Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us”  LSB #711

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

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

      Your holy name, O Jesus, Forevermore be blest!

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

      And now they shine in glory Reflected from Your throne.

4    Apostles, prophets, martyrs, and all the noble throng

      Who wear the spotless raiment and raise the ceaseless song –

      For these, passed on before us, we offer praises due

      And, walking in their footsteps, would live our lives for You.

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.

(Sung)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forever and forever, be worshiped and adored;

You with the Holy Spirit alone are Lord Most High,

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect for the day:

O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, Your humble servants, Your holy inspiration, that we may set our minds on the things that are right and, by Your merciful guiding, accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C:         Amen.

Scripture Readings

First Reading  (Revelation 7:9-17)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,

    and serve him day and night in his temple;

    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;

    the sun shall not strike them,

    nor any scorching heat.

17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,

    and he will guide them to springs of living water,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 John 3:1-3)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

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)

Seing 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 “Behold a Host, Arrayed in White” LSB# 676

1    Behold a host, arrayed in white, Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright!

      With palms they stand; Who is this band Before the throne of light?

      These are the saints of glorious fame, Who from the great affliction came

      And in the flood Of Jesus' blood Are cleansed from guilt and shame.

      They now serve God both day and night; They sing their songs in endless light.

      Their anthems ring As they all sing With angels shining bright.

2    Despised and scorned, they sojourned here; But now, how glorious they appear!

      Those martyrs stand, A priestly band, God's throne forever near.

      On earth they wept through bitter years; Now God has wiped away their tears,

      Transformed their strife To heav'nly life, And freed them from their fears.

      They now enjoy the Sabbath rest, The heav'nly banquet of the blest;

      The Lamb, their Lord, At festal board Himself is host and guest.

3 O blessed saints in bright array Now safely home in endless day,

      Extol the Lord, Who with His Word Sustained you on the way.

      The steep and narrow path you trod; You toiled and sowed the Word abroad;

      Rejoice and bring Your fruits and sing Before the throne of God.

      The myriad angels raise their song; O saints, sing with that happy throng!

      Lift up one voice; Let heav'n rejoice In our Redeemer's song!

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  “Jerusalem the Golden”  LSB # 672

1    Jerusalem the golden, With milk and honey blest--

      The promise of salvation, The place of peace and rest--

      We know not, oh, we know not What joys await us there;

      The radiancy of glory, The bliss beyond compare!

2    Within those halls of Zion Sounds forth the joyful song,

      As saints join with the angels and all the martyr throng.

      The Prince is ever with them; The daylight is serene;

      The city of the blessed Shines bright with glorious sheen.

3    Around the throne of David, The saints, from care released,

      Raise loud their songs of triumph To celebrate the feast.

      They sing to Christ their leader, Who conquered in the fight,

      Who won for them forever Their gleaming robes of white.

4    O sweet and blessèd country, The home of God's elect!

      O sweet and blessed country That faithful hearts expect!

      In mercy, Jesus, bring us To that eternal rest

      With You and God the Father And Spirit, ever blest.

Sunday, October 29, 2023 Reformation

OPENING HYMN                                             Thy Strong Word         LSB 578

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

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

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

      Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

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

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

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

      Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

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

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

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

      Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

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

      From the cross forever beameth All Thy bright redeeming light.

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

      Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

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

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

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

      Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

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

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

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

               Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
           

INVOCATION & OPENING SENTENCES            Jeremiah 18:4, 6; Romans 3:20, 26; adapted

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

C          Amen.

P          By works of the law no human being will be justified in God’s sight.

C          God is the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

P          Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

C          The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

P          As You reshaped the Church at the time of Luther,

C          reshape us in this generation, LORD, to love You with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves, all as a joyful response to Your first loving us.

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS                                       Romans 3:23–24; 2 Corinthians 5:21

P          All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

C          and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

P          God calls us to confess our sins. We observe a moment of silence for personal reflection and confession.

[A time of silence.]

P          God, You formed us in the womb, and You shape our lives to love and honor You and our neighbors.

C          Yet we are by nature sinful and separated from You. We sin against You in thoughts, words, and actions. For the sake of Jesus, who was tempted in every way as we are and yet without sin, we pray for Your forgiveness.

P          “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Therefore, by the command of 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          Thanks be to God. Amen.

PSALM                                                 Psalm 46

P          God is our refuge and strength,

C          a very present help in trouble.

P          Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

C          though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

P          though its waters roar and foam,

C          though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

P          There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

C          the holy habitation of the Most High.

P          God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

C          God will help her when morning dawns.

P          The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

C          He utters His voice, the earth melts.

P          The LORD of hosts is with us;

C          the God of Jacob is our fortress.

P          Come, behold the works of the Lord,

C          how he has brought desolations on the earth.

P          He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

C          he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

P          “Be still, and know that I am God.

C          I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

P          The LORD of hosts is with us;

C          The God of Jacob is our fortress.

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          God is our refuge and strength,

C          a very present help in trouble.

HYMN OF PRAISE                                The Lord, My God, Be Praised LSB 794

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

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

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

And make each moment yield New blessings on my way.

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

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

Who for my sin atoned With His most precious blood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SALUTATION & COLLECT OF THE DAY

P          The Lord be with you.

C          And also with you.

P          Let us pray.

All:      Lord God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, gave His life for ours on the cross that we now stand righteous before You by faith. Grant us to trust not in our own righteous actions but always in Jesus alone, that we may live now and forever in the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING                                   Revelation 14:6–7

            6Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

L          This is the Word of the Lord.          

C          Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE                                                           Romans 3:19–28

            19Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

            21But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

            27Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

L          This is the Word of the Lord.         

C          Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA VERSE         Luke 12:32

P          Alleluia.

C          Alleluia.

P          Fear not, little flock,

C          for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

P          Alleluia.

C          Alleluia.

HOLY GOSPEL                         John 8:31–36

P          The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the eighth chapter.         

C          Glory to You, O Lord.

            31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

            34Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

P          This is the Gospel of the Lord.         

C           Praise to You, O Christ.

HYMN OF THE DAY                 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God LSB 656

1 A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;

He helps us free from ev'ry need That hath us now o'ertaken.

The old evil foe Now means deadly woe;

Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;

On earth is not his equal.

2 With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected;

But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.

Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is,

Of Sabaoth Lord, And there's none other God;

He holds the field forever.

3 Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us.

We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow'r us.

This world's prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,

He can harm us none. He's judged; the deed is done;

One little word can fell him.

4 The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it;

He's by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit.

And take they our life,Goods, fame, child, and wife,

Though these all be gone, Our vict'ry has been won;

The Kingdom ours remaineth.                      

SERMON                                             Rev. David Vanderhyde, University Hills Lutheran Church

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 / HANDBELL SELECTION    "Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings”

OFFERTORY                 Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings        LSB 782

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May our deeds of dedication Offer love that never ends.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P          Filled with God’s grace, founded in faith, and nourished by the Word, let us offer our prayers for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their needs. For the Church, that we faithfully use our freedom in the Gospel to love and to serve both God and neighbor. Preserve the Church from discord and strife. Let the world see that we are Yours, O Lord, by our love for one another. Lord, in Your mercy,

C          hear our prayer.

P          For those entrusted to govern our nation, state, and local community: Guide them and help them to care justly and mercifully for all the people they serve. For the members of our armed forces, for victims of warfare and violence, and for our enemies, we pray that peace may prevail for all. Lord, in Your mercy,

C          hear our prayer.

P          Let us pray for those who are suffering, those we have named and those we name silently in our hearts. [Time of silence]. We pray that their pain and anxiety be relieved according to God’s will. For those who mourn the death of loved ones, we pray that God calm their troubled hearts and give them peace to face the days ahead in the confidence that He will never forsake them. Lord, in Your mercy,

C          hear our prayer.

P          Let us pray for those who visit our congregations, that they may find here a hospitality that bears witness to the kingdom of heaven. For all who travel, we pray that they arrive safely at their destinations. For all the households of this congregation, grant that they be havens of peace and places where Christ is proclaimed and lived. Lord, in Your mercy,

C          hear our prayer.

P          Let us pray for this holy assembly, that together we use our Gospel freedom responsibly. By the Holy Spirit, grant that we all undergo ongoing reformation of our hearts and minds and in the proper stewardship of our time, talents, and money, continuing to be faithful partners in ministry. Lord, in Your mercy,

C          hear our prayer.

P          Let us give thanks for those who have gone before us and are with the Lord, especially Martin Luther and all reformers of the Church. Sustain us in this earthly journey so that, trusting in the promises of Jesus, we, too, will know the joy of all those who have died in the faith. Lord, in Your mercy,

C          hear our prayer.

P          Holy God, hear these prayers of Your faithful people. By Your grace, grant us those things You see that we need for the sake of our Redeemer and Lord, Jesus Christ.

C          Amen.

P          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          God has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness.

C          Amen.

P          By grace you have been saved through faith.

C          Amen.

P          God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. In Christ, you are blessed.

C          Amen.

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          The Church's One Foundation           LSB 644

1    The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
      She is His new creation By water and the Word.
      From heav'n He came and sought her To be His holy bride;
      With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died.

2    Elect from ev'ry nation, Yet one o’er all the earth;
      Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth.
      One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food,
      And to one hope she presses With ev'ry grace endued.

3    Though with a scornful wonder The world sees her oppressed,
      By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed,
      Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up, “How long?”
      And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.

4    Through toil and tribulation And tumult of her war
      She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore
      Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest,
      And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.

5    Yet she on earth has union With God, the Three in One,
      And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won.
      O blessed heav'nly chorus! Lord, save us by Your grace
      That we, like saints before us, May see You face to face.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Hymn “Blessed Jesus, at Your Word”  LSB # 904

1    Blessed Jesus, at Your Word We are gathered all to hear You.

Let our hearts and souls be stirred Now to seek and love and fear You,

By Your teachings, sweet and holy, Drawn from earth to love You solely.

2    All our knowledge, sense, and sight Lie in deepest darkness shrouded

Till Your Spirit breaks our night With the beams of truth unclouded.

You alone to God can win us; You must work all good within us.

3    Gracious Savior, good and kind, Light of Light, from God proceeding,

Open now our heart and mind; Help us by Your Spirit’s pleading.

Hear the cry Your Church now raises; Hear and bless our prayers and praises.

4    Father, Son, and Spirit, Lord, Praise to You and adoration!

Grant that we may trust Your Word, Confident of our salvation,

While we here below must wander, Till we sing Your praises yonder.

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  “Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us”  LSB #711

1    Savior, like a shepherd lead us; Much we need Your tender care.

In Your pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Your fold prepare.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have bought us; we are Yours.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have bought us; we are Yours.

2    We are Yours; in love befriend us, Be the guardian of our way;

Keep Your flock, from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear us children when we pray.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear us children when we pray.

3    You have promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be;

You have mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to You.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to You.

4    Early let us seek Your favor, Early let us do Your will;

Blessed Lord and only Savior, With Your love our spirits fill.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have loved us, love us still.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have loved us, love us still.

(Sung)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forever and forever, be worshiped and adored;

You with the Holy Spirit alone are Lord Most High,

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect for the day:

O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, Your humble servants, Your holy inspiration, that we may set our minds on the things that are right and, by Your merciful guiding, accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C:         Amen.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Ezekiel 33:7-9)

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 13:1-10)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 18th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 18:1-20)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

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  “Shepherd of Tender Youth”  LSB # 864

1    Shepherd of tender youth, Guiding in love and truth

Through devious ways; Christ, our triumphant king,

We come Your name to sing And here our children bring

To join Your praise.

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

Healer of strife. Yourself You did abase

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

And give us life.

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

Of holy love; And in our mortal pain

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

Help from above.

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

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

By your enduring Word Lead us where You have trod;

Make our faith strong.

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

And joyful sing: Infants, and all the throng,

Who to the Church belong, Unite to swell the song

To Christ, our king!

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  “Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways”  LSB # 707

1 Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways To keep His statutes still!

Oh, that my God would grant me grace To know and do His will!

2 Order my footsteps by Thy Word And make my heart sincere;

Let sin have no dominion, Lord, But keep my conscience clear.

3 Assist my soul, too apt to stray, A stricter watch to keep;

And should I e'er forget Thy way, Restore Thy wand'ring sheep.

4 Make me to walk in Thy commands--'Tis a delightful road--

Nor let my head or heart or hands Offend against my God.

Sunday, September 3, 2023

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

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

Never grudging for the lost ones That tremendous sacrifice;

And with that have freely given Blessings countless as the sand

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

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

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

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

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

3          Wondrous honor You have given To our humblest charity

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

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

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

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

Never grudging for the lost ones That tremendous sacrifice.

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

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

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 (Jeremiah 15:15-21)

O Lord, you know;

    remember me and visit me,

    and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.

In your forbearance take me not away;

    know that for your sake I bear reproach.

16 Your words were found, and I ate them,

    and your words became to me a joy

    and the delight of my heart,

for I am called by your name,

    O Lord, God of hosts.

17 I did not sit in the company of revelers,

    nor did I rejoice;

I sat alone, because your hand was upon me,

    for you had filled me with indignation.

18 Why is my pain unceasing,

    my wound incurable,

    refusing to be healed?

Will you be to me like a deceitful brook,

    like waters that fail?

19 Therefore thus says the Lord:

“If you return, I will restore you,

    and you shall stand before me.

If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,

    you shall be as my mouth.

They shall turn to you,

    but you shall not turn to them.

20 And I will make you to this people

    a fortified wall of bronze;

they will fight against you,

    but they shall not prevail over you,

for I am with you

    to save you and deliver you,

declares the Lord.

21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,

    and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 12:9-21)

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 16:21-28)

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day “Hail! Thou Once Despised Jesus”  LSB # 531

1 Hail, Thou once despised Jesus! Hail, Thou Galilean King!

Thou didst suffer to release us; Thou didst free salvation bring.

Hail, Thou universal Savior, Bearer of our sin and shame!

By Thy merit we find favor; Life is given through Thy name.

2 Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, All our sins on Thee were laid;

By almighty love anointed, Thou hast full atonement made.

All Thy people are forgiven Through the virtue of Thy blood;

Opened is the gate of heaven, Reconciled are we with God.

3 Jesus, hail! Enthroned in glory, There forever to abide;

All the heav'nly host adore Thee, Seated at Thy Father's side.

There for sinners Thou art pleading; There Thou dost our place prepare,

Ever for us interceding Till in glory we appear.

4 Worship, honor, pow'r, and blessing Thou art worthy to receive;

Highest praises, without ceasing, Right it is for us to give.

Help, ye bright angelic spirits, All your noblest anthems raise;

Help to sing our Savior's merits, Help to chant Immanuel's praise!

Sermon

Te Deum (Sung)

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

All the earth now worships You, the Father everlasting.

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

To You cherubim and seraphim continually do cry:

      Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

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

The glorious company of the apostles praise You.

The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise You.

The noble army of martyrs praise You.

The holy Church throughout all the world does acknowledge You.

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

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

      You are the everlasting Son of the Father.

When You took upon Yourself to deliver man,

You humbled Yourself to be born of a virgin.

When You had overcome the sharpness of death,

You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

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

We believe that You will come to be our judge.

We therefore pray You to help Your servants,

whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.

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

O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage.

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

And we worship Your name forever and ever.

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

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

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

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

Prayer of the Church

P:  Lord, in Your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

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, August 27, 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:  Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life that we may boldly confess Him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:   Amen.

Hymn “I Know My Faith Is Founded”  LSB # 587

1 I know my faith is founded On Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;

And this my faith confessing, Unmoved I stand on His sure Word.

Our reason cannot fathom The truth of God profound;

Who trusts in human wisdom Relies on shifting ground.

God's Word is all-sufficient, It makes divinely sure;

And trusting in its wisdom, My faith shall rest secure.

2 Increase my faith, dear Savior, For Satan seeks by night and day

To rob me of this treasure And take my hope of bliss away.

But, Lord, with You beside me, I shall be undismayed;

And led by Your good Spirit, I shall be unafraid.

Abide with me, O Savior, A firmer faith bestow;

Then I shall bid defiance To ev'ry evil foe.

3 In faith, Lord, let me serve You; Though persecution, grief, and pain

Should seek to overwhelm me, Let me a steadfast trust retain;

And then at my departure, Lord, take me home to You,

Your riches to inherit As all You said holds true.

In life and death, Lord, keep me Until Your heav'n I gain,

Where I by Your great mercy The end of faith attain.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 21:1-6)

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,

    you who seek the Lord:

look to the rock from which you were hewn,

    and to the quarry from which you were dug.

2 Look to Abraham your father

    and to Sarah who bore you;

for he was but one when I called him,

    that I might bless him and multiply him.

3 For the Lord comforts Zion;

    he comforts all her waste places

and makes her wilderness like Eden,

    her desert like the garden of the Lord;

joy and gladness will be found in her,

    thanksgiving and the voice of song.

4 “Give attention to me, my people,

    and give ear to me, my nation;

for a law will go out from me,

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

5 My righteousness draws near,

    my salvation has gone out,

    and my arms will judge the peoples;

the coastlands hope for me,

    and for my arm they wait.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

    and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens vanish like smoke,

    the earth will wear out like a garment,

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

but my salvation will be forever,

    and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 11:33-12:8)

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,

    or who has been his counselor?”

35 “Or who has given a gift to him

    that he might be repaid?”

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(Matthew 16:13-20)

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

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 “Built on the Rock”  LSB #645

1    Built on the Rock the Church shall stand Even when steeples are falling.

Crumbled have spires in ev'ry land; Bells still are chiming and calling,

Calling the young and old to rest, But above all the soul distressed,

Longing for rest everlasting.

2    Surely in temples made with hands God, the Most High, is not dwelling;

High above earth His temple stands, All earthly temples excelling.

Yet He who dwells in heav'n above Chooses to live with us in love,

Making our bodies His temple.

3    We are God's house of living stones, Built for His own habitation.

He through baptismal grace us owns Heirs of His wondrous salvation.

Were we but two His name to tell, Yet He would deign with us to dwell

With all His grace and His favor.

4    Here stands the font before our eyes, Telling how God has received us.

Th'altar recalls Christ's sacrifice And what His Supper here gives us.

Here sound the Scriptures that proclaim Christ yesterday, today, the same,

And evermore, our Redeemer.

5    Grant, then, O God, Your will be done, That, when the church bells are ringing,

Many in saving faith may come Where Christ His message is bringing:

"I know MY own; My own know Me. You, not the world, My face shall see.

My peace I leave with you. Amen."

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 “We Are Called to Stand Together”  LSB # 828

1    We are called to stand together With the saints of ages past,

      With the patriarchs and prophets In the faith they once held fast;

      Promises and hopes they treasured Now we find fulfilled at last!

2    Those whom Jesus called apostles Journeyed with Him side by side,

      Heard His teaching, felt His power, Saw the way He lived and died;

      Then the news of resurrection They delivered far and wide.

3    Through the intervening ages Round the world the Gospel spread:

      Faithful heralds took the message, Guided where the Spirit led;

      So the body grew in stature, Serving Christ, the living head.

4    Now in many tongues and cultures Songs of celebration ring;

      Millions who confess our Savior Honor Him as Lord and King

      And, for courage, grace and guidance Ev’ry day their prayers they bring.

5    To each coming generation Tell the truth, persuade, explain,

      Till the time when time is ended, Till the Savior comes again—

      Till the saints are all united Under Christ’s eternal reign!

Sunday, August 20, 2023

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

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

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

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.

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

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

Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in His faithfulness.

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

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

Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows.

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

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

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

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

C:   amen.

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

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

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

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

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

P:   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  “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness”  LSB # 849

1    Praise the One who breaks the darkness With a liberating light;

Praise the One who frees the pris'ners  Turning blindness into sight.

Praise the One who preached the Gospel, Healing ev'ry dread disease,

Calming storms, and feeding thousands With the very Bread of peace.

2    Praise the One who blessed the children With a strong, yet gentle word;

Praise the One who drove out demons With the piercing two-edged sword.

Praise the one who brings cool water To the desert's burning sand;

From this Well comes living water Quenching thirst in ev'ry land.

3    Let us praise the Word incarnate, Christ, who suffered in our place.

Jesus died and rose victorious That we may know God by grace.

Let us sing for joy and gladness, Seeing what our God has done;

Let us praise the true Redeemer, Praise the One who makes us one.

(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:   Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children many blessings even though we are undeserving.  In every trial and temptation grant us steadfast confidence in Your loving-kindness and mercy; 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 56:1, 6-8)

Thus says the Lord:

“Keep justice, and do righteousness,

for soon my salvation will come,

    and my righteousness be revealed…

6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,

    to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,

    and to be his servants,

everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,

    and holds fast my covenant—

7 these I will bring to my holy mountain,

    and make them joyful in my house of prayer;

their burnt offerings and their sacrifices

    will be accepted on my altar;

for my house shall be called a house of prayer

    for all peoples.”

8 The Lord God,

    who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares,

“I will gather yet others to him

    besides those already gathered.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32)

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew…

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

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 15th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 15:21-28)

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “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!

Sermon

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn “Jesus 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.

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Hymn “Christ Is Our Cornerstone”  LSB # 912

1    Christ is our cornerstone, On Him alone we build;

With His true saints alone The courts of heav'n are filled.

On His great love Our hopes we place

Of present grace And joys above.

2    Here may we gain from heav'n The grace which we implore,

And may that grace, once giv'n, Be with us evermore

Until that day When all the blest

To endless rest Are called away.

3    Oh, then, with hymns of praise These hallowed courts shall ring;

Our voices we will raise The Three in One to sing

And thus proclaim In joyful song,

Both loud and long, That glorious name.

P:   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  “Children of the Heavenly Father”  LSB #725

1 Children of the heav’nly Father Safely in His bosom gather;

Nestling bird nor star in heaven Such a refuge e’er was given.

2 God His own doth tend and nourish; In His holy courts they flourish.

From all evil things He spares them; In His mighty arms He bears them.

3 Neither life nor death shall ever From the Lord His children sever;

Unto them His grace He showeth, And their sorrows all He knoweth.

4 Though He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne’er forsaketh;

His the loving purpose solely To preserve them pure and holy.

(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 and most merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; 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  (Job 38:4-18)

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

    Tell me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

    Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 On what were its bases sunk,

    or who laid its cornerstone,

7 when the morning stars sang together

    and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors

    when it burst out from the womb,

9 when I made clouds its garment

    and thick darkness its swaddling band,

10 and prescribed limits for it

    and set bars and doors,

11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,

    and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,

    and caused the dawn to know its place,

13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,

    and the wicked be shaken out of it?

14 It is changed like clay under the seal,

    and its features stand out like a garment.

15 From the wicked their light is withheld,

    and their uplifted arm is broken.

16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,

    or walked in the recesses of the deep?

17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,

    or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?

18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?

    Declare, if you know all this.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 10:5-17)

Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 14:22-33)

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Hymn  “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”  LSB # 717

1 Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

   Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep:

   O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea.

2 O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain, O’er which our traffic runs amain

   By mountain pass or valley low; Wherever, Lord, Thy people go,

   Protect them by Thy guarding hand From every peril on the land.

3 O Spirit, whom the Father sent To spread abroad the firmament;

   O Wind of heaven , by Thy might Save all who dare the eagle’s flight,

   And keep them by Thy watchful care From every peril in the ait.

4 O Trinity of love and pow'r, Our people shield in danger's hour;

   From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them where-soe'er they go;

   Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad praise from air and land and sea.

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  “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”  LSB # 739

1 Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand;

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.

Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light.

Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.

2 When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near,

When my life is almost gone,

Hear my cry, hear my call; Hold my hand lest I fall.

Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.

3 When the darkness appears And the night draws near

And the day is almost gone,

At the river I stand; guide my feet, hold my hand,

Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.

Sunday, August 6, 2023

Sunday, July 30, 2023

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

1    Awake, my soul, and with the sun Thy daily stage of duty run;

Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise To pay thy morning sacrifice.

2    In conversation be sincere, Thy conscience as the noon-day clear;

Think how the all-seeing God thy ways And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

3    All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept And hast refreshed me while I slept;

Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, I may of endless light partake.

4    Lord, I my vows to Thee renew; Disperse my sins as morning dew;

Guard my first springs of thought and will And with Thyself my spirit fill.

5    Direct, control, suggest this day All I design or do or say

That all my pow'rs with all their might In Thy sole glory may unite.

6    Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love, that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; 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 “The Church’s One Foundation”  LSB # 644

1    The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;

      She is His new creation By water and the Word.

      From heav'n He came and sought her To be His holy bride;

      With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died.

2    Elect from ev'ry nation, Yet one o’er all the earth;

      Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth.

      One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food,

      And to one hope she presses With ev'ry grace endued.

3    Though with a scornful wonder The world sees her oppressed,

      By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed,

      Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up, “How long?”

      And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.

4    Through toil and tribulation And tumult of her war

      She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore

      Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest,

      And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.

5    Yet she on earth has union With God, the Three in One,

      And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won.

      O blessed heav'nly chorus! Lord, save us by Your grace

      That we, like saints before us, May see You face to face.

Scripture Readings

First Reading (Deuteronomy 7:6-9)

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 8:28-39 )

We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(Matthew 13:44-52)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

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 “I Love Your Kingdom, Lord”  LSB #651

I love Your kingdom, Lord, the place of Your abode,

The Church our blest Redeemer saved with His own precious blood.

Beyond my highest joy I prize its heav’nly ways,

Its sweet communion, solemn vows, its hymns of love and praise.

I love Your Church, O God, Your saints in ev’ry land,

Dear as the apple of Your eye and graven on Your hand.

For them my tears shall fall; For them my prayers ascend;

For them my cares and toils be giv’n till toils and cares shall end.

Sure as Your truth shall last, to Zion shall be giv’n

The brightest glories earth can yield and brighter bliss of heav’n.

Sermon

Offertory/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 “Abide, O Dearest Jesus”  LSB # 919

1    Abide, O dearest Jesus, Among us with Your grace

That Satan may not harm us Nor we to sin give place.

2    Abide, O dear Redeemer, Among us with Your Word,

And thus now and hereafter True peace and joy afford.

3    Abide with heav'nly brightness Among us, precious Light;

Your truth direct and keep us From error's gloomy night.

4    Abide with richest blessings Among us, bounteous Lord;

Let us in grace and wisdom Grow daily through Your Word.

5    Abide with Your protection Among us, Lord, our strength,

Lest world and Satan fell us And overcome at length.

6    Abide, O faithful Savior, Among us with Your love;

Grant steadfastness and help us To reach our home above.

Sunday, July 23, 2023

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

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

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

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

And make each moment yield New blessings on my way.

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

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

Who for my sin atoned With His most precious blood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   amen.

P:   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  “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”  LSB # 700

1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav'n, to earth come down!

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter ev'ry trembling heart.

2 Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit Into ev'ry troubled breast;

Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find Thy promised rest.

Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.

3 Come, Almighty, to deliver; Let us all Thy life receive;

Suddenly return, and never, Nevermore Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,

Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.

4 Finish then Thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be;

Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee,

Changed from glory into glory, Till in heav'n we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise!

(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:   O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your final judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You in perfect joy hereafter; 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 44:6-8)

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel

    and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:

“I am the first and I am the last;

    besides me there is no god.

7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.

    Let him declare and set it before me,

since I appointed an ancient people.

    Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.

8 Fear not, nor be afraid;

    have I not told you from of old and declared it?

    And you are my witnesses!

Is there a God besides me?

    There is no Rock; I know not any.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 8:18-27)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of 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 13th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

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

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Hymn “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, July 16, 2023

Hymn “Come, Thou Almighty King”  LSB # 905

1 Come, Thou almighty King, Help us Thy Name to sing: Help us to praise;

Father all-glorious, O’er all victorious,

Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days.

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

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

And let Thy righteousness On us descend.

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

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

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

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

Thy sov'reign majesty May we in glory see,

And to eternity Love and adore.

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

C:   Amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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:

Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that 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.
C:   Amen.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading  (Isaiah 55:10-13)

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

    and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

    it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

12 “For you shall go out in joy

    and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you

    shall break forth into singing,

    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;

    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;

and it shall make a name for the Lord,

    an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 8:12-17)

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

“Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

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  “Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast”  LSB # 577

1 Open now thy gates of beauty; Zion, let me enter there,

Where my soul in joyful duty Waits for Him who answers prayer.

Oh, how blessed is this place, Filled with solace, light, and grace!

2 Gracious God, I come before Thee; Come Thou also unto me.

Where we find Thee and adore Thee, There a heav'n on earth must be.

To my heart, O enter Thou; Let it be Thy temple now!

3 Here Thy praise is gladly chanted; Here Thy seed is duly sown.

Let my soul, where it is planted, Bring forth precious sheaves alone,

So that all I hear may be Fruitful unto life in me.

4 Thou my faith increase and quicken; Let me keep Thy gift divine,

Howsoe'er temptations thicken; May Thy Word still o'er me shine

As my guiding star through life, As my comfort in the strife.

5 Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee; Let Thy will be done indeed.

May I undisturbed draw near Thee While Thou dost Thy people feed.

Here of life the fountain flows; Here is balm for all our woes.

Sermon

Offering

Prayer of the Church

P:         Lord, in Your mercy

C:         hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.

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

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

C:   Amen.

Closing Hymn  “On What Has Now Been Sown”  LSB #921

1    On what has now been sown Thy blessing, Lord, bestow;

The pow'r is Thine alone To make it sprout and grow.

Do Thou in grace the harvest raise, And Thou alone shalt have the praise!

2    To Thee our wants are known, From Thee are all our pow'rs;

Accept what is Thine own And pardon what is ours.

Our praises, Lord, and prayers receive, And to Thy Word a blessing give.

3    O grant that each of us, Now met before Thee here,

May meet together thus When Thou and Thine appear

And follow Thee to heav'n, our home. E'en so, amen, Lord Jesus, come!

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Hymn:  “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”   LSB # 901

1 Open now thy gates of beauty; Zion, let me enter there,

Where my soul in joyful duty Waits for Him who answers prayer.

Oh, how blessed is this place, Filled with solace, light, and grace!

2 Gracious God, I come before Thee; Come Thou also unto me.

Where we find Thee and adore Thee, There a heav'n on earth must be.

To my heart, O enter Thou; Let it be Thy temple now!

3 Here Thy praise is gladly chanted; Here Thy seed is duly sown.

Let my soul, where it is planted, Bring forth precious sheaves alone,

So that all I hear may be Fruitful unto life in me.

4 Thou my faith increase and quicken; Let me keep Thy gift divine,

Howsoe'er temptations thicken; May Thy Word still o'er me shine

As my guiding star through life, As my comfort in the strife.

5 Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee; Let Thy will be done indeed.

May I undisturbed draw near Thee While Thou dost Thy people feed.

Here of life the fountain flows; Here is balm for all our woes.

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 (Zechariah 9:9-12)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

    righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

    and the war horse from Jerusalem;

and the battle bow shall be cut off,

    and he shall speak peace to the nations;

his rule shall be from sea to sea,

    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,

    I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.

12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;

    today I declare that I will restore to you double.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 7:14-25a)

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 11:25-30)

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day “Entrust Your Days and Burdens”  LSB # 754

1 Entrust your days and burdens To God's most loving hand;

   He cares for you while ruling The sky, the sea, the land.

   For He who guides the tempests Along their thund'rous ways

   Will find for you a pathway And guide you all your days.

2 Rely on God your Savior And find your life secure.

   Make His work your foundation That your work may endure.

   No anxious thought, no worry, No self-tormenting care

   Can win your Father's favor; His heart is moved by prayer.

3 Take heart, have hope, my spirit, And do not be dismayed;

   God helps in ev'ry trial And makes you unafraid.

   Await His time with patience Through darkest hours of night

   Until the sun you hoped for Delights your eager sight.

4 Leave all to His direction; His wisdom rules for you

   In ways to rouse your wonder At all His love can do.

   Soon He, His promise keeping, With wonder-working pow'rs

   Will banish from your spirit What gave you troubled hours.

5 O blessed heir of heaven, You’ll hear the song resound

   Of endless jubilation When you with life are crowned.

   In your right hand your maker Will place the victor’s palm,

   And you will thank Him gladly With heaven’s joyful psalm.

6 Our hands and feet, Lord, strengthen; With joy our spirits bless

   Until we see the ending Of all our life’s distress.

   And so throughout our lifetime Keep us within Your care

   And at our end then bring us To heav’n to praise You there.

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 “Be Still, My Soul”  LSB # 752

1    Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to your God to order and provide;

In ev'ry change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; your best, your heav'nly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2    Be still, my soul; your God will undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3    Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart

And all is darkened in the vale of tears;

Then you will better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears.

Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

4    Be still, my soul; the hour is hast'ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Hymn  “O Day of Rest and Gladness”  LSB # 906

1    O day of rest and gladness, O day of joy and light,

O balm of care and sadness, most beautiful, most bright;

this day the high and lowly, through ages joined to bless,

sing, “Holy, holy, holy,” the triune God confess.

2    This day at earth’s creation the light first had its birth;

this day for our salvation Christ rose from depths of earth;

this day our Lord victorious the Sprit sent from heav’n,

and thus this day most glorious a threefold light was giv’n.

3    This day, God’s people meeting, His Holy Scripture hear;

His living presence greeting, through bread and wine made near.

We journey on, believing, renewed with heav’nly might,

from grace more grace receiving, on this blest day of light.

4    That light our hope sustaining, we walk the pilgrim way,

at length our rest attaining, our endless Sabbath day.

We sing to Thee our praises, O Father, Spirit, Son;

the Church her voice upraises to Thee, blest Three in One.

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  “The Law of God Is Good and Wise”  LSB #579

1 The Law of God is good and wise And sets His will before our eyes,

Shows us the way of righteousness And dooms to death when we transgress.

2 Its light of holiness imparts The knowledge of our sinful hearts

That we may see our lost estate And turn from sin before too late.

3 To those who help in Christ have found And would in works of love abound

It shows what deeds are His delight And should be done as good and right.

4 But those who scornfully disdain God's Law shall then in sin remain;

Its terror in their ear resounds And keeps their wickedness in bounds.

5 The Law is good; but since the fall Its holiness condemns us all;

It dooms us for our sin to die And has no pow'r to justify.

6 To Jesus we for refuge flee, Who from the curse has set us free,

And humbly worship at His throne, Saved by His grace through faith alone.

(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, because Your abiding presence always goes with us, keep us aware of Your daily mercies that we may live secure and content in Your eternal love, 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  (Jeremiah 20:7-13)

O Lord, you have deceived me,

    and I was deceived;

you are stronger than I,

    and you have prevailed.

I have become a laughingstock all the day;

    everyone mocks me.

8 For whenever I speak, I cry out,

    I shout, “Violence and destruction!”

For the word of the Lord has become for me

    a reproach and derision all day long.

9 If I say, “I will not mention him,

    or speak any more in his name,”

there is in my heart as it were a burning fire

    shut up in my bones,

and I am weary with holding it in,

    and I cannot.

10 For I hear many whispering.

    Terror is on every side!

“Denounce him! Let us denounce him!”

    say all my close friends,

    watching for my fall.

“Perhaps he will be deceived;

    then we can overcome him

    and take our revenge on him.”

11 But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior;

    therefore my persecutors will stumble;

    they will not overcome me.

They will be greatly shamed,

    for they will not succeed.

Their eternal dishonor

    will never be forgotten.

12 O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous,

    who sees the heart and the mind,

let me see your vengeance upon them,

    for to you have I committed my cause.

13 Sing to the Lord;

    praise the Lord!

For he has delivered the life of the needy

    from the hand of evildoers.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 6:12-23)

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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 10th chapter.

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 10:5a, 21-33)

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them…

Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day  “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus”  LSB # 685

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     All discomforts that annoy Shall give way to mirth hereafter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     In your presence constantly, Living there with you forever.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still Your children wander homeless; Still the hungry cry for bread;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Hymn:  “God Himself Is Present”   LSB # 907

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C:   Amen.

P:   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 (Hosea 5:15-6:6)

15 I will return again to my place,

    until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face,

    and in their distress earnestly seek me.

6:1 “Come, let us return to the Lord;

    for he has torn us, that he may heal us;

    he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

2 After two days he will revive us;

    on the third day he will raise us up,

    that we may live before him.

3 Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;

    his going out is sure as the dawn;

he will come to us as the showers,

    as the spring rains that water the earth.”

4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?

    What shall I do with you, O Judah?

Your love is like a morning cloud,

    like the dew that goes early away.

5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;

    I have slain them by the words of my mouth,

    and my judgment goes forth as the light.

6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

    the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Romans 4:13-25)

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. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  (Sung) Glory to You, O Lord.

(Matthew 9:9-13)

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   (Sung) Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day “Jesus Sinners Doth Receive”  LSB # 609

1 Jesus sinners doth receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder

Who in sin's delusions live And from God and heaven wander!

Here is hope for all who grieve: Jesus sinners doth receive.

2 We deserve but grief and shame, Yet His words, rich grace revealing,

Pardon, peace, and life proclaim; Here our ills have perfect healing.

Firmly in these words believe: Jesus sinners doth receive.

3 Sheep that from the fold did stray No true shepherd e'er forsaketh;

Weary souls that lost their way Christ, the Shepherd, gently taketh

In His arms that they may live: Jesus sinners doth receive.

4 I, a sinner, come to Thee With a penitent confession.

Savior, mercy show to me;  Grant for all my sins remission.

Let these words my soul relieve:Jesus sinners doth receive.

5 Oh, how blest it is to know: Were as scarlet my transgression,

It shall be as white as snow By Thy blood and bitter passion:

For these words I now believe: Jesus sinners doth receive.

6 Now my conscience is at peace; From the Law I stand acquitted.

Christ hath purchased my release And my ev'ry sin remitted.

Naught remains my soul to grieve: Jesus sinners doth receive.

7 Jesus sinners doth receive; Also I have been forgiven;

And when I this earth must leave, I shall find an open heaven.

Dying, still to Him I cleave: Jesus sinners doth receive.

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 “Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord”  LSB # 935

1    Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!

unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;

Tender to me the promise of His Word;

In God my Savior shall my heart rejoice

2    Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!

Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;

His mercy sure, from age to age to same;

His holy Name--the Lord, the Mighty One

3    Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!

Powers and dominions lay their glory by

Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight

The hungry fed, the humble lifted high

4    Tell out, my soul, the glories of his Word!

Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord

To children's children and for evermore!

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Hymn “Baptized into Your Name Most Holy”  LSB # 590

1    Baptized into Your name most holy, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

I claim a place, though weak and lowly, Among Your saints, Your chosen host.

Buried with Christ and dead to sin, Your Spirit now shall live within.

2    My loving Father, here You take me To be henceforth Your child and heir.

My faithful Savior, here You make me The fruit of all Your sorrows share.

O Holy Spirit, comfort me When threat'ning clouds around I see.

3    My faithful God, You fail me never; Your promise surely will endure.

O cast me not away forever If words and deeds become impure.

Have mercy when I come defiled; Forgive, lift up, restore Your child.

4    All that I am and love most dearly-- Receive it all, O Lord, from me.

Let me confess my faith sincerely; Help me Your faithful child to be!

Let nothing that I am or own Serve any will but Yours alone.

Baptism of Wren Leigh Banes (Born to Sophia and Dylan Banes)

Hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy”  LSB # 507

1    Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2    Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3    Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow'r, in love, and purity.

4    Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

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, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty.  Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.

C:   Amen.

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

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

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

Glory, glory While eternal ages run!

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

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

Glory, glory To the Lamb that once was slain!

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

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

Glory, glory To the King of glory sing!

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

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

Glory, glory, Glory to the King of kings!

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Reading (Genesis 1:1-2:4a)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image,

    in the image of God he created him;

    male and female he created them.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (Acts 2:14a, 22-36)

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

22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,

    for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

    my flesh also will dwell in hope.

27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

    or let your Holy One see corruption.

28 You have made known to me the paths of life;

    you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

35     until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

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

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

P:  The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 28th chapter.

C:  (sung) Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(Matthew 28:16-20)

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

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

Confession of Faith  --  Athanasian Creed

*Catholic means “universal”

P:   Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic* faith.

C:   Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally.

P:   And the catholic faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity,

C:   neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance.

P:   For the Father is one person, the Son is another,

C:   and the Holy Spirit is another.

P:   But the Godhead of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one:

C:   the glory equal, the majesty coeternal.

P:   Such as the Father is, such is the Son,

C:   and such is the Holy Spirit:

P:   the Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Spirit uncreated;

C:   the Father infinite, the Son infinite, the Holy Spirit infinite;

P:   the Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal.

C:   And yet there are not three eternals, but one eternal,

P:   just as there are not three Uncreated or three Infinites,

C:   but one Uncreated and one Infinite.

P:   In the same way, the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, the Holy Spirit almighty;

C:   And yet there are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.

P:   So the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God;

C:   and yet there are not three Gods, but one God.

P:   So the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord;

C:   and yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord.

P:   Just as we are compelled by the Christian truth to acknowledge each distinct person

      as God and Lord,

C:   so also are we prohibited by the catholic religion to say that there are three Gods or

      Lords.

P:   The Father is not made nor created

C:   nor begotten by anyone.

P:   The Son is neither made nor created,

C:   but begotten of the Father alone.

P:   The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son,

C:   neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeding.

P:   Thus, there is one Father,

C:   not three Fathers;

P:   one Son,

C:   not three Sons;

P:   one Holy Spirit,

C:   not three Holy Spirits.

P:   And in this Trinity none is before or after another;

C:   none is greater or less than another;

P:   but the whole three persons are coeternal with each other and coequal, so that in all

      things, as has been stated above,

C:   the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity is to be worshiped.

P:   Therefore, whoever desires to be saved

C:   must think thus about the Trinity.

P:   But it is also necessary for everlasting salvation

C:   that one faithfully believe the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

P:   Therefore, it is the right faith that we believe and confess

C:   that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is at the same time both God and man.

P:   He is God,

C:   begotten from the substance of the Father before all ages;

P:   and He is man,

C:   born from the substance of His mother in this age:

P:   perfect God and perfect man,

C:   composed of a rational soul and human flesh;

P:   equal to the Father with respect to His divinity,

C:   less than the Father with respect to His humanity.

P:   Although He is God and man,

C:   He is not two, but one Christ:

P:   one, however, not by the conversion of the divinity into flesh

C:   but by the assumption of the humanity into God;

P:   one altogether, not by confusion of substance,

C:   but by unity of person.

P:   For as the rational soul and flesh is one man,

C:   so God and man is one Christ,

P:   who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day

      from the dead,

C:   ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty,

      from whence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

P:   At His coming all people will rise again with their bodies

C:   and give an account concerning their own deeds.

P:   And those who have done good will enter into eternal life,

C:   and those who have done evil into eternal fire.

P:   This is the catholic* faith;

C:   whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved.

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!

Sermon

Offertory and Offering

Prayer of the Church

P:   Lord, in your mercy,

C:   Receive our prayer.

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 “Crown Him with Many Crowns”  LSB # 525

1    Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne;

Hark how the heav'nly anthem drowns All music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee,

And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

2    Crown Him the virgin's Son, The God incarnate born,

Whose arm those crimson trophies won Which now His brow adorn;

Fruit of the mystic rose, Yet of that rose the stem,

      The root whence mercy ever flows, The babe of Bethlehem.

3    Crown Him the Lord of Love, Behold His hands and side,

Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.

No angels in the sky Can fully bear that sight,

But down-ward bends their wond'ring eyes At mysteries so bright.

4    Crown Him the Lord of Life, Who triumphed o'er the grave

And rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high,

Who died eternal life to bring And lives that death may die.

5    Crown Him the Lord of heav'n, Enthroned in worlds above,

Crown Him the King to whom is giv'n The wondrous name of Love.

Crown Him with many crowns As thrones before him fall;

Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, For He is King of all.

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Hymn “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”  LSB # 493

1    A hymn of glory let us sing; New songs throughout the world shall ring:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Christ, by a road before untrod, Ascends unto the throne of God.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2    The holy apostolic band Upon the Mount of Olives stand;

Alleluia! Alleluia!

And with His faithful followers see Their Lord ascend in majesty.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

3    To them the shining angels cry, "Why stand and gaze upon the sky?"

Alleluia! Alleluia!

"This is the Savior," thus they say, "This is His glorious triumph day."

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

4    “You see Him now, ascending high Up to the portals of the sky.”

Alleluia! Alleluia!

“Here after Jesus you shall see Returning in great majesty.”

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

5    Be now our joy on earth, O Lord, And be our future great reward.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Then, throned with You forever, we Shall praise Your name eternally.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

6    "O risen Christ, ascended Lord, All praise to You let earth accord,"

Alleluia! Alleluia!

"You are, while endless ages run, With Father and with Spirit One."

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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  “I Know My Faith Is Founded”  LSB #587

1 I know my faith is founded On Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;

And this my faith confessing, Unmoved I stand on His sure Word.

Our reason cannot fathom The truth of God profound;

Who trusts in human wisdom Relies on shifting ground.

God's Word is all-sufficient, It makes divinely sure;

And trusting in its wisdom, My faith shall rest secure.

2 Increase my faith, dear Savior, For Satan seeks by night and day

To rob me of this treasure And take my hope of bliss away.

But, Lord, with You beside me, I shall be undismayed;

And led by Your good Spirit, I shall be unafraid.

Abide with me, O Savior, A firmer faith bestow;

Then I shall bid defiance To ev'ry evil foe.

3 In faith, Lord, let me serve You; Though persecution, grief, and pain

Should seek to overwhelm me, Let me a steadfast trust retain;

And then at my departure, Lord, take me home to You,

Your riches to inherit As all You said holds true.

In life and death, Lord, keep me Until Your heav'n I gain,

Where I by Your great mercy The end of faith attain.

(Sung)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forever and forever, be worshiped and adored;

You with the Holy Spirit alone are Lord Most High,

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

P:   The Lord be with you.

C:   And also with you.

P:   Let us pray.

Collect for the day:

O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C:   Amen.

Scripture Readings

First Reading  (Acts 1:12-26)

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,

    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading    (1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11)

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

P:   This is the Word of the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

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

C:  Glory to You, O Lord.

(John 17:1-11)

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

P:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C:   Praise to You, O Christ.

Confession of Faith  --  Nicene Creed

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

            maker of heaven and earth

            and of all things visible and invisible.

      And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

            the only‐begotten Son of God,

            begotten of His Father before all worlds,

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

            begotten, not made,

            being of one substance with the Father,

            by whom all things were made;

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

            and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

            and was made man;

            and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

            He suffered and was buried.

            And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

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

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

            whose kingdom will have no end.

      And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the Lord and giver of life,

            who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

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

            who spoke by the prophets.

            And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church

            I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

            and I look for the resurrection of the dead

            and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Hymn  “O Word of God Incarnate”  LSB # 523

1 O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,

O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky:

We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page,

A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.

2 The Church from You, dear Master, Received the gift divine;

And still that light is lifted O'er all the earth to shine.

It is the chart and compass That, all life's voyage through,

Mid mists and rocks and quicksands Still guides, O Christ, to You.

3 O make Your Church, dear Savior, A lamp of burnished gold

To bear before the nations Your true light as of old!

O teach Your wand'ring pilgrims By this their path to trace

Till, clouds and darkness ended, They see You face to face!

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  “Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels”  LSB # 491

1 Up through endless ranks of angels, Cries of triumph in His ears,

To His heav’nly throne ascending, Having vanquished all their fears,

Christ looks down upon His faithfull, Leaving them in happy tears.

2 Death-destroying, life-restoring, Proven equal to our need,

Now for us before the Father As our brother intercede;

Flesh that for our world was wounded, Living, for the wounded plead!

3 To our lives of wanton wand’ring Send Your Spirit, promised guide;

Through our lives of fear and failure With Your pow’r and love abide;

Welcome us, as You were welcomed, To an endless Eastertide.

4 Alleluia, alleluia! Oh, to breathe the Spirit’s grace!

Alleluia, alleluia! Oh, to see the Father’s face!

Alleluia, alleluia! Oh, to feel the Son’s embrace!

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.