The Fourteenth Sunday after the Festival of the Holy Trinity
also known as The 16th Sunday of The Pentecost Season
September 21, 2025
I believe in the Life Everlasting!
This morning we conclude our summer sermon/ service series on the chief doctrinal elements of the Apostles’ Creed. This 19 centuries’ old confession of faith outlines the fundamental teachings of Christianity. Anyone who believes what the Creed confesses is considered faithful. Those who reject what the Creed declares to be the truth are either weak believers and false teachers, or possibly even unbelievers. This morning’s worship service will have us concentrating on the final phrase of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen!” In particular we’ll be examining portions of Scripture which clearly point to the end of our lives and the end of this world, but which also point to what is ahead for us beyond the grave and Judgement Day: namely, everlasting life in heaven.
This morning’s Old Testament Lesson gives us a picture of the perfection and joy that will be ours as we enjoy eternal life in all its completeness in heaven. Today’s Epistle Lesson will compare our lives on earth to living in a “tent.” It’s no secret to any of us that here on earth our lives are filled with sin-caused limitations and frustrations. As a result we are currently far less “complete” than we want to be (like living in a tent compared to living in a regular home). But when we reach our heavenly home our lives will truly be complete. Then we will enjoy that permanent, everlasting life in the presence of God, which is the goal of our Christian faith. Our Gospel Lesson for today makes the point that eternal life is already most assuredly ours because of God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus. The “problem” for us is that on this side of heaven and on this end of Judgement Day , we can’t simply experience and enjoy the blessings of everlasting life in all their fullness. We know that’s due to the fact that we are sinners, and that the sin which is so much a part of this world and our lives, limits our ability to enjoy right now this eternal life that is ours through Christ. In addition we want to note that eternal life will be enjoyed in all its entirety only after the Last Day’s resurrection (when soul and body are forever reunited). In this morning’s Children’s Lesson, through the example of an Obituary page in the newspaper, we’ll talk about the fact that physical death is a very real thing for every one of us living here on earth. But we’ll also want to remember that — for the Christian — God has given the guarantee (through faith in Jesus) of a perfect life beyond death….an everlasting life in heaven with Him. Finally, this morning’s Sermon Text, is based on John 10:27-28 and I John 2:24-25. In the first portion of Scripture Jesus assures us that, as His sheep who listen to His voice (His Word) and who follow Him in faith, He will give us the free gift of everlasting life, because He has earned forgiveness and a place in heaven for us forever through His righteousness – applied to us – as well as by His substutionary, sacrificial death and resurrection for us. In the second portion of God’s Word, John reminds his readers (us, included) that if they continue to believe what he (John) taught then about Christ, their Savior, they will one day enjoy the everlasting life in heaven that Jesus has earned for us and promises to all who believe in Him as their God and Savior.
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 In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank You my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, for keeping me through the night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. Into Your hands I commit my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the Devil may have no power over me. Amen.
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
Welcome and Introduction to Worship
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father
And of the Son
And of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Preparatory Psalm Psalm 33:11-22
P: The plan of the LORD stands forever, The intentions of His heart stand through all generations.
C: How blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, + the people He chose to be His possession.
P: From heaven the LORD observes. He sees all the children of Adam. From His throne room He looks at all the inhabitants of the earth;
C: He alone is the One Who shapes all their hearts. + He understands all their deeds.
P: No king is saved by the great size of his army; No hero is rescued by His great strength.
C: You cannot rely on a horse to save you. + Its great strength will not deliver you.
P: Look, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
C: On those who wait for His mercy, + He will deliver their soul from death. + He keeps them alive in famine.
P: Our souls wait for the LORD;
C: He is our Help and our Shield.
P: Yes, in Him our heart rejoices, because we trust in His holy name.
C: May Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, + even as we wait confidently for You.
after which the Congregation will be seated
The Opening Hymn “God the Father, Gracious Lord”
2005, cwh To the tune of “St George” 7777D (CW 617)
God the Father, gracious Lord,
May Your name be e’er adored.
All exists by Your command
In the sky or sea or land.
Precious Father, You know all –
When each hair and sparrow fall.
Guide and guard me from all harm
With Your strong, protecting arm.
Jesus Christ, my Lord, God’s Son,
Who, for me, salvation won –
You Who hung on Calvary
Bore my sins and set me free!
You, my ever-faithful Friend,
Who will love me to the end,
By Your grace in heav’n I’ll live.
Heart-felt praise to You I give.
Holy Spirit, Light Divine,
Through the Means of Grace, please shine
In my heart again today,
Drive sin’s darkness far away.
Keep me in Your Word, so true,
Day by day my faith renew.
Use me, Lord, as You know best
Serving here – in heav’n to rest.
The Congregation will rise for the singing of the final verse
Blessed Holy Trinity,
Glorious in Your majesty,
Father, Spirit and the Son –
Savior-God, the Three-in-One –
From sin’s curse You set me free
Heaven’s mine – eternally.
All I am, to You I owe, Source from Whom all blessings flow. AMEN
We Make Confession of Our Sins To God
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, + I confess that I am by nature sinful + and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; + I have done what is evil in Your sight + and have failed to do what is good. + For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, + both now and for eternity. + But I am truly sorry for all my sins, + and trusting in the perfect life + and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, + I plead: + God have mercy on me, a sinner.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, under His command and authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of God rest upon all of you.
Congregation Amen.
Lord Have Mercy
P: For all that we need in life, and for the wisdom to use all Your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord.
C: (sung) Lord have mercy
p: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from Your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ:
C: (Sung) Christ have mercy.
P: For the well-being of Your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord
C: (Sung) Lord have mercy.
p: Merciful God, Maker and Preserver of life, uphold us by Your power, and keep us in Your tender care:
C: (sung) Amen.
P: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; His name is worthy of praise.
(Sung) O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
Almighty God, merciful Father, Your crown our life with Your love.
You take away our sin; You comfort our spirit;
You make us pure and holy in Your sight.
You did not spare Your only Son, but gave Him up for us all.
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
O Son of God, eternal Word of the Father,
You came to live with us; You made Your Father known;
You washed us from our sins in Your own blood.
You are the King of glory; You are the Lord!
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
The Prayer For This Morning
Almighty God, + You see that we have no power of our own + to spiritually defend ourselves and preserve our faith. + Guard and keep us, we pray, + both outwardly and inwardly + from all that might harm our bodies + and from all evil thoughts, words, and actions + that might assault and damage our souls. + Enable us to grow in faith day by day + as we make use of Your Word and Sacrament + until that day comes when You graciously grant us the goal of our faith + everlasting life in heaven with You. + All this we ask in the name + and for the sake of Jesus Christ, + Your Son, our Savior, + Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the One, true God, + now and forever. + Amen.
after which the Congregation may be seated
Feed Us, Lord
The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 35:4-10
4 Tell those who have a fearful heart:
Be strong.
Do not be afraid.
Look! Your God will come with vengeance.
With God’s own retribution, He will come and save you.
5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the ears of the deaf will be unplugged.
6 The crippled will leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy.
Waters will flow in the wilderness,
and streams in the wasteland.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
and in the thirsty ground there will be springs of water.
There will be grass, reeds, and rushes where the haunts
of jackals once lay.
8 A highway will be there,
a road that will be called the holy way.
The impure will not walk there.
It will be reserved for those who walk in that holy way.
Wicked fools will not wander onto it.
9 No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious animal go up on it.
They will not be found there,
but only the redeemed will walk there.
10 Then those ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Zion with a joyful shout,
and everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Happiness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
The Epistle Lesson II Corinthians 5:1-10
Now we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, which is not made by human hands. 2 In fact, the reason we groan is that we long to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. 3 If we do indeed put it on, we will certainly not be found naked. 4 To be sure, while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the One Who prepared us for this very purpose is God, Who gave us the Spirit as the down payment.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 But we are confident and would much prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 And for this reason we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home or away. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he did while in the body, whether good or bad.
The Children’s Lesson John 11:25-26
21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even if he dies. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me will never perish. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told Him. “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who was to come into the world.”
Living to Die; Dying to Live
after which, the Congregation will rise out of respect for the words of our Savior, for
The Gospel Lesson John 6:35-40
35 “I am the Bread of Life,” Jesus told them. “The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty. 36 But I said to you that you have also seen Me, and you do not believe. 37 Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him Who sent Me. 39 And this is the will of Him Who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up on the Last Day. 40 For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life. And I will raise him up on the Last Day.”
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 Hymn of the Day Hymn 213 “Forever With The Lord”
1 Forever with the Lord!
Amen! So let it be.
Life from the dead is in that word,
My immortality.
2 While time on earth is spent,
Absent from him I roam,
Yet nightly pitch my moving tent
A day’s march nearer home.
3 My Father’s house on high,
Home of my soul, how near
At times, to faith’s foreseeing eye
The golden gates appear!
4 Lord, be at my right hand,
Then can I never fail.
If you uphold me, I shall stand;
With you I shall prevail.
5 So when my dying breath
Shall rend the veil in two,
By death I shall escape from death
To endless life with you.
6 I’ll know as I am known;
How shall I love that word
And oft repeat before the throne,
“Forever with the Lord!”
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer! Amen.
The Sermon Text John 10:27-28 and I John 2:24-25
John 10:27-28: My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.
I John 2:24-25: Let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and the Father. 25 And this is what he promised you: eternal life.
The Last Words: Life Everlasting
after which the Congregation will rise 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 Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
As the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation rises for prayer
The Prayer of the Church
In our prayers today, we include a prayer for Kelly and Bobby Eichler,
who will be celebrating their wedding anniversary this Wednesday.
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 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.
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. Now have come the salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ., To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and thanks and glory and honor for ever and ever.
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,
The whole earth is full of Your glory.
You are my God and I will exalt You.
I will give You thanks for You have become my salvation.
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts.
The whole earth is full of Your glory.
Consecration of the Communion Elements (Pastor)
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 Your peace. Amen.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper
The Distribution of 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 upper, 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 “Your Table I Approach” (TLH 310)
1 Your Table I approach; Dear Savior, hear my prayer;
Oh, let no unrepented sin Prove hurtful to me there!
2 Lord, I confess my sins And mourn their wretched bands;
A contrite heart is sure to find Forgiveness at Your hands.
3 Your body and Your blood, Once slain and shed for me,
Are taken here with mouth and soul, In blest reality.
4 Search not how this takes place, This wondrous mystery;
God can accomplish vastly more Than what we think could be.
5 O grant, most blessed Lord, That earth and hell combined
May not about this sacrament Raise doubt within my mind.
6 Oh, may I never fail To thank You day and night
For Your true body and true blood, O God, my Peace and Light.
The Second Communion Hymn 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.
After which the Congregation will rise as
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 unto you.
The LORD look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 152 “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
verses 1,2,7, 8
1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head!
2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save.
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.
7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring my safely there.
8 He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
Silent Prayer,
Announcements
Post-service music