Reformation Day (Observed) – Divine Service

 

The Law leaves us speechless, for it condemns us and holds us accountable to God.  By the Law, every sin is unmasked, every sinner declared guilty.  In Christ, by His blood, we receive faith.  This faith justifies us apart from the works of the law.  Thanks be to God that Christ gives us this Gospel.  By it, sin is forgiven and sinners declared innocent.  This is our freedom in Christ proclaimed throughout every nation, tribe, language, and people.

 

 

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“The Church’s One Foundation”     LSB 644

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”     LSB 656

“Salvation Unto Us Has Come”     LSB 555  

“Gracious God You Send Great Blessings”     LSB 782

“On Budding Hearts God Wrote the Law”     OAR 346

“Built on the Rock”     LSB 645

“My Faith Looks Up to Thee”   LSB 702

“God Loves Me Dearly”     LSB 392

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1

 

Before God, men, women, and children plead incessantly for justice in the face of rebellion and adversity.  Those who know and confess Jesus bear the weight of guilt and need His Word of undeserved acquittal.  God’s word is the solitary source of that promise.  It teaches, corrects, declares righteousness, and equips us for every good work.  Scripture, in its entirety, is that living, breathing, vibrant account of God continually striving by the side of His chosen people – delivering them from sin.    

 

Genesis 32:22-30

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Luke 18:1-8

 

O Lord, almighty and everlasting God, You have commanded us to pray and have promised to hear us. Mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may direct and govern our hearts in all things that we may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“On Budding Hearts God Wrote the Law”     OAR 346“

I Trust, O Lord, Your Holy Name”     LSB 734  

“O Word of God Incarnate”     LSB 523

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

“The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace”   LSB 580 

“God Who Made the Earth and Heaven”     LSB 877

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost and LWML Sunday

Divine Service

 

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is an official  auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, the LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to support global missions.  As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. 

 

Ruth 1:1-19a  

2 Timothy 2:1-13     

Luke 17:11-19

 

Almighty God, You show mercy to Your people in all their troubles. Grant us always to recognize Your goodness, give thanks for Your compassion, and praise Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“On Budding Hearts God Wrote the Law”     OAR 346

“For All the Faithful Women”     LSB 855, sts. 1, 7, 3 & 4  

“Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”     LSB 525

“From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee”     LSB 607

“Once He Came in Blessing”   LSB 333

“Serve the Lord with Gladness”

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost – Prayer and Preaching

 

Faith does not preclude Christians from adversity and persecution.  Faith arms believers with Christlike tenacity, equipping us to persevere in prayer and joy, continually confessing Jesus as the source of life and immortality.  Temptations will come; believing saints will sin; yet repentant sinners will be forgiven.  Satan will surely seek to undermine our faith, yet Christ Jesus in unrelenting mercy and forgiveness will guard us until the day of salvation. 

 

 

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, by Your grace hear the prayers of Your Church. Grant that those things which we ask in faith we may receive through Your bountiful mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

 

“On Budding Hearts God Wrote the Law”   OAR 346

“I Know My Faith Is Founded”     LSB 587  

“Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive”     LSB 843

 

The flowers last Sunday were given by Tim and Barb Yeadon in memory of Erich Yeadon. 

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Divine Service

 

Christ mediates the chasm between faith and faithlessness, mercy and judgement, life and death!  Overseers and deacons are caretakers of this delicate balance between Law and Gospel.  Their biblical qualifications for office require faithful service that is blameless, dignified, and godly.  Preachers and teachers of God’s Word are to be above reproach, clinging to faith in Christ.  In faith, we all fight the good fight and make the good confession as did Moses, the prophets, and the saints before us.        

 

 

O God, You are the strength of all who trust in You, and without Your aid we can do no good thing. Grant us the help of Your grace that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

Hymns

“Lift High the Cross”     LSB 837

“Lord, Thee I Love with all My Heart”     LSB 708   (sung by choir)

“All You Works of God, Bless the Lord”     LSB 930

“Lord Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor”     LSB 534

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

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”     LSB 686

“Glory Be to God the Father”     LSB 506

 

 

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Divine Service

 

Faithful stewards of God’s gifts anchor themselves in constant prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving.  Meager gifts of the poor ought to be intentionally safeguarded; the position and wealth of kings are to be highly regarded.  Yet we know wealth belongs to a fallen world.  Obsession with riches threatens our loyalty to God.  Christ surpasses the value of all material possessions.  He is our lasting treasure, who paid the greatest price – ransoming our lives at the cost of His own.   

 

Amos 8:4-7  

1 Timothy 2:1-15     

Luke 16:1-15

 

Collect of the Day:
O Lord, keep Your Church in Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fall, preserve us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

“Lift High the Cross”     LSB 837

“Seek Where You May to Find a Way”     LSB 557

“Salvation Unto Us Has Come”     LSB 555

“Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness”     LSB 563

“O Light Whose Splendor”     LSB 891

“By Grace I’m Saved”     LSB 566

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Prayer and Preaching

 

The unrelenting mercy of God seeks out the foremost sinner of men.  In all unlikely circumstances, God’s shepherding vigilance is persistent. One lost sheep requires the Lord’s attention.  One lost coin requires a woman’s diligence.  Wayward sinners ensnared in ignorance and worldly values necessitate the unrivaled strength of Christ Jesus.  By His grace, sinners are found and saved.  By His mercy, sinful opposition is assuaged with perfect patience and forgiveness.  Rejoice!  

 

Ezekiel 34:11-24 

1 Timothy 1:12-17   

Luke 15:1-10

 

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

 

 

“Lift High the Cross”     LSB 837

“Jesus Sinners Doth Receive”     LSB 609

“Lamb of God”     LSB 550