January 18, 2026

The Second Sunday of the Epiphany Season

Jesus Taught As Someone Who Had Authority

Some years ago a New York newspaper columnist set out to prove that no one really listened to what anyone said at dinner parties. And so, when he was invited to such a party, he decided to arrive late. When he came to the door, the hostess greeted him and he told her the reason why he was late. He said, “I had to stop for a moment and murder my girlfriend. It took longer than I thought, and so I’m a little late.” Without blinking an eye, the hostess said she understood perfectly, replying “I was almost late myself tonight. We’re all quite busy, aren’t we? Anyway, enjoy yourself, and have a good time.” As he mingled among the guests at the party, someone asked him what I he did for a living. “Oh,” he said, “I’m the executioner for the State Penitentiary.” The person continued, “Well, that must be an interesting line of work. Is business good for you this year?” Those encounters proved his point: plenty of people at parties don’t listen to what’s being said.

In fact, people not listening happens in more situations than just at parties. These days, with the many different types of media blasting away at our senses, and with so many different ways to communicate with others, it’s certainly easy for us to turn off our ears and our minds to what’s being said. After all, we’re surrounded by a veritable ocean of words.

But some people speak with power and authority. And no one spoke – or speaks today – with more power and authority than our LORD Jesus Christ. He came to earth to be our Savior, of course. But in the course of carrying out His redemptive mission to save our souls from sin, death and the power of the Devil….Jesus consistently demonstrated His deity through the various miracles that He performed, and He further proved His deity through the absolutely mesmerizing messages that He spoke as He proclaimed God’s Word to people. Unlike the rabbis of His day, or the pastor writing this service introduction, Jesus always spoke with divine authority and power. And His audiences – even His critics – recognized that. His powerful preaching, through which He fulfilled a number of Old Testament prophecies (particularly Deuteronomy 18:15), proved that He was the world’s – and so, our – Savior from sin and the assurance of everlasting life in heaven for all who believe in Him.

This morning we’re going to consider a few of Jesus’ amazing miracles in which He healed one person and cast a demon out of another individual, as well as two occasions when He powerfully and authoritatively proclaimed God’s Law and Gospel to congregations in His hometown of Nazareth, and in His Galilean “base of ministry,” the town of Capernaum. And, as He preached….people listened most attentively. May we be equally attentive to His words as we search the Scriptures today.

But before we introduce today’s Scripture Lessons, let’s spend a few moments talking about the third season of the traditional Church Year (the first two were Advent and Christmas): and that’s the Season of Epiphany.

The Current Season of Epiphany

The part of the church year in which we find ourselves today is know as “The Epiphany Season.” It varies in length from 3 to 8 Sundays, depending on the date of Easter. An early Easter means a short Epiphany cycle, and vice versa. This year’s Epiphany season will be about average in length. Starting last Sunday, this year Epiphany is 6 Sundays long, running through February 15^th.

During the season of Epiphany (the word comes from a Greek word meaning “to reveal” or “to make known”) Christian churches that follow the traditional “church calendar” – as our church does – often focus their attention in worship on various portions of God’s Word that present us with (or “reveal”/”Epiphany” to us) proofs of Christ’s deity either through the various miracles He performed or the authoritative messages that He presented. In addition, during Epiphany we also give our attention to the responsibility that Jesus has given us as His Church on earth to make Him known to the world by being His witnesses and missionaries to those whose lives touch ours each day.

Today’s Scripture Lessons

This morning during our worship service we’ll be looking at portions of Scripture which contain two accounts (one in Nazareth, the other in Capernaum) of Christ preaching with authority, both proving and acknowledging that He is the Promised Messiah. We’ll also see Him at work, casting out demons and healing people who are sick – displaying His power as the Almighty God over Satan and sickness. Finally, He’ll set a powerful example for us of the importance of prayer and personal devotional time in our daily lives.

Through today’s First Lesson, which occurred at the beginning of Christ’s ministry, we’re reminded that He is the fulfillment of OT Messianic prophecy, that He was rejected by the people of His own home town (Nazareth), and also that He recognized it as a priority (it was His “custom”) to be in God’s house every Sabbath. (With this wonderful example, let’s make it our “custom” to be in the Lord’s house on Sunday too!)

In our Epistle Lesson for today Peter urges his readers to continue to grow in their faith and godliness….how? Through continuing, daily use of the Word of God. (For each of us to grow in our faith and faithfulness, we too need to make daily, consistent use of God’s Word. The question is, do you use it daily?)

This morning’s Gospel Lesson (the first part also serves as our Sermon Text) we’ll look at two days in the life of Christ during which He displayed His power as God over demons and disease – doing His work as the Messiah. In the opening part of this reading (our Sermon Text) Jesus authoritatively preaches God’s Word during a synagogue service in Capernaum. In the course of leading that Sabbath’s worship service, Jesus is confronted by a demon that has possessed a member of the congregation. He shows His divine power by driving the demon from that man, but also demonstrates His divine authority by the way in which He preached God’s Word. And the people who heard Him had to acknowledge that Jesus did teach with a unique, powerful authority – unlike their normal teachers. Little did the people in Capernaum realize at that moment that Jesus’ teaching authority was due to His divine authority as the eternal God…..but, by God’s grace, we realize and celebrate that today. And that’s why we attentively listen to every Word of our Savior from Scripture….and believe entirely what He says!

Finally, in today’s Children’s Lesson we’ll adjust the advertising slogan “Got Milk?” to talk about the importance of having a healthy drink of “God’s Milk” every day to grow our faith, just like a baby drinks formula or mother’s milk to grow physically.

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.

Pre-service prayer Pre-worship music

Let Us Praise The Lord

The Introduction and Invitation to Worship

after which, the Pastor will invite the Congregation will rise for

The Invocation

We make our beginning

In the name…. of the Father,

Who gave His Son into death for us and raised Him in glory on the third day;

And of the Son,

Who laid down His life only to take it up again on the third day;

And of the Holy Spirit

through Whom Christ was made alive, Who has worked saving faith in our hearts,

Who lives in us now through the Word, and Who will one day give life to our mortal bodies.

Amen.

The Psalm for Today Psalm 119:97-105

P: Oh how I love Your laws! I meditate on them all day long.

C: Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, + because it is always with me.

P: I have more wisdom than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation.

C: I have more understanding than the elders, + because I guard Your precepts.

P: I have kept my feet from every evil path in order to keep Your words.

C: I have not turned from your judgments + because You, Yourself, have instructed me.

P: How sweet are Your sayings to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

C: From Your precepts I gain understanding. + Therefore I hate every false road.

P: Your words are a lamp for my feet

C: and a light to my path.

after which the Congregation will be seated for

The Opening Hymn Hymn 221 “Blessed Jesus At Your Word”

1 Blessed Jesus, at your Word

We are gathered all to hear you.

Let our hearts and souls be stirred

Now to seek and love and fear you,

By your teachings, sweet and holy,

Drawn from earth to love you solely.

2 All our knowledge, sense, and sight

Lie in deepest darkness shrouded

Till your Spirit breaks our night

With the beams of truth unclouded.

You alone to God can win us;

You must work all good within us.

3 Gracious Savior, good and kind,

Light from Light, from God proceeding,

Open now our heart and mind;

Help us by your Spirit’s pleading.

Hear the cry your people raises;

Hear and bless our prayers and praises.

4 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Praise to you and adoration!

Grant that we your Word may trust,

Confident of our salvation,

While we here below must wander,

Till we sing your praises yonder.

After which the Congregation will rise 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.”

Our Prayer for This Morning

O Gracious, Heavenly Father, + through Your Holy Spirit’s working in the Word today, + drive out every trace of spiritual darkness from our hearts + that we may see Your Son as our one and only Redeemer + and that we may confidently and faithfully + call on You in prayer as the only true God + to deliver us from all our troubles of body and soul. + Bless our worship of You this morning + that through our meditation on Your Word + our faith might grow stronger + and our love for Your truth might increase. + All this we seek for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior + Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the one, true and only God, + now and forever. + Amen.

after which the Congregation may be seated for

Feed Us, Lord

Today’s First Lesson Luke 4:16-30

16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

18 The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,

because He anointed Me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to set free those who are oppressed,

19 and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

20 He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. 21 He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 They all spoke well of Him and were impressed by the words of grace that came from His mouth. And they kept saying, “Isn’t this Joseph’s Son?”

23 He told them, “Certainly you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ Do here in your hometown everything we heard You did in Capernaum.” 24 And He said, “Amen I tell you: No prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 But truly I tell you: There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three years and six months, while a great famine came over all the land. 26 Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow of Zarephath, in Sidon. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was healed except Naaman the Syrian.”

28 All those who were in the synagogue were filled with rage when they heard these things. 29 They got up and drove Him out of the town. They led Him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, in order to throw Him off the cliff. 30 But He passed through the middle of them and went on His way.

The Epistle Lesson II Peter 1:3-21

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has given us His precious and great promises so that through them you may share in the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that sinful lust causes in the world.

5 And, for this very reason, after applying every effort, add moral excellence to your faith. To moral excellence, add knowledge. 6 To knowledge, add self-control. To self-control, add patient endurance. To patient endurance, add godliness. 7 To godliness, add brotherly affection. And to brotherly affection, add love. 8 For if you have these qualities and they are increasing, they are going to keep you from being idle or unfruitful in regard to your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 Indeed, the person who lacks these qualities is shortsighted and, in fact, blind, because he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brothers, be more eager to make your calling and election sure for yourselves. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11 In fact, in this way you will be richly supplied with an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 That is why I intend always to keep reminding you of these things, even though you already know them and are established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to keep you wide awake by reminding you, 14 because I know that the putting off of my tent is going to happen soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 I will also make every effort so that after my departure you always have a reminder of these things.

16 To be sure, we were not following cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the powerful appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received honor and glory from God the Father, when the Voice came to Him from within the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” 18 We heard this voice, which came out of heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 We also have the completely reliable prophetic word. You do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts, 20 since we know this above all else: No prophecy of Scripture comes about from someone’s own interpretation. 21 In fact, no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were being carried along by the Holy Spirit.

after which, the Congregation will rise for

The Gospel Lesson Mark 1:21-39

21 Then they went into Capernaum. On the next Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 They were amazed at His teaching, because He was teaching them as One Who has authority and not as the experts in the law. 23 Just then there was a man with an unclean spirit in their synagogue. It cried out, 24 “What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know Who You are—the Holy One of God!”

25 Jesus rebuked the spirit, saying, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

26 The unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, and after crying out with a loud voice, it came out of him. 27 Everyone was so amazed that they began to discuss this with each other. They said, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!” 28 News about Him spread quickly through all the region of Galilee.

29 They left the synagogue and went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed, sick with a fever. Without delay they told Jesus about her. 31 He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, when the sun had set, the people kept bringing to Him all who were sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door. 34 He healed many people who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Who He was.

35 Jesus got up early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went out. He withdrew to a solitary place and was praying there. 36 Simon and his companions searched for Him, 37 and, when they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You!”

38 He told them, “Let’s go somewhere else, to the neighboring villages, so that I can preach there too. In fact, that is why I have come.” 39 Then He went throughout the whole region of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

The Public Confession of our Christian Faith

according to the words of 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 will be seated for

The Children’s Lesson I Peter 2:2

2 Like newborn babies, crave the pure milk of the word so that by it you may grow up with the result being salvation.

Got (God’s) Milk?

The Hymn of the Day Hymn 478 “With The Lord Begin Your Task”

With the Lord begin your task; Jesus will direct it.

For His aid and counsel ask; Jesus will perfect it.

Ev’ry morn with Jesus rise, And when day is ended,

In His name then close your eyes; Be to Him commended.

Let each day begin with prayer, Praise, and adoration.

On the Lord cast ev’ry care; He is your salvation.

Morning, evening, and at night Jesus will be near you,

Save you from the tempter’s might, With His presence cheer you.

With your Savior at your side, Foes need not alarm you;

In His promises confide, And no ill can harm you.

All your trust and hope repose In the mighty Master,

Who in wisdom truly knows How to stem disaster.

If your task be thus begun With the Savior’s blessing,

Safely then your course will run, Toward the promise pressing.

Good will follow ev’rywhere While you here must wander;

You at last the joy will share In the mansions yonder.

Sermon Text Mark 1:21-28

part of today’s Gospel Lesson

Jesus Taught As One Who Had Authority

to Cleanse and Save Souls

(and He still does!)

following which the Congregation WILL REMAIN SEATED for

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

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.

As the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation rises for prayer

Give Online

Today’s Special Prayers

Included in our prayers this morning are:

A Prayer of Intercessions on behalf of

John Talbert, (Mary’s son) who is hospitalized in California,

dealing with the effects of a stroke that occurred during his recovery following a recent operation;

plus

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Mary Talbert,

who, yesterday, celebrated her 102th birthday!

The Lord’s Prayer and Response

Congregation Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name;

Pastor Grant Father, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be proclaimed freely among us and throughout the world, and that we may live holy, Godly lives to the glory of Your name.

C: Thy Kingdom come;

P: Grant, Father, that the proclamation of the Gospel may bear much fruit, so that large numbers of men, women, and children from every nation and tribe may come to know and believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

C: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;

P: Grant , Father, that we may never forget that it is Your will that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Grant that we may remember that we are to carry out Your will by being witnesses of Christ to the world. Father, may Your will be done through us!

C: Give us this day our daily bread;

P: Grant, Father, that we may always remember that every good gift is from above and that the earth and all that is in it are Yours. May we also trust in Your for our daily bread. Then we will confidently share our blessings with others and return to You a large, generous portion of the gifts You have entrusted to us.

C: And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;

P: Forgive us, Father, for all the times we have given offense and kept others from coming to You. Forgive us for being so indifferent and cold to Christ’s command to preach the Gospel to every nation. Forgive us for so frequently forgetting that Christ died for us and that we should no longer live for ourselves, as a result, but for Him who died and rose again for us. Grant that we may also forgive those who sin against us, love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and do good to those who hate us, that we might, by all means possible, lead some to Christ.

C: And lead us not into temptation;

P: Grant, Father, that Satan, the world, and our own sinful flesh may not tempt us to neglect the supreme task of the Church. Grant that we never squander away our time while the world rushes toward Judgement Day; that we never waste our financial resources on the pleasures and luxuries of this life, and in so doing deny others the Bread of Life. Heavenly Father, keep us from these and all other temptations.

C: But deliver us from evil;

P: Protect us, Father, from all harm and danger, but grant that we will always boldly confess our faith in Jesus no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the result may be.

C: 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 unto 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

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 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 First Distribution Hymn Hymn 304 “Jesus Sinners Does Receive”

1 Jesus sinners does receive;

Oh, may all this saying ponder

Who in sin’s delusions live

And from God and heaven wander.

Here is hope for all who grieve–

Jesus sinners does receive.

2 We deserve but grief and shame,

Yet his words, rich grace revealing,

Pardon, peace, and life proclaim;

Here their ills have perfect healing

Who with humble hearts believe–

Jesus sinners does receive.

3 Sheep that from the fold did stray

Are not by the Lord forsaken;

Weary souls who lost their way

Are by Christ, the shepherd, taken

In his arms that they may live–

Jesus sinners does receive.

4 Come, O sinners, one and all,

Come, accept his invitation.

Come, obey his gracious call;

Come and take his free salvation!

Firmly in these words believe–

Jesus sinners does receive.

5 I, a sinner, come to you

With a penitent confession.

Savior, show me mercy, too;

Grant for all my sins remission.

Let these words my soul relieve–

Jesus sinners does receive.

6 Oh, how blest is it to know,

Were as scarlet my transgression,

It shall be as white as snow

By your blood and bitter passion,

For these words I do believe–

Jesus sinners does receive.

7 Jesus sinners does receive.

Even I have been forgiven.

And when I this earth must leave,

I shall find an open heaven.

Dying, still to him I cleave–

Jesus sinners does receive.

The Second Distribution Hymn Hymn 315 “Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face”

1 Here, O my Lord, I see you face to face;

Here would I touch and handle things unseen,

Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,

And all my weariness upon you lean.

2 This is the hour of banquet and of song;

Here is the heav’nly table spread anew.

Here let me feast and, feasting, still prolong

The brief bright hour of fellowship with you.

3 I have no help but yours nor do I need

Another arm but yours to lean upon.

It is enough, O Lord, enough indeed;

My strength is in your might, your might alone.

4 Mine is the sin but yours the righteousness;

Mine is the guilt but yours the cleansing blood.

Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace:

Your blood, your righteousness, O Lord, my God.

5 Too soon we rise; the vessels disappear.

The feast, though not the love, is past and gone.

The bread and wine remove, but you are here,

Nearer than ever, still my shield and sun.

6 Feast after feast thus comes and passes by,

Yet, passing, points to that glad feast above,

Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,

The Lamb’s great marriage feast of bliss and love.

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 323 “Almighty Father, Bless The Word”

1 Almighty Father, bless the word

Which through your grace we now have heard.

Oh, may the precious seed take root,

Spring up, and bear abundant fruit.

2 We praise you for the means of grace

As homeward now our steps we trace.

Grant, Lord, that we who worshiped here

May all at last in heav’n appear.

Post-service prayer

Announcements

Post-service Music