The Twenty-Seventh Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Also known as the Twenty-fifth Sunday after
the Festival of the Holy Trinity – November 15, 2026
Are You Paying Attention to the “Signs”
of Judgment Day, as It Approaches?
And….Are You Ready for It?
One of my favorites stories is the one told about a TV preacher who went on and on at great length, telling his TV hearers about his latest book. He claimed it explained everything a person ever needed to know about the coming of Jesus and the end of time. “You must have this book,” he said over and over again. All the while a telephone number (not even toll-free) was constantly flashing at the bottom of the screen. He made it sound like he was the only person who had the proper prophetic insight into world events, its future, and the world’s end. But, he promised, anyone could have the benefit of his wisdom since he was offering it in his latest book….for a mere $14.95. What’s more, he strongly suggested that it would be difficult – if not impossible – for anyone to survive the coming terrors of the End Times unless that person had his book.
Having both his interest and his ire piqued, a particular parish pastor called the number at the bottom of the screen and began speaking to the operator at the other end. He started by suggesting that if this preacher really thought the information in his book was truly vital to the survival and salvation of his listeners, and since the end was so near (as he had been claiming), then – for the love of souls – he ought to be giving the book away for free….not charging $14.95 for it! What’s more, since the world was going to be coming to an end immanently (as the TV preacher was predicting) he wouldn’t need the money anyway, right? After all, once the world ends what good would any money in any bank account be? Yes, it was true, suggested the calling-in pastor, that it does cost money to publish a book, but the TV preacher wouldn’t even have to be concerned about paying the printing charges. You see, if the end was as near as he said it was, Judgment Day would arrive before the printer’s bill came in the mail! You can probably guess that the operator on the other end of the line was not amused. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said, “I simply do what I’m told, and my job is to take book orders; not debate with customers. I just don’t know that much about theology.” ….To which the phone-in pastor responded, “That’s okay. Neither does the writer of the book you’re selling.”
That pastor was right. The TV preacher/book writer & seller didn’t know much about theology (“theology” is the study of what God’s Word teaches us). But the sad fact is: many people don’t know all that much about the theology of the Last Times – long-time church members and ministers included.
And so, there is an important purpose
in our studying the Last Times this morning!
Now, it has long been the custom in Christian Churches like ours (sometimes known as “liturgical [structured worship] churches” ) to focus our public worship and study attention during the Sundays in November on what the Bible teaches concerning the Last Times and Judgment Day, about Heaven and Hell, as well as the importance of our being Spiritually prepared either for Christ’s Second Coming to judge the world, or for the moment of our death (at which point eternity for us will begin). We try to do this annually in order for us all to maintain a proper understanding of what the Lord teaches us in His Word about how the world will end, about what will take place on the Last Day, and about why these are teachings are not only important for us to know, but also why they should be very edifying and encouraging for our Christian faith.
At Grace Lutheran Church we try our best to maintain this custom/tradition by following what has come to be known as “the Church Calendar.” The Church Calendar spans all twelve months of the year, but begins in late November/early December with the season of Advent. Next follows with the season of Epiphany, as well as the seasons of Lent and Easter. The Church Calendar concludes with the almost half-year long Pentecost/Trinity season. We utilize this arrangement so that we can, in an organized way, devote our public worship and study time in God’s Word to cover not only the major events of Christ’s life, but also the principal ways that we Christians life out our lives of faith in gratitude to God for His redeeming grace to us through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Today’s Worship Service and Scripture Lessons
Consistent with that aim, in this morning’s Old Testament Lesson the Lord gives Daniel a glimpse of what the Last Times will be like for God’s people. Here we see the world as a battlefield between the forces of God and those oppose to Him. That battle between God’s and Satan’s forces will intensify as the end of the world gets closer and closer. However, we shouldn’t be disturbed because of the Spiritual battles that are ahead as the End of Times approaches. That’s because, ultimately protected by God’s grace, His Church (that’s us!) will triumph. In fact, one of the enemies of our souls that will be defeated is death itself. It will be overcome through Jesus’ resurrection and His power to raise our own bodies, which will be glorified (purged of all sin). At the same time those who oppose the Lord will be sent into everlasting punishment in hell, while we – who believe in the One, true God – will receive everlasting life in heaven. Daniel wondered, as we sometimes to, how long it would be before the Last Day arrived. The answer he received: “a time, times, and half a time” is a mysterious one which many have tried to explain and quantify. The “best” answer, probably, is it will come “eventually.” Of course, the answer to precisely when the end of the world will occur is, finally, known only by the Lord – which He teaches us elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Matt 24:36). It’s enough for us to trust in God’s promise that He will deliver His Church from this world of sin in His own appointed time. (Which happens to be the main point of our Children’s Lesson for today.)
The Epistle Lesson (New Testament Letter) to which we’ll give our attention today is also our Sermon Text. It is the closing chapter of Peter’s “last will and testament,” II Peter 3. The Apostle would die a martyr’s death less than one year after writing this. Incidentally, a very significant point about the divine inspiration of the New Testament is made by Peter in the closing part of our reading. There he says that false teachers have been distorting the writings of Paul the Apostle (he wrote almost half of the NT) “as they do the other Scriptures.” Through that word “other,” Peter is informing to us that Paul’s letters are inspired “Scripture” too. His main point (italicized in our bulletin because it serves as our sermon text) is that his readers not only need to be aware of Scripture’s predictions about the Last Times (and the “signs” that indicate that the end is close at hand), they also need to be Spiritually and doctrinally prepared. They need to trust in Christ as their Savior, and be aware of what God’s Word teaches about the Last Times – so that false teachers can’t deceive them. Finally, in today’s Gospel Lesson Jesus presents to His disciples some of the signs they and we should watch for….signs that will signal the nearness of the Last Day. Those signs include natural disasters, distress in society, persecution for the church, and the falling from faith of many. In addition, the Gospel of salvation through faith in Christ will continue to be proclaimed during the Last Times, and souls will continue to added to the Kingdom of God. Throughout these verses there are two key emphases that we dare not miss: 1) we must remain Spiritually prepared for Christ’s return for judgment and deliverance; and 2) the Lord will preserve us and His Church in our faith, through the Holy Spirit’s power, so that we can remain steadfast in our faith to – and through – the very End.
The portions of God’s that are 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 – Heavenly Father, please guide me in wisdom and truth through Your Holy Spirit, as I spend
this hour meditating on Your Word and rejoicing in Your limitless love for me. Assist me in being attentive in heart and mind to Your Word, as well as to the hymns of praise, the various petitions, and the prayers of thanksgiving my voice directs toward You. Use this worship service, O Lord, to deepen my love for You, to strengthen my trust in You, and to renew my commitment to You. All this I ask for the sake of and in the name of Your One and only Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary Pre-service music
Greeting and Invitation to Worship
We Praise Our God
at the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Psalm for Today Psalm 139
P: 1 Lord, You have investigated me, and you know. 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up. You understand my thoughts from far off. 3 You keep track of when I travel and when I stay, and You are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before there is a word on my tongue, You, Lord, already know it completely.
C: 5 You put a fence behind me and in front of me, and You have placed Your hand on me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. It is too high—I cannot grasp it.
P: 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your Presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in hell—there You are! 9 I rise on the wings of dawn. I settle on the far side of the sea. 10 Even there Your hand guides me, and Your right hand holds on to me.
C: 11 And if I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light will become night around me,” 12 then even the darkness will not be too dark for You. The night will be as light as the day. Darkness and light are the same to You.
P: 13 For You created my inner organs. You wove me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and my soul knows that very well. 15 My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unfinished body. In Your book all of them were written. Days were determined, before any of them existed.
C: 17 Your thoughts to me are so precious, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
P: I awake, and I am still with You. 19 If only You would slay the wicked, O God, so that bloody men would depart from me, 20 men who speak against You maliciously. Your adversaries misuse Your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord, and detest those who rise up against You? 22 I absolutely hate them. To me they are enemies.
C: 23 Investigate me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know my troubled thoughts. 24 See if there is any way in me that causes pain, and lead me in the way everlasting.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 256 “How Great Thou Art”
1 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee,
“How great thou art! How great thou art!”
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God to thee,
“How great thou art! How great thou art!”
2 When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze, [Refrain]
3 And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin. [Refrain]
4 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim: “My God, how great thou art!” [Refrain]
Following the hymn, the congregation will rise
We Confess our Sins Before the Lord
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask Him to forgive us.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, + I confess that I am by nature sinful + and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; + I have done what is evil + and failed to do what is good. + For this I deserve Your punishment, + both now and in eternity. + But I am truly sorry for my sins, + and trusting in my Savior, Jesus Christ, + I pray: + God have mercy on me, a sinner.
Pastor God our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given His only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of God and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation Amen.
Lord, Have Mercy
P: For all that we need in life, and for the wisdom to use all Your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord.
C: (sung) Lord have mercy.
P: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from Your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ:
C: (sung) Christ have mercy.
P: For the well-being of Your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord
C: (sung) Lord have mercy.
P: Merciful God, Maker and Preserver of life, uphold us by Your power, and keep us in Your tender care:
C: (sung) Amen.
P: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; His name is worthy of praise.
(Sung….from pages 28-29 of Christian Worship)
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
Almighty God, merciful Father, Your crown our life with Your love.
You take away our sin; You comfort our spirit;
You make us pure and holy in Your sight.
You did not spare Your only Son, but gave Him up for us all.
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
O Son of God, eternal Word of the Father,
You came to live with us; You made Your Father known;
You washed us from our sins in Your own blood.
You are the King of glory; You are the Lord!
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
The Prayer For This Morning
O God + the Eternal Author and Giver of Life, + You gave us Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior + so that – through faith in Him – we might one day enjoy everlasting life in heaven. + On the day of Your choosing, + please make our faith complete + by giving us our final victory over sin, Satan and this wicked world + so that we can live with You for ever and ever in heaven + along with all Your angels and the Church Triumphant. + There we will forever praise You, + the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, + in Your (and our) home of love and peace. Please hear and grant this prayer, + in the name, and for the sake of Jesus Christ, + Your Son, our Lord, + Who, along with You and the Holy Spirit + lives and rule as the one true God + for all eternity. + Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated
We Hear God’s Word
Today’s Old Testament Lesson Daniel 12:1-11
Then at that time, Michael, the great prince who stands over your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress that has not happened from the first time that there was a nation until that time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 Many who are sleeping in the dusty ground will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, to everlasting contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who bring many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. 4 Now you, Daniel, close up the words and seal the scroll until the time of the end. Many will continue running back and forth, and knowledge will increase.
5 I, Daniel, looked, and there were two others standing there, one on the near bank of the river and the other on the far bank of the river. 6 Someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the end of these amazing things?” 7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. He raised his right hand and his left hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and then, when the rejection of the holy people is finished, all these things will be finished. 8 I myself heard, but I did not understand. So I said, “Lord, what will be the end result of these things?”
9 He said: “Go, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
11 From the time when the regular daily offering is removed and an abominable thing that causes desolation is set up, there will be one thousand two hundred ninety days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits and reaches one thousand three hundred thirty-five days.”
The Epistle Lesson II Peter 3:1-18
Dear friends, this is now the second letter that I have written to you. I wrote both of them to stir up your sincere mind with a reminder 2 for you to remember the words spoken earlier by the holy prophets and the command of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3 First, know this: In the last days scoffers will come with their mocking, following their own lusts. 4 They will say, “Where is this promised coming of his? For from the time that our fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have from the beginning of the creation.” 5 You see, what they are intentionally forgetting is that the heavens came into existence long ago by the word of God and that the earth came together out of the water and between the waters. 6 Through these waters the former world perished, when it was flooded with water. 7 And now, by that same word, the heavens and earth have been stored up for fire, since they are being kept until the day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: For the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to do what he promised, as some consider slowness. Instead, he is patient for your sakes, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the elements will be dissolved as they burn with great heat, and the earth and what was done on it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be, living in holiness and godliness, 12 as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God? That day will cause the heavens to be set on fire and destroyed, and the elements to melt as they burn with great heat. 13 But according to his promise we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, dear friends, as you look forward to these things, make every effort to be found in peace, spotless and blameless in his sight. 15 Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom that was given to him. 16 He spoke about these things the same way in all of his letters. There are some matters that are hard to understand in his letters, which the ignorant and unstable distort, as they also do with the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you do not fall from your own firm position by being led astray through the error of the wicked. 18 Instead grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and forever. Amen.
After which the Congregation will rise out of respect for the words of Jesus
The Gospel Lesson Matthew 24:1-35
As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, his disciples came up to him to call his attention to the temple buildings. 2 Then he replied to them, “Do you see all of these things? Amen I tell you: Not one stone here will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”
3 While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?”
4 Jesus answered them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 Because many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many people. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because all these things must happen; but that is not yet the end. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are only the beginning of birth pains.
9 Then they will hand you over to be persecuted, and they will put you to death. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. 10 Then many will fall away from faith. They will betray each other and hate each other. 11 Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12 Because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But whoever endures to the end will be saved. 14 This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
15 “Therefore when you see the abomination that causes desolation, that was spoken of through the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place—let the reader understand— 16 then those who are in Judea should flee to the mountains. 17 The one on the housetop should not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 The one who is in the field should not return to get his clothes. 19 How terrible it will be for those who are pregnant or are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in the winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For at that time there will be great distress, unlike any that has happened since the beginning of the world until now, and unlike any that will happen again. 22 If those days were not shortened, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.
23 “At that time if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There he is,’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive even the elect, if it were possible.
25 “See, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they tell you, ‘Look! There he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or ‘Look! Here he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 Just as the lightning flashes from the east and shines as far as the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. 28 Wherever the carcass may be, there the vultures will gather.
29 “Immediately after the misery of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. And at that time all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
32 “Learn this lesson from the fig tree. When its branch has become tender and produces leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, know that he is near, right at the doors. 34 Amen I tell you: This generation[a] will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Public Confession of our Christian Faith
according to the words of 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 may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson Matthew 24:36
36 “No one knows when that day and hour will be, not the angels of heaven, not even the Son, but only the Father.
Can You Guess The Right Answer?
Sermon Hymn Hymn 207 “The Day Is Surely Drawing Near”
verses 1-5
1 The day is surely drawing near
When God’s Son, the Anointed,
Shall with great majesty appear
As judge of all appointed.
All mirth and laughter then shall cease
When flames on flames will still increase,
As Scripture truly teaches.
2 A trumpet loud shall then resound
And all the earth be shaken.
Then all who in their graves are found
Shall from their sleep awaken
And with the living in that hour
By the Almighty’s boundless pow’r
Be changed at his commanding.
3 A book is opened then to all,
A record truly telling
What each has done, both great and small,
When he on earth was dwelling,
And ev’ry heart be clearly seen,
And all be known as they have been
In thoughts and words and actions.
4 Then woe to those who scorned the Lord
And sought but carnal pleasures,
Who here despised his precious Word
And loved their earthly treasures!
With shame and trembling they will stand
And at the judge’s stern command
To Satan be delivered.
5 My Savior paid the debt I owe
And for my sin was smitten;
Within the Book of Life I know
My name has now been written.
I will not doubt, for I am free,
And Satan cannot threaten me;
There is no condemnation!
The Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance from God our Father,
and from Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Sermon Text II Peter 3:3-13
from today’s Epistle Lesson (italicized)
The End Is Near
I. How Close Is It? II. How Do I Prepare For It?
The Post-Sermon Blessing
To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority now and forever. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our 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) to the church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) You can also donate on our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
the Congregation will please rise as the offerings are brought to the altar
Today’s Special Prayer
Included in our prayers this morning are
Prayers of Thanksgiving on behalf of
Vicki and Vic Walker, whose anniversary is this coming Tuesday; and
Tina and John Wambold, whose anniversary is also this coming Tuesday.
The Lord’s Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name;
Prayer 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 Hymnal, Page 33
P: The Lord be with you.
C: (sung) And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: (sung) We lift them up to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: (sung) It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
P: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. He sends the Holy Spirit to testify that we are His children, and to strengthen Spiritually when we are weak. Therefore with angel and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:
Hymnal, Page 34
(Sung) Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts.
The whole earth is full of Your glory
You are my God and I will exalt You.
I will lift You up for You have become my salvation.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts.
The whole earth is full of Your glory
The Words of Institution
P: “The peace of the Lord be with you always.”
C: (sung) Amen. Hymnal, Page 35
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
Have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world,
Have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
Grant us Your peace. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper
The Distribution of the Sacramental Elements
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with
our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
TO OUR GUESTS AND FRIENDS
We offer the Lord’s Supper this morning only to those individuals who are confirmed, communicant members of Grace Lutheran congregation, or of a member congregation of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. To our Guests this morning, we appreciate your presence among us and celebrate the faith in Christ which we share with you. However, we ask that you will please respect our communion practice (see above). A brochure further explaining the Biblical basis for our Communion practice is available on the tract rack in our
front entryway. We encourage you both to examine it – especially the Biblical references within it, and also to speak with our Pastor after the service (at your convenience) so that you might better understand and appreciate our Biblically-based “Close Communion” practice. Thank you for your understanding, your patience, and for your presence here among us this morning.
First Communion Hymn: Hymn 376 “Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness”
1 Jesus, your blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
Mid flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
2 Bold shall I stand in that great day–
Who can a word against me say?
Fully through you absolved I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
3 Lord, I believe your precious blood,
Which at the very throne of God
Forever will for sinners plead,
For me — e’en for my soul — was shed.
4 Lord, I believe were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
You have for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonement made.
5 When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
E’en then this shall be all my plea:
Jesus has lived and died for me.
6 Jesus, be worshiped endlessly!
Your boundless mercy has for me,
For me and all your hands have made,
An everlasting ransom paid.
Second Hymn: Hymn 315 “Here, O My Lord, I See You Face To Face”
1 Here, O my Lord, I see you face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen,
Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon you lean.
2 This is the hour of banquet and of song;
Here is the heav’nly table spread anew.
Here let me feast and, feasting, still prolong
The brief bright hour of fellowship with you.
3 I have no help but yours nor do I need
Another arm but yours to lean upon.
It is enough, O Lord, enough indeed;
My strength is in your might, your might alone.
4 Mine is the sin but yours the righteousness;
Mine is the guilt but yours the cleansing blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace:
Your blood, your righteousness, O Lord, my God.
5 Too soon we rise; the vessels disappear.
The feast, though not the love, is past and gone.
The bread and wine remove, but you are here,
Nearer than ever, still my shield and sun.
6 Feast after feast thus comes and passes by,
Yet, passing, points to that glad feast above,
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb’s great marriage feast of bliss and love.
The Thanksgiving Hymnal, Page 36
(Sung) Thank the Lord and sing His praise.
Tell everyone what He has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice,
and proudly bear His name.
He renews His promises and leads His people forth in joy,
With shouts of thanksgiving, Alleluia! Alleluia!
We Leave with the Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Prayer
Hear the prayer of Your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised You here may glorify You in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of Your Son may long for His coming again, and that all who have received in his true body and blood the pledge of Your forgiveness may be restored to live a new and holy life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
The Benediction
P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord in gladness.
The LORD bless you and keep you
The LORD make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious unto you.
The LORD look upon you with favor, and grant you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 207 “The Day Is Surely Drawing Near”
Verse 6
6 O Jesus Christ, do not delay,
But hasten our salvation;
We often tremble on our way
In fear and tribulation.
Your saints are waiting patiently;
Come soon, Redeemer; make us free
From ev’ry evil. Amen.
Silent prayer, Announcements, Post-service music