The Seventh Sunday of the Easter Season June 01, 2025
known, liturgically, as Exaudi (hear) Sunday
Standing Up For Our Faith, Trusting in God to Deliver Us
During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, Chinese insurgents captured a mission station and its school. They blocked
all the gates but one, and in front of that one gate they placed a cross flat on the ground. Word was then passed to everyone inside that anyone who would step on the cross would be permitted to go free. But anyone who refused to step on the cross would be shot. The first seven frightened students stepped upon the cross as they exited the mission facility. But the eighth student, a young girl, refused to commit that sacrilegious act. Instead, kneeling beside the cross in prayer for strength, she arose and moved carefully around the cross, and went out to face the firing squad. Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining ninety-two individuals in the mission school followed her to the firing squad.
Death was delivered to them at the hands of their persecutors, but the LORD, in His grace, had already delivered them from unbelief and eternal condemnation in hell when the Holy Spirit brought them to saving faith. And the LORD also delivered them from this evil world that day, through the evil of their tormentors, by bringing their early existence to an end and receiving every one of those martyrs into everlasting life in heaven.
But what if you had been part of their number that day? What would you have done had you been inside that mission facility? Would you have stepped on the cross….or would you have walked in front of a firing squad for your faith in Jesus, trusting in the LORD to deliver you from your persecutors through a martyr’s death?
As we’ll be reminded of in today’s Scripture lessons Daniel, Jesus’ disciples, and His faithful followers across the ages (including us today) could count on two things: 1) that in this world we will be persecuted because of our faith in Him; and 2) our God will always deliver us from our enemies, and from all evil – always in the way that He knows is best for us. Sometimes, as in Daniel’s case, that means the LORD delivers His people miraculously. At other times, as was the case with every one of Jesus’ apostles, the LORD allows His people to suffer earthly pain and torment – and even, occasionally, death at the hands of our persecutors – both for His glory and for our Spiritual benefit (whether we always understand that, or not). Regardless of the earthly outcome of our trials and tribulations, as believers we have the assurance of God that He has delivered us from our sins through the redeeming work of Christ, our Savior, and that He will eventually bless us with everlasting life – and peace – in heaven.
This Day on the Church’s “Calendar”
Thank you for being part of our worshiping congregation this morning. This day on the Church’s “Calendar” is traditionally known by they ancient name Exaudi Sunday. (“Exaudi” is the Latin word for “hear,” and is taken from verse 7 of our Psalm for day, Psalm 27). Across nearly 15 centuries that particular Psalm has been regularly read by Christian congregations on the Sunday after the Lord’s Ascension in order to remind us that our Lord, in His love, does “hear” our prayers and continues to bless in both earthy and everlasting ways all those persons He has called into faith to be His followers and heaven’s heirs.
With this morning’s service, we are also closing out what is known as “The Easter Season.” During the 7 Sundays of this portion of the Church Year, you and I have been able to give our attention to a number of resurrection-oriented Scripture readings. The purpose has been to reassure us of the risen Christ’s providence, protection, receptiveness, and favor for us, His redeemed followers, so that we might be to strengthened in our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, and encouraged in our lives of faithful service and devotion to Him.
This Seventh, and Last, Sunday of the Easter Season is also known as “The Sunday of Anticipation,” since, through our Opening Scripture Lesson, it provides us with the historical transition between Christ’s Ascension Day command to His disciples to be His witnesses to an unbelieving world, and their Pentecost (next Sunday) powerful reception of the Holy Spirit in order to assist them in the Gospel ministry which Christ gave to them….and now — nearly 20 centuries later — to us. In it Luke gives us a brief account of the what the disciples did following Christ’s Ascension, as they waited in Jerusalem for Jesus to send them His Holy Spirit. In addition to praising their Savior, they took up the responsibility to fulfill another of Scripture’s prophecies by selecting, with God’s guidance, Judas’ replacement — the new twelfth Apostle, whose name was Matthias.
The Scripture Lessons for This Morning
Our Old Testament Lesson and Sermon Text is the familiar story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den, from Daniel 6. Although his adversaries conspired against him to be rid of him – seemingly successfully, or so they thought at first – the LORD miraculously delivered Daniel from the mouths of the lions and from his enemies’ evil schemes. Scripture is full of examples like that – from Daniel’s three friends who were thrown into the fiery furnace and miraculously survived, to Moses’ parting the Red Sea so that the people of Israel could be delivered from the army of Egypt – even as the Egyptians were drowned when the waters returned to their place. God has also, in His own way, miraculously delivered us from peril on many occasions. As we praise Him for Daniel’s deliverance, let’s praise Him for the times He has protected us also.
In this morning’s Epistle Lesson Peter writes to his fellow Christians who are enduring persecution for the sake of Jesus, in order to comfort and encourage them. In fact, he urges them to rejoice in the face of their trials and troubles because they are suffering – not as evil-doers, but – for the sake of their LORD and Savior.
Our Gospel Lesson comes from what is known as “Jesus’ Great High Priestly Prayer” which He offered in the Upper Room before His disciples on Maundy Thursday. Divided into three prayer-sections, Jesus prays for Himself, His immediate disciples, and for His Church across the ages. In the portion of that prayer that is today’s reading Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirt (Who will bless the Church on Pentecost) in order to fortify it for the challenges ahead – particularly the challenges of persecution by the world, and internal attacks both by false teachers and by each person’s own sinful nature. His goal for us is that we remain faithful to Him and so do not fall away from faith.
Finally, in our Children’s Lesson we’ll talk about the sad truth that not everyone in the world likes people like us who are Christians. In fact, some people hate us and want to hurt us just because we believe in Jesus. When that happens we need to see our sufferings as blessings, and we should know that it is a special privilege for us to be treated the same way Jesus’ enemies treated Him.
Pre-Service Prayer -Heavenly Father, please guide me in wisdom and truth through Your Holy Spirit, as I spend this time meditating on Your Word and rejoicing in Your limitless love for me. Assist me in being attentive in heart and mind to Your Word, as well as to the hymns of praise, the various petitions, and the prayers of thanksgiving my voice directs toward You. Use this worship service, O Lord, to deepen my love for You, to strengthen my trust in You, and to renew my commitment to You. All this I ask for the sake of and in the name of Your One and only Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.
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 Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Greeting and Introduction to Today’s Service
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Opening Reading Acts 1:12-26
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13 When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John were there, also James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All of them kept praying together with one mind, along with the women, with Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15 In those days, when the group there numbered about 120 people, Peter stood up among the brothers and said, 16 “Gentlemen, brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David about Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 Judas was counted as one of us and was given a share in this ministry.
18 “Now this man acquired a field with what he was paid for his wicked act. When he fell headfirst, his middle burst open, and all his intestines spilled out. 19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, and so in their own language that field was called
Akeldema, which means Field of Blood. 20 Indeed, it is written in the book of Psalms: “May his residence be deserted. Let there be no one dwelling in it.” And, “let someone else take his position.”
21 “Therefore it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us during the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from his baptism by John until the day Jesus was taken up from us, become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 They proposed two: Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”
26 Then they assigned lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was counted with the eleven apostles.
After which, at the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise for
Our Psalm Reading for Today Psalm 27
P: The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
C: When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, + when my enemies and my foes attack me, + they will stumble and fall.
P: Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war
break out against me, even then will I be confident.
C: One thing I ask of the LORD, + this is what I seek: + that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, + to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD + and to seek Him in His temple.
P: For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
C: Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; + at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; + I will sing and make music to the LORD.
P: HEAR my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
C: My heart says of You, “Seek His face!” + Your face, LORD, I will seek.
P: Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my Helper. Do not reject me or
forsake me, O God my Savior.
C: Though my father and mother forsake me, + the LORD will receive me.
P: Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
C: Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, + for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
P: I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
C: Wait for the LORD; + be strong and take heart + and wait for the LORD.
After which, the Congregation will be seated for
The 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!
Following this hymn, 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.
(Sung) Lord have mercy on us;
Christ have mercy on us;
Lord, have mercy on us.
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, having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, be strengthened in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, addressing you as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and under His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.
(Sung) Glory be to God on high
and on earth peace good will to men.
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 Today
Dear Jesus, I know that as one of Your disciples + I will face opposition in this world. + Strengthen and settle me spiritually + so that I may remain faithful to You in any trial + and in every temptation – even rejoicing that I am being permitted to suffer because of You. + Bring me safely through all my life’s tribulations and trials, + using them – Lord – as You alone know best, + for my blessing and Your glory. + Give me the confidence I need to live devotedly for You + and to serve You faithfully throughout my life, + by continually reassuring me that, as my ascended Lord, + You now live and rule over all things for the good of Your Church + and so for my earthly and everlasting good. + Finally, bless each of us gathered here for worship today, + by enriching our faith through Your Means of Grace, + equipping us all for greater Christian service for Your glory, precious Savior, + as well as for the glory of Your Father and the Holy Spirit, + with Which You reign as the one true God, + forever and ever. + Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated as
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Daniel 6
It seemed like a good plan to Darius to appoint one hundred twenty satraps over the kingdom. They were to rule throughout the kingdom. 2 Above them there would be three supervisors (Daniel was one of them) to whom these satraps would report, so that the king would not suffer any loss. 3 It came about that this Daniel distinguished himself above the supervisors and satraps, because there was an outstanding spirit in him. So the king intended to promote him so that he would be in charge of the entire kingdom.
4 Then the supervisors and satraps kept trying to find a basis for an accusation against Daniel in regard to his administration of the kingdom. However, they were unable to come up with an accusation or any evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy and no neglect of duty or evidence of corruption could be found against him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any accusation to bring against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”
6 So these supervisors and satraps came as a group to the king and said this to him, “Darius, Your Majesty, may you live forever! 7 All the supervisors of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the advisors and the governors advise the king to establish and enforce a decree that prohibits anyone to pray a prayer to any god or person for thirty days except to you, Your Majesty. Anyone who does so will be thrown into the den of lions. 8 Now Your Majesty, please establish the decree and sign a document that cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians that cannot be revoked.”
9 That is why King Darius signed the written decree.
10 Now, when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. It had windows on its upper story that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times each day he would get on his knees and pray and offer praise before his God. He continued to do that, just as he had been doing before this. 11 Then these men came as a group and found Daniel praying and seeking favor from his God.
12 They then went and asked the king about the decree. “Your Majesty, did you not sign a decree that anyone who prays to any god or person for thirty days except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the den of lions?”
The king answered, “Indeed I did. The order is established as a law of the Medes and the Persians that cannot be revoked.”
13 Then they responded to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, does not pay attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree that you signed. Instead, three times each day he is praying his prayers.”
14 When the king heard this report, he was very upset about it, but he was determined to save Daniel. So until sunset he worked hard to rescue him. 15 Then these men came as a group to the king and kept saying to the king, “You know, Your Majesty, that it is the law of the Medes and the Persians that every decree or statute that the king establishes cannot be changed.”
16 Then the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the pit. The king sealed it with his signet ring and the signet rings of his nobles so that nothing could be changed with regard to Daniel’s situation. 18 Then the king went to his palace. He spent the night without food, and no entertainment was brought before him. But he could not sleep.
19 At dawn the king arose as soon as it was light and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 As he came near the pit, he cried out in a fearful voice. The king said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God, whom you serve continually, able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel spoke with the king. “Your Majesty, may you live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouth of the lions. They have not hurt me because He found me innocent in His presence. Also before you, Your Majesty, I have committed no crime.”
23 Then the king was very glad and said that Daniel should be brought up from the pit. So Daniel was brought up from the pit, and he was unharmed because he trusted in his God.
24 The king gave the order, and those men who maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the pit when the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in the entire earth:
May your peace and prosperity increase.
26 I give this command throughout my royal dominion:
People should continually tremble and be afraid before the God of Daniel,
because He is the living God, Who endures forever.
His kingdom will not be destroyed,
and His dominion is eternal.
27 He rescues and He saves.
He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.
So He saved Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius, that is, during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
The Epistle Lesson I Peter 4:12-19
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery trial that is happening among you to test you, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead rejoice whenever you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted in connection with the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or as a meddler. 16 But if you suffer for being a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God in connection with this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. Now if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, where will the ungodly sinner end up? 19 So let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to their faithful Creator while doing what is good.
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson John 15:17-16:4
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, for that very reason the world hates you. 20 Remember the saying I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you too. If they held on to My word, they will hold on to yours as well. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they do not know the One Who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates Me also hates My Father. 24 If I had not done the works among them that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. 25 This was to fulfill the word which is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me for no reason.’
26 “When the Counselor comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth, Who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. 27 And you also are going to testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.”
16:1 “I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who murders you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you may remember that I told them to you. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson 2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
Not Everyone Likes Christians
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 474 “Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus”
1 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross!
Lift high his royal banner;
It must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall he lead
Till ev’ry foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
2 Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this his glorious day!
Ye that are brave, now serve him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger
And strength to strength oppose.
3 Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
Stand in his strength alone.
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor;
Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger,
Be never wanting there.
4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.
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! Amen.
The Sermon Text Daniel 6 (Today’s OT Lesson)
Daniel…..Persecuted by His Enemies
But Delivered by God
after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED
for the post sermon blessing
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, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
The Offertory – based on Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a clean heart O God
And renew a right Spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence,
And take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me with Your free Spirit.
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship. However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash, please) to our church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
2) You can donate through our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
After which the Congregation rises for prayer
Included in our joint prayers this morning are:
A Prayer of Intercession for Tim Pfortmiller,
who continues to receive treatments for cancer;
and
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of the following couples
who are celebrating their wedding anniversaries this week:
Debbie and Chuck Huebner (Monday)
Robert and Debby Pulley (Tuesday)
Diane and Tim Pfortmiller (Thursday)
Elissa and Zak Ferguson (Friday)
Today’s General Prayer
followed by A Moment of Silent Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
Pastor – The Lord be with you.
Congregation (Sung) And also with You
Pastor – Lift up your hearts.
Congregation (Sung) We lift them up unto the Lord
Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
Congregation (Sung) It is good and right so to do.
Pastor – It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, and placed all things under His feet for the benefit of the Church. Therefore with angels and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:
(Sung) Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of heavenly hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He, Blessed is He, Blessed is He
Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Consecration of the Elements
Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation – (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 peace. Amen.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper (Pastor)
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
TO OUR GUESTS AND FRIENDS We ask that only “Confirmed, Communicant” members of this congregation, or of one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations come forward to receive the Lord’s Supper at this time.
We believe, according to Scripture, that only those who are “one,” that is, in complete doctrinal agreement, united in a common public confession of faith, are to commune together at the same altar (see I Corinthians 10:17 and I Corinthians 1:10).
To be “in communion” means to share and to hold in common. By eating and drinking at our Lord’s Table, we are not only sharing in, with, and under the bread and wine, Jesus’ very body and blood…we are also publicly declaring that we hold in common a specific confession of faith. In other words, as a result of having comprehensively studied the Scriptures together all of our communicants have agreed to accept and proclaim the same Biblical doctrines and practices.
Through membership in a particular church body (for us, that church body is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod), each person makes a public statement that he/she is in full agreement with the teachings and practices of that body. Because not every church body or Lutheran Synod teaches and practices the same things, we in the WELS
want to be honest in our recognition of the doctrinal differences that, here on earth, separate us from other church bodies. Please bear in mind that we are not, in any way, judging the legitimacy of your Christian faith. Still, we ask that if you have not (upon study of the Word with us) declared yourself to be in full doctrinal agreement with us, you would respectfully not join us in the Lord’s Supper this afternoon.
It is our prayer that our Scripture-based practice of “Close Communion” will encourage anyone among us today who is not presently in full fellowship with us to seriously examine the teachings and practices of his/her church in order to determine if those teachings and practices are really in full agreement with God’s Word.
And if you are guest among us today, we want you to know that it is our earnest desire that you might become familiar with the Biblical doctrines our congregation confesses, in order that you might one day join with us at the Lord’s altar in this public expression of full unity of doctrine and practice. Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your participation as a fellow Christian in this worship service, and that we appreciate your understanding and respect of our Communion practice.
The Distribution of the Sacrament
Distribution Hymns Hymn 465 “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken”
1 Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow you.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
You on earth once suffered, too.
Perish ev’ry fond ambition,
All I’ve ever hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heav’n are still my own.
2 Let the world despise and leave me;
They have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
You are not, like them, untrue.
And since you have smiled upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends may shun me —
Show your face, and all is bright.
3 Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come, disaster, scorn, and pain!
In your service pain is pleasure;
With your favor loss is gain.
I have called you Abba, Father!
You my all in all shall be.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.
4 Haste, my soul, from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer.
All but heav’n is transitory;
God’s own hand shall guide you there.
Soon shall end this earthly story;
Swift shall pass the pilgrim days,
Hope soon change to heav’nly glory,
Faith to sight and prayer to praise.
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.
The Song of Simeon
Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
which You have prepared for every people.
A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Prayer
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 417 “I’m But A Stranger Here”
1 I’m but a stranger here;
Heav’n is my home.
Earth is a desert drear;
Heav’n is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on ev’ry hand.
Heav’n is my fatherland;
Heav’n is my home.
2 What though the tempest rage,
Heav’n is my home.
Short is my pilgrimage;
Heav’n is my home.
And time’s wild, wintry blast
Soon shall be overpast;
I shall reach home at last;
Heav’n is my home.
3 There at my Savior’s side —
Heav’n is my home.–
I shall be glorified;
Heav’n is my home.
There are the good and blest,
Those I love most and best,
And there, I, too, shall rest;
Heav’n is my home.
4 Therefore I murmur not;
Heav’n is my home.
Whate’er my earthly lot,
Heav’n is my home.
And I shall surely stand
There at my Lord’s right hand.
Heav’n is my Fatherland;
Heav’n is my home.
Silent Prayer, Announcements, Post-service Music