The Second Sunday in Lent

Reminiscere (“Remember”) Sunday

February 25, 2024

Faith that Jesus Commends

Inside the cockpit of every airplane are instruments that are  critical for the pilot to fly that aircraft.  Those

 instruments give necessary information regarding how the aircraft is flying, even if a pilot’s mind might tell him differently.  On a clear, sunny day a pilot might not need some of these instruments, but at night or in poor visibility, these instruments become critical to the plane’s and to the pilot’s survival.  More than one plane has crashed because the pilot became disoriented and refused to trust his instruments, because he thought he knew better.

          A little over thirty years ago, during Operation Desert Storm (part of the first Gulf War), on the first night of the war, an Air Force F-15 pilot was given the mission of escorting a flight of aircraft whose goal was to bomb a chemical weapons plant in northern Iraq.    The jump-off date for Desert Storm was chosen because on that date there was no moonlight.  Plus high clouds shielded attacking allied aircraft from being detected by enemy defenses.  Flying in total darkness, the pilots were completely dependent upon their instruments.

          Shortly after crossing into Iraq, the pilot’s F-15 was “locked on” to by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile battery.   Knowing the danger he was in, he violently, and successfully,  maneuvered his aircraft to break the radar’s lock on him, but that created a new problem for him.  Those radical movements in the dark threw off the balance in his inner ear (which is what happens when a person gets dizzy), causing him to become disoriented.

          Suddenly, his mind was telling him his plane was in a climbing right turn, but when he checked his instruments, they indicated he was in a 60 degree dive towards the ground!   He was sure he was in a climb instead of a dive, and his mind was screaming to him to lower the nose of his F-15 to halt the climb.    However, while his mind was ordering him to correct the plane in one direction, his instruments were instructing him to do exactly the opposite.  Unable to see anything outside his aircraft, and flying at near the speed of sound, he had only a few moments to decide whether to trust his mind or his instruments.  His life depended on making the correct choice. 

          Even though it took everything within him to disregard what his mind was telling him, he followed exactly how he had been trained and chose to trust his instruments.   He rolled his wings level and pulled his F-15 upward, which drew seven times the force of gravity, pulling the aircraft out of its dive.  It only took a few moments for him to realize he had made the right decision.  If he had lowered the nose of his jet – like his mind had been telling him to do — he would have crashed the plane.  Trusting his instruments saved his life!

          Immediately he looked at his altimeter, which told him the elevation of his aircraft.  He had only narrowly escaped – by 2000 feet – colliding into the mountains he was passing over.   Although he had made the correct decision by trusting his instruments, he realized if he had delayed that decision just a few more seconds, his plane would have crashed into the mountains, killing him.    Even right decisions can be the wrong ones if they are made too late.

          God’s Word serves as the “instruments” to guide – and save – lives because the Word creates and strengthens our faith in Christ.   Unfortunately, too often (given our sinful natures), our minds and hearts can tell us to do just the opposite of what God’s Word says.   What should we do?   Keep our faith focused on God and His Word, and not on our feelings, instincts or reason…..just as Proverbs 3:5 (our Children’s Lesson for today) tells us:   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).  

            In this morning’s Old Testament Lesson  we’ll consider the courageous faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – better known to most of us as “The Three Men in the Fiery Furnace.”   In the sixth century before Christ’s birth, the Jewish nation was living in exile in the land of Babylon as a punishment from God for the previous generation’s unbelief and idolatry.    The Babylonians, themselves, were an idolatrous people.   But in that setting we see three faithful believers who were willing to give up their lives rather than break God’s first commandment by bowing down before an idol.   They put their faith in God to do what was right: either in delivering them from their circumstances (which He did) or by delivering them from a sinful world through death.  In addition, we want to note that the fourth Man, Who was present in the flames was none other than pre-incarnate “the Son of God.”       

            Our Epistle Lesson is the Bible’s “Great Chapter of Faith:”   Hebrews 11.   As you listen to it being read this morning, please ponder – and resolve to develop, with God’s help, in your life –  the depth of dedication to God which allowed these believing men and women to offer outstanding service and make great sacrifices to the God of their salvation….and of our salvation.

             Today’s Gospel Lesson is the story of the Roman centurion’s great faith.   So confident was he of the willingness and power of Christ to heal his paralyzed servant that – rather than have Jesus physically come to his humble home – he asked the Lord, “Just say the word and my servant will be healed.”    Jesus praised the man’s faith, and healed his servant that very hour.

Finally, our Sermon Text is the account of the great faith 

of the Canaanite woman, who persistently pleaded to Jesus for healing for her demon-possessed daughter.   Though Jesus delayed, her confidence was rewarded when Jesus healed her daughter, and He further commended hers as an exemplary faith.   

 

This Sunday on the Church’s Calendar

            As we noted in this portion of last week’s worship flyer, down through the centuries the Christian Church has used the 40 day/roughly six week period of Lent as a time during which its members are to contemplate, in an even more serious than usual fashion, the spiritual significance of our Savior’s sufferings for our salvation.  We are continuing that practice of Lenten reflection during our Wednesday evening  Lenten services with their focus on some of the Old Testament “types” (or examples) of Christ and His redeeming work, under the theme: “The Shadows of the Savior.”

            At the same time, the “solemn” 40 days of Lent (which begin with Ash Wednesday and continue through “Holy Saturday”) technically do not include the six Sundays in Lent.   The worship services on those days – as is the case for us this morning – are used as minor respites from the heavy penitential emphasis of the season.   While there remains a “penitential” character associated with the Sundays in Lent, we also focus with joy on select portions of Scripture that point us ahead to the victories of sin, death, and Satan, that our Savior has secured for and shares with us even now. 

            Incidentally, the Sundays of Lent have been  identified for many centuries by Latin names which have been taken from the first words (in Latin) of the Psalms traditionally appointed to be read in worship on those days.   This Second Sunday in Lent, then, is known as “Reminiscere Sunday,” taken from verse 6 of Psalm 25 (“Reminiscere” means “Remember” — it’s underlined in today’s reading). 

 

 

 

The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been

 taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version    Copyright 2019,    The Wartburg Project, Inc.   All rights reserved.   Used with permission Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831

 

 

 

Pre-Service Prayer – Dear Father in heaven, let me rejoice with my fellow Christians gathered here this morning as we worship You in Your house.   Reassure me of Your love and forgiveness for me as I confess my sins to You today.   Receive my praises and prayers, humble and imperfect though they be.  Renew my faith and improve my Christian living through Your Word.   And then, return me to my appointed calling in this world, invigorated, equipped, and eager to serve You with all that I am and have, until the day when You call me to that heavenly home which You have promised and prepared for me and all believers, through Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.  In His name I pray.  Amen.

 

 

Pre-service music                                                                                                                            Silent Prayer

 

We Praise Our God

 

Greeting and Introduction to Worship

 

After which, the Congregtion will rise

 

The Invocation

We begin this service

In the name of the Father, And of the Son,

And of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

The Psalm for Today                                                                                                Psalm 25, selected verses

 

P:         Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your mercy, for they are from eternity.

C:         Do not Remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways.   +   According to Your mercy remember me,   +   because of Your goodness, O LORD.

 

P:         To You, O LORD, I will lift up my soul;   in You I have trusted O my God.

C:         All who hope in You will ever be put to shame.

 

P:         Make known to me Your ways, O LORD.   Teach me Your paths.

C:         Make me walk in Your truth and teach me,   +   because You are the God Who saves me.   +   In You I hope all day long.

 

P:         Good and upright is the Lord.   Therefore He instructs sinners in the right way.

C:         He directs the humble to what is just +   and He teaches the humble His way.

 

P:         For the sake of Your name, O LORD, You forgive my guilt, although it is great.

C:         Turn toward me and be gracious to me,   +   because I am lonely and afflicted.

P:         The distress of my heart increases.   Bring me out of my anguish.

C:         See my affliction and my trouble,   +   and take away all my sins.

 

P:         Guard my life and rescue me.  Do not let me be put to shame, for I have taken refuge in You.

C:         May integrity and uprightness protect me;   +   because I wait for You.

 

After which the Congregation will be seated for

 

Opening Hymn                                                                      Hymn 234  “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

 

1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,   the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him,    for he is your health and salvation!

Let all who hear Now to his temple draw near,    Joining in glad adoration!

2 Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things   is wondrously reigning

And, as on wings of an eagle,    uplifting, sustaining.

Have you not seen All that is needful has been    Sent by his gracious ordaining?

 

3 Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully,   wondrously, made you,

Health has bestowed and, when heedlessly   falling, has stayed you.

What need or grief Ever has failed of relief?   Wings of his mercy did shade you.

 

4 Praise to the Lord, who will prosper    your work and defend you;

Surely his goodness and mercy   shall daily attend you.

Ponder anew What the Almighty can do   As with his love he befriends you.

 

5 Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all   that is in me adore him!

All that has life and breath, come now   with praises before him!

Let the Amen Sound from his people again;   Gladly forever adore him!

 

After which the Congregation will rise for

 

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.

 

We Respond To God’s Forgiveness

 

(Sung)       Lord have mercy on us.

Christ have mercy on us.

Lord have mercy on us.

 

Pastor              Upon this, your confession, I, by virtue of my office as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto you all, and in the place of and according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

(Sung)         Glory be to God on high.  

And on earth peace good will toward me.

We praise You.  We bless You.   We worship You.

We glorify You.  We give thanks to You for Your great glory.

O Lord God, Heavenly King,   God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.

You take away the sin of the world.   Have mercy on us.

You take away the sin of the world.  Receive our prayer.

You sit at the right hand of God the Father.   Have mercy on us.

For You only are holy.  You only are the Lord.

You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit

are most high in the glory of God the Father.   Amen.

The Prayer for this 2nd Sunday in Lent

 

O Lord God, + You know that we have no strength + to withstand the assaults against our souls + that come from Satan, this wicked world, and our own sinful flesh.   + Therefore we pray that You would graciously use Your mighty power + to safeguard us outwardly   + from every adversity that could physically harm us   +   and to protect us inwardly from all doubt  +   as well as from every obstacle,   +   and everyone that could harm our faith   + and jeopardize our eternal inheritance in heaven. +     Please build up our souls today and every day   +  as we meditate upon Your Holy Word    + that we might be enabled to resist temptation, +   and to persevere through every trial,  +   in order to serve You faithfully + and to bring honor and glory to Your Holy Name.   +   All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ,  +  Your Son, our Lord,  +  Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,  +  as the one, true God, now and forever.  +   Amen.

 

 

Feed Us, Lord

 

The Old Testament Lesson                                                                                                                  Daniel 3

13 Then in a furious rage Nebuchadnezzar said to bring Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and that you do not worship the golden statue that I set up? 15 Now, if you are ready, at the time when you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the harp, the triangular harp, the drum, and all kinds of musical instruments, you must fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. What god will be able to save you from my hands?”

 

16 Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “We have no need to answer you about this matter. 17 Since our God, Whom we serve, does exist, He is able to save us from the blazing fiery furnace. So, He may save us from your hand, Your Majesty.  18 But if He does not, you should know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden statue that you set up.”

 

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed against Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego. He said to heat the furnace seven times hotter than it was usually heated. 20 He ordered some men, who were soldiers from his army, to bind Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego in order to throw them into the blazing fiery furnace. 21 So these men were bound in their coats, their pants, their turbans, and their other clothing, and they were thrown into the middle of the blazing fiery furnace. 22 Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace was extremely hot, those men who carried Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego were killed by the intense heat of the fire. 23 But these three men, Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, who had been tied up, fell into the blazing fiery furnace.   24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and immediately stood up. He said to his advisors, “Didn’t we throw three men, who had been tied up, into the middle of the fire?”   They answered the king, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”   25 He said, “Look! I see four men, who are untied and walking around in the middle of the fire, unharmed. What is more, the appearance of the fourth is like a Son of the gods.”

 

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace. He said, “Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” Then Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego came out from the middle of the furnace. 27 The satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the royal advisors gathered together and looked at these men. The fire had no power over their bodies. Not a hair on their head was singed, their robes were not damaged, and the smell of fire had not stuck to them.

 

28 Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, Who sent His Angel and saved His servants, who trusted in God and ignored the king’s command. They gave up their bodies and did not pay homage or worship any god except their God. 29 So I have issued an order that every people, nation, and language that speaks any blasphemy against the God of Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego shall be cut to pieces, and his house shall be turned into a pile of rubble, because there is no other god who is able to save like this.”   30 Then the king promoted Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

 

The Epistle Lesson                                                                                                                         Hebrews 11

 

Faith is being sure about what we hope for, being convinced about things we do not see. 2 For by this faith the ancients were commended in Scripture.   3 By faith we know that the universe was created by God’s word, so that what is seen did not come from visible things.

4 By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice to God than Cain did. By faith he was commended in Scripture as righteous; God testified favorably about his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

 

 

5 By faith Enoch was taken up, so that he would not experience death, and he was not found because God took him away.  In fact, before he was taken away, he was commended in Scripture as one who “pleased God.” 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. Indeed, it is necessary for the one who approaches God to believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.    7 By faith Noah, when he was warned about things that had not been seen before, built an ark, in reverent fear, in order to save his family. By it he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance, and he left without knowing where he was going.   9 By faith he lived as a stranger in the Promised Land, as if it did not belong to him, dwelling in tents along with Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.   11 By faith Abraham also received the ability to conceive children, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was past the normal age, because he considered him faithful who made the promise.   12 And so from one man, and he as good as dead, descendants were born as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand along the seashore.

13 One by one, all of these died in faith, without having received the things that were promised, but they saw and welcomed them from a distance. They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 Indeed, people who say things like that make it clear that they are looking for a land of their own. 15 And if they were remembering the land they had come from, they would have had an opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better land—a heavenly one. For that reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God, because He prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac. This man, who received the promises, was ready to offer his only son, 18 about whom it was said, “Through Isaac your offspring will be traced.”   19 He reasoned that God also had the ability to raise him from the dead, and in a figurative sense, Abraham did receive him back from the dead.   20 By faith Isaac also blessed Jacob and Esau about things that were going to happen.    21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.  22 By faith Joseph, as he neared the end of his life, mentioned the Exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions about his bones.

23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw he was a special child, and they were not afraid of the king’s order.   24 By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter when he grew up. 25 He chose to be mistreated with God’s people rather than enjoy sin for a little while. 26 He considered disgrace for the sake of Christ as greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.   27 By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s wrath, because he persevered as one who sees him who is invisible.   28 By faith he celebrated the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not strike them down.  29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as if going through on dry ground. When the Egyptians tried it, they were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after the people marched around them for seven days.  31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with the unbelievers, because she welcomed the spies in peace. 

32 And what more should I say? There would not be enough time for me to continue to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. 33 By faith they conquered kingdoms, carried out justice, obtained things that were promised, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edges of the sword, were made powerful after being weak, became mighty in battle, and caused foreign armies to flee. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. And others who were tortured did not accept their release, so that they may take part in a better resurrection. 36 Still others experienced mocking and lashes, in addition to chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were tempted;  they were killed with the sword; they went around in sheepskins and goatskins, needy, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them as they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

39 All of these were commended in Scripture by faith, yet they did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had planned something better for us, namely, that they would not reach the goal apart from us.

after this, out of respect for the words of our Savior, the Congregation will rise for

The Gospel Lesson                                                                                                                  Matthew 8:5-13

           

5 When He entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed and suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I am also a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, He marveled. He said to those who were following Him, “Amen I tell you: I have not found such great faith in anyone in Israel. 11 I tell you that many will come from the east and the west and will recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Jesus said to the centurion, “Go. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

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 on 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.

 

After which the Congregation will be seated for

 

The Children’s Lesson                                                                                                                  Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

 

GREAT FAITH TRUSTS GOD TOTALLY

 

 

The Hymn of the Day                                                                                                                        Hymn 405 

                                                                                                              “O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink”

 

1 Oh, for a faith that will not shrink   Though pressed by many a foe,

That will not tremble on the brink   Of poverty or woe,

 

2 That will not murmur nor complain   Beneath the chast’ning rod,

But in the hour of grief or pain   Can lean upon its God,

 

3 A faith that shines more bright and clear   When tempests rage without,

That, when in danger, knows no fear,   In darkness feels no doubt,

 

4 That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown   Nor heeds its scornful smile,

That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown   Nor Satan’s arts beguile,

 

5 A faith that keeps the narrow way   Till life’s last spark is fled

And with a pure and heav’nly ray   Lights up the dying bed.

 

6 Lord, give us such a faith as this,   And then, whate’er may come,

We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss   Of an eternal home.

after which the Congregation will rise for

 

The Pre-Sermon Salutation

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord!   May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Amen.

 

The Sermon                                                                                                           based on Matthew 15:21-28

 

21 Jesus left that place and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 There a Canaanite woman from that territory came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! A demon is severely tormenting my daughter!”   23 But He did not answer her a word.  His disciples came and pleaded, “Send her away, because she keeps crying out after us.”     24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”   25 But she came and knelt in front of Him, saying, “Lord, help me.”    26 He answered her, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to their little dogs.”   27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet their little dogs also eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”   28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, your faith is great! It will be done for you, just as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at that very hour.

 

What Made Her Faith So Great?

 

after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for

The Post-Sermon Blessing

May the God of peace, Who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, now equip you with everything good for doing His will!   Amen.

We Bring our Offerings and Prayers to the Lord

Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship.     However, for those viewing this service online,  we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:       

1) You can mail a check (no cash) to the church address:    (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)   Or

2) You can also donate on our website:  www.gracelutherannwa.com

 

Our Offerings of Love to our Lord

after the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation will rise for

  • The Prayers for Today

     

    P:         Almighty God!  All praise and thanks to You for the countless blessings we receive from You every day, though we do not deserve them.  We thank You for health of body and soul, for the joys of life, the beauties in the world, and the bounties of the earth.   We thank You for the gifts of learning and memory, for the enjoyment of honest work and restful play, for the pleasure of friendship, and for the ability to share laughter and sorrow with others.

     

    C:         We thank You especially  +  for giving us Your precious Word and Sacraments   +  through which You generate and strengthen saving faith,   +  comfort our sin-troubled hearts   +  and build us up to live godly lives   +  for our good and to Your glory.   +  We praise You also, gracious Lord,   +  for making us able and willing to spread the Good News of salvation   +  throughout our community and into all the earth.

     

    P:         Great God and Lord!   Stand by us in these last days full of trial and tribulation,   of nations in turmoil and peoples in distress,   of faith dying out and true love growing cold.  Give us the strength of faith to face the evils of life with courage,  and deliver us according to Your will and in Your own appointed time,  from this wicked world,  our sinful flesh, and the power of the Evil One.

     

    C:         We pray that You will continue to protect and preserve   +   the good institutions of our society:   our families and schools,  +    our government and laws,  +  our trades and professions  +   our means of transportation and communication,   +  all useful arts,  +  and especially Your Holy Christian Church on earth.

     

    P:         Gracious Father!  Be merciful to people in every affliction.  Send Your peace to the sick, the aged, the infirm, the broken-hearted, the confused, the troubled, and the lonely.   Bring Your healing to our broken homes and sin-ravaged lives.

     

    C:         We ask that You fill our hearts with Christian love   +  not only to forgive those who sin against us,   +  but also to pray for others in need   +  and to help them with our own words of encouragement  +  and our works of kindness.

    P:         Eternal God!  Keep us all in Your saving faith, by which You enable us to overcome all things through the power of   and by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is in His name that we offer this prayer, and now continue by praying:

     

    C:         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 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                                                                              “May the Grace of Christ the Savior”

                                                                                                                                                                                  sung to the melody of “Stuttgart” CW 326

     

    May the grace of Christ our Savior  And the Father’s boundless love

    With the Holy Spirit’s favor, Rest upon us from above.

     

    So may we abide in union   With each other and the Lord

    Gathered here in blest Communion    By the power of His Word.

     

    Now with all the saints in heaven   Thanks and praise to You we sing,

    Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,   Three in One, our Triune King!   Amen.

     

    silent prayer

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    post-service music