Eutychus: The Man Who Fell Asleep In Church
(and other observations on Christian Worship)
A pastor once received this letter from a “faithful church member”: “Dear Pastor: You often stress that regular attendance at worship is very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss a Sunday worship service now and then. I think a person ought to have the right to be excused for the following reasons and the number of times indicated:
- Christmas (Sunday before and after for traveling purposes)
- Spring Break (Our kids need a break)
- Easter (We have to visit family for Easter)
- Memorial Day (The first break of the summer)
- July 4 (National holiday)
- Labor Day (the last break of the summer)
- Family Reunions (Mine and my wife’s)
- Two Sundays for sleeping late (Because of busy weekend activities)
- Deaths in Family (We average two per year)
- Anniversary (Second honeymoon)
- Sickness (One per family member; four altogether)
- Business Trips (four a year
- Vacation (Three weeks)
- Camping Trips (Three; we bought a camper and have to use it a little)
- Bad Weather (Ice, snow, rain….three times a year)
- Work week too difficult (one each month)
- Unexpected Company (We can’t walk out and leave them; three times a year)
- Time changes (Life is disrupted in Spring and Fall)
“Pastor, that leaves four Sundays each year that you can always count on us being in church – probably on fifth Sunday of those months with five Sundays – unless we’re providentially hindered by God from being there. Sincerely ….a faithful brother in Christ.”
Frankly, I can only think of a few people who would be that bluntly honest. But there are a lot of people who might use these (and other) excuses to justify not being in church for worship (…..they just wouldn’t write me a letter informing me of such.)
The central story before us this morning (in our Sermon) took place on a Sunday night. A group of Christians in Troas, Greece gathered in a third floor room to do the same thing that’s not much different than we’re here today…to worship the LORD. In that group was a young man by the name of Eutychus. Paul was leading the worship service, and he preached for a long time. Eutychus was listening, and opted to sit on a window ledge (maybe it was warm inside). For whatever reason, Eutychus became drowsy (I’d like to believe that he’d worked hard that day and was just tired….but not too tired to stay at home). At some point he fell asleep, and fell out of the window and down three stories to his death. By God’s grace and power, Paul miraculously was able to raise him from the dead to the great joy of the congregation.
So, why examine this story? As a warning against long sermons that go late into the night?….perhaps. As a warning not to fall asleep in church? (Hmmm. Maybe.) But, a better reason is that this morning we’re going to talk about worship….your worship of the Lord and mine. We’ll consider your attitude and mine toward God’s Word (our Psalm Reading). We’ll remind ourselves of the value of our presence in public worship services — for the sake of encouraging our fellow Christians (this morning’s First Lesson). Following our Savior’s example (Today’s Gospel Lesson), we’ll want regularly to participate in public worship because it gives us the opportunity to honor the God of our salvation and to be obedient to His Third Commandment (“Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy;” Our Children’s Lesson.) And, finally, gathering for worship allows us to hear and meditate on God’s Word and receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for the good health and edification of our own faith in Christ.
And one more thing……being together with our fellow Christians is not only God-pleasing, it helps to prepare us for the Day (at life’s end) when we will stand before the Lord Jesus in Judgement (another point of our First Lesson), waiting to hear Him commend us with the words, “Well done good and faithful servant” as He welcomes us – for His sake, through faith – into everlasting life in heaven, where we’ll worship Him perfectly forever (Today’s Second Lesson).
One closing point…..for those who – perhaps – make excuses for not needing (or wanting) to be in church, because public worship doesn’t “meet their expectations”…..here’s a last point to ponder:
Once upon a time, a pastor who, happened to have been an avid sports fan, announced that he was going to give up going to sporting events in the future. Here are the reasons he listed: (Do you think some folks might use similar reasons for not being in church? I do.):
– Every time I went, they asked me for money;
– The people I had it sit with didn’t seem very friendly;
– The seats were too hard and so weren’t very comfortable;
– I went to the games, but the coach never came to visit me at my house;
– The referee made a decision that I couldn’t agree with;
– I suspected that I was sitting with fans who were insincere hypocrites;
– Some people only came to see friends – instead of to watch the game;
– Some games went too long…even into overtime, and so I was late getting home;
– The band played some selections that I didn’t like or handn’t heard
before;
– Too often the games were scheduled when I had other things I wanted to do;
– I was taken to too many games by my parents when I was growing up;
and….
– I didn’t want to take my children to any games, because I wanted them to choose their favorite sports by themselves.
Today’s Psalm reading (122) begins, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord.” I don’t know about you, but for me that sums up what my attitude and approach to public worship ought to be. It’s a privilege to be with God’s people, in His house, worshiping Him, bringing Him my offerings as an expression of my worship, receiving the Sacrament, and listening to His Word (the more of it the better….) so that through it the Holy Spirit grows my faith.
That was Paul’s attitude. It was definitely Jesus’ attitude and approach. I want to believe that was Eutychus’ attitude too (even if he fell asleep because it was late and he was so tired). I pray that it’s also your attitude and approach too….not only this morning, but each and every opportunity you have to gather publicly with your fellow believers for Christian worship.
Grace Lutheran Church of Northwest Arkansas
is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a church body which spans the United States and Canada, and which also operates a number of foreign missions.
Our Vision: Extend God’s Kingdom through His Word,
serving each Soul.
Our Mission: Share the Gospel, Encourage Faith, and Prepare Souls
through Worship, Education and Fellowship.
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
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service Music
Greeting and Invitation to Worship
We Praise Our God
The Opening Choral Selection “I Will Sing The Wondrous Story”
I will sing the wondrous story Of the Christ Who died for me;
How He left His home in glory For the cross of Calvary.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory, Gathered by the crystal sea.
I was lost, but Jesus found me, Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me, Drew me back into His way.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory, Gathered by the crystal sea.
after the choir returns to their seats,
at the pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father
Congregation Who gave us our lives through His almighty power.
P: And of the Son
C: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.
P: And of the Holy Spirit
C: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
P: Amen.
Our Psalm Reading for Today Psalm 122
P: I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
C: Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.
P: Jerusalem is a well-built city that is firmly joined together,
C: a city to which the tribes go up, + the tribes of the Lord, + as a testimony to Israel, + to give praise to the name of the Lord.
P: That is where the thrones for judgment sit, the thrones of the house of David.
C: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.
P: May there be peace within your fortifications,
C: prosperity within your citadels.”
P: For the sake of my brothers and my friends, now I will say,
C: “Peace be within you.”
P: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
C: I will seek good for you.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 226 To Your Temple I Draw Near
sung antiphonally
Verse 1 – Entire Congregation
Verse 2 – Pulpit SideVerse 3 – Lectern Side
Verse 4 – Entire Congregation
Verse 5 – Men and BoysVerse 6 – Women and Girls
Verse 7 – Entire Congregation
Next, the Congregation will rise as
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
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 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. Amen.
In joyful response to this reassurance of God’s love and forgiveness for us in Christ, please join me now as we sing the praises of our gracious and majestic Lord:
“Majesty” written by Jack Hayford, Rocksmith Music
used with permission, CCLI # 1366699
Majesty Worship His majesty
Unto Jesus Be all glory, honor and praise
Majesty Kingdom authority
Flow from His throne Unto His own His anthem raise
So exalt, lift up on high The name of Jesus
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King
Majesty Worship His majesty Jesus who died, now glorified King of all kings
After which the Congregation will be seated
We Hear God’s Word
The Children’s Lesson Exodus 20:8-11
8 Remember the Sabbath day by setting it apart as holy. 9 Six days you are to serve and do all your regular work, 10 but the seventh day shall be a sabbath rest to the Lord your God. Do not do any regular work, neither you, nor your sons or daughters, nor your male or female servants, nor your cattle, nor the alien who is residing inside your gates, 11 for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. In this way the Lord blessed the seventh day and made it holy.
Why Should I Go To Church? God Says So!
The Second Hymn Hymn 283 “Speak, O Savior, I Am Listening”
verses 1 and 4
The First Lesson Hebrews 10:23-31
23 Let us hold on firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, since He Who promised is faithful. 24 Let us also consider carefully how to spur each other on to love and good works. 25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the full knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains any sacrifice for sins. 27 Instead, there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a raging fire that is going to consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death without pity, on the basis of the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much greater punishment do you think will be deserved by the person who trampled the Son of God underfoot, who considered insignificant the blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified, and who insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who said: Vengeance is mine. I will repay. And again: The Lord will judge His people. 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The Second Lesson Revelation 22:1-5
The angel showed me the river of the water of life, which was as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. 2 In the middle of the city’s street and on each side of the river was a tree of life that yielded twelve kinds of fruit. The tree yields its fruit every month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations.
3 There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship Him. 4 They will see His face. His name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will no longer be any night or any need for lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.
After which the Congregation will rise, out of respect for the words of Christ
The Gospel Lesson Luke 4:14-30
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding area. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues and being honored by everyone.
16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, 19 and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
20 He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. 21 He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 They all spoke well of Him and were impressed by the words of grace that came from His mouth. And they kept saying, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
23 He told them, “Certainly you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal Yourself!’ Do here in your hometown everything we heard you did in Capernaum.” 24 And He said, “Amen I tell you: No prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 But truly I tell you: There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three years and six months, while a great famine came over all the land. 26 Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow of Zarephath, in Sidon. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was healed except Naaman the Syrian.”
28 All those who were in the synagogue were filled with rage when they heard these things. 29 They got up and drove Him out of the town. They led Him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, in order to throw Him off the cliff. 30 But He passed through the middle of them and went on His way.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.
Following which the Congregation may be seated for
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 221 “Blessed Jesus, At Your Word”
The Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge
of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Sermon Text Acts 20:6-12
6 We sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and within five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul spoke to the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he continued talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were gathered. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus. He was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking for a long time. When he was sound asleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, bent over him, threw his arms around him, and said, “Do not be alarmed, because he is alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs, broke bread, and ate. After talking for a considerable time until dawn, he left. 12 They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.
The Man Who Fell Asleep In Church
following the sermon the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
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
We offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) Those in the chapel can place their offerings in the offering plates
2) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
3) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
At the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise
We Offer Our Prayers to the Lord
The Prayers for this Day –
In our Prayers this morning we include:
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Robert and Brenda Bontke who will celebrate their wedding anniversary this Wednesday.
P Please join me, as we pray that our Lord would bless others, and us,
according to His perfect will.
Father in heaven, in Your love, please listen to our prayer. Help us to keep Your name holy by loving your Word and listening to it every day of our lives, so that we will say, think, and do those things which please and honor you. Keep us from ever following false teachings and their false teachers. Instead let our church and our school – and everyone who serves You through it – always faithfully teach, preach, and follow in our lives Your holy Word. Lord, in Your mercy, please
C hear our prayer.
P We also pray that Your Kingdom – that is, Your Church of all true believers everywhere on earth and in heaven – will continue to grow through us and other Christians, and also that our faith in You might grow today, and every day. Bring Your message of salvation through faith in Jesus alone, to all people everywhere, so that many people will come to know You as the only true God and join us in living eternally with You one day in heaven. Lord, in Your mercy, please
C hear our prayer.
P May every one of us be willing today, and each day we are here on earth, to give our hearts and lives totally to You. Help us to be strong enough in our faith to want Your Will to be done in our lives, and especially help us to be able to accept both good things and bad things with the confidence that You will make everything work out for our good on earth and our good for heaven. Give to all Your people the faith to always pray, every day, “not my will, Lord, but Your will be done.” Father in heaven, in Your mercy, please
C hear our prayer.
P Also, Father in heaven, continue to give us our daily bread – according to Your promise. Keep us from being greedy and selfish. Give us, today and always, a good government. Protect us from harm and danger, sickness and sorrow, and all of life’s other problems. Help us to trust that You will give us everything we need for our bodies and our souls. And may our lives be full of genuine thanksgiving to You as the Giver of all good things. Father in heaven, in Your mercy, please
C hear our prayer.
P We also beg you, Father, to forgive us for all our sins against You, both the sins that we do on purpose and the sins that we commit by being sometimes ignorant of what You want from us. Help us also to completely forgive everyone who sins against us in the same way that You have already forgiven us all our sins. Lord, in Your mercy, please
C hear our prayer.
P And, Father, please also protect us from life’s trials and temptations…..according to Your will. Give us more of Your Holy Spirit to better control the sinner inside of us, and so that we will not give in to the sinful world that’s all around us. Especially keep us strong whenever the Devil tries to test and harm our faith, so that – with Your help and through Your Word – we will always be able to defeat the Devil and drive him away. Lord, in Your mercy, please
C hear our prayer.
P Deliver us, Holy Father, from every evil that might hurt either our bodies or souls. And whenever we do leave this world of sin and suffering, please bring us into Your heavenly Church, where we will join all believers of all time in praising You forever as the God of our salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, please
C hear our prayer.
P Finally, Lord, we want to put ourselves, all the people that we know and love, and everyone else into Your loving hands. We thankfully trust that You, in Your wisdom and love that you will continue to always do what is best for us, ruling over everything, everywhere, through Your glorious power. We offer this prayer in the name, and for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit as the One true God, forever and ever.
C Amen.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to 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 334
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Announcements
Last Week At Grace: In Worship: 64 Communed: 51 Online: 24
Bible Class: 23 Online views: 9 Tuesday Bible Class: 12
Wednesday Bible Class: 4 men; 4 women
Budget: $2561 Benevolence: $20 Online Budget: $419.98
Memorial for Bev Anderson: $25
This Week’s Birthdays and Anniversary
10/27 – Brenda and Robert Bontke; 10/27 – Michael King;
10/30 — Chris Huebner
This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship with the Lord’s Supper, 9:30 a.m.
Fellowship, 10:45 a.m. Bible Class/SS, 11:05 a.m.
Monday Pastors’ Conference in Oklahoma City
Saturday Outreach Calling/Visitation, 11 a.m.
Sunday Pre-Service Hymn singing, 9:25 a.m. Worship, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship, 10:40 a.m. Bible Class/SS 11:05 a.m.
Serving Us Next Sunday (10/31) Elders: Vic Walker, John Johnson
Altar Guild: Linda Winnat, Karen Swogger
Ushers: Kent Mayer, Tim Huebner, Fred Cusanelli
Fellowship: Dan & Mary Beck; Jim & Linda Winnat
Time Change Weekend Notice It’s coming….in three weeks. In the wee hours of November 7th (technically at 2 a.m.), our clocks are all supposed to be turned back one hour. So, plan on getting that extra hour of sleep so you can join us well-rested and ready for worship on Sunday the 7th.
Fellowship Volunteers Needed Would you be willing to volunteer to prepare after-worship coffee, drinks, and light snacks? A sign-up poster is on the fellowship hall bulletin board. We need more volunteers for the rest of this year (November through December). A reimbursement of $25 per week for expenses is available to help defray costs. (It comes through our “donation jar.”)
The Upcoming Edition of “Meditations”, our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s daily devotional booklet is available through our congregation to everyone who worships here. The November 28-February 26, 2022 edition can be found on the table in the front entry. This covers three months’ worth of devotions for time well-spent in God’s Word.
This Week’s Sunday Bible Class ……..In our Sunday Bible Class we’re studying First Corinthians. Today we’ll work through chapter seven (“When A Christian Is Married”).
No Bible Classes Tuesday and Wednesday Pastor and Debbie will be out of town (in Branson) from this evening through Wednesday. As a result, we will not be holding Bible classes this Tuesday and Wednesday. Both classes will return the following week, on November 2nd and 3rd, respectively.