The Twelfth Sunday after the Festival of the Holy Trinity

The Fourteenth Sunday of the Pentecost Season

September 07, 2025

We Believe and Confess Through the Apostles’ Creed

“I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins”

“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The preceding words are part of the well-known Lord’s Prayer, that “prayer of prayers” which is frequently offered by us in worship, at home, and in church meetings. Unfortunately, the above words sometimes roll off our tongues without having touched our hearts. All of us recognize our personal need for God’s forgiveness of our trespasses, and are grateful for God’s mercy to sinners such as we are. It’s also appropriate for us to seek God’s forgiveness through daily prayer, through public confession of our sins, and through our contact with God’s Word. Regrettably, the forgiveness for our trespasses which we so earnestly seek from God is not something that we always as eagerly or easily extend toward those who have trespassed against us. In our worship service this morning, we will focus our thoughts on the important matter of “God’s Formula for Forgiveness.” In so doing, we’ll talk about God’s full and free forgiveness of all our sins, but also about our privilege and duty to forgive any and everyone who sins against us….no matter what that person’s transgression might be.

Today’s Old Testament Lesson is taken from the book of Genesis. It’s first the account of Joseph assuring his

brothers that he had forgiven them for a grievous sin they committed against him many years earlier. Out of envy, Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery, and then set lied to their father, Jacob, telling him that a wild animal had killed Joseph. Taken to Egypt, Joseph began an odyssey that would take Him from being Potiphar’s servant, to a prisoner, and eventually to prime minister of all Egypt. Throughout that process, God was working in everything for the good of Joseph as well as for the blessing of many other people. Joseph, no doubt, had personally forgiven his brothers many years earlier. But now, knowing that they were afraid he was going to finally “get even” with them after the death of their father, the Lord gives Joseph an opportunity to directly assure them that compassion and love, rather than revenge, was on his mind. We would all do well to sit at the feet of Joseph this morning, learning to follow his example of forgiving others who’ve wronged us. In today’s Epistle Lesson, Paul admonishes us to be clearly Christian in our character by putting off anger, refraining from stealing, speaking the truth to others, eliminating bitterness and malice from our hearts, being kind and compassionate toward others, and by forgiving those who sin against us…..just as God, for Jesus’ sake, has forgiven us all our sins.

This morning’s Children’s Lesson will remind us that, similar to a delete key on a computer keyboard, true forgiving means getting rid — for once and for all — of all the anger, bitterness, hard feelings, or resentment we might have against anyone who sins against us.

Our Gospel Lesson/Sermon Text is from Matthew 18, the parable of the “unforgiving servant.” The Master represents our Heavenly Father. The first servant is you and me, while the second servant symbolizes the people we sin against us. The parable’s point is clear. Since God graciously forgives us our huge sin-debt (and He does), how can we hold against others the comparably insignificant sin-debts that they owe us? The warning at the conclusion of the parable dare not be overlooked! If we refuse to forgive those who sin against us, we will forfeit God’s forgiveness of our sins.

Welcome To Grace Lutheran Church

We welcome you this day in the name of our living Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. May you find abiding peace and renewed strength for your faith and Christian life in His Word of truth today.

The chief purpose of our ministry, as our Lord enables us, is to serve all people with the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed to us in the verbally inspired, inerrant Scriptures. To that end, it is our privilege and responsibility:

To proclaim the Law and Gospel keenly and clearly, in order to convict sinners of their sins, to lead them to repentance, to comfort penitent souls, and to build each other up in our faith in the one, true, Triune God through the Means of Grace (the Word and Sacraments of our Lord).

To equip believers, through that same Means of Grace, to grow in their Christian lives as faithful servants, stewards, and witnesses to others of the redeeming grace of our God in Christ Jesus.

Grace Lutheran Church is a fellowship of individuals and families who have found Jesus Christ to be the only safe and reliable answer to all of life’s problems and critical questions. We are members of the WELS, that is, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Wisconsin indicates the geographical beginnings of a group of Christians who, over a century and a half ago, because of their comprehensive commitment to all that God’s Word teaches, united themselves in a join public ministry which we in the WELS carry on, by God’s grace, to this day.

Evangelical declares that we believe and proclaim the great, foundational principles of the Christian faith: namely, that we are saved by God’s free grace alone (His undeserved love), through faith alone in Jesus Christ. And that this truth is found in Scripture alone (that is, the 66 “canonical” books of the Bible). Lutheran affirms that we believe, teach, and confess all the doctrines of the historic Christian faith as taught by Jesus to His Apostles, now contained in the written Word of God. Those truths, once all but lost o the Church because of the influences of false teachers, were – by God’s grace and blessing – restored to the Christian Church through the 16^th century Lutheran Reformation led by Dr. Martin Luther. We humbly remain today, the grateful heirs of that Lutheran Reformation, Apostolic legacy. And, finally, Synod states that we, as a congregation, have united in a shared ministry together with 1259 other like-minded WELS congregations across this country, as well as like-teaching Lutherans in 23 other nations. We join them in working together for the purposes of growing in our Christian faith, serving our glorious Lord, and proclaiming His gracious salvation in Christ to the world.

As You Prepare for Worship Today…Please Consider these Requests

* Parents with small children…..please make use of our nursery if your child should become restless, a distraction, or loud during the service today. That way those around you can worship more comfortably and attentively.

* Before 9:20 a.m. You are welcome (and encouraged) to visit quietly with those around you in the chapel.

* After 9:20 a.m. Out of respect for others who wish to quietly prepare themselves or worship, please quietly spend the time leading up to worship by offering the pre-service prayer, listening to the pre- service music, and preparing yourself for worship by reviewing the “Worship Focus” materials at the beginning of this flyer.

* Please turn off the ringer off your cell phone. Also please refrain from “texting” during the worship service, as this distracts both you and your fellow worshipers.

* If any personal need should arise for you this morning, either our Elders on duty, or our Head Usher (who can be found in the rear of the chapel) will be pleased to meet your needs as they are able. Just ask.

And finally….

* To our Guests Today – 1) If you haven’t already done so, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway before you leave us

today; 2) Please accept our invitation to join us for our Fellowship Time afterthe close of worship today; and 3) Thank you and God bless you for being here with us today. Please come back again soon!

A Word to our Guests Regarding our Approach to Worship

We take a “liturgical” (Greek for “ordered/structured”) approach to worship. For centuries, even before the beginning of the early Christian Church – going back to the days of the ancient Jewish “Synagogue” service and temple observances – God’s people have worshiped the Lord by following a basic arrangement, or “order of service.” Rich in its Biblical content and emphases, this liturgical approach is time-tested, and is (as it ought to be) centered – not on mere feelings or emotions, but – firmly on the saving actions of our merciful God as revealed in the Holy Bible.

This approach to worship is not one that can be fully appreciated and understood instantly. If this style of worship is new to you, we encourage you to be patient, allowing yourself sufficient time to become familiar with its purposes and meaning. We are confident that with time, patience, and instruction, you will find it very edifying for your faith. Already this first time you will hear throughout the service the Good News of God’s love clearly in the inspired words of God’s prophets, evangelists, apostles – and especially God’s Son – as they speak to from the Holy Scriptures. ………..The following very brief explanation of some outward actions might also prove helpful: Generally, the congregation in worship (we are not part of an audience, but are fellow participants in the act of worshiping) is seated to listen to God’s Word and to sing the regular hymns. When praying, we stand. The pastor faces the congregation when he is serving as God’s spokesman. He faces the altar when he is serving as the congregation’s representative before the Lord, and when he joins them as a fellow worshiper. Please also note that because Jesus is our King and Lord, as well as our Redeemer and Savior, we typically stand to hear the reading of the daily Gospel lesson as an expression of our respect for the inspired words of Christ.

The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version

Prayer upon entering the sanctuary Pre-service Music

We Praise Our God

Welcome and Introduction to Worship

After which the Congregation will rise for

The Invocation

We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Psalm for Today Psalm 103, selected verses

P: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits –

C: Who forgives all your iniquities + Who heals all your diseases, + Who redeems your life from destruction + and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, + Who satisfies your mouth with good things + so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

P: The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever;

C: He has not dealt with us according to our sins + nor punished us according to our iniquities. + For as the heavens are high above the earth, + so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; + as far as the east is from the west, + so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

P: As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children.

C: Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. + Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion. + Bless the Lord, O my soul.

after which, the Congregation will be seated for

The Opening Hymn Hymn 238 “Oh, Bless The Lord, My Soul”

1 Oh, bless the Lord, my soul! Let all within me join

And aid my tongue to bless his name Whose favors are divine.

2 Oh, bless the Lord, my soul, Nor let his mercies lie

Forgotten in unthankfulness And without praises die.

3 ‘Tis he forgives my sins; ‘Tis he relieves my pain;

‘Tis he that heals my sicknesses And makes me young again.

4 He fills the poor with good; He gives the suff’rers rest;

The Lord has judgments for the proud And justice for th’ oppressed.

5 His wondrous works and ways He made by Moses known,

But sent the world his truth and grace By his beloved Son.

following the hymn the Congregation will be seated for

The Confessional Order of Service

Pastor O LORD, open my lips.

Congregation (Sung) And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

Pastor Hasten, O God, to deliver me.

Congregation (sung) Hasten to help me, O LORD.

Pastor The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.

Congregation (sung) A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Glory be to the Father

And to the Son

And to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning

Is now and ever shall be.

World without end. Amen.

We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God

Pastor – “I now ask you before God, who searches your heart, do you confess that you have sinned against God and deserve His wrath and punishment? Then declare so by saying, “I do confess.”

Congregation – “I do confess.”

Pastor – “Truly you should confess, for the Holy Scriptures say, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

Second, do you, with all your heart, repent of all your sins, committed in thought, word, and

deed? Then declare so by saying, “I do repent.”

Congregation – “I do repent.”

Pastor – “Truly, you should repent, as other penitent sinners have done: King David, who prayed for a contrite heart; Peter, who wept bitterly; the sinful woman, the prodigal son, and others.

Third, do you sincerely believe that God, by grace, for Jesus’ sake, will forgive you all your sins?

Then declare so by saying, “I do believe.”

Congregation – “I do believe.”

Pastor – “Truly you should so believe, for the Holy Scriptures say, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Fourth, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Ghost, you will, from this time forward,

reform your sinful life? Then declare it by saying, “I do promise.”

Congregation – “I do promise.”

Pastor – “Truly, you should so promise, for Christ, the Lord says: “Let your light shine before men, that they

may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Finally, do you believe that through me, a called servant of God, you will receive from God the

forgiveness of all your sins? Then declare it by saying, “I do believe.

Congregation – “I do believe.”

Pastor – “Upon this, your confession, I, because of my office as a called and ordained servant of God’s Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. And, in the place, and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Peace be with you. Amen.”

We Respond To God’s Forgiveness

ALL sing: Hymn 339 “Today Your Mercy Calls Us” verses 1 & 2

1 Today Your mercy calls us To wash away our sin.

However great our trespass, Whatever we have been,

However long from mercy Our hearts have turned away,

Your precious blood can cleanse us And make us pure today.

2 Today Your gate is open, And all who enter in

Shall find a Father’s welcome And pardon for their sin.

The past shall be forgotten, A present joy be giv’n,

A future grace be promised, A glorious crown in heav’n. AMEN

After which the Congregation will be seated

We Give Our Attention To God’s Word

The Old Testament Lesson Genesis 50:15-21

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and will pay us back in full for all of the evil that we did to him.” 16 They sent the following message to Joseph: “Before he died your father commanded us, 17 ‘You are to tell Joseph, “Please forgive the offense of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the offense of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

18 His brothers also came and fell down in front of him, and they said, “See now, we are your servants.” 19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring this to pass and to keep many people alive, as it is this day. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them and spoke to them in a kind way.

The Epistle Lesson Ephesians 4:25-32

25 Therefore, after you put away lying, let each of you speak truthfully with your neighbor, because we are all members of one body. 26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.”[f] Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. 27 Do not give the Devil an opportunity. 28 Let the one who has been stealing steal no longer. Instead, let him work hard doing what is good with his own hands, so that he has something to share with a person who is in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouths. Say only what is beneficial when there is a need to build up others, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of every kind of bitterness, rage, anger, quarreling, and slander, along with every kind of malice. 32 Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven us.

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

The Gospel Lesson Matthew 18:21-36

21 Then Peter came up and asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you as many as seventy-seven times. 23 For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle them, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Because the man was not able to pay the debt, his master ordered that he be sold, along with his wife, children, and all that he owned to repay the debt.

26 “Then the servant fell down on his knees in front of him, saying, ‘Master, be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!’ 27 The master of that servant had pity on him, released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began choking him, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’

29 “So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back!’ 30 But he refused. Instead he went off and threw the man into prison until he could pay back what he owed.

31 “When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very distressed. They went and reported to their master everything that had taken place.

32 “Then his master called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt when you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 His master was angry and handed him over to the jailers until he could pay back everything he owed.

35 “This is what my heavenly Father will also do to you unless each one of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

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

The Children’s Lesson Luke 11:4

And forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

Delete it ALL!

The Hymn of the Day Hymn 388 “Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven”

1 Redeemed, restored, forgiven Through Jesus’ precious blood,

Heirs of his home in heaven – Oh, praise our pard’ning God!

Praise him in tuneful measures Who gave his Son to die;

Praise him whose sev’nfold treasures Enrich and sanctify.

2 Once on the dreary mountain We wandered far and wide,

Far from the cleansing fountain, Far from the pierced side.

But Jesus sought and found us; Our many sins he bore.

With cords of love he bound us To him forevermore.

3 Dear Master, yours the glory Of each recovered soul.

Ah, who can tell the story Of love that made us whole?

Not ours, not ours the merit; To you alone the praise!

Give us a thankful spirit To serve you all our days.

4 Now keep us, holy Savior, In your true love and fear,

And grant us by your favor The grace to persevere

Till, in your new creation, Our earthly troubles o’er,

Heirs of your free salvation, We praise you evermore.

after which the Congregation will rise for

The Greeting

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

The Sermon Text Matthew 18:21-35

(today’s Gospel Lesson)

All Debts Are Off

following the Sermon, the Congregation will rise for the post-sermon blessing

Pastor 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.

after which the Congregation will be seated

Give Online

Lord, Receive our Offerings and Prayers

Our Offerings of Love to our Lord

We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:

1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6^th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)

2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.

at the Pastor’s invitation the Congregation will rise for

Today’s Prayers

Our Father, Who art in heaven, + Hallowed be Thy name; + Thy Kingdom come; + Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven; + Give us this day our daily bread; + and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; + and lead us not into temptation; + but deliver us from evil; + for Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. + Amen.

We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper

Pastor – The Lord be with you.

Congregation (Sung) And also with you.

Pastor – Lift up your hearts.

Congregation (Sung) We lift them up to the Lord

Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.

Congregation (Sung) It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

Consecration of the Elements

Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Congregation – (Sung) Amen.

The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper

(Please read the following if you have not spoken with

our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)

To our Guests this morning, we appreciate your presence among us. It is an honor to have you join with us as we worship our Lord and listen to His Word. We truly consider it a privilege to spend this time with you! It is our hope that you will both return in the future to worship with us again, and – perhaps – that You will even choose to become part of our congregation’s membership and our Synodical (WELS) fellowship, so that you might become even more involved in worship, study of God’s Word, and in Christian ministry and fellowship with us.

In connection with our worship as Christians, we regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion. But, as a key part of our church’s Biblically-based communion practice, before we can ask anyone to commune with us, we are compelled to first sit down with that individual and establish (upon a comprehensive study of the teachings of Scripture) that we are united in full doctrinal/ teaching fellowship…….which Scripture requires of any and all Christians before they can commune together.

Accordingly, we can offer the Lord’s Supper this morning only to those individuals who have completed that course of study, and who have chosen to become confirmed, communicant members of Grace Lutheran congregation or from one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) congregations.

For some guests, this Biblical practice of “Close Communion“ is both unfamiliar and (quite possibly) uncomfortable. We realize that, unfortunately, few churches today continue to follow this approach to communion…..though, in the past (when many churches were more concerned about following all of God’s Word than is the case today) nearly all did. We understand that it is not necessarily easy to watch others receiving the Lord’s Supper, while being asked – respectfully — to refrain from receiving it. Many of us who are communing today once also watched others receive the Lord’s Supper, as you are asked to do this morning, while waiting for the privilege of one day being an active partner in this “Close Communion.” We want to assure you that we are not judging your faith in Christ today. Nor it is our desire to offend you. But it also is not our desire to offend or disobey our Lord’s expectations for the proper use of His Supper. Indeed, we must all obey Him above all others, and we want to obey Him. Consequently, if you have any questions or concerns about our use/practice of the Lord’s Supper (and we invite you to ask or express them — if you do), please feel free to speak with our Pastor after the service, or at your convenience. He considers it a privilege to share with you and others the Biblical reasons for our approach to receiving and offering the Lord’s Supper. In addition, you can also find a brochure in our tract/brochure rack in the entryway; it is entitled “Our Communion Practice.” This brochure also provides our guests and friends with the Scripture-based explanation for our understanding of and use of the Lord’s Supper.

Finally, please know that we truly are grateful for your participation – as a fellow Christian – in this morning’s worship service. We also thank you for your patience and understanding, and for respecting this Biblical approach we must take as we endeavor to faithful make us of our Lord’s Supper. We hope and pray that you will come back to worship with us again — often. And that one day you might become a part of this Christian fellowship, not only as we worship and hear God’s Word from these pews, but as we receive the Lord’s Supper together. May God bless and keep you always!

The Distribution Hymn Hymn 310 “I Come, O Savior, To Your Table”

I Come, O Savior, To Your Table, For Weak And Weary Is My Soul;

O Jesus, You Alone Are Able To Satisfy And Make Me Whole: