Service Live Stream

The Sixteenth Sunday of the Pentecost Season

Also known as the Fourteenth Sunday after

the Festival of the Holy Trinity – September 06, 2026

A Summer/Fall Study of Philippians:

The Grace of God in Christ is THE Source of our Joy

Keep Your Eye On the Donut…

…Not the Donut Hole

I’d like to begin by sharing with you the sad story of Franklin Pierce, the fourteenth president of the United

States, and his wife Jane.

Their first child, born in 1836, lived only three days. Franky, their second son, succumbed to typhus at the age of four in 1843. Then on January 6, 1853, just two month before his inauguration, the Pierces were in a train wreck that took the life of their third and last child, eleven-year-old Benjamin.

After seeing her son crushed to death, Mrs. Pierce became a bitter recluse, refusing to participate in public appearances. She blamed Franklin’s political ambitions for Benny’s death, claiming it was the price Providence had extracted for her husband’s sin of pursuing and accepting the presidency.

For his part, Franklin Pierce refused to place his hand upon the Bible when he took the oath of office that began his presidency. Why? Because he said that he no longer believed in the goodness of almighty God.

Adversity in life can either challenge a person’s faith (and even crush it, as happened to President Franklin and Jane Pierce)…or it can be a catalyst for Spiritual growth that grows a persons faith and faithfulness. As we’ll see in today’s Sermon, the Apostle Paul faced an abundance of adversity in his life…..and especially in the four years that led up to and included the events of our Sermon Text for this morning, Philippians 1:12-18. He had been almost been killed by a mob of angry Jews while he presented an offering to the Lord in the Temple. That led to four years’ of imprisonment – two each in Caesarea and Rome. En route to Rome he was shipwrecked and later bit by a snake. While some fellow Christians cared about and prayed for Paul, others spoke badly about him and tried to seize his ministry while he was in prison. But rather than let that these challenges, and his other troubles diminish and even destroy his faith, God used (and Paul embraced) the hard times that he faced in order to further develop his faith and to serve as a source of Spiritual encouragement to his fellow believers. As he dealt with the difficulties described in Philippians, as well as all the other challenges he faced throughout his life, Paul always kept his faith focused on God’s forgiving, saving grace to Him in Christ….because that, ultimately, was all that mattered – and God’s grace was the source of his joy no matter what he faced. In a sense we could say, Paul kept his eyes on the Donut (his salvation and all the other blessings God gave him) and not on the Donut Hole (whatever he lacked and what had been taken from him). Like Paul, as God the Holy Spirit enables us, we also need to keep our eyes on the donut….and not the donut hole.

Today’s Scripture Lessons

This morning’s Old Testament Lesson is selected verses that are part of a larger conversation that the LORD was

having, through the prophet Isaiah, with the people of Judah. They had been “less than faithful” to Him in a variety of ways (idolatrous behavior, general disobedience, and trusting in alliances with heathen foreign nations instead of in the LORD to protect and bless them). Ultimately the LORD would have to discipline Judah by allowing the Babylonian empire to dominate, and eventually to destroy them. But even in that strong discipline from God, He would work blessings for His people by leading them to repent and by allowing a remnant of the Jewish people to return home from a 70 year exile in Babylon. In fact, that grace of God is clearly emphasized in the verses that serve as our Old Testament reading. God promised to forgive and save His people….not merely from the Babylonians, but….. from their sins. And He would keep that promise especially by eventually sending into our world the Promised Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In today’s Epistle Reading Paul emphasizes that He doesn’t preach about himself, but preaches Christ. And then he adds that God, Who brought us to faith is the One Who grows our faith through the Gospel, but also that the Gospel is a “treasure” that resides in fragile “jars of clay” (human hearts). Next he talks about how Christians deal with persecution and life’s other difficulties….recognizing them as a privilege and opportunity to display their faith in Christ in adversity. Finally, he looks forward to eternal life in heaven, which is his motivation to endure and grow Spiritually from his troubles.

In our Gospel Lesson Jesus tells His disciples in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday that He will be leaving them soon (through His death, and especially through His ascension), but that He will send the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen them. He also says that those who claim to love Him and His Father will prove that by holding onto (faithfully obeying ) His Word. Finally Jesus blesses them with His assurance that they are Spiritually at peace with God, through faith in Him. Finally, through today’s Children’s Lesson Peter encourages us to believe that the “answer” to all our anxieties in life is for us to, in faith, put them all into God’s hands. He will deal with them and take care of us because He loves us – for Jesus’ sake.

Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church If you are a first-time guest, we’re honored you’ve chosen to worship with us this morning. If you’ve been with us before, we’re glad to have you back! If we can do anything to make your time among us more edifying and enjoyable, please speak with one of our ushers, our Pastor, or the person sitting next to you. We want to serve you to the best of our abilities. We also hope you’ll join those around you for some good conversation, coffee, and other refreshments in our fellowship hall after today’s service is done. And finally, we invite you to remain afterward to participate with us in our Sunday School and Bible Class. May the comfort of God’s love and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ bring you peace and be with you throughout this day and this week.

A Children’s Nursery is available to assist parents with small children during the worship hour. We encourage parents to bring children into worship whenever possible. This helps children learn why we come here each week: to praise God and to learn from Him. In addition, we know that the Holy Spirit’s power in the written and spoken Word blesses the hearts and souls of little children, no less than adults. But for some of the youngest among us, the nursery is, at times, a necessity, particularly when their agitation detracts from the worship of others around them in the chapel. When such situations occur, we encourage parents to be considerate of those around them, and to bring your child into the nursery area for a short time, until he/she becomes comfortable again. Then we hope you and your child will return to the sanctuary to continue to worship and grow in God’s Word. The Nursery is in the first room along the north wall in our rear — or second — seating area. A changing table for very small children is also in the nursery, which is available to you at any time today.

The portions of God’s that are 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

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Prayer upon entering the sanctuary

Pre-service Music

We Praise Our God

The Service Introduction and Invocation

P: We make our beginning in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Opening Hymn Hymn 340

“Oh, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing

1 Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of his grace!

2 My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim,

To spread through all the earth abroad,

The honors of your name.

3 The name of Jesus calms our fears

And bids our sorrows cease.

‘Tis music in the sinners ears;

‘Tis life and health and peace.

4 He breaks the pow’r of canceled sin;

He sets the pris’ner free.

His blood can make the foulest clean;

His blood avails for me.

5 See all your sins on Jesus laid;

The Lamb of God was slain.

His life was once an off’ring made

That you might live again.

6 Glory to God and praise and love

Be ever, ever giv’n

By saints below and saints above,

The Church in earth and heav’n.

After which the Congregation will rise for

The Blessing

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

The Confession of Sins

Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.

Congregation Holy and merciful Father, + I confess that I am by nature sinful + and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; + I have done what is evil in Your sight + and have failed to do what is good. + For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, + both now and for eternity. + But I am truly sorry for all my sins, + and trusting in the perfect life + and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, + I plead: + God have mercy on me, a sinner.

Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, carrying out my office as a called and ordained servant of Christ, and according to His command and authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of God rest upon all of you.

Congregation Amen.

Lord Have Mercy (Christian Worship, pages 27-29)

P: For all that we need in life, and for the wisdom to use all Your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord.

C: (sung) Lord have mercy

P: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from Your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ:

C: (Sung) Christ have mercy.

P: For the well-being of Your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord

C: (Sung) Lord have mercy.

P: Merciful God, Maker and Preserver of life, uphold us by Your power, and keep us in Your tender care:

C: (sung) Amen.

P: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; His name is worthy of praise.

(Sung) O Lord, our Lord,

How glorious is Your name in all the earth.

Almighty God, merciful Father, Your crown our life with Your love.

You take away our sin; You comfort our spirit;

You make us pure and holy in Your sight.

You did not spare Your only Son, but gave Him up for us all.

O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.

O Son of God, eternal Word of the Father,

You came to live with us; You made Your Father known;

You washed us from our sins in Your own blood.

You are the King of glory; You are the Lord!

O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.

The Prayer For This Morning

Almighty and merciful God, + You have relentlessly loved us in spite of our sinfulness + and You have always forgiven us – though we do not deserve it – for the sake of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. + Through Your Holy Spirit, please grow our faith in You, + so that we can trust Your Word and obey it faithfully + especially in the face of life’s many problems – including when we are persecuted for our faith in You. + Reassure us every day of Your love for us, + and remind us daily + that You have guaranteed us the goal of our faith: + eternal life in heaven with You, + through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, + Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the one true God, now and forever. + Amen.

After which the Congregation will be seated

We Hear God’s Word

The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 43:1-3a, 10-13,

But now this is what the Lord says,

the Lord Who created you, O Jacob,

the Lord Who formed you, O Israel.

Do not be afraid, because I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name. You are Mine.

2 When you cross through the waters, I will be with you.

When you cross the rivers, they will not sweep you away.

When you walk through fire, you will not be burned,

and the flame will not set you on fire.

3 Because I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior….

…..10 You are My witnesses, declares the Lord.

You are My servant, whom I have chosen,

so that you may know Me and believe in Me,

so that you will understand that I am He.

Before Me no god was formed,

and after Me there will not be another.

11 I, yes I, am the Lord,

and apart from Me there is no savior.

12 I Myself declared it.

I brought salvation, and I announced it.

It was not some strange god among you.

You are Me witnesses, declares the Lord,

and I am God.

13 Indeed, from the first day, I am He.

There is no one who can deliver anyone from My hand.

I act, and who can reverse it?

The Epistle Reading 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

5 Indeed, we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For the God Who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” is the same one who made light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ.

7 We hold this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not despairing; 9 persecuted, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 To be sure, while we are living we are continually being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is working in us, but life is working in you.

13 Since we have that same spirit of faith, which corresponds to what is written: “I believed; therefore, I have spoken,” we also believe, and therefore we speak. 14 For we know that the One Who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us (together with you) into His presence. 15 In fact, all this is for your benefit, so that as grace increases, it will overflow to the glory of God, as more and more people give thanks.

16 Therefore we are not discouraged. But even if our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 Yes, our momentary, light trouble produces for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond any comparison. 18 We are not focusing on what is seen, but on what is not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.

After which the Congregation will please rise,

out of respect for the words of Christ

The Gospel Lesson John 14:18-31

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will see Me no longer, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 The one who has My commands and holds on to them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I too will love him and show Myself to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to show Yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he will hold on to My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 The one who does not love Me does not hold on to My words. The word that you are hearing is not Mine, but it is from the Father Who sent Me.

25 “I have told you these things while staying with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I told you.

27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid. 28 You heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.

29 “I have told you now before it happens so that, when it does happen, you may believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over Me. 31 But I want the world to know that I love the Father and that I am doing exactly what the Father has instructed Me.

After which the Congregation may be seated

We Confess our Faith through 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.

The Children’s Lesson I Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

The Answer to Your Anxiety

The Sermon Hymn Hymn 431 “I Walk In Danger All The Way”

1 I walk in danger all the way;

The thought shall never leave me

That Satan, who has marked his prey,

Is plotting to deceive me.

This foe with hidden snares

May seize me unawares

If e’er I fail to watch and pray;

I walk in danger all the way.

2 I pass through trials all the way,

With sin and ills contending;

In patience I must bear each day

The cross of God’s own sending.

Oft in adversity

I know not where to flee

When storms of woe my soul dismay;

I pass through trials all the way.

3 Grim death pursues me all the way;

Nowhere I rest securely.

He comes by night, he comes by day,

And takes his prey most surely.

A failing breath, and I

In death’s strong grasp may lie

To face eternity today.

Grim death pursues me all the way.

4 I walk with angels all the way;

They shield me and befriend me.

All Satan’s pow’r is held at bay

When heav’nly hosts attend me.

They are my sure defense;

All fear and sorrow, hence!

Unharmed by foes, do what they may,

I walk with angels all the way.

5 I walk with Jesus all the way;

His guidance never fails me.

He takes my ev’ry fear away

When Satan’s pow’r assails me,

And, by his footsteps led,

My path I safely tread.

In spite of ills that threaten may,

I walk with Jesus all the way.

6 My walk is heav’nward all the way;

Await, my soul, the morrow,

When you farewell can gladly say

To all your sin and sorrow.

All worldly pomp, begone!

To heav’n I now press on.

For all the world I would not stay;

My walk is heav’nward all the way.

The Greeting

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord! May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

Sermon Text Philippians 1:12-18

12 I want you to know, brothers, that the things which happened to me actually took place to advance the gospel. 13 And so it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to all the rest, that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And, through my chains, the majority of the brothers in the Lord have become much more confident about daring to speak the word of God fearlessly. 15 Some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, and others out of good will. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking they can cause trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 What does it matter? Only this, that in every way, whether for outward appearance or for the truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Keep Your Eye On the Donut…

…Not the Donut Hole

following the sermon 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, now 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 will rise for

Give Online

Today’s Special Prayers

Included in our prayers today is:

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for God’s grace to Ben Quinlan,

who successfully underwent ACL surgery this past Thursday;

and

A Prayer of Thankgiving for Sandi and Jon Barnes,

whose wedding anniversary is this coming Saturday;

plus

A Prayer of Intercession for Jim Taylor,

who will undergo heart bypass surgery this coming Friday;

and

A Special Prayer asking our LORD to grant us relief from this drought

by providing our region with His blessing of rain.

Today’s General Prayer concluding with….

P: Hear us also, LORD, as we take a few moments to silently offer You our personal petitions and praises.

Silent Prayer

P: Finally, Lord God, accept our thanks for the tremendous privilege of being called Your children, and of being able to come to You now and at any time in prayer. Help us to grow intellectually, emotionally, spiritually through Your Word, so that we may be faithful servants for You in our homes, and communities, in our congregations, and as members of Your Church on earth. Mercifully hear our prayer, and bless us one and all, for the sake and in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, eternally one God, forever and ever. And in Whose name we also offer our Lord’s Prayer:

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

We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper

P: The Lord be with you.

C: (sung) And also with you.

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: (sung) We lift them up to the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

C: (sung) It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

P: 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 has promised us that wherever two or three are gathered together in His name, there He will always be in the midst of them. Therefore with angel and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:

(Sung) Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts.

The whole earth is full of Your glory

You are my God and I will exalt You.

I will lift You up for You have become my salvation.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts.

The whole earth is full of Your glory

The Words of Institution

P: “The peace of the Lord be with you always.”

C: (sung) Amen.

O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;

Have mercy on us.

O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world,

Have mercy on us.

O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;

Grant us Your peace. Amen.

After which the Congregation may be seated.

The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper

The Distribution of the Sacramental Elements

The 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–