The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity – September 03, 2023
The Fifteenth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Joseph Rebuilding Fractured Trust
As we continue our summer service and sermon series on the life of Joseph, the patriarch, we arrive today at the story of Joseph’s second encounter with his brothers. What we’ll be looking at, in particular this morning is how Joseph continued working to test his brothers’ trustworthiness, and to start to rebuild – through four tests – not only the relationship of trust that they had fractured so many years ago between them and him, as well as their father Jacob and themselves, but especially the fractured relationship between them and their Lord.
When it comes to trusting others, King David once wrote, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes” (Psalm 118:8–9). He spoke from experience, having been betrayed many times by those close to him (for example, see Psalm 41:9). Instead of becoming bitter or regarding all people as inherently untrustworthy and not worth his time, David learned and taught a simple truth: sinful people will fail us, but we can always trust in God. That confidence we have in our Lord and His promises to us will be the centerpiece of our Children’s Lesson today, which is based on Psalm 33:4. Incidentally, David’s son, King Solomon – the so-called “wisest man who ever lived.” would learn that lesson the hard way as well (since he “drifted” Spiritually considerably in his life, too often relying on his wisdom and faltering). He taught that it is better to trust God than to trust our own thoughts and feelings (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Even though others will fail us at times – and we ourselves are not always trustworthy, are we? – still there is an inherent desire in us, as humans, to want to trust people. That’s because without trust, it is all but impossible to have a genuine, mutually-beneficial, satisfying relationship someone else. A good relationship requires a solid foundation of trust in order to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) as well as to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), and to share our needs and desires with the people around us (James 5:14; Romans 12:15). Consequently, trust is a critical component of every family relationship – particularly in the healthy functioning of the family of Christ.
Of course, as Christians, we should always strive to be trustworthy, reflecting in all our thoughts, words and actions the absolute trustworthiness of our LORD toward us. Thankfully, even when others fail us, and even though we often fail Him, we know that God will never, ever fail us in our relationship with Him or in His promises to us. The ultimate evidences of that are in the facts: 1) that He chose to love us sinners enough to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior from sin for heaven; and 2) that He sent – and has maintained – His Holy Spirit in our hearts enabling us to believe the Gospel and be saved.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus made it very clear that He expects His followers to be trustworthy…..starting with keeping our word (Matthew 5:37). Our Lord also expects us to keep the confidences of others and to refrain from gossiping (Proverbs 16:28; 20:19; 1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Timothy 2:16). In addition, God calls us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to do our utmost to restore others caught up in their sins by our calling them to repent for the sake of their souls (Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1). These kinds of behaviors (and many others) contribute to your and my being regarded by others as honorable and trustworthy.
Of course, such trustworthiness in us doesn’t come about through our determination to be people of better character, but is instead empowered by God the Holy Spirit Who works in our hearts through the Word (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 1:6; 2:13; Galatians 5:13–26).
Obviously, trusting others is not always natural or easy….and there are always those people who make trusting them harder than others do. Certainly, it’s wise on our part to take time to get to know others and not, from the outset, automatically give them out entire trust. However, if we find ourselves being reluctant to trust any- and everyone, it would be prudent and wise for us to look introspectively into our own hearts and ask God to help us be both more trusting and more trustworthy.
The Bible gives advice about trusting others after we’ve been hurt by others, as was the case with Joseph in his relationship with his brothers in today’s Old Testament Lesson and Sermon Text. After all, they had – to a tremendous extent – forfeited his trust. When he lived among them as part of Jacob’s household, they had been intensely jealous of him, had hated him, had seriously contemplated killing him, had sold him as a slave to some Midianite traders, and had lied about it for over 20 years to their father – and undoubtedly had been lying all those years to themselves…..thinking their evil actions were justifiable!
When it comes to still being a trusting individual toward others afterour trust has been betrayed….trusting God is actually the first, and most important step we need to take. We need to know in our hearts that, no matter what others might do to us, God will always be there, since He is ever faithful and trustworthy, ultimately making everything work out for our earthly and eternal benefit. Knowing that our God is eminently trustworthy makes it easier for us to handle betrayal or other disappointments. That’s why our Opening Psalm (118) says in verse 6, “The Lord is on my side, I will not fear. What can man do to me?” The more you and I read God’s Word, paying attention to the ways He describes His own faithfulness and trustworthiness to us, will be helpful to us in our being able to trust others and be trustworthy for them.
The second step – (and we spoke about this in last Sunday’s service)– is to forgive those who have broken or taken advantage of our trust. That’s what Jesus demonstrated in today’s Gospel Lesson as He reinstated Peter to his calling as an apostle. It occurred during one of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. Some disciples had gathered to go fishing at the Sea of Galilee when Jesus appeared among them and shared a meal with them. Even more important, He publicly reaffirmed his relationship with a clearly penitent Peter, who had previously – just as Jesus had warned him – denied three times on the night of Jesus’ capture and conviction, that he even knew who Jesus – his best friend – was! The forgiveness, trust and compassion Jesus demonstrated toward someone who had failed Him, is the same forgiveness, trust and compassion that you and I ought to demonstrate toward those who have broken our trust. Even more, it’s the same forgiveness, trust and love that our Lord extends to us whenever we fail Him.
Speaking of Peter, in connection with forgiving others let’s remember what Jesus told Peter in Matthew 18:21-22, that even if a brother sins against us seventy-seven times and comes back asking for forgiveness, we should always forgive. By the way, our Savior’s point is not that we don’t have to forgive the seventy-eighth offense. It’s that we should be willing to continually forgive those who sin against us – just like our God always forgives us our transgressions against Him…for Jesus’ sake. Of course, if someone repeatedly betrays our trust unrepentantly, while you and I are called on by God to forgive that person, we do not have to continue to associate with individual, making yourself vulnerable over and over again. At the same time, we should not harbor bitterness toward that person, or allow that individual’s actions toward us to damage our trust-relationships with other people (Hebrews 12:14–15). And, obviously, if that person is truly repentant—even when it involves betrayal and exploited trust—we are to strive to fully forgive and even pursue restoration of that fractured relationship, rebuilding trust over time, as opportunities permit. As part of Jesus’ lesson on forgiveness in Matthew 18, He teaches us His parable of a servant who was forgiven a huge debt and then went out and immediately became judgmental and cruel toward another servant who owed him a small debt. The heartless actions of that unmerciful servant should remind us of our need to forgive others, just as we have been fully forgiven by our God of our much greater sin-debts than anything any other people owe us (Matthew 18:23–35).
Finally, it’s worth repeating that, as we grow in our willingness to trust others, we should continually strive to be trustworthy ourselves. This is good and godly. We should be a safe place for others (Proverbs 3:29) and keep their confidences (Proverbs 11:13). We should be known for our honesty (Proverbs 12:22) and our willingness to suffer with a friend (Proverbs 17:17). Everyone goes through hard times, and we all need our friendships even more when the sun is not shining. At times, we all let others down. So, let’s always strive to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1–2).
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
Lord Jesus, though but two or three In Your dear name assembled be,
You will among them show Your face And bless them with Your saving grace.
In Your dear name again we meet And worship humbly at Your feet;
You will Your gracious Word fulfill And cheer us with Your presence still.
Jesus, from Whom all blessings flow, Your peace and comfort now bestow;
Abide with us till life is o’er And keep us Yours forevermore. Amen.
Silent Prayer Pre-service music
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation to Worship
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service
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.
Today’s Opening Psalm Psalm 118, selected verses
P: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
C: Let those who fear the Lord say now: + Yes, His mercy endures forever.
P: Under pressure I cried to the Lord. The Lord answered me. He set me in a wide-open space.
C: The Lord is with me. + I will not be afraid. + What can people do to me? + The Lord, Who is with me, is my Helper, + so I will look in triumph on my enemies.
P: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in human benefactors.
C: My strength and song is the Lord, + and He has become salvation for me.
P: Loud shouts of victory are heard in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord has done a mighty deed! The right hand of the Lord is lifted high! The right hand of the Lord has done a mighty deed!”
C: I will not die. No, I will live, + and I will proclaim the works of the Lord.
P: The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not handed me over to death.
C: Open for me the gates of righteousness. + I will enter them. + I will give thanks to the Lord.
P: This is the gate to the Lord. The righteous enter it.
C: I will give You thanks, because You answered me, + and You have become salvation for me.
The Opening Hymn Hymn 224 “God Himself Is Present”
1 God himself is present – Let us now adore him
And with awe appear before him. God is in his temple —
All within keep silence, Humbly kneel in deepest rev’rence.
He alone On his throne Is our God and Savior;
Praise his name forever!
2 God himself is present – Hear the harps resounding;
See the hosts the throne surrounding. “Holy, holy, holy” —
Hear the hymn ascending, Songs of saints and angels blending.
Bow your ear To us here: Hear, O Christ, the praises
That your Church now raises.
3 Fount of ev’ry blessing, Purify my spirit,
Trusting only in your merit. Like the holy angels,
Worshiping before you, May I ceaselessly adore you.
Let your will Ever still Rule your church terrestrial
As the hosts celestial.
After which, the Congregation will rise as
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have
disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.
(Sung) Lord have mercy on us.
Christ Have Mercy on Us
Lord have mercy on us.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty
God, be strengthened in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, addressing you as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and under His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.
(Sung) Glory be to God on high
and on earth peace good will to men.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You.
We glorify You,
we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Lord God heavenly King,
God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ,
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
You take away the sin of the world.
Have mercy on us.
You take away the sin of the world.
Receive our prayer.
You sit at the right hand of God the Father.
Have mercy on us.
For You only are holy. You only are the Lord.
You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit.
Are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen
We Listen to the Word of God
The Old Testament Lesson Genesis 43:1-44:16
The famine in the land was severe, 2 so when they had eaten all the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy a little more food for us.”
3 Judah said to him, “The man sternly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you, 5 but if you do not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”
6 Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man that you had another brother?”
7 They said, “The man interrogated us about ourselves and about our relatives. He asked, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could have known that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”
8 Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will get up and go, so that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I will serve as a guarantee for him. You can hold me accountable for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him in front of you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 Look, if we had not delayed, we certainly could have returned for a second time by now.”
11 Their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then this is what you should do: Put some of the best products of the land into your containers and take a gift for the man: a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. 12 Also take double the amount of silver with you. Take back the silver that was returned into the mouths of your bags. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Also take your brother. Get going and return to the man. 14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, so that he will release your other brother and Benjamin to you. But if I am deprived of my children, I am deprived.”
15 The men took that present, and they took double the amount of silver with them. They also took Benjamin. They got up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his house, “Bring the men into the house. Butcher an animal and prepare it, for the men will dine with me at noon.”
17 The manager did as Joseph commanded and brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 The brothers were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house. They said, “Because of the money that was returned into our bags the first time, we are being brought in, so that he may find a pretext against us, pounce on us, seize us as slaves, and take our donkeys.”
19 They approached the manager of Joseph’s house and spoke to him at the door of the house. 20 They said, “Please, my lord, we really did come down the first time to buy food. 21 When we came to the lodging place, we opened our bags, and to our surprise each man’s silver was in the mouth of his bag, the full amount of our money. We have brought it back with us. 22 We have also brought down with us additional money to buy food. We do not know who put our money into our bags.”
23 He said, “There is no problem. Do not be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your bags. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them. 24 The man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, so they could wash their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder. 25 They prepared the gift for Joseph, who was coming at noon, because they heard that they would be eating bread there.
26 When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gift that they had brought to the house, and they bowed down to the ground in front of him. 27 He asked them about their welfare: “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”
28 They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down and prostrated themselves.
29 Joseph looked up and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” He said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome by his emotions over his brother, and he looked for a place to weep. He went into his room and wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out. After he regained control of himself, he said, “Serve the meal.”
32 They served Joseph by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians do not eat with Hebrews, for that is repulsive to the Egyptians. 33 The brothers were seated in front of him. They were lined up in order, starting with the firstborn based on his birthright down to the youngest based on his youth, and the men expressed their amazement to each other. 34 He sent servings to them from his table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They were drinking and they were feeling the effects.
44 Joseph commanded the manager of his house, “Fill the men’s bags with food, as much as they can carry. Put each man’s money into the mouth of his bag. 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, into the mouth of the bag of the youngest, along with his money for the grain.” The manager did exactly what Joseph told him to do.
3 As soon as it became light in the morning, the men were sent on their way, with their donkeys. 4 When they had left the city and still were not very far away, Joseph said to his manager, “Get up. Pursue those men. When you overtake them, ask them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Isn’t this the cup that my lord drinks from and that he uses for divination? By doing this you have done evil.’” 6 The steward caught up to them and spoke those words to them.
7 They replied to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Your servants would never do such a thing! 8 That money, which we found in the mouths of our bags—we brought it back to you from the land of Canaan. Why then would we steal silver or gold out of your lord’s house? 9 If your cup is found with any of your servants, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”
10 He said, “Fine, it will be just as you have said. If it is found with anyone, he will be my slave, and the rest of you will be blameless.”
11 Then each man quickly lowered his bag to the ground, and each man opened his bag. 12 The manager searched, beginning with the oldest and finishing with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag. 13 Then they tore their clothing, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.
14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell to the ground before him. 15 Joseph said to them, “What did you think you were doing? Didn’t you know that a man like me can discover things by divination?”
16 Judah said, “What can we tell my lord? What can we say? How can we clear ourselves? God has exposed the guilt of your servants. Here we are. We are my lord’s slaves, both we and the one in whose hand the cup was found.”
This Morning’s Gospel Lesson John 21:14-25
14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I care about you.”
Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.”
16 A second time Jesus asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
He said, “Yes, Lord, you know that I care about you.”
Jesus told him, “Be a shepherd for my sheep.”
17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you care about me?”
Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you care about me?” He answered, “Lord, you know all things. You know that I care about you.”
“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “Amen, Amen, I tell you: When you were young, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will tie you and carry you where you do not want to go.”
19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them. This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
22 “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? You follow me.” 23 And so it was said among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who is testifying about these things and who wrote these things. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus also did many other things. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the world itself would not have room for the books that would be written.
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
Today’s Children’s Lesson Psalm 33:4
Yes, the word of the Lord is right, and everything he does is trustworthy.
We Can ALWAYS Trust God To Keep His Word
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 471 “Renew Me, O Eternal Light”
1 Renew me, O eternal Light, And let my heart and soul be bright,
Illumined with the light of grace That issues from your holy face.
2 Destroy in me the lust of sin; From all impureness make me clean.
Oh, grant me pow’r and strength, my God, To strive against my flesh and blood.
3 Create in me a new heart, Lord, That gladly I obey your Word.
Oh, let your will be my desire And with new life my soul inspire.
4 Grant that I only you may love And seek those things which are above
Till I behold you face to face, O Light eternal, through your grace.
after which the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED 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! O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. Amen.
The Sermon Text Genesis 43-44
(Today’s Old Testament Lesson)
Rebuilding Fractured Trust
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.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence.
And take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.
And uphold me with Your free Spirit. 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
Lord, Receive our Prayers
This morning’s General Prayers ….followed by
C: 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 unto the Lord
Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
Congregation (Sung) It is good and right so to do.
Pastor – It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who promised that wherever two
or three come together in His name, there He is with them to shepherd His flock until He comes again in all His glory. Therefore with angels and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:
Congregation
(Sung)
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of heavenly hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He, Blessed is He, Blessed is He
Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Consecration of the 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 peace. Amen.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper (Pastor)
The First Distribution Hymn “I Stand Here Before You”
Sung to the melody of “How Firm A Foundation”
I stand here before You, O mightiest One
In need of forgiveness for wrongs I have done.
Oh, grant me Your pardon, my spirit now pleads
Forgive my transgressions in thoughts, words, and deeds.
The Tempter keeps taunting me day after day,
I often succumb and submit to his way.
From birth I’ve been evil — my mortal flesh weak,
I do not abide by the words that You speak.
I humbly confess with the deepest of shame
The times I abused Your magnificent Name.
In spite of Your right to demand faithfulness,
My life’s often guided by my selfishness.
I covet, I slander, I look with lust, too.
I fail to give honor where honor is due.
I steal and I gossip…..so far do I fall –
Your perfect commandments: I’ve broken them all.
Right here at Your table forgiveness is found
In Christ’s holy blood that flowed down to the ground,
His body and blood in the bread and the wine
A marvel of love that is truly divine!
That blood of Your Chosen was shed to erase
The sins of the world. How I cherish that grace!
Dear God I am thankful to be such a one,
Washed clean by the blood of my Savior, Your Son.
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 on You with favor upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
Closing Hymn Hymn 318 “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”
1 Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended. Oh, now be extended the fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of Christ’s teaching, receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
Your grace shall incite us, your love shall unite us
to work for your kingdom and answer your call.
2 With praise and thanksgiving to God ever-living,
the tasks of our ev’ryday life we will face—
our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring, embracing God’s children, the whole human race.
With your feast you feed us, with your light now lead us;
unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving
give honor to Christ and his name that we bear.
Silent Prayer, Announcements, Post-service music