The Fourth Sunday after the Festival of Epiphany
January 30, 2022
“The LORD Will Provide….”
How many times have you used or heard the phrase above, “The LORD will provide”? Perhaps the better question for each of us to ask ourselves is this one: “Do I believe this truth of Scripture whenever I hear it being applied to my life, as well as when I offer it to someone else?”
God the Holy Spirit-enabling us, as we give our attention to the portions of His Word that are a part of this morning’s worship service, we’re going to be reminded of the Providential Care which our Lord exercises in our lives for our benefit. As we hear these assurances of God today, it’s my prayer that your faith and mine, as well as our overall confidence in Him will be strengthened, so that with certainty we can always believe in any and every circumstance, “The Lord will provide!”
Our Old Testament Lesson today should be quite familiar, since it’s one of our traditional “Thanksgiving Day” Scripture readings. In these words from Deuteronomy 8, our Lord warned Israel that, after they entered and began to enjoy the Promised Land, they needed to avoid giving in to the selfish human tendency that would lead them to think that it was their might and wisdom which had earned their new home for them. Instead, they would need to remember that the LORD was graciously giving them their new land, just as He was the Provider of everything else they possessed and enjoyed. As you and I hear these words and then consider our materialistic, selfish culture (and sinful hearts) today, it’s not surprising that this message is as relevant today for us as it was applicable to the Israelites 35 centuries ago.
Today’s Epistle Lesson reminds us that God generously provides for us with three objectives in mind: 1) that our lives might be sustained through His providence; 2) that we might show our gratitude for His many mercies through generous first-fruits offerings (where we thankfully give the Lord our best….not our leftovers) ; and 3) so that we might be generous in helping others in need.
The Gospel Lesson for this morning is John’s eyewitness account of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5000. First we should note that there were 5000 men who were fed, plus women and children. That means Jesus miraculously met the needs of in excess of probably 12,000 people that day. How amazing! Next, let’s recognize that Jesus preformed this feat twice during His ministry. (He would also, later, feed at least 4000 people at one time – see Mark 8:1-10). Also, we’ll want to realize that they were all fed through Jesus’ divine compassion and power which transformed a few loaves of bread and a couple of small fish into enough food to literally feed an “army” of people….plus , there were a dozen bushel-baskets full of left-overs afterward! Of course, the most important point of this lesson for Jesus’ disciples – then and now – is that we believe our Lord has both the power and the will to always (though not typically in as miraculous a manner as we find here) supply all of our physical – and especially our Spiritual – needs, because of His overwhelming love for us, His children.
In our Children’s Lesson (which is the underlined portion of our Epistle reading) we’ll talk about how Jesus makes sure that we always have everything we need, and always at the time we need it.
Finally, through today’s Sermon, based on our Gospel Lesson, we’ll emphasize the “Providential Care” which Jesus exercises over us in granting us all the blessings we need for our bodies and souls.
Pre-Service Prayer Lord God, merciful Father, I thank You that You have safely brought me to this hour of worship. Through Your Holy Spirit open my heart to the wondrous truths of Your salvation which I will hear this morning, and through the same grant new strength to my faith and greater confidence in You to my soul. Bless the preaching and teaching of Your Word both in our congregation and throughout Your Church on earth. Give power and conviction to our pastor here and ministers everywhere, that their testimony to Your holiness, majesty, and grace may be clear and true to Your revealed Word. Grant me the grace to bring all my sin-burdens before Your altar and leave them there at Your feet. Keep me today from mere formalism in my worship, from praying with my lips while my heart is far from you, and from failing to personalize Your words of rebuke, instruction and comfort that I will soon be hearing. Receive my offerings, humble though they are, out of my gratitude for Your blessings, and for the extension of Your kingdom. And, after this service closes, enable me to live confident of Your provision and committed to Your Word in all areas of my life, that I might glorify You in all that I think, say and do throughout this week. All this I ask, in the name and for the sake of Your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. 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
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
P: We begin this worship service
C: In the name of the Father,
P:Who gave His Son into death for us and raised Him in glory on the third day;
C: And of the Son,
P: Who laid down His life only to take it up again on the third day;
C: And of the Holy Spirit
P: through Whom Christ was made alive,
Who has worked and sustains saving faith in our hearts,
Who lives in us now through the Word,
and Who will one day give life to our mortal bodies.
C: Amen.
Our Psalms of Praise selected Psalms
P: Give thanks to the LORD. Proclaim His name. Make His deeds known among the nations. (105:1)
C: Let them give thanks to the LORD for His mercy + and His wonderful deeds for all people, + because He satisfies the desire of the thirsty. + He fills the desire of the hungry with good things. (107:8-9)
P: In righteousness You answer us with awesome deeds, O God Who saves us. He is trusted by all the farthest ends of the earth and the sea. (65:5)
C: You visit the earth and water it. + You make it very rich. + God’s stream is filled with water. + You provide grain for them, just as You planned. + You drench the land’s furrows. + You flatten its plowed ground. + You soften it with showers. + You bless its crops. + You crown the year with goodness. + The tracks made by Your carts overflow with riches. (65:9-11)
P: Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. (98:1)
C: Let all the earth fear the LORD. + Let all the inhabitants of the world revere Him. + For He said, “Let it be,” and it was! + He gave a command, and there it stood. (33:8-9)
P: Come, listen, all you who fear God; and let me tell you what He has done to save my life. (66:16)
C: The LORD is compassionate and gracious, + slow to anger, abounding in mercy. (103:8)
P: He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He does not repay us according to our guilty deeds. (103:10)
C: Yes, as high as the heavens are above the earth, + so powerful is His mercy toward those who fear Him. (103:11)
P: Shout praise to God, all the earth! Make music to the glory of His name. Make His praise glorious! (66:1-2)
C: Bless the LORD, O my soul. + All that is within me, bless His holy name. + Bless the LORD, O my soul, + and do not forget all His benefits. (103:1-2)
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
We Join in Confession of Our Sins
Pastor Brothers and sisters in Christ: the Word of God urges us to confess to our Lord all our sins of thought, word, and action. This is something that ought to be a daily part of spiritual lives, and
should come forth from every heart that is humble and penitent. But we should especially do this when we meet together in His house to thank God for all that He has done for us, to praise Him, and to hear His life-giving Word. Therefore, come with me now, to our Heavenly Father’s throne of grace, and let us confess our sins together.
Almighty God, Heavenly Father, we have violated Your holy will through our sinful actions, in our failure to do what You righteously expect from us, with our wicked words, and by our evil thoughts and desires.
C: We come, O Lord, to Your altar to confess our sins. + We beg for Your mercy, + though we do not deserve it. + Hear our prayer. + Grant us the forgiveness of all our sins, for Jesus’ sake.
Just as I am without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
P: Our sins are many….inexcusable, yet inevitable given our weakness and dullness. We have sworn falsely and used Your name to curse, rather than to bless others and to praise You. We have not worshiped You as faithfully as we ought. We have not listened to Your Word as we should. Too often we have conformed our lives – not to Your perfect will – but to the norms and dictates of this sinful world. At times we have lived as though we were “god” instead of humbly submitting everything that we are and have to You, O Lord.
Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
P: We have acted spitefully toward friends and strangers. We have fought with our family. We have been impatient with each other, and even with You, O Lord. We have sought superiority over others at work, in the home, at school, and in the church. We have preferred materialism more than we have pursued our spiritual growth. We have committed the very evils that we have self-righteously – and You have properly – condemned.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
P: We have passed by and ignored those who have been in genuine need. We have thought too highly of ourselves and too little of others. Though converted by the Gospel’s power, we have been reluctant and indifferent to bring the Good News to others. We have not readily forgiven those who have sinned against us. We have not loved You and others as You have commanded us to do.
C: Forgive us all our sins, + those known and unknown to us, + according to the mercy of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. + Pour Your grace upon us, + that we might know the peace which surpasses all understanding, + and that we might share eternal life with Christ, our Lord.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Congregation Almighty and most merciful God, + We acknowledge and confess + that we have sinned
against You in thought, word, and deed; + That we have not loved You with all our heart and soul, + and with all our mind and strength; + and that we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. + We ask You, O God, + to be forgiving of what we have been, + to help us to amend what we are, + and – in Your mercy – to direct what we shall be, + so that the love of what is righteous in Your sight + might always be in our hearts, + that we may always walk blamelessly in Your commandments, + and faithfully follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ to the very end. + Amen.
Pastor Upon this, your voluntary confession, and in accordance with the responsibilities entrusted to me as a called and ordained servant of the Living Word, I assure you that God, our heavenly Father, has
forgiven you all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, He has removed your guilt and condemnation forever. You are His own dear child – an heir of everlasting life through faith in Christ. May God now give you the strength of faith to live according to His will. Go in His grace and peace. Amen.
The Prayer For This Morning
Almighty God, + You daily provide us with blessings for our bodies and souls + which are so abundant that we cannot begin to thank You. + Please keep us safe, + Spiritually and physically + from any adversities that might happen to our bodies, + as well as from all evil thoughts, words, and actions + that could assault and harm our souls. + Enable us to grow in faith + as we daily rely on Your Word, + until that day when You graciously grant us the goal of our faith: + everlasting life in heaven. + 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
Old Testament Lesson Deuteronomy 8:1-20
Be conscientious about carrying out the entire body of commands that I am giving you today so that you may thrive and increase and you may go in and possess the land that the Lord promised by oath to give to your fathers. 2 Remember the whole journey on which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you and to test you, in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. 3 So he humbled you and allowed you to be hungry. Then he fed you manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known before, in order to teach you that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 The clothes you wore did not wear out, and your feet did not swell these forty years. 5 So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 Therefore you are to keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by revering him.
7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of gullies filled with water, a land with springs and groundwater that flows out into the valleys and down the mountains, 8 a land with wheat and barley and vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees for oil, and honey, 9 a land where you can eat bread and not be poor, where you will not lack anything, a land whose rocks are iron and from whose mountains you can mine copper.
10 Then you will eat, and you will be filled, and you will praise the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you. 11 Be very careful so that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and ordinances and his statutes that I am commanding you today. 12 When you eat and are satisfied, and you build nice houses and move into them, 13 and your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold increase, and everything that you have prospers, 14 watch out so that your heart does not become arrogant and forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, where you were slaves. 15 Do not forget the Lord, who led you in the great and terrifying wilderness, where there were venomous snakes and scorpions, where the thirsty ground had no water, but the Lord made water come out of a flint rock for you. 16 Do not forget the Lord, who in the wilderness fed you manna, which your fathers had not known before, to humble you and to test you so that it would be good for you later on.
17 You might say in your heart, “My ability and the power of my hand have earned this wealth for me.” 18 But then you are to remember that the Lord your God is the one who gives you the ability to produce wealth, to confirm his covenant that he promised to your fathers with an oath, as he does to this day.
19 But if you ever do forget the Lord your God and you follow other gods, and if you serve them and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will certainly perish. 20 Just like the nations that the Lord is about to destroy in front of you, you also will perish, because you would not listen to the voice of the Lord your God.
The Epistle and Children’s Lesson II Corinthians 9:6-15
6 This is what I mean: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. The one who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each one should give as he has determined in his heart, not reluctantly or under pressure, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will overflow in every good work. 9 As it is written: He scattered; he gave to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.
10 And he who provides seed to the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing, and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you may be generous in every way, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
12 To be sure, the administration of this service is not only making up for what is lacking among the saints, but it is also overflowing in many prayers of thanksgiving to God. 13 By proving yourselves in this service, many people are glorifying God, as they see the obedience shown in your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity shown in your sharing with them and all people. 14 At the same time as they pray for you, they also express their longing for you, because of the extraordinary measure of God’s grace given to you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
“Because of Jesus We Have ALL That We Need….”
The Congregation will rise out of respect for the words of the Lord Jesus for
The Gospel Lesson John 6:1-15
After this, Jesus crossed over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he was performing on those who were sick. 3 Jesus went up on the hillside and sat down there with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a huge crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 But Jesus was saying this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to have just a little.”
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what is that for so many people?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. There were about five thousand men.
11 Then Jesus took the loaves and, after giving thanks, he distributed pieces to those who were seated. He also did the same with the fish—as much as they wanted.
12 When the people were full, he told his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 When the people saw the miraculous sign Jesus did, they said, “This really is the Prophet who is coming into the world.”
15 When Jesus realized that they intended to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
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 473 “Savior, I Follow On”
1 Savior, I follow on, Guided by thee,
Seeing not yet the hand That leadeth me.
Hushed be my heart and still; Fear I no further ill.
Only to meet thy will My will shall be.
2 Riven the rock for me, Thirst to relieve,
Manna from heaven falls Fresh ev’ry eve.
Never a want severe Causeth my eye a tear,
But thou dost whisper near, “Only believe.”
3 Often to Marah’s brink Have I been brought;
Shrinking the cup to drink, Help I have sought,
And with the prayer’s ascent Jesus the branch hath rent,
Quickly relief hath sent, Sweet’ning the draught.
4 Savior, I long to walk Closer with thee;
Led by thy guiding hand, Ever to be
Constantly near thy side, Quickened and purified,
Living for him who died Freely for me.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Greeting
Grace and peace to you from Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is tom come, and from the Seven Spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful Witness, the Firstborn from the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. Amen.
The Sermon Text John 6:1-15
Today’s Gospel Lesson
The Sermon
Let’s Leave It All In the Lord’s Hand’s
- He Knows All Our Needs
- His Solutions Are Always Best
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, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Grace be with you all. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
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) to the church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) You can donate on our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
the Congregation will please rise as the offerings are brought to the altar
We Offer Our Prayers to the Lord
Today’s Special Prayers
Included in our Prayers today:
Intercessory Prayers for
Chris Merritt, who remains hospitalized in Minnesota due to Covid. for
Dan Beck, who is contending with pancreatic cancer; also for
Ralph Terrian, who is continuing to recover from hand surgery; for
Lesa Roe, who is healing well following knee surgery; and for
Amy Bruns, who is progressing in her recovery from a broken knee;
Today’s General 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, 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 upon you with favor, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 612 Praise to God Immortal Praise
1 Praise to God, immortal praise, For the love that crowns our days.
Bounteous Source of ev’ry joy, Let your praise our tongues employ.
All to you, our God, we owe, Source whence all our blessings flow.
2 All the plenty summer pours, Autumn’s rich, o’erflowing stores,
Flocks that whiten all the plain, Yellow sheaves of ripened grain —
Lord, for these our souls shall raise Grateful vows and solemn praise.
3 Peace, prosperity, and health, Private bliss and public wealth,
Knowledge with its gladd’ning streams, True religion’s holier beams —
Lord, for these our souls shall raise Grateful vows and solemn praise.
4 As your prosp’ring hand has blest, May we give you of our best
And by deeds of kindly love For your mercies grateful prove,
Singing thus through all our days: “Praise to God, immortal praise.”
Silent Prayer, Announcements, Post-service Music
“
Announcements
This Past Week at Grace Worship Attendance: 59 (Online: 20) Bible Class: 23 (online: 8)
Tuesday Bible Class: 12 Budgetary Offerings: $3526 Online Budgetary Gifts: $523.87
Serving Us Next Sunday Elders: John Johnson, Tim Pfortmiller
Ushers: Fred Cusanelli, Chris Roberts, Trent Schroeder Altar Guild: Harriet Johnson, Tina Wambold
Birthdays This Week: Feb 02 – Rachel Johannes; Feb 05 – Shelby Bruns;
This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship Service, at 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Period, 10:40 a.m.
Congregational meeting, 10:50 a.m. Youth Confirmation Class, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday Morning Bible Class, 10:30 to noon
Wednesday Evening Bible Classes, 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Saturday Outreach Visitation, meeting at church at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship, with the Lord’s Supper, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Period, 10:45 a.m.
Bible Class/Sunday School – 11:05 a.m. Youth Confirmation Class, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
This Week’s Bible Classes In lieu of Bible Class today, we’ll be holding a congregational/voters’ meeting (see details below) in the chapel area.
Tuesday, from 10:30-11:30 am, we’ll study 2 Kings 21-23, dealing with the stories of three of Judah’s final six kings: Manasseh, Amon and Josiah. Please join us in person, or over the phone (1-701-802-5405, then dial 7519304#).
Wednesday, from 6-7 p.m. we’ll offer two Bible classes, one for men, the other for women Our men’s class is studying in the book of Psalms – specifically this week, we’re studying the Imprecatory Psalms. Our women’s class will begin a study of the book of Hosea.
SPECIAL VOTERS MEETING TODAY …. In place of our Bible Class today, we’ll be holding our quarterly voters’ meeting here in the chapel. Besides the regular reports and routine business items, we are going to consider a recommendation from both our Board of Education and Church Council to discontinue school operations for Grace Lutheran Academy, effective at the end of the current school year. As this Covid pandemic has affected negatively our Sunday morning and overall church participation, so it has adversely affected our pre-school and grade school operations. School enrollment and revenue has not been close to what is needed for a sustainable ministry. Consequently, this recommendation is being reluctantly brought before our church family. We earnestly hope that you will remain for today’s meeting so that you can listen to the presentation and discussion, as well as offer your input and advice. Afterward, we ask that you keep this challenging situation, whatever the voters’ decision might be, in your prayers….with the confidence that God will continue to guide, guard and bless our ministry for Him.