The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service

 

The Lord perceives every degree of subtle and overt indignation, transgression, and deception.  Apart from Christ, our flesh pulsates in corruption.  But Christ is incorruptible.  His death on the cross forges for us a path abounding in peace, mercy and grace.  Self-centered spirits decay.  But Christ-centered spirits flourish in Word and Sacrament.  In these good things, God inaugurates the mission of the church – to send out laborers into the harvest who are confident only in the righteousness of Christ.

 

Isaiah 66:10-14  

Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18   

 

Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“The Gifts Christ Freely Gives”  LSB 602

“Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure”   LSB 533

“In the Cross of Christ I Glory”   LSB 427

“We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died”     LSB 429

“Now Thank We All Our God”     LSB 895

“Go, My Children, with My Blessing”     LSB 922

The Second Sunday after Pentecost

Divine Service     

Arrogant Israel has a horrid disdain for God’s will.  They behave like heathens, but God safeguards them from annihilation with the promise of Jesus through the lineage of Jacob.  We, too, are heirs of the promise, clothed with Christ through the waters of Holy Baptism.  The tomb is now powerless.  Sin and death yield to Christ’s Gospel proclamation.  In this very word, Jesus binds together shattered lives, disarms sin with forgiveness, heals with mercy.  All this He does for us!  

 

Isaiah 65:1-9

Galatians 3:23-4:7

Luke 8:26-39

 

O God, You have prepared for those who love You such good things as surpass our understanding. Cast out all sins and evil desires from us, and pour into our hearts Your Holy Spirit to guide us into all blessedness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

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

“Rise, Shine, You People”   LSB 825

“We All Believe in One True God”   LSB 954

“Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord”     LSB 637

“Just As I Am, without One Plea”     LSB 570

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

“Away from Us!’ the Demon Cried”     LSB 541

The Holy Trinity- Divine Service

The Lord alone possesses all eternal wisdom even before the acts of creation.  The words of Proverbs confirm Jesus active presence before the incarnation.  Then Peter exclaims that this very same Jesus – crucified and killed – could never be bound by death.  Everything about Christ is forever:  His Word, His truth, His salvation, His immutable relationship with God the Father.  As believers, we hold steadfast to everything about Christ, knowing that he alone knows the Father, keeps His Word, and conquers death.  

 

Acts 2:14a, 22-36   

 

“We All Believe in One True God”   LSB 954“O Blessed Holy Trinity”  LSB 876“Holy, Holy, Holy”   LSB 507“O Holy Spirit Enter In”     LSB 913“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”     LSB 802“Christ Is the World’s Redeemer”     LSB 539“Our Father, by Whose Name”     LSB 863

 

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.

The Day of Pentecost + Confirmation  Divine Service     

 

The Scriptures this day witness the remarkable releasing of the Holy Spirit.  The mighty works of God are declared in countless languages.  Fire blazes mysteriously above the disciples’ heads.  Outrageous confusion, mayhem, and chaos pave the way for global mission, ministry, and confession.  The Holy Spirit teaches all things, equipping preachers to preach and people to listen.  He is the Divine Helper, instilling within the church an unrelenting confession of Jesus and His deeds of mercy and redemption.

 

Genesis 11:1-9  

Acts 2:1-21   

John 14:23-32

 

“Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest”  LSB 498

“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord”   LSB 497

“We All Believe in One True God”   LSB 954

“Come Down O Love Divine”     LSB 501  (duet)

“O Day Full of Grace”     LSB 503

“Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling”     LSB 650

“Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ”     LSB 769

“Let Me Be Thine Forever”   LSB 689 

 

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The Ascension of Our Lord (observed)

Divine Service     

Jesus promises to release the power of the Holy Spirit that will sustain the church as she magnifies the name of Christ, in all wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment.  Today, the church honors Jesus’ ascent into the heavenly realms.  In His absence from us, we shall be comforted and sustained by the Spirit of God.  In our waiting for Christ’s return, we boldly proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins to all nations.

 

Ephesians 1:15-23   

 

“Hail Thee, Festival Day”  LSB 489

“Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels”   LSB 491

“We All Believe in One True God”   LSB 954

“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”     LSB 463 

“Look, Ye Saints, the Sight Is Glorious”     LSB 495

“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”     LSB 493

“On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build”     LSB 492

 

Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Scripture reveals God’s answers, vision, and intervention.  What seems perplexing is professed by faith, not by reason, yet couched in mystery and not always palpable.  We cannot intellectually understand how baptism begets faith, yet we believe.  We cannot comprehend the incomparable beauty of heaven, yet we see.  We yearn to approach the heavenly Father, unencumbered by the weight of sin and confusion!  Jesus provides clarity in His mercy, sufficient to instill within us true repentance, sincere faith, and compassionate service.  

 

Readings
Acts 16:9-15

 

“Life Is a Journey”  
“I Walk in Danger All the Way”   LSB 716

“I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light”   LSB 411

 

Collect of the Day
O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

In Christ, all things are made new.  Gentiles once spurned from the promises of God are baptized and made recipients of forgiveness and eternal life.  They are no longer alien to God.  Former things, antiquated caste systems, are null and void.  New things are imminent.  The resurrection of Jesus deprives mourning, crying, and dying of their power.  The unleashing of the Holy Spirit changes lingering sorrow into joy, ensuring the newness of all things in heaven and on earth.           

 

 

 

 

“Life Is a Journey”  
“Jerusalem, My Happy Home”   LSB 673

“Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me”   LSB 722“Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face”   LSB 631 

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds”  LSB 649“A Multitude Comes from the East and the West”   LSB 510

“In Thee Is Gladness”   LSB 818“Alleluia!  Let Praises Ring”     LSB 822