The Eighth Sunday after the Festival of the Holy Trinity
July 21, 2024
also known as the Tenth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
A Talking WHAT?…..Why?
A farmer wanted to sell his donkey. A potential buyer showed up and looked the animal over. He asked if
he could hitch the donkey up to a wagon and see how he worked. The farmer accommodated, climbing onto the wagon with the customer and handing the reins to him. The customer tapped the reins, but the donkey didn’t move. He said, “Giddyup” but the donkey just stood there. He cried out “Ya Donkey,” but it just looked straight ahead and didnt’ move an inch. Finally, the farmer got down off the wagon, picked up a two by four and hit the animal right between the eyes. The donkey was staggered for a moment, during which the farmer got back up into the wagon and said, “Now try it.” The customer tapped the reins, and the donkey moved out. The old farmer said, “He’s a good donkey, but sometimes you have to get his attention first.”
Aren’t we all like that sometimes? We say we want (and need) God’s guidance, but often God has to first get our attention…and sometimes He has to do it the “hard way.” Today, we’re going to put a bit of a spin on the story you just read. As we continue our summer series on “Little Known Bible Stories,” we get to look at – and learn from – a unique man named Balaam. Only instead of a farmer getting a donkey’s attention, through our Old Testamenr Lesson/Sermon Text we’ll study a very unique situation…..where God used a talking donkey to get a stubborn sinner’s attention and send him an important message. But before going further, let’s examine….
Some Background Notes on the book of Numbers
Since it’s not among the most regularly studied books of the Bible, it might be helpful for us to get “the lay of the land” in connection with the Book of Numbers….before we take up the story of Balaam. Numbers begins with the Israelites still encamped at Mount Sinai, right after the LORD gave them His Law. We find them preparing to move out in military fashion, being readied by God to take possession of the promised land (Numbers 1:1—10:10).
Next, they make their way from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea, which is on the border of the land of Canaan. Twelve men, each a leader representing one tribe of Israel (minus the tribe of Levi), were sent to scout out the land. While all returned with glowing reports about the physical bounty and beauty of the promised land, ten of those scouts expressed grave fears about the physical size of the Canaanites as well as doubts about Israel’s ability to take the land from them by war. Because of this negative report, almost the entire Israelite community (except the two “good” spies, Joshua and Caleb, as well as Moses) was terrified and rebelled against God’s direction by refusing to invade the land of the Canaanites. This led to God’s judgment upon the adult generations of those Israelites, which He already had powerfully delivered from Egyptian slavery, desert dangers and attacking enemies (10:11—14:45). While those aged 20 and under would be spared, for the next 40 years, those disobedient adult Israelites were sentenced to wander about the wilderness until virtually all of them died. That wandering period, along with the establishment of certain laws, is described in chapters 15-19.
In chapter 20, with the 40 years of discipline over, the new (and more faithful) generations of Israelites finally set out toward the land of Moab (on the east side of the Jordan River). Moab was to serve as the launching point for Israel’s upcoming invasion of Canaan. Along the way Israel went through the wilderness of Zin, the same place to which the Israelites had come shortly after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 16:1). It was there that Moses’ sister Miriam died and was buried (20:1). Since there was no water there, the people – of course – began to grumble and complain once again (20:1-5). A frustrated Moses was instructed by the LORD to “speak to the rock” and, by this means, to produce water for the people to drink. However, in his anger at the complaining Israelites, Moses struck the rock hard twice with his staff (20:10-11). For that single act of irreverence, God disciplined Moses, forbidding him from entering the promised land (20:12-13). It was also at this time that Aaron, Moses’ brother and Israel’s High Priest, was “gathered to his people;” that is, Aaron died. Just before his death, he removed his priestly garments and placed them on his son Eleazar, who would succeed him as high priest. Then, in the sight of the entire congregation, Aaron climbed up Mount Hor, where he died (20:22-29).
These events signaled the end of an important chapter in Israel’s history, a chapter that began with the twelve plagues on Egypt and the Exodus, and that concluded with the death of the majority of those Israelites who went out into the desert during the Exodus, but who ended up staying – and dying – there because they refused to trust and obey their God, suffering 40 years’ of discipline from God as a result.
The final section of the Book of Numbers deals with the “new” (or renewed) nation of Israel that had been taught to trust God during those 40 years’ of wandering in the desert wilderness. God determined that they were now ready to enter and take possession of the land of Canaan. The chapters that close out the book of Numbers describe the journey of the Israelites as they approached the promised land (chapters 21-25). A census (numbering; hence the book’s name “Numbers”) of the people was taken in preparation for war (chapters 26-27). They were also instructed concerning God’s expectations regarding their conduct (chapters 28-36). It is in this closing section of the Book of Numbers that the story we are focusing on today, the account of Balaam and the Talking Donkey, is found.
Our Scripture Lessons for Today
Today’s Old Testament Lesson/Sermon Text is the Numbers 22 story centered around Balaam and his “deal” with Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites prior to their invasion of the Promised Land….and how God miraculously spoke to Balaam through a talking donkey. The Israelites had already defeated Og, King of Bashan, and Sihon, king of the Amorites, both ruling territories on the east side of the Jordan, very near to Moab. The Israelites were headed toward the land of Canaan, but intended to go through the adjacent land of Moab. At this time, the people of Israel numbered over 2 million. Their presence – alone – going through Moab would devastate the country’s economy. But Balak also feared the Israelites would attack him militarily. So, he – eventually – hired a man named Balaam who lived nearly 400 miles away near the Euphrates river, to curse Israel before any battle occurred.
Balaam apparently had a very “good reputation” for being able to pronounce blessings or curses on others…..for a price. (This was actually quite a common practice in ancient times.) God intitially tells Balaam not to go to Moab, but later allows him to proceed – with the stipulation that Balaam can only do and say what God tells him. Apparently (and we know this from elsewhere in Scripture), Balaam had other plans. En route to Balak and Moab, while he was riding on his donkey, the Angel of the LORD (the pre-incarnate Christ) encountered Balaam….but Balaam didn’t initially realize it, although his donkey did. Three times the Angel of the LORD, yielding a sword, blocked Balaam’s way, and each time the donkey tried to avoid him. All three times, Balaam beat his “disobedient donkey,” not realizing that the donkey was actually trying to save Balaam’s life. Finally, God miraculously allows the donkey to actually speak to Balaam, asking him why he was abusing him. Instead of being surprised by his talking donkey, Balaam begins an angry dialog with the donkey, threatening to kill it for its stubbornness…..until Balaam is suddenly allowed to also see the Angel of the LORD. Terrified, he bows in fear and offers to go back to his home. The LORD permits him to continue, but with the direction – again – that Balaam only will say and do what God tells him.
A number of lessons can be drawn from this story that fit us well, starting with the importance of listening to – and obeying completely – what God says to us in His Word. We also see God’s grace to Balaam in the multiple opportunities God gives him, from revealing Himself to Balaam in at least three conversations, to giving him the opportunity to serve Israel by blessing them (this occurs in chapters 23 and 24). Though Balaam – like Judas, Saul and others in Scripture – would reject to LORD to serve himself instead, still God gave him the opportunity to know Him, to believe in Him, and to stay faithful to him. But Balaam threw that heavenly opportunity away.
In this morning’s Epistle Lesson, Peter warns his hearers about false teachers and their soul-destroying errors. But God, says Peter, will eventually destroy them, as He did the wicked world of Noah’s day through the flood. Peter gives other examples of godless people and false teachers who were judged by God, including Balaam – from today’s Old Testament Lesson. The LORD rebuked Balaam through a talking donkey. However, as this reading shows, while Balaam knew the true God – and even was addressed by God – he threw away the opportunity to believe and be saved in order to pursue his sinful, selfish desires instead.
Today’s Gospel Lesson is from the closing portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Here our Savior warns us – as Peter did in the preceding lesson – of false teachers and the threat that they pose to a person’s faithfulness, and to his/her eternal salvation. Often these Spiritual liars are cunningly disarming, even friendly, and suggest that they have special knowledge and insights. But we do not have to be deceived by them….provided we keep our faith firmly fixed on the solid foundation of God’s Word. Because the Word of God provides us with salvation as well as the security we need to recognize and avoid any and all false teachers.
Finally, in our Children’s Lesson we’ll use a multi-meter to talk about how important it is for us to “test” what we are taught in and outside of church from those who claim to be Spiritual teachers – because not everyone (or every book) is faithful to God’s Word.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Pre-Service Prayer – In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank You my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, for keeping me through the night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. Into Your hands I commit my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the Devil may have no power over me. Amen.
Pre-service Prayer Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Greeting and Invitation to Worship
following which, at the invitation of the Pastor, the Congregation will rise for the invocation
The Invocation
In the name of the Father
Who created and preserves this world and every one of us,
Who gave His Son into death for us
and Who raised Him in glory on the third day;
And of the Son,
Who became fully human in order to be our Savior-Substitute,
Who laid down His life only to take it up again on the third day,
Who rules over all things from heaven for the good of His Church,
and Who will return in glory on the Last Day to deliver that Church;;
And of the Holy Spirit
through Whom Christ was made alive,
Who has worked and sustains saving faith in our hearts,
Who lives in us now through the Word,
and Who will one day give life to our mortal bodies.
Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 119:31-40
P: Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes. Then I will guard it to the end.
C: Give me understanding, and I will guard Your law. + I will keep it with all my heart.
P: Make me walk on the path of Your commandments, for I take pleasure in it.
C: Direct my heart toward Your testimonies + and not toward material gain.
P: Keep my eyes from looking at worthless things. Give me life according to Your ways.
C: Confirm Your sayings to Your servant, + so that You may be feared.
P: Take away my disgrace which I dread, for Your judgments are good.
C: How I long for Your precepts! + Give me life in Your righteousness
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Opening Hymn “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: John Darwall, 1731-1789; Darwalls 148TH, 66.66.88 (CW 332)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’archangel’‘s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice! Amen.
After which the Congregation will rise
The Confessional Order
Pastor O Lord, open my lips.
Congregation And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Pastor – Hasten, O God, to deliver me.
Congregation Hasten to help me, O LORD.
Pastor The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
Congregation A broken and a contrite heart, O God
You will not despise.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be
World without end. Amen. Hallelujah!
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor I now ask you before God, who searches your heart, do you confess that you have sinned against God and deserve His wrath and punishment? Then declare so by saying, “I do confess.”
Congregation “I do confess.”
Pastor Truly you should confess, for the Holy Scriptures say, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Second, do you, with all your heart, repent of all your sins, committed in thought, word, and deed? Then declare so by saying, “I do repent.”
Congregation “I do repent.”
Pastor Truly, you should repent, as other penitent sinners have done: King David, who prayed for a contrite heart; Peter, who wept bitterly; the sinful woman, the prodigal son, and others.
Third, do you sincerely believe that God, by grace, for Jesus’ sake, will forgive you all your sins? Then declare so by saying, “I do believe.”
Congregation “I do believe.”
Pastor Truly you should so believe, for the Holy Scriptures say, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Fourth, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Ghost, you will, from this time forward, reform your sinful life? Then declare it by saying, “I do promise.”
Congregation “I do promise.”
Pastor Truly, you should so promise, for Christ, the Lord says: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Finally, do you believe that through me, a called servant of God, you will receive from God the forgiveness of all your sins? Then declare it by saying, “I do believe.
Congregation “I do believe.”
The Absolution
Pastor Upon this, your confession, I, because of my office as a called and ordained servant of God’s Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. And, in the place, and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Peace be with you. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated
Feed Us, Lord
The Old Testament Lesson Numbers 22
The Israelites set out and camped on the Plains of Moab along the Jordan across from Jericho. 2 Balak son of Zippor saw everything that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 So Moab was afraid of the people, because they were so numerous. Moab was terrified because of the Israelites. 4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this assembly will eat up everything around us, just as cattle eat up the grass in the field.”
Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5 He sent messengers to summon Balaam, the son of Beor, from Pethor by the Euphrates River, in the land of his own people.
He said, “Look, a people came out of Egypt. They cover the surface of the land, and they are settling right across from me. 6 Please come now. Curse this people for me, for they are more powerful than I am. Perhaps I will succeed and strike them down, driving them out of the land, for I know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed.”
7 The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went with payments for his occult practices in their hand. They came to Balaam and told him what Balak said.
8 Balaam said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will report to you what the Lord says to me.” So the Moabite officials stayed with Balaam.
9 God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”
10 Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent messengers to me, who said, 11 ‘Look, the people that has come out of Egypt covers the surface of the land. Now, come, curse them for me. Perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”
12 God said to Balaam, “You are not to go with them. You are not to curse the people, for they are blessed.”
13 Balaam got up in the morning and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your land, because the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”
14 The officials of Moab got up and went back to Balak. They said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
15 So Balak again sent other officials, more numerous and more prestigious than the others. 16 They went to Balaam and said to him, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says, ‘Do not let anything prevent you from coming to me, 17 for I will reward you very richly. Also I will do whatever you tell me. Just come and curse this people for me.’”
18 Balaam responded to Balak’s servants, “Even if Balak would give to me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go against the command of the Lord my God to do anything small or great. 19 But please, stay and spend the night here, and I will find out what else the Lord might say to me.”
20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to summon you, get up and go with them. However, do only what I tell you.” 21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab.
22 But God’s anger burned because Balaam was going with them. So the Angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 The donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand. So the donkey turned off the road and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey to make it turn back to the road. 24 Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards with walls on both sides. 25 The donkey saw the Angel of the Lord and pressed against the wall and squeezed Balaam’s foot against the wall. Balaam struck the donkey again. 26 Then the Angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or to the left. 27 The donkey saw the Angel of the Lord and lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28 The Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, which said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?”
29 Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me! If only there was a sword in my hand, I would kill you now!”
30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, the one you have always ridden to this day? Is this what I usually do to you?”
He said, “No.”
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand. Balaam knelt and bowed with his face to the ground. 32 The Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I Myself have come out to oppose you, because your way is reckless before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned away from Me these three times. If it had not turned away from Me, I would have surely killed you by now and let the donkey live.”
34 Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I didn’t know that You stood in the road to confront me. Now if this is displeasing to You, I will go back.”
35 The Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you will speak only the words that I speak to you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border at the edge of his territory. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I send for you urgently when I summoned you? Why didn’t you come to me? Don’t you know that I can really reward you?”
38 Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you now. But am I really able to say anything? I will speak only the words that God puts in my mouth.”
39 Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep and sent for Balaam and the officials who were with him. 41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth Baal. From there, he saw the outskirts of the people.
The Epistle Lesson 2 Peter 2:1-19
There were false prophets also among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master Who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved ways, and because of them the way of the truth will be blasphemed. 3 In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated messages. Their condemnation announced long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned but handed them over to chains of darkness by casting them into hell, to be kept under guard for judgment; 5 and if God did not spare the ancient world but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, along with seven others when he brought a flood on the world of ungodly people; 6 and if God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, by turning them into ashes when He made them an example of things to come for the ungodly; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was very distressed by the unrestrained immorality of the wicked people 8 (while that righteous man was living among them, he was tormented in his righteous soul day after day by the lawless deeds he saw and heard); 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under guard until the day of judgment, in order to punish them.
10 This is especially true of those who follow the defiling lust of the flesh and who despise authority. Daring and arrogant, they do not tremble when they blaspheme glorious beings, 11 whereas angels, even though they are greater in strength and power, do not bring a slanderous judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters about which they are ignorant, just like unreasoning creatures that live by instinct and are born to be captured and destroyed. So they too will be destroyed as a consequence of their destructive activity. 13 They will be paid back for the harm they cause.
They consider it a pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, who take delight in their deceitful pleasures while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of longing for adulterous women and sins that never stop. They seduce unstable souls. They have trained their hearts for greed. They are children who are cursed.
15 They left the right way and went astray, following the path of Balaam, son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 16 (He was rebuked for his disobedience. A donkey, which does not talk, spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.) 17 These men are wells without water, clouds driven away by a windstorm, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved. 18 For by uttering arrogant, empty words, they use the depraved lusts of the flesh to seduce those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 While they promise these people freedom, they themselves are slaves to corruption, for a person is a slave to what has control of him.
after which the Congregation will rise out of respect for
the words of our Savior as we give our attention to
The Gospel Lesson Matthew 7:15-27
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. You do not gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, do you? 17 So then, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and drive out demons in Your name and perform many miracles in Your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you evildoers.’
24 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on bedrock. 25 The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was founded on bedrock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of Mine but does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—it was completely destroyed.”
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Children’s Lesson I John 4:1-3
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from God.
Always Test What People Teach You!
Hymn of the Day Hymn 283 “Speak, O Savior, I Am Listening”
1 Speak, O Savior; I am list’ning, As a servant to his lord.
Let me show respect and honor To your holy, precious Word,
That each day, my whole life through, I may serve and follow you.
Let your Word e’er be my pleasure And my heart’s most precious treasure.
2 Oh, what blessing to be near you And to listen to your voice!
Let me ever love and fear you; Let your Word still be my choice.
Many hardened sinners, Lord, Flee in terror at your Word,
But to all who feel sin’s burden You give peace and words of pardon.
3 Lord, your words are waters living Where I quench my thirsty needs.
Lord, your words are bread life-giving; On your words my spirit feeds.
Lord, your words will be my light Through death’s cold and dreary night;
Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing.
4 As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let your words in me take root.
May your Spirit e’er be near me That I bear abundant fruit.
May I daily sing your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise,
Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon Salutation
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord! May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
The Sermon Text Numbers 22
(today’s Old Testament Lesson)
God’s Word through a Talking Donkey
after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, now encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
We Present our Offerings to the Lord
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship. However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash, please) to our church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
2) You can donate through our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
after the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation will rise as
-
-
We Offer Our Prayers to the Lord
In our Prayers this morning we include:
Intercessory Prayers for
Butch Mayer, (Kent Mayer’s brother) who continues his battle with cancer;
and for
Corinne Swogger, (Kent Swogger’s mother), who is in hospice care;
as well as for
Fred Cusanelli, who will undergo back surgery this Wednesday;
and
a Prayer of Thanksgiving for Tammy and Ken Abernathy
whose wedding anniversary is Monday,
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
Pastor – The Lord be with you.
Congregation (Sung) And also with You
Pastor – Lift up your hearts.
Congregation (Sung) We lift them up unto the Lord
Pastor – Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
Congregation (Sung) It is good and right so to do.
Consecration of the Elements
Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation – Amen.
Self-Examination Before Receiving The Lord’s Supper
Pastor Let us now examine ourselves in preparation for receiving this Sacrament of our Lord, as the inspired Apostle Paul so instructs us in I Corinthians 11, where he writes, “…whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement upon himself.”
Pastor Accordingly, are you sincerely sorry for your sins and determined, with God’s help, to change your sinful ways?
Congregation Yes, I am sorry for my sins and desire to serve Jesus and not a sinful lifestyle.
Pastor Do you believe that here in the Lord’s Supper you will receive, along with the bread and wine, the true body and blood of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
Congregation Yes, I believe that I will be receiving the true body and blood of my Lord and Savior, which was given into death for my sins.
Pastor Are you coming to the Lord’s table as one in the faith with this Christian congregation, as the Scriptures teach?
Congregation Yes I have studied the teachings of this congregation concerning God’s Word; I agree with them; And am one in faith with them, as the Scriptures command me to be before I come to the Lord’s table with anyone.
Pastor Finally, do you recognize your need for forgiveness and do you believe that you will receive through the Lord’s Supper the full and free forgiveness of all your sins?
Congregation Yes, I have examined my life, see the need for God’s forgiveness and believe that I will receive complete forgiveness for all my sins, as my Savior has promised.
Pastor Having examined yourselves and confessed your sins, come now with confidence and joy to your Lord’s table and receive here, through His body and blood, the guarantee that your sins are all forgiven, and that eternal life and salvation are surely yours.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Distribution of the Sacrament
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with
our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
To our Guests this morning, we appreciate your presence among us. It is an honor to have you join with us as we worship our Lord and listen to His Word. We truly consider it a privilege to spend this time with you! It is our hope that you will both return in the future to worship with us again, and – perhaps – that You will even choose to become part of our congregation’s membership and our Synodical (WELS) fellowship, so that you might become even more involved in worship, study of God’s Word, and in Christian ministry and fellowship with us.
In connection with our worship as Christians, we regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion. But, as a key part of our church’s Biblically-based communion practice, before we can ask anyone to commune with us, we are compelled to first sit down with that individual and establish (upon a comprehensive study of the teachings of Scripture) that we are united in full doctrinal/ teaching fellowship…….which Scripture requires of any and all Christians before they can commune together.
Accordingly, we can offer the Lord’s Supper this morning only to those individuals who have completed that course of study, and who have chosen to become confirmed, communicant members of Grace Lutheran congregation or from one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) congregations.
For some guests, this Biblical practice of “Close Communion“ is both unfamiliar and (quite possibly) uncomfortable. We realize that, unfortunately, few churches today continue to follow this approach to communion…..though, in the past (when many churches were more concerned about following all of God’s Word than is the case today) nearly all did. We understand that it is not necessarily easy to watch others receiving the Lord’s Supper, while being asked – respectfully — to refrain from receiving it. Many of us who are communing today once also watched others receive the Lord’s Supper, as you are asked to do this morning, while waiting for the privilege of one day being an active partner in this “Close Communion.” We want to assure you that we are not judging your faith in Christ today. Nor it is our desire to offend you. But it also is not our desire to offend or disobey our Lord’s expectations for the proper use of His Supper. Indeed, we must all obey Him above all others, and we want to obey Him. Consequently, if you have any questions or concerns about our use/practice of the Lord’s Supper (and we invite you to ask or express them — if you do), please feel free to speak with our Pastor after the service, or at your convenience. He considers it a privilege to share with you and others the Biblical reasons for our approach to receiving and offering the Lord’s Supper. In addition, you can also find a brochure in our tract/brochure rack in the entryway; it is entitled “Our Communion Practice.” This brochure also provides our guests and friends with the Scripture-based explanation for our understanding of and use of the Lord’s Supper.
Finally, please know that we truly are grateful for your participation – as a fellow Christian – in this morning’s worship service. We also thank you for your patience and understanding, and for respecting this Biblical approach we must take as we endeavor to faithful make us of our Lord’s Supper. We hope and pray that you will come back to worship with us again — often. And that one day you might become a part of this Christian fellowship, not only as we worship and hear God’s Word from these pews, but as we receive the Lord’s Supper together. May God bless and keep you always!
The Distribution Hymn “I Stand Here Before You”
Sung to the melody of “How Firm A Foundation”
I stand here before You, O mightiest One
In need of forgiveness for wrongs I have done.
Oh, grant me Your pardon, my spirit now pleads
Forgive my transgressions in thoughts, words, and deeds.
The Tempter keeps taunting me day after day,
I often succumb and submit to his way.
From birth I’ve been evil — my mortal flesh weak,
I do not abide by the words that You speak.
I humbly confess with the deepest of shame
The times I abused Your magnificent Name.
In spite of Your right to demand faithfulness,
My life’s often guided by my selfishness.
I covet, I slander, I look with lust, too.
I fail to give honor where honor is due.
I steal and I gossip…..so far do I fall –
Your perfect commandments: I’ve broken them all.
Right here at Your table forgiveness is found
In Christ’s holy blood that flowed down to the ground,
His body and blood in the bread and the wine
A marvel of love that is truly divine!
That blood of Your Chosen was shed to erase
The sins of the world. How I cherish that grace!
Dear God I am thankful to be such a one,
Washed clean by the blood of my Savior, Your Son.
Second Distribution Hymn Hymn 313
“Jesus Christ, Our Precious Savior”
(If utilized; vs 1-4; vs 5-8)
1 Jesus Christ, our blessed Savior, Turned away God’s wrath forever;
By his bitter grief and woe He saved us from the evil foe.
2 As his pledge of love undying, He, this precious food supplying,
Gives his body with the bread And with the wine the blood he shed.
3 Jesus here himself is sharing; Take heed how you are preparing,
For if you do not believe, Judgment instead you shall receive.
4 Useless would be Jesus’ passion If salvation you could fashion.
Do not come if you suppose You need not him who died and rose.
5 Christ says, “Come, all you that labor, And receive my grace and favor;
Those who feel no pain or ill Need no physician’s help or skill.”
6 Then hold fast with faith unshaken That this food is to be taken
By the souls who are distressed, By hearts that long for peace and rest.
7 Praise the Father, who from heaven Unto us such food has given
And, to mend what we have done, Gave into death his only Son.
8 If your heart this truth professes And your mouth your sin confesses,
Surely you will be his guest And at his banquet ever blest.
At the close of the distribution of communion
the Pastor will invite the congregation to rise as
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Prayer
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The LORD look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 323 “Almighty Father, Bless the Word”
1 Almighty Father, bless the word Which through your grace we now have heard.
Oh, may the precious seed take root, Spring up, and bear abundant fruit.
2 We praise you for the means of grace As homeward now our steps we trace.
Grant, Lord, that we who worshiped here May all at last in heav’n appear.
silent prayer, announcements, post-service music
+ + + Thank You and God Bless You + + +
Thank you for being a part of our worshiping assembly this morning.
We invite you to join those around you for some good conversation and fellowship at the conclusion of today’s announcements. We also invite you to join us for some good conversation, coffee, juice, and other refreshments in our gymnasium/fellowship hall. Finally, we encourage you to remain afterwards with us for further study in the Word of our Lord through our Bible Classes and Sunday School.
May the comfort of God’s love and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ
be with you throughout this day and this week.
An Invitation To our Guests
If you have no church home of your own, and/or are looking for religious
truth and spiritual certainty as a foundation for your life and to insure your eternal future, then we invite you to consider becoming a part of this Christian fellowship called Grace Lutheran Church. For further information on becoming a member of our church family, please speak with our Pastor after today’s worship service, or at your convenience. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you with God’s Word and to have you as a part of our worshiping family today. We hope that you will worship study with us again soon, and often. Please know that you will always be welcome at Grace Lutheran Church. May God bless you, now and always…..in Jesus’ name.
-