Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Feast Is Ready; Come to the Feast
September 5, 2010
AS WE GATHER
True humility, it has been said, consists of knowing who God is, knowing who we are, and being able to differentiate between the two. None of us comes to the banquet of grace by our own merit. Today we celebrate our Lord’s invitation to join him in the Father’s presence praying always for the continuing grace to be bearers of that invitation to others who are not yet a part of the family of God.
“The Lord be with you”
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
READING Proverbs 25:6-7
EPISTLE Hebrews 13:1-8
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 14:1, 7-14
Hymn ” O Savior, Precious Savior TLH 352 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY ..'Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee TLH 37 Lyrics
Music during Distribution
Chief of Sinners Though I Be………………… TLH 342 Lyrics If You But Trust In God to Guide You TLH 518 Lyrics
CLOSING HYMN "God Loved the World So that He Gave" TLH 245 Lyrics
CALENDAR On Wednesday evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor is conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholars as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions to Matthew and see what he says.
CALENDAR Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 9.15 AM Christian Education Hour 10:30 AM Divine Service 1.00 to 3.00 PM CatechismWORSHIP HELPS for next Sunday
Psalm119:169-176 Proverbs 9:8-12 Philemon 1:2-9, 10-21 Luke 14:25-33 On WEDNESDAY evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor is conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholars as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions to Matthew and see what he says. CATECHISM INSTRUCTION will begin next Sunday from 1 to 3 PM. Each student needs their own Bible, a catechism, and a notebook. Parents are welcome to sit in on any sessions. Memory work not yet recited to an elder may continue until complete. From Elements of Religion (1894) by Henry Eyster Jacobs But God does not justify without a ground of Justification. The guilt and punishment of man’s sin are not
annihilated. Every penalty of transgression is exacted. All the disgrace of sin must have some one to whom
it is imputed. God does not declare man righteous and worthy of everlasting life unless there is actually
presented a complete equivalent for the most far-reaching demands of the Law. God’s mercy is not exercised
at the expense of His justice. But, in Justification, the righteousness of Christ is accounted ours.
Christ stands before God charged with our sins; and we stand before God, with all Christ’s merits
regarded as ours. (pages 184-185).
| The artwork is by Sharon Geiser. Permission to use this copyrighted graphic is limited to congregational use. For information on Elements of Religion and other books available from Repristination Press see the website below. This bulletin cover provided by www.scholia.net and is made available without cost. |
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
… whoever of you does not forsake all
that he has cannot be My disciple.
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
“The Wideness of God’s Mercy”
August 29, 2010
AS WE GATHER
There is one way of salvation. That way is Jesus, the “narrow door.” But the invitation to pass through that “door” comes from a God whose love is wide enough to embrace all people in all stations of life throughout all the world. We are here today to celebrate that mercy; we are here because of that unexpected mercy.
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
READING Isaiah 66:10-14, 66:18-23
EPISTLE Galatians 6:1-10, 14-16 Hebrews 12:18-24
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 13:22-30
Listen to Sermon 2010-08-29
Hymn ” Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty TLH 1 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY ..Jerusalem the Golden TLH 613 Lyrics
Music during Distribution
O Lord, We Praise Thee………………… TLH 313 Lyrics Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray…….. TLH 314 Lyrics
CLOSING HYMN "Jerusalem, O City Fair and High" TLH 619 Lyrics
CALENDAR On Wednesday evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor is conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholars as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions to Matthew and see what he says. Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9.15 AM Christian Education Hour 10:30 AM Divine Service WORSHIP HELPS for next Sunday Psalm 119:161-168 Proverbs 25:6-7 Hebrews 13:1-8 Luke 14:1, 7-14 From Elements of Religion (1894) Page 6 of 6 From Elements of Religion (1894) by Henry Eyster Jacobs There is probably no place where the treatment of doctrine has to be more carefully guarded, than in enforcing the duty of good works. That it is a most important part of the preaching of the Christian minister is manifest from Tit. 3:8: "I will that thou affirm constantly that they, which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works." The danger lies in so enforcing this duty that the doctrine of Justification by faith alone is obscured. This danger is avoided when it is clearly taught that the necessity for good works, arises not from the necessity for salvation, since neither salvation nor continuance in a state leading to salvation depends upon man’s good works. but from the fact, that it belongs to the nature of the Christian to perform good works, just as it belongs to the nature of the sun to shine, or of fire to burn. (pages 194-195). A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD 14TH S A PENTECOST LARGE CATECHISM THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR Whoever would gladly receive grace and comfort should allow no one to frighten him away. Say, "I, indeed, would like to be worthy. But I come, not upon any worthiness, but upon Your Word, because You have commanded it. I come as one who would gladly be Your disciple, no matter what becomes of my worthiness." This is difficult. We always have this obstacle to encounter: we look more upon ourselves than upon Christ's Word and lips. For human nature desires to act in such a way that it can stand and rest firmly on itself. Otherwise, it refuses to approach. There is besides this command also a promise, as we heard above. This ought to stir us up and encourage us. For here stand the kind and precious words, "This is My body, which is given for you.. This is My blood. shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." These words, I have said, are not preached to wood and stone, but to me and you. Otherwise, Christ might just as well be silent and not institute a Sacrament. Therefore consider, and read yourself into this word you, so that He may not speak to you in vain. Here He offers to us the entire treasure that He has brought for us from heaven. With the greatest kindness He invites us to receive it also in other places, like when He says in St. Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Paragraphs 62-66) Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005,2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy call 800-325-3040.
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Do you suppose that I came
to give peace on earth?
I tell you, not at all, but rather division.
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
August 22, 2010
AS WE GATHER
Today we worship the God who gives us His Word. The Word is at times like a fire or a hammer, speaking law and condemnation; but it is also the Word that encourages us with the Gospel, creating our faith response to His grace.
“From Fear to Faith”
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Psalm Psalm119:81-88
READING Jeremiah 23:23-29
EPISTLE Hebrews 12:1-13
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 12:49-53
Listen to Sermon 2010-08-22
Hymn ” God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage" TLH 283 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace TLH 297 Lyrics
Music during Distribution
Commit Whatever Grieves Thee” TLH 520 Lyrics
9.15 AM Christian Education
Hour
10:30 AM Divine Service
WORSHIP HELPS for Fourteenth
Sunday After Pentecost
On Wednesday evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor is conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholars as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions to Matthew and see what he says.
Page 6 of 6
From
Elements of Religion
(1894)
by
Henry Eyster Jacobs
(pages 67-68)
The sacrifice Christ made by His voluntary assumption of all the sufferings demanded by the Law, that attended His entire earthly life from Bethlehem to Calvary. All the acts of the State of Humiliation were sacrificial. All its sufferings were voluntary and cheerful satisfactions offered to God for man’s sins. They culminate in the death of Christ. For this reason, the blood of Christ is often mentioned as the price of Redemption, and He is said to have borne our sins upon the Cross, although these declarations do not exhaust the contents of His sufferings. Suffering unto death was the penalty which God had decreed against sin. Suffering and guilt are inseparable. If man was to be freed from guilt, someone must bear his sufferings for him If he was to be freed from suffering, some one must bear his guilt. Christ took this place. He made Himself chargeable with man’s guilt and sin. He became, so far as the Law is concerned, the guilty one that man is, in order than man might be the Holy One that He is, 2 Cor. 5:21. This is the doctrine of the vicarious satisfaction, according to which Christ and man are regarded as exchanging places. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we were healed,” Isaiah 53:5.
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD
13TH S A PENTECOST
FORMULA OF CONCORD, SOLID DECLARATION
ARTICLE XI: GOD’S ETERAL ELECTION
If we want to think about our eternal election to salvation helpfully, we must hold strongly and firmly to this truth: just as the preaching of repentance is universal, so also the promise of the Gospel is universal, that is, it belongs to all people. For this reason Christ has given these commands:
Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations. (Luke 24:47)
God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son. (John 3:16)
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
The bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh. (John 6:51)
[Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all. (Romans 11:32)
Not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ [is] for all who believe. (Romans 3:22)
It is Christ’s command that this promise of the Gospel also should be offered to everyone in common to whom repentance is preached (Luke 24:47; Mark 16:15).
(paragraph 28)
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
Blessed are those servants
whom the master, when he comes,
will find watching.
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
“From Fear to Faith”
August 15, 2010
AS WE GATHER
As we come together for worship today, we are reminded that we are like a flock of sheep which have been grazing in different parts of the pasture and are now being called together by the Shepherd to be fed and cared for. As we feed on God’s Word and Sacrament today, our fears are replaced by faith and we are strengthened to go back into the “pasture” of the world. We hear the words of our Shepherd Jesus as He says, “Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Psalm Psalm 50
READING Genesis 15:1-6
EPISTLE Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 12:32-40
Listen to Sermon 2010-08-15
Hymn ” My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less TLH 370 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe TLH 263 Lyrics
Music during Distribution
Commit Whatever Grieves Thee” TLH 520 Lyrics
CLOSING HYMN "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" TLH 514 Lyrics
CALENDAR
Hour
10:30 AM Divine Service
WORSHIP HELPS for next-
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
On Monday evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor has been conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholars as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions to Matthew and see what he says.
Page 6 of 6
From
Elements of Religion
(1894)
by
Henry Eyster Jacobs
All the hopes and aspirations of the New Testament are directed towards the Second Coming of Christ, and the Day of Judgment. The state between death and the resurrection, unspeakably happy as it is to the regenerate, justified and sanctified children of God, and unspeakably sorrowful to those who have departed in unbelief, Luke 16:23, is only the outer court to the joys of Heaven, and the miseries of Hell. As the fallen angels are in chains reserved for judgment, Jude 5,6, and the devils look forward with anguish to their time of torment, Matt. 8:29, so faith looks forward to the resurrection of the body and the blessings promised to the soul, when there shall be restored to it the organ of its connection with the outward world for the full consummation of its bliss (pages 199-200).
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
FORMULA OF CONCORD, EPITOME
ARTICLE VI: THIRD USE OF GOD’S LAW
We believe, teach, and confess that, even though people who are truly believing in Christ and truly converted to God have been freed and exempted from the curse and coercion of the Law, they are still not without the Law on this account. They have been redeemed by God’s Son in order that they may exercise themselves in the Law day and night (Psalm 119).
The preaching of the Law is to be encouraged diligently. This applies not only for the unbelieving and impenitent, but also for true believers, who are truly converted.
Although believers are renewed in the spirit of their mind, in the present life this renewal is not complete. It is only begun. Believers are, by the spirit of their mind, in a constant struggle against the flesh. They struggle against the corrupt nature, which cleaves to us until death. This old Adam still dwells in the understanding, the will, and all the powers of humanity. It is necessary that the Law of the Lord always shine before them, so that they may not start evil and self-created forms of worship. The Law of the Lord is also necessary so that the old Adam may not use his own will, but may be subdued against his will. This happens not only by the warning and threatening of the Law, but also by punishments, so that a person may follow and surrender himself as a captive to the Spirit. (paragraphs 2-4)
Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005,2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy call 800-325-3040.
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
This night your soul will be required of you.
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Set Your Mind on Things Above
August 8, 2010
AS WE GATHER
The readings today emphasize that the treasures of this life are not of lasting value. Our hearts and minds should be set on things above. This is difficult to do. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matt. 6:21)” “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well (Matt. 6:33)” Thanks be to God who gives us His good gifts and Spirit as we journey from life to eternity, enabling us to have correct priorities in our lives.
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Psalm Psalm 100
READING Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:18-26
EPISTLE Colossians 3:1-11
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 12:13-21
Listen to Sermon 2010-08-08
HYMN OF THE DAY ”Praise the Almight, My Soul, Adore Him TLH 26 Lyrics
MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION
Oh, that the Lord would Guide My Ways” TLH 416 Lyrics
Saturday, August 14: VBS will be held. We will begin the day with breakfast at 8:00am, and end with a Hot Dog and Hamburger cookout. This will be a great event for the entire congregation, so mark your calendars now!
On Monday evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor has been conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholars as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions
From
“A Contentious Question:”
Whether the Godhead is truly known to some degree, or may indeed be known by human understanding without the revealed Word of God? (1619)
by The Theological Faculty at Wittenberg
… it is certain that the heathens can well conclude from the conflict within their thoughts, which in turn accuses and excuses them (Rom. 2:15), that man, after his death, will be subjected to God’s judgment; and consequently one will have either a happy or grievous sentence publicly pronounced over him. And so there awaits him either eternal joy or continual, eternal sadness. For this reason they have fabricated their Elysian fields or their Hades. And so they have come to know, even though darkly as through a fog, that God desires mankind’s welfare also after this life. Yet not even the least bit of the kind of blessed salvation God has especially prepared for His saints nor the means He as ordained to that end, etc. has become known to them, as, for example, the mystery revealed through Christ Jesus, which had been withheld from the world. (page 15).
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD
FORMULA OF CONCORD, SOLID DECLARATION
ARTICLE III: THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Neither contrition nor love nor any other virtue, but faith alone is the only means and instrument by which, and through which, we can receive and accept God’s grace, Christ’s merit, and the forgiveness of sins, which are brought to us in the Gospel promise.
Before God’s court only the righteousness of Christ’s obedience, suffering, and death – which is credited to faith – can stand. So only for the sake of this obedience is the person pleasing and acceptable to God and received into adoption and made an heir of eternal life.
St. Paul writes in
Romans 4:3. Abraham was justified before God through faith alone, for the sake of the Mediator, without the cooperation of his works. This was true not only when Abraham was first converted from idolatry and had no good works, but also afterward, when he had been renewed by the Holy spirit and adorned with many excellent good works (Genesis 15:6; Hebrews 11:8). Paul asks in Romans 4:1-3: On what did Abraham’s righteousness before God rest for everlasting life, by which he had a gracious God and was pleasing and acceptable to Him? He answers: “To the one who does not work but trusts Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from Works (Romans 4:5-6). (pars. 31-34)
Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005,2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of CONCORDIA
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
Our Father Who art in heaven.
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
A prayer prescription for conversing with God.
August 1, 2010
AS WE GATHER
God’s saints fervently converse with God, pleading for mercy, life, preservation, and eternal salvation. As Abraham begs for others, so we too implore God on behalf of other people and ourselves. The Church resonates in prayers of thanksgiving as we receive the gracious waters of baptismal life. God truly understands our stammering and silence when we know not what to pray. He does not leave us alone with babbling words like the pagans, but gifts His Church with the very words of the Lord’s Prayer. This is how we should pray, and we do!
”The Lord be with you”
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Psalm Psalm 138
READING Genesis 18:20-32
EPISTLE Colossians 2:6-15
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 11:1-13
Listen to Sermon 2010-08-01
HYMN ….”O Day of Rest and Gladness” TLH 9 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY ” If God Himself Be for Me” TLH 528 Lyrics
MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION
“God Loved the World” TLH 245 Lyrics
O Christ, Our True and Only Light TLH 512 Lyrics
CLOSING HYMN In Loud, Exalted Strains TLH 638 Lyrics
CALENDAR
Sunday August 8 9.15 AM Christian Education Hour
10:30 AM Divine Service
Saturday, August 14:
WORSHIP HELPS
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost:
“A Summary of the Christian Faith”
by David Chytraeus (1568)
We must consider five points in this form of praying which Christ set forth in Luke 11 and Matt. 6:
I. Who God is whom we address, namely, the eternal Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who revealed Himself by sending this very Son, the Mediator, for whose sake we also flee for refuge to Him in faith, who embraces us with fatherly gentleness and accepts and hears our prayers. Our address of God, “Our Father,” contains this teaching.
II. The mandate of Christ which commands invocation and, in fact, the recitation of this verbal formula which Christ has given.
III. The promise that God certainly wants to accept and hear our invocation to reveal the desired blessings in that order and way which He expressed in the promise. We therefore say, “Our Father.” Thus He embraces us with parental gentleness and benevolence as we read in great detail in Luke 14: “If you then are veil,” etc. Also, He is our Father, that is, not only loving His only-begotten Son, about whom He says: “This is My beloved Son,” but also loving us, His adopted children for His sake, having regard for us, caring for us, defending us, listening to us, saving us.
IV. The faith which adds its “Amen” to the divine promise.
(page 161
|
The artwork is by Sharon Geiser. Permission to use this copyrighted graphic is limited to congregational use. The quotation above is from the work published by Repristination Press. For information on this book and other books by Repristination Press see the website below.
This bulletin cover provided by www.scholia.net and is made available without cost. |
)
Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
But one thing is needful.
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
God reveals Himself to His people.
July 25, 2010
AS WE GATHER
The Lord proclaims salvation to His people by His own Word and deed—in His own flesh and blood. Abraham unexpectedly becomes the gracious host to angelic company and God reveals to him that he will be gifted with a son. Paul preaches the unadorned sacrifice of Jesus Christ through whom we are gifted with eternal life. Mary and Martha are gifted with “one thing needful”—the inestimable Word of Jesus Christ. Indeed the Lord’s Kingdom is evident in His holy church where Word and Sacrament show forth the real presence of Jesus Christ.
”The Lord be with you”
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Psalm Psalm 27
READING Genesis 18:1-10a
EPISTLE Colossians 1:21-28
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 10:38-42
Listen to Sermon 2010-07-25
HYMN ….”God Himself Is Present”…….. TLH 4 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY ”Oh, Blest the House, Whate’er Befall ” TLH 625 Lyrics
MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION
Speak, O Lord, Thy Servant Heareth TLH 296 Lyrics
Lamp of Our Feet Whereby We Trace TLH 291 Lyrics
CLOSING HYMN ”How Blest Are They Who Hear God’s Word TLH 48 Lyrics
CALENDAR
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 9.15 AM Christian Education Hour
10:30 AM Divine Service
WORSHIP HELPS for next Sunday
John 8:44), he constantly seeks our life. He wreaks his vengeance whenever he can afflict our bodies with misfortune and harm. Therefore, it happens that he often breaks men’s necks or drives them to insanity, drowns some, and moves many to commit suicide and to many other terrible disasters (Mark 9:17-22). So there is nothing for us to do upon earth but to pray against this archenemy without stopping. For unless God preserved us, we would not be safe from this enemy even for a hour.Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005,2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of CONCORDIA, call 800-325-3040.These are excerpts from theBook of Concord.
From
“A Contentious Question:”
Whether the Godhead is truly known to some degree, or may indeed be known by human understanding without the revealed Word of God? (1619)
by The Theological Faculty at Wittenberg
Indeed all men are by nature vain. They know nothing of God and the visible blessing that He is. They know and see none of the works of Him who is the Master. Instead, man regards as gods either the fire or wind or strong wind or the lights in the sky as ruling the world. They rightly should have know very much better that it is He who is Lord over everything and has created everything. And, by marveling at His power and might they should rightly have noticed from this how much more powerful is He who has brought about all this. For indeed the great beauty and the works of this very same Creator should be known as from a picture. (page 13)
…
The most knowledgeable have imagined an invisible God for themselves, yet one about whom they knew nothing, not even who He is. And they have not attained the enlightenment by which they could say that the true God is Jehovah, whom Israel serves, who is one in essence but threefold in person, namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (page 14)
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
LARGE CATECHISM
PART III, THE LORD’S PRAYER
Deliver us from evil.
In the Greek this petition reads, “Deliver or preserve us from the evil one,” or “the hateful one,” the devil… The entire substance of all our prayer is directed against our chief enemy, who hinders among us everything that we pray for: God’s name or honor, God’s kingdom and will, our daily bread, a cheerful good conscience, and so forth.
We finally sum it all up and say, “Dear Father, grant that we be rid of all these disasters.” But there is also included in this petition whatever evil may happen to us under the devil’s kingdom: poverty, shame, death, and, in short, all the agonizing misery and heartache of which there is such an unnumbered multitude on the earth. Since the devil is not only a liar, but also a murderer (
God wishes for us to pray to Him also for all the things that affect our bodily interests, so that we seek and expect help nowhere else except in Him. (paragraphs 112-117)
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
… and he set him on his own animal,
brought to an inn, and took care of him.
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
“And who is my neighbor?”
July 18, 2010
AS WE GATHER
The lawyer in today’s Gospel asks the ultimate question: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus agreed with the lawyer’s suggestion to “Love God and love your neighbor.” The lawyer was not satisfied. Next he wanted to know “And who is my neighbor?” We want to know, too. Is my neighbor the one who lives next door or in the next town? Is my neighbor the one who sleeps on a park bench because he has no home? Is my neighbor the one who is considering an abortion because she knows she can’t raise a child all by herself? Who is my neighbor? And how am I to be a neighbor to them?
”The Lord be with you”
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Psalm Psalm 25:1-10
READING Deuteronomy 30:9-14
EPISTLE Colossians 1:1-14
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 10:25-37
Listen to Sermon 2010-07-18
HYMN ….”O God of Mercy, God of Might”…….. TLH 439 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY ”Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us” TLH 442 Lyrics
MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION
Speak, O Lord, Thy Servant Heareth TLH 296 Lyrics
Lamp of Our Feet Whereby We Trace TLH 291 Lyrics
CLOSING HYMN ”God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophet’s Sons TLH 483 Lyrics
CALENDAR
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost 9.15 AM Christian Education Hour
10:30 AM Divine Service
WORSHIP HELPS Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
On Monday evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor has been conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholar’s as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions to Matthew and see what he says.
From
“A Summary of the Christian Faith”
by David Chytraeus (1568)
In the fourth place, whatever Irenaeus’ view was, let us “not attend to something a man before us has said or written, but what Christ, who is before all, said and did,” and let us forever keep before our eyes, as the sole norm of truth, the words of institution used at the Lord’s Supper, which say nothing of oblation or of application on behalf of others but only of partaking and of receiving by faith the remission of sins. (page 134)
——————————————————
Heidelberg Disputation
by Martin Luther
(May 1518)
19. That person does not deserve to be called a theologian who looks upon the invisible things of God as though they were clearly perceptible in those things which have actually happened [Rom. 1.20].
20. He deserves to be called a theologian, however, who comprehends the visible and manifest things of God seen through suffering and the cross.
21. A theologian of glory calls evil good and good evil. A theologian of the cross calls the thing what it actually is.
The Second Petition
“Thy Kingdom Come”
The kingdom of God in this life is God’s management by which He not only guards and preserves the whole nature which He created and mankind and punishes the wicked, but also gathers the Church to Himself through the Gospel for Christ’s sake at all time of the world, forgives its sins, delivers it from eternal death, sanctifies it by giving it the Holy Spirit, defends it wonderfully, rules it when it is oppressed by the cross in this life, restrains the devils and tyrants and corrupt onslaughts of nature, and raises it from death to eternal life and glory.
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD
FEAST OF ST MARY MAGDALENE
LARGE CATECHISM
TEN COMMANDMENTS
By the Sixth Commandment God both approves and guards marriage. He has approved it in the Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” But here He has hedged it about and protected it. He also honors it (
Therefore, God has most richly blessed this estate above all others. In addition, He has bestowed on it everything in the world, so that this estate might be well and richly provided for. Married life is no joke. It is an excellent thing and a matter of divine seriousness. For marriage has the highest importance to God so that people are raised up who may serve the world and promote the knowledge of God, godly living, and all virtues, to fight against wickedness and the devil.
This estate should not be despised, as is done by the blind world and false church leaders. Marriage should be regarded as it is in God’s Word, where it is sanctified. It is placed first above all other estates -emperor, princes, bishops, and so forth. For both Church and civil estates must humble themselves and all be found in this estate… (pars. 206-209)
Heb. 13:4), maintains and governs it as a divine and blessed estate because, He has instituted it first before all others. He created man and woman separately (Gen. 1:27). This was not for lewdness, but so that they might live together in marriage, be fruitful, bear children, and nourish and train them to honor God (Gen.1:28; Ps. 128; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4).
(paragraphs 57-60)
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
The harvest is plentiful
but the laborers are few.
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
July 11, 2010
AS WE GATHER
We gather to find strength for our mission. As beautiful as this
place of worship is, we cannot linger here. We have the Lord’s work
to do. Let us pause for these few moments and move on. “The harvest
is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
”The Lord be with you”
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Psalm Psalm 19
READING Isaiah 66:10-14
EPISTLE Galatians 6:1-10, 14-16
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 10:1-12, 16:17-20
On Monday evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor has been conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholar’s as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions to Matthew and see what he says.
HYMN ….”All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above” TLH 19 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY ”Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying ” TLH 496 Lyrics
MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION
Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared TLH 306 Lyrics
Savior, I Follow On TLH 422 Lyrics
CLOSING HYMN ”O Christ, Our True and Only Light TLH 512 Lyrics
CALENDAR
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 9.15 AM Christian Education Hour
10:30 AM Divine Service
WORSHIP HELPS for next Sunday
Psalm 25:1-10
Deuteronomy 30:9-14
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37
From
“A Summary of the Christian Faith”
by David Chytraeus (1568)
The Second Petition
“Thy Kingdom Come”
The kingdom of God in this life is God’s management by which He not only guards and preserves the whole nature which He created and mankind and punishes the wicked, but also gathers the Church to Himself through the Gospel for Christ’s sake at all time of the world, forgives its sins, delivers it from eternal death, sanctifies it by giving it the Holy Spirit, defends it wonderfully, rules it when it is oppressed by the cross in this life, restrains the devils and tyrants and corrupt onslaughts of nature, and raises it from death to eternal life and glory.
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
APOLOGY OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION
ARTICLE V: LOVE AND FULFILLING THE LAW
The way of justification they teach is that people merit grace by good works. This way is the doctrine of reason. For reason, not seeing the uncleanness of the heart, thinks that it pleases God if it performs good works. Therefore, other works and other acts of worship are constantly invented. The Fathers did not intend that we follow the ordinances in order to seek after righteousness, but they were given for the sake of mutual peace among people, so there might be a certain order in the church. Another way of justification is handed down by the scholastic theologians when they teach that we are righteous through a habit infused by God, which is love. They say that, aided by this habit, we keep God’s Law outwardly and inwardly, and that this fulfilling of the Law is worthy of grace and of eternal life. This doctrine is plainly the doctrine of the Law. For what the law says is true, “You shall love the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Also, “You shall love your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:18). Love is therefore, the fulfilling of the Law.
Both of these ways [of justification] exclude Christ. They are, therefore, to be rejected. They do not teach that justification is the forgiveness of sins. Nor that we overcome the terrors of sin and death through faith in Christ. They claim they fulfill the Law and come to God, without Christ as the Atoning Sacrifice. (paragraphs 167-169)
| The artwork is by Sharon Geiser. Permission to use this copyrighted graphic is limited to congregational use. Martin Luther’s 1528 confession of faith is from The Distinctive Doctrines of the Different Christian Confessions in the Light of the Word of God by Karl Graul (1814-1864). The 1897 English translation by D. M. Martens is in the public domain. The full text of Luther’s confession may be downloaded at the website below.This bulletin cover provided by www.scholia.net and is made available without cost. |
(paragraphs 57-60)Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God?
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Following Jesus
July 4, 2010
AS WE GATHER
When Elijah called Elisha to follow him, Elisha was at first reluctant. He wanted to go home and say good-bye first. When Jesus invited some to follow Him, they too wanted to do other things first. Jesus’ call to follow Him is urgent. Following Jesus may call for some change in life style, but it is a call filled with promise: “He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.”
”The Lord be with you”
Ruth 2:4, Luke 1:28, and 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Psalm Psalm 16
READING 1 Kings 19:14-21
EPISTLE Galatians 5:1, 13-25
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 9:51-62
Listen to Sermon 2010-07-04
On Monday evenings at 7.00 PM Pastor has been conducting A Study in Matthew’s Gospel in depth, marveling at God’s providence and wisdom for our blessing. Matthew is held by many scholar’s as the first catechetical effort of an apostle. Join us in this scriptural exploration and bring your questions to Matthew and see what he says.
HYMN ….”Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” TLH 39 Lyrics
HYMN OF THE DAY ” Come Follow Me,’ Said Christ the Lord TLH 421 Lyrics
MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION
Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared TLH 306 Lyrics
Savior, I Follow On TLH 422 Lyrics
CLOSING HYMN ”Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” TLH 423 Lyrics
CALENDAR
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 9.15 AM Christian Education Hour
10:30 AM Divine Service
WORSHIP HELPS-Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Psalm 19
Isaiah 66:10-14
Galatians 6:1-10, 14-16
Luke 10:1-12, 16:17-20
From
“A Summary of the Christian Faith”
by David Chytraeus (1568)
What is the kingdom of Christ on earth?
I provided the definition earlier in the common-place, “On God.” On the basis of it, it is clear that the title “kingdom of Christ” unites Christ’s offices of Priest and King with the Church. Moreover in Holy Writ it very often means that the Church or assembly of people who believe in Christ is subject and obedient to Christ, the King, as when we say that, in this life, the kingdom of Christ has been oppressed by the cross and tribulation. In some places it means the duties of Christ, the King, and all the blessings which He bestows upon the Church, as when we say that the kingdom of Christ is spiritual; that is, that the blessings which Christ bestows upon His Church through the Gospel are not money, wealth, power, physical peace, but spiritual and eternal blessings: forgiveness of sin, freedom from sin and death, light, wisdom, righteousness, eternal life and glory. In other passages it means the manner of gathering and governing of the Church through the Word and Holy Spirit rather than with physical weapons. It also means the King Himself, and God. Elsewhere it means all of these together.
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
APOLOGY OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION
ARTICLES VII AND VIII: FREE WILL
Paul says the Church should be cleansed in order to be holy. He adds the outward marks, the Word and Sacraments,
Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her,
that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25–27)
The Church is defined by the Third Article of the Creed, which teaches us to believe that there is a holy Catholic Church. The words, “the communion of saints,” seems to be added in order to explain what the Church signifies: the congregation of saints, who have with each other the fellowship of the same Gospel or doctrine and the same Holy Spirit, who renews, sanctifies, and governs their hearts.
Infinite dangers threaten the destruction of the Church. In the Church itself, the number of the wicked who oppress it is too high to count. Therefore, this article in the Creed shows us these consolations that we may not despair, but may know that the Church will remain ‹until the end of the world›. No matter how great the multitude of the wicked is, we may know that the Church still exists and Christ provides those gifts He has promised to the Church—to forgive sins, to hear prayer, to give the Holy Spirit. (paragraphs 7-9)
| The artwork is by Sharon Geiser. Permission to use this copyrighted graphic is limited to congregational use. Martin Luther’s 1528 confession of faith is from The Distinctive Doctrines of the Different Christian Confessions in the Light of the Word of God by Karl Graul (1814-1864). The 1897 English translation by D. M. Martens is in the public domain. The full text of Luther’s confession may be downloaded at the website below.This bulletin cover provided by www.scholia.net and is made available without cost. |
(paragraphs 57-60)Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved.