Preparing for Sunday
Sunday, September 6, 2026
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
God’s laws are just. His prophets and pastors exercise authority in condemning sin, wickedness, and evil. Iniquities cannot be ignored; all are subject to God’s authority. We are also subject to earthly governments and authorities who strive to restrain unruly behavior. As citizens in both kingdoms, our conduct should reflect humility, love, duty, and honesty. As members of the church, it is just that we are called to care for and regain unrepentant sinners.
Readings:
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Romans 13:1-10
Matthew 18:1-20
Collect of 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.
Hymns:
“We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight” LSB 720 (Hymn of the Month)
“My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker” LSB 820
“Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us” LSB 711
“Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now” LSB 902
“Shepherd of Tender Youth” LSB 864
“Oh That the Lord Would Guide My Ways” LSB 707
“Herald, Sound the Note of Judgement” LSB 511
“My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker” LSB 820
“Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us” LSB 711
“Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now” LSB 902
“Shepherd of Tender Youth” LSB 864
“Oh That the Lord Would Guide My Ways” LSB 707
“Herald, Sound the Note of Judgement” LSB 511
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Sunday, August 30, 2026
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
God’s plan for His people is deliverance and redemption. Wicked persecutors and ruthless naysayers will not prevail against those who, by God, would be equipped to love, rejoice, contribute, bless, and live! All His goodness trounces evil and its deception. Jesus prevails against wicked men, carries the cross, endures rage, bleeds, and dies! All this He does because He loves, blesses, delivers, and redeems His people.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“How Firm a Foundation” LSB 728 (Hymn of the Month)
“Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus” LSB 531
“Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” LSB 980 (not in pew hymnal)
“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” LSB 427
“Jesus Lead Thou On” LSB 718
“Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive” LSB 843
“Lord, Help Us Walk Your Servant Way” LSB 857
“Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” LSB 685
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Sunday, August 23, 2026
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
The counsels of God are permanent – impeccable exhortations from His mind, His will, His heart, and His actions in Christ. Everything that proceeds from God’s wisdom is congruent. Barren wombs are filled with offspring. Desolate wastelands are restored. God’s Word resurrects what once was decimated. These astonishing interventions transform our lives so that we may unconditionally invest our sanctified bodies, minds and gifts all to the glory of God.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
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.
Hymns:
“How Firm a Foundation” LSB 728 (Hymn of the Month)
“By All Your Saints in Warfare” LSB 517 sts. 1, 10, 3
“My Hope Is built on Nothing Less” LSB 645
“Built on the Rock the Church Shall Stand” LSB 645
“Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” LSB 848
“Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets us Free” LSB 473
“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” LSB 802
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Sunday, August 16, 2026
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
God’s righteousness overflows with promise and hope. All those who believe and love the Lord will know unending joy in His house of prayer. Israelites are still the chosen ones in the great lineage of prophets, priests, and kings. And yet, because they deny the Gospel, rejecting Jesus, they will not inherit eternity. But Jesus patiently waits, eager to embrace everyone who turns from disobedience and rebellion and cries out, “O Lord, have mercy.” And He does.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
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.
Hymns:
“How Firm a Foundation” LSB 728 (Hymn of the Month)
“When in the Hour of Deepest Need” LSB 615
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” LSB 770
“God, Whose Almighty Word” LSB 979 (not in pew hymnal)
“Blest Be the Tie that Binds” LSB 649
“Come, My Soul, with Every Care” LSB 779
“Go, My Children, with My Blessing” LSB 922
“In Christ There Is No East or West” LSB 653
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Sunday, August 9, 2026
The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
Only God comprehends creation’s orchestration. No mortal man can possibly grasp the full complexity of the heavens and the earth. Human reason also cannot grasp Christ’s descent into hell, His rising from the tomb, nor His ascension into heaven. Yet by faith, these very things are believed and confessed. Even when doubt assails us, we can be bold to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God.
Readings:
Collect of 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.
Hymns:
“How Firm a Foundation” LSB 728 (Hymn of the Month)
“Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness” LSB 849
“Creator of the Stars of Night” LSB 351
“O Love, How Deep” LSB 544
“From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee” LSB 607
“I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus” LSB 729
“Jesus Loves Me! This I Know” LSB 588
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Sunday, August 2, 2026
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service One
The Lord’s Word quenches thirst, satisfies hunger, and conveys an everlasting covenant between God and his people. Israel is the rightful nation to receive God’s adoption, glory, covenant, worship, and promise. But their lineage is no guarantee! Only those who believe the promise of Jesus are claimed by Him. So also every man, woman, and child who hears His Word is completely satisfied with the truth, righteousness, and compassion of Christ.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“How Firm a Foundation” LSB 728 (Hymn of the Month)
“O Living Bread from Heaven” LSB 642
“Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” LSB 712
“Come, Let Us Eat” LSB 626
“The Gifts Christ Freely Gives” LSB 602
“Lord Jesus Christ, Life Giving Bread” LSB 625
“Now Thank We All Our God” LSB 895
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Sunday, July 26, 2026
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
The people of God are treasured possessions, chosen and loved for all eternity. God’s divine, amazing grace embraces the predestined, the justified, the glorified. God’s divine deliverance rescues from tribulation, persecution, danger, and death. Anything that would separate us from the love of God in Christ is rendered completely powerless! God’s people, made righteous by Him, will live forever as citizens in the kingdom of heaven.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
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.
Hymns:
“We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God” LSB 941 (Hymn of the Month)
“From God Can Nothing Move Me” LSB 713
“When Peace, Like a River” LSB 763
“Before the Throne of God Above” LSB 574
“Jesus, Priceless Treasure” LSB 743
“Church of God, Elect and Glorious” LSB 646
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Sunday, July 19, 2026
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service One
The Lord of hosts is the indisputable Redeemer – there is no other! All creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God, who by grace become God’s adopted heirs. We are the redeemed, the hope-filled, the ones for whom the Spirit cries out that our weaknesses may not devastate, suffocate, or strangle us. In Christ, we are forgiven and known as the children of His kingdom, because we hear His Word and believe!
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
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.
Hymns:
“We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God” LSB 941 (Hymn of the Month)
“In Holy Conversation” LSB 772
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” LSB 809
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” LSB 700
“Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me” LSB 761
“Listen, God Is Calling” LSB 833
“Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray” LSB 663
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