The Eleventh Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Also known as the Ninth Sunday after
the Festival of the Holy Trinity – August 02, 2026
Major Messages from the Minor Prophets
Zephaniah:
You were Warned….God’s Patience is at its End
His Judgement Must Follow! ……And, then, His Mercy
Following the conclusion of Micah’s prophetic work (around 700 BC), there
was an extended period of prophetic silence (about 70 years’) before the word of the LORD once more was uttered by Zephaniah and his contemporaries: Nahum, Habakkuk and Jeremiah. Those 70 years spanned the reigns of wicked king Manasseh of Judah (687-642 B.C.), who oversaw the proliferation of idolatry along with increased injustice and general cruelty (see II Kings 21:1-18; 23:26; and 24:3-4). He was succeeded by his equally evil son, Amon (who ruled 642-640 B.C.). Then followed “good king Josiah,” who led Judah from 640-609 B.C. The extensively decadent spiritual conditions in Judah did not improve noticeably until 18 years into the reign of Josiah. That’s when – for the first time – he read the book of God’s Law (II Kings 22:11-13). It had been discovered during the restoration of Solomon’s temple. Josiah was so deeply convicted by God’s Word that he initiated a thorough religious reformation of the whole country. It’s entirely possible that Zephaniah’s preaching preceded that reformation, serving as an encouragement to Josiah’s reform efforts.
Who Was Zephaniah?
Zephaniah’s name means “hidden of Jehovah” or “the LORD protects.” Apparently his social standing in Judah was rather significant, since he was related to the royal family. His book of prophecy begins with a statement about his ancestry that indicates he was a fourth-generation descendant of godly Hezekiah, who had served as Judah’s king from 715 to 686 BC. Apart from what he writes in those opening verses – as is the case with most of the “minor prophets” – we know nothing more about Zephaniah’s heritage. It’s worth noting, however, that Jesus validated Zephaniah’s ministry and message, quoting Zephaniah 1:15 in connection with a discussion of His second coming in Matthew 24:29.
The Date of Zephaniah’s ministry and book
It’s quite likely that Zephaniah was familiar with the writings of such prominent eighth-century prophets as Isaiah and Amos. He was a contemporary of the prophets Nahum and Habakkuk, and probably the prophet Jeremiah during the early years of his (Jeremiah’s) ministry. Zephaniah spoke for the Lord during the early part of Josiah’s reign, before that king’s reform effort began in 621 B.C. (see II Chronicles 34). In prophesying Nineveh’s impending destruction, one can assume that Zephaniah uttered his prophetic message prior to the death in 627 B.C. of Assyria’s last powerful king, Ashurbanipal. Assyria, in fact, would be defeated and Nineveh would be destroyed by the Babylonians in 612 B.C. (2:13-15). Consequently, most scholars date the writing of Zephaniah’s book somewhere between 630 and 627 B.C.
The Historical Background for this book
In 723/722 B.C., one hundred years before his prophecy, the northern kingdom of Israel had been destroyed by the Assyrian army. The handful of Israelites who survived were into a captivity from which they would never return. The land of Israel was repopulated with people from other lands (a common practice by the Assyrians, intended to remove the territorial and cultural allegiances of their conquered subjects). In order to escape a similar fate, the nation of Judah under wicked kings Manasseh and Amon (the father of Josiah) paid tribute to the Assyrians. As “vassals,” they also offered their political and military support to Assyria.
Judah’s alliance with Assyria not only affected the nation politically, it also influenced the religious practices, customs and general lifestyle of the Jewish people, since they embraced many things Assyrian. For example, official protection was offered for the magic arts of diviners and enchanters. Assyria’s “astral religion” became so popular that king Manasseh erected altars – including one on the roof of the temple!! – so that his people could worship the sun, moon, stars, signs of the zodiac, and other heavenly bodies (II Kings 23:11). Worship of the mother goddess of Assyria was also a common practice. However, after young king Josiah took the lead in effecting a religious reformation, Assyrian influence began to wane. The final blow to Assyrian power and influence occurred when a Babylonian insurrection brought about the destruction of Nineveh and the Assyrian empire in 612 B.C.
In addition to Zephaniah’s efforts, Jeremiah also encouraged King Josiah in his efforts to revive the worship of the one true God. With the discovery of the long-lost book of God’s Law, hidden in the temple, Josiah became familiar with the LORD’s righteous expectations for His people and His consequences for disobedience. As a result, Josiah did his best to purge Judah of any and all idolatrous practices. The temple was cleansed, God’s Word was taught to all the people, and sacrifices were offered again to the LORD (II Chron. 34; 35). In retrospect, we know from the history of Judah that the effect of Josiah’s reforms were more “external” than “internal.” You see, Josiah could order a change in the worship practices of his subjects, but he could not change their hearts. During this time, a feeling existed among the people of Judah that everything was going well in their relationship with God, since they were enjoying peace and prosperity. Anticipating this spiritual complacency, Zephaniah – guided by the Spirit of God – uttered a devastating message of judgment against the peoples’ spiritual dullness and generally-ignorant wickedness.
The Message of Zephaniah
The message God had given to Zephaniah announced His soon-to-come judgment against five heathen nations….as well as against His own people in Judah. Zephaniah confronted Jerusalem and Judah with an uncompromising message of immanent, awful, divine discipline because of their disobedience and indifference. At the same time, found within his message, were words full of comfort, hope and salvation for those who would repent and return to the LORD. Ultimately, the destruction prophesied by Zephaniah would happen about two generations in the future. It came through the Babylonians after they had overpowered Assyria and brought that ancient power – and oppressor of God’s people — to its devastating end (its capital, Nineveh, would be – literally – wiped off the face of the earth, never to be rebuilt).
A dominant part of Zephaniah’s message was his oft-repeated emphasis on the coming of “the Day of the Lord” (see also Isaiah 2:11,17,20; Joel 1:15; 2:2; Amos 5:18; 8:9). In an immediate sense, the Day of the Lord referred to the severe punishments that God would bring on Judah’s neighbors – Philistia, Ammon, Moab, Ethiopia, and Assyria – and
especially on Judah herself. You could rightly say that Zephaniah’s prophecy was the “swan song” of the Southern Kingdom. But, strong as God’s judgment against Judah was, Zephaniah made it clear that the LORD was still going to be merciful to His people. That’s because the LORD’s motivation in powerfully dealing with His people was not hate, but His purifying love that wanted them to repent and reconcile with Him. Like many of the Old Testament’s other prophets, Zephaniah ended his pronouncements of doom on the positive note of Judah’s eventual restoration and redemption by the LORD, the true ”King of Israel” (3:15).
A Summary of the Book of Zephaniah
In chapter one, Zephaniah introduces himself, then focuses on the people of Judah. He reminds them that the
LORD is in their midst, whether they recognize His presence or not, that He is well aware of their disobedient ways, and that He is preparing to judge them. According to His righteousness, God cannot excuse Judah’s idolatry, nor can He allow such an abomination to remain unpunished. Judah’s leaders are denounced, as is every other category of impenitent sinner. In the second chapter, the prophet calls on his people to seek the LORD, so that they might be safeguarded when the day of the God’s wrath inevitably comes on their nation. Zephaniah makes it plain that nothing can save Judah from destruction except genuine repentance. He then turns his message toward five heathen nations (Philistia, Ammon, Moab, Ethiopia and Assyria) which surround Judah, declaring that God’s divine wrath will also come down upon them because of their pride and their mistreatment of His people. Chapter three sees Zephaniah conclude his prophesy with some wonderful Gospel promises about Israel’s eventual restoration. Written especially for those who, in exile in Babylon, will be repentant, the prophet assures them that God will allow a redeemed remnant eventually to return home to Judah – humbled, purified, and trusting in the LORD. They will be reestablished in the land and the LORD will be in their midst, ruling them as Israel’s King (an obvious reference to the coming Messiah).
Today’s Scripture Lessons
This morning’s Old Testament Lesson is closing section of Joshua’s farewell
sermon to the people of Israel. The majority of the Promised Land has been conquered. Joshua is quite old. But before he eases into “retirement,” God’s faithful servant and Israel’s leader-general calls on his fellow Israelites to remain fully faithful to the LORD. After all, He had graciously delivered them from slavery in Egypt, had led them through 40 years’ disciplinary wandering in the desert, had granted them victory over all their enemies, and had given them the land they were now occupying. As the people pledge that they will remain faithful to the LORD, Joshua declares that they cannot do so on their own. They will need strength of faith that only God can (and does) provide. Then Joshua urges the Israelites not to forsake the LORD in order to foolishly follow the Canaanites’ false gods (that were – obviously – unable to protect them from the true God….Israel’s God). Finally he warns them that – if they do forsake God – the LORD will consume them and destroy them…..which, sadly, is precisely what would occur 700 years later for the northern Kingdom of Israel, and 800 years later for the southern Kingdom. Our Gospel Lesson is Luke’s account of the early preaching ministry of John the Baptist, with his dual emphases on 1) the necessity of repentance over our sin (with some practical examples given of how to put that repentance into constructive action); and 2) the need to believe in the coming Messiah alone for our salvation. In today’s Children’s Lesson we’ll use two road signs to illustrate what repentance is: stopping sin, and turning our behavior completely around so we’re doing what God wants us to do, and being the kind of people God wants us to be. Finally, this morning’s Sermon is based on the closing chapter of Zephaniah’s prophecy. Our theme will be “Are You Secure In Your Sins…..Or Secure In The LORD?”
Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church If you are a first-time guest, we’re honored you’ve chosen to worship with us this morning. If you’ve been with us before, we’re glad to have you back! If we can do anything to make your time among us more edifying and enjoyable, please speak with one of our ushers, our Pastor, or the person sitting next to you. We want to serve you to the best of our abilities. We also hope you’ll join those around you for some good conversation, coffee, and other refreshments in our fellowship hall after today’s service is done. And finally, we invite you to remain afterward to participate with us in our Sunday School and Bible Class. May the comfort of God’s love and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ bring you peace and be with you throughout this day and this week.
A Children’s Nursery is available to assist parents with small children during the worship hour. We encourage parents to bring children into worship whenever possible. This helps children learn why we come here each week: to praise God and to learn from Him. In addition, we know that the Holy Spirit’s power in the written and spoken Word blesses the hearts and souls of little children, no less than adults. But for some of the youngest among us, the nursery is, at times, a necessity, particularly when their agitation detracts from the worship of others around them in the chapel. When such situations occur, we encourage parents to be considerate of those around them, and to bring your child into the nursery area for a short time, until he/she becomes comfortable again. Then we hope you and your child will return to the sanctuary to continue to worship and grow in God’s Word. The Nursery is in the first room along the north wall in our rear — or second — seating area. A changing table for very small children is also in the nursery, which is available to you at any time today.
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
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Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Service Introduction and Invocation
P: We make our beginning
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Opening Hymn Hymn 379 “Amazing Grace”
1 Amazing grace — how sweet the sound–
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
2 The Lord has promised good to me;
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
4 When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Blessing
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
C: And also with you.
The Confession of Sins
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
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 in Your sight + and have failed to do what is good. + For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, + both now and for eternity. + But I am truly sorry for all my sins, + and trusting in the perfect life + and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, + I plead: + God have mercy on me, a sinner.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, carrying out my office as a called and ordained servant of Christ, and according to His command and authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of God rest upon all of you.
Congregation Amen.
Lord Have Mercy (Christian Worship, pages 27-29)
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) 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
Almighty and merciful God, + You have relentlessly loved us in spite of our sinfulness + and You have always forgiven us – though we do not deserve it – for the sake of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. + Please create in us new hearts that are truly contrite + so that we can repent of all our sins + and enjoy the peace and security + of Your full and gracious pardon; + through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, + Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the one true God, now and forever. + Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Joshua 24:14-28
14 Joshua said, “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him whole-heartedly and faithfully. Remove the gods that your fathers served in the region across the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if you see no benefit in serving the Lord, then choose for yourselves today whomever you will serve—whether the gods that your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household—we will serve the Lord!”
16 The people responded by saying, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord in order to serve other gods! 17 For the Lord our God, He is the One Who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, where we were slaves. He is the One Who performed these great signs right before our eyes and protected us on the whole journey that we made and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 The Lord drove out of our presence all the peoples and the Amorites who were living in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because He is our God!”
19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, because He is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and you serve foreign gods, then He will turn and cause disaster for you, and He will put an end to you after He has done good for you.” 21 But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will most certainly serve the Lord!” 22 So Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord for yourselves in order to serve Him.” The people said, “We are witnesses!”
23 Joshua said, “Now, therefore, remove the foreign gods that are among you, and turn your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God, and we will listen to His voice.” 25 That day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and he affirmed for them a statute and ordinance there at Shechem. 26 Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was at the holy place of the Lord. 27 Joshua said to all the people, “See, this stone will be a witness among us and against us, because it has heard all the words that the Lord spoke with us. So it will be a witness among you and against you, so that you do not act deceptively against your God.” 28 Then Joshua dismissed the people, each one to his own inheritance.
After which the Congregation will please rise,
out of respect for the words of Christ
The Gospel Lesson Luke 3:1-18
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. 3 He went into the whole region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 Just as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth. 6 And everyone will see the salvation of God.”
7 So John kept saying to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruits in keeping with repentance! Do not even think of saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ because I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 9 Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 The crowds began to ask him, “What should we do then?” 11 He answered them, “Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. They said, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 To them he said, “Collect no more than what you were authorized to.” 14 Soldiers were also asking him, “And what should we do?” He told them, “Do not extort money from anyone by force or false accusation. Be satisfied with your wages.”
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But Someone mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 Then with many other words, he appealed to them and was preaching good news to the people.
After which the Congregation may be seated
We Confess our Faith through 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.
The Children’s Lesson Isaiah 55:6-7
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found! Call on Him while He is near! 7 Let the wicked man abandon his way. Let an evil man abandon his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will show him mercy. Let him turn to our God, because He will abundantly pardon.
Repentance Means: “Stop” and “Turn Around”
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 391 “God Loved The World So That He Gave”
1 God loved the world so that he gave
His only Son the lost to save
That all who would in him believe
Should everlasting life receive.
2 Christ is the solid rock of faith,
Who was made flesh and suffered death.
All who confide in him alone
Are built on this chief cornerstone.
3 God would not have the sinner die–
His Son with saving grace is nigh.
His Spirit in the Word does teach
How we the blessed goal may reach.
4 Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
Forgives the sins that you have done.
You’re justified by Jesus’ blood;
Baptized, you are a child of God.
5 When you are sick, when death draws near,
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves my soul from death–
This is the anchor of my faith!
6 Glory to God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To you, O blessed Trinity,
Be praise now and eternally!
The Greeting
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.
Sermon Text Zephaniah 3
Woe to the filthy, foul city, the city of oppressors. 2 She does not listen. She does not accept correction. She does not even trust the Lord or draw near to her God. 3 The officials within her are like roaring lions. Her judges are like hungry wolves in the evening that completely devour their prey by morning. 4 Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men. Her priests have profaned what is holy. They have committed violence against the law.
5 The Lord in her midst is just. He does no wrong. Every morning He brings His justice to light. He does not fail. But those who are unjust are shameless.
6 I have cut off nations. Their corner towers are in ruins. I have made their streets desolate, with no one passing by. Their cities are laid waste, with no one living there. 7 I said, “Certainly you will fear Me. You will accept correction so that your dwelling place will not be destroyed by everything I have threatened.” But they eagerly sinned in everything they did. 8 So wait for Me, declares the Lord, until the day that I rise up to plunder. For I am determined to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, and to pour out My indignation upon them and all My furious anger. All the earth will be consumed with the fire of My zeal. 9 I will purify the lips of the people so that they all call on the name of the Lord and serve Him side by side. 10 From beyond the rivers of Cush, My worshippers, My scattered people, will bring offerings to Me. 11 In that day you will no longer bear the shame of your rebellions against Me. Then I will remove the proud boasters from among you, and you will never again be arrogant on My holy hill. 12 But I will leave among you the people who are humble and weak. They will seek refuge in the name of the Lord. 13 The Israelites who remain will no longer act unjustly. They will not lie, and a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouth. Instead, they will graze peacefully like sheep and lie down. No one will terrify them.
14 Sing out, daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, you daughter of Jerusalem. 15 The Lord has removed the judgment against you. He has turned back your enemy. Israel’s king, the Lord, is in your midst! You no longer need to fear disaster. 16 In that day Jerusalem will be told, “Do not be afraid, O Zion. Do not give up. 17 The Lord your God is with you as a hero who will save you. He takes great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.”
18 I will bring back those among you who grieve over the loss of the appointed feasts, those for whom the loss was a burden and a disgrace. 19 Look, at that time I will deal with those who mistreated you. I will rescue the lame and gather together the scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. 20 At that time I will bring you in. At that time I will gather you. I will give you a name and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, declares the Lord.
Are You Secure In Your Sins…..
Or Secure in the LORD ?
following 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 Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
as the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation will rise for
Today’s Special Prayers
Included in our prayers today is:
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the recoveries of Lesa Roe,
who successfully underwent back surgery this past Wednesday; and
of Mary Book, who had a successful neck operation last Tuesday.
And
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Harriet and John Johnson,
whose wedding anniversary is this coming Saturday.
Today’s General Prayer concluding with….
P: Hear us also, LORD, as we take a few moments to silently offer You our personal petitions and praises.
Silent Prayer
P: Finally, Lord God, accept our thanks for the tremendous privilege of being called Your children, and of being able to come to You now and at any time in prayer. Help us to grow intellectually, emotionally, spiritually through Your Word, so that we may be faithful servants for You in our homes, and communities, in our congregations, and as members of Your Church on earth. Mercifully hear our prayer, and bless us one and all, for the sake and in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God, forever and ever. And in Whose name we also offer our 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
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, Whose way John the Baptist prepared when he called people to repentance and pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Therefore with angel and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:
(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.
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
The Distribution Hymn Hymn 308 “As Surely As I Live, God Said”
1 “As surely as I live,” God said,
“I would not have the sinner dead,
But that he turn from error’s ways,
Repent, and live through endless days.”
2 To us, therefore, Christ gave command:
“Go forth and preach in ev’ry land;
Bestow on all my pard’ning grace
Who will repent of sinful ways.
3 “All those whose sins you thus remit
I truly pardon and acquit,
And those whose sins you do retain
Condemned and guilty shall remain.
4 “What you will bind, that bound shall be;
What you will loose, that shall be free;
Unto my Church the keys are giv’n
To op’n and close the gates of heav’n.”
5 The words which absolution give
Are his who died that we might live;
The minister whom Christ has sent
Is but his humble instrument.
6 When ministers lay on their hands,
Absolved by Christ the sinner stands;
He who by grace the Word believes
Forgiveness, sure and sweet, receives.
7 Praise God the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
As was, is now, and so shall be
Forever and eternally!
Hymn 309 “Draw Near and Take The Body of the Lord”
1 Draw near and take the body of the Lord,
And drink the holy blood for you outpoured.
Offered was he for greatest and for least,
Himself the victim and himself the priest.
2 He that his saints in this world rules and shields
To all believers life eternal yields,
With heav’nly bread makes them that hunger whole,
Gives living waters to the thirsty soul.
3 Come forward, then, with faithful hearts sincere,
And take the pledges of salvation here.
Before your altar, Lord, your servants bow;
In this your feast of love be with us now.
(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 genuinely 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 the church 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 today.
The Thanksgiving
(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.
C: (sung) 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 380 “Lord, ‘Tis Not That I Did Choose You”
1 Lord, ’tis not that I did choose you; That, I know, could never be,
For this heart would still refuse you Had your grace not chosen me.
You removed the sin that stained me, Cleansing me to be your own;
For this purpose you ordained me, That I live for you alone.
2 It was grace in Christ that called me, Taught my darkened heart and mind,
Else the world had yet enthralled me, To your heav’nly glories blind.
Now I worship none above you; For your grace alone I thirst,
Knowing well that, if I love you, You, O Father, loved me first.
3 Praise the God of all creation; Praise the Father’s boundless love.
Praise the Lamb, our expiation, Priest and King enthroned above.
Praise the Spirit of salvation, Him by whom our spirits live.
Undivided adoration To the great Jehovah give.
Silent Prayer, Announcements, Post-Service Music