The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1

 

God nourishes the whole earth with refreshing water, yielding a bountiful harvest.  His Word does the same – nourishing faith, refreshing souls, and increasing joy.  We dare not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, who magnifies and sheds all kinds of God’s  goodness upon us and makes us heirs of an incomparable wealth in the Gospel of Christ, recipients of His life-giving Word, and inheritors of the everlasting kingdom of God.

 

 

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.

 

“We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God”     LSB 941   (Hymn of the Month)

“Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast”  LSB 577

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”     LSB 686

“May God Bestow on Us His Grace”     LSB 824

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”     LSB 790

“For the Fruits of His Creation”     LSB 894

“Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go”     LSB 854

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1

 

Zechariah prophesies the coming of King Jesus, whose reign is about mercy, grace, life, and goodness, not about wrath, power, anger, or violence.  Sometimes we mistakenly think that unyielding wrath guarantees change, self-condemnation begets correction, and power deserves respect.  But for Christians, it is only the gracious, gentle, merciful Jesus who delivers us from our body of death.  He is our divine respite in whom we know kindness, goodness, and forgiveness.     

 

Readings:

 

Collect of the Day:

Gracious God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life’s end grant us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; 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)

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”     LSB 699

“Jesus Shall Reign”     LSB 832

“May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill”     LSB 698

“Be Still, My Soul”     LSB 752

“Eternal Father, Strong to Save”     LSB 717

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1

 

God’s Holy Law binds, condemns, and kills!  Those under the law are terrorized by sin.  Prophets recount the transgressions of people that have provoked wars, famines, pestilence, and death.  Only peace produces life.  But the Lord unsheathes the sword of division between those who vehemently deny and those who humbly confess Christ as Lord.  Nothing dismisses the authority of the Law, but thanks be to God that Christ fulfilled its every letter – so we shall inherit eternal peace! 

 

Readings:

 

Almighty God, by the working of Your Holy Spirit, grant that we may gladly hear Your Word proclaimed among us and follow its directing; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying”     LSB 826  (hymn of the month)

“The Son of God Goes Forth to War”     LSB 661

“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”     LSB 621

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”     LSB 426

“O Blessed Spring”     LSB 595

“Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray”     LSB 623

“I Walk in Danger All the Way”     LSB 716

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1

 

Violence and destruction snuff out life!  Mourning crescendos as cruelty erupts.  But, the Lord remains strong as our warrior – our deliverer from evildoers.  And as we battle sin and its consequences to our body and soul, we cling to Christ, who is obedience, justification, and righteousness.  In Him, we claim all the blessed attributes and live, fearing not those things that seek to destroy but in all circumstances acknowledging and confessing Christ before all men!   

 

 

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.

 

“Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying”     LSB 826  (hymn of the month)

“Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation”     LSB 659

“Just As I Am”     LSB 570

“O God of Light”     LSB 836

“How Firm a Foundation”     LSB 728

“On Eagles’ Wings”     LSB 727

“O Blest the House”     LSB 862

The Third Sunday After Pentecost – Divine Service 1

 

The Lord is the God of compassion.  He bore the Israelites on Eagles’ wings and called them His treasured people.  Jesus healed every disease and affliction through the cities and villages.  But His greatest mercy is shown in such love that Christ would die for weak and ungodly people – sinners.  Justified by His blood, we are saved from the wrath of God.  This message must be shared, for the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, the church proclaims the coming of Christ.    

 

 

Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying”     LSB 826  (hymn of the month)

“O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth”     LSB 834

“Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior”     LSB 619

“O Christ Who Called the Twelve”     LSB 856

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”     LSB 918

“God Loves Me Dearly”     LSB 392

“God Loved the World So that He Gave”     LSB 571

The Second Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1

 

 

 

 

The Holy Trinity and Confirmation – Divine Service 1

 

There is only one true God. And yet, even from the inception of man, it is clear that the Father, Son, and Spirit are inseparable – mysteriously one, uniquely distinct. In creation, God orchestrates the palette of the universe; in redemption, Jesus secures grace through bitter wounds, death, and resurrection; and through the Word, the Spirit commands, teaches and reveals truth. Into all this, we are baptized in the name of the triune God.

 

 

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.

 

“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” LSB 493 (hymn of the month)
“All Who Believe and Are Baptized” LSB 601
“I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light” LSB 411
“Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” LSB 821
“Crown Him with Many Crowns” LSB 525
“Thy Strong Word” LSB 578
“Glory Be to God the Father” LSB 506
“Alleluia! Let Praises Ring” LSB 822
“Listen, God Is Calling” LSB 833
“Holy! Holy! Holy! LSB 507

The Day of Pentecost – Prayer & Preaching

8th Grade Graduation

 

The Spirit rests upon those who prophesy truth in the name of the Lord. With the inauguration of Pentecost – the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit – the proclamation of Jesus is unleashed in a myriad of languages.
Prophesies, visions, and dreams inspired by the Spirit testified to the mighty works and authority of God in Jesus Christ. Divine truths would now shape and inspire the hearts, minds, and speech of those who follow Jesus.

 

 

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

 

“Holy Spirit, the Dove Sent from Heaven” LSB 502 (Sung by children)
“To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray” LSB 768 (Sung by children)
“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” LSB 493 (hymn of the month)
“Go, My Children, with My Blessing” LSB 922