The Twenty-first Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Also known as the Nineteenth Sunday after
the Festival of the Holy Trinity – October 11, 2026
A Summer/Fall Study of Philippians:
The Grace of God in Christ is THE Source of our Joy
Keeping Our Focus on Faith’s Goal
A customs officer, relying on his years of experience catching smugglers, watched a truck pulling up to his customs station on his country’s border. Something didn’t appear right. And so, suspicious, he ordered the driver out and searched the vehicle. He pulled off the door panels, looked through the engine compartment, scoured the passenger compartment and meticulously looked through the trunk. He even pulled off the wheel wells and looked inside, and he also carefully checked out all the tires…including the spare…trying to find something hidden inside them! But he didn’t find a single item of contraband. He was still suspicious, but didn’t know where else to search, so he waved the driver through. The next week, the same driver arrived again at the customs station. And, again, the official searched and searched and searched. But he didn’t find anything illegal. Over many years that same driver appeared again and again. The customs official tried full-body searches, X rays, and ultra-sound, anything he could think of. But not matter what he tried to use to detect illegal contraband, he never discovered any illicit cargo. And so, every time – always feeling defeated – he reluctantly waved the driver on.
Finally, after many years, the officer was about to retire. The driver pulled up on his final day of work. “I know you’re a smuggler,” the customs officer said. “Don’t bother denying it. But I just can’t figure out what you’ve been smuggling all these years and how you’ve been doing it. I’m retiring, and today is my last day here. I solemnly swear I won’t turn you in to the authorities. So, will you please tell me what you’ve been smuggling all these years and how you’ve gotten away with it?”
The driver took a long pause, smiled and slowly said, “Trucks.”
Sometimes, we can’t see for forest because of the trees. (That’s an expression my mother often used.) Another way of putting that is, “It’s easy to miss the obvious.” That’s particularly true when it comes to matters of faith. Please allow me to explain.
There’s so much that happens in our lives that calls for our attention – sometimes our immediate attention (like a glass being spilled as its knocked off a table, or a flat tire while on the way to work); and sometimes our continuing attention (our bills; the death of a loved one; ongoing health complications). Those occurrences are all just part of life….particularly life lived in a sinful world where varying types of problems seem to constantly happen. And – understandably – we react and respond to those events…..from immediately cleaning up the spilled water to going to the doctor routinely to address a particular health problem. There’s nothing wrong….and a lot good….with your and my being “responsible.”
But……as sinners (and who among us isn’t a sinner….actually, a very convincing sinner)…..we often allow life’s earthly matters, concerns and emergencies so consume our attention, efforts and thoughts that we don’t end up giving nearly the kind (and volume) of attention to matters of eternity….matters of faith…..that we should be giving them – and which God wants us to give them.
That’s why the Holy Spirit nearly 20 centuries ago inspired Peter to remind us to keep our focus on eternal life in heaven through Christ, and the faith in Him that will carry us there. He talks about this focus in the words of 2 Peter 3:10-14: “10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the elements will be dissolved as they burn with great heat, and the earth and what was done on it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be, living in holiness and godliness, 12 as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God? That day will cause the heavens to be set on fire and destroyed, and the elements to melt as they burn with great heat. 13 But according to His promise we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, dear friends, as you look forward to these things, make every effort to be found in peace, spotless and blameless in His sight.”
So – while it’s necessary for you and me to promptly clean up that
spilled water before someone slips on it, as well as take care of responsibly managing and paying our bills…among other daily life-duties – let’s make sure what we are giving the matters of eternity, and so the good Spiritual health of our soul the amount of energy, effort and time that the LORD expects us to give them each and every day! “Faith first – always” should be one of the driving themes of every believer’s life.
I hope that’s the case for you already…..and so that today’s worship service will be merely a reminder and reinforcement of what you’re already doing to put the matters of your faith first in your life each day. (That includes not only time spent focusing on God’s saving grace to you in Christ….but also your ongoing Spiritual growth through your personal study of God’s Word, as well as your public worship, daily devotional and prayer life, but also how you put to use the talents and treasures that God has entrusted to you – first for His purposes, and then for your benefit.) On the other hand, if you’ve been lax in keeping your Spiritual focus because you’ve been allowing one or more of your life’s demands and disappointments to occupy your thinking at the expense of your focusing on your faith and your LORD…..then this service can serve as a good wake-up call for you to examine your priorities, to repent where you’ve put earthly issues ahead of Spiritual matters, and to get “in step” with the Apostle Paul, the people of Judah, and the congregations in Philippi, Corinth and Jerusalem – among other believers….so that you can rededicate yourself to keeping your mind, heart and life focused on your faith….particularly on those eternal matter for your soul.
Paul summarizes his focus (one worthy of our emulation) in these words from today’s sermon text, Philippians 3:13-14: “Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Today’s Scripture Lessons
This morning’s Old Testament Lesson, from Isaiah 51, is a message of hope to those in Judah who loved God. Isaiah was writing a bit more than 700 years before Jesus’ birth. In his day the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed by the Assyrian empire….a punishment from God, whom they had totally rejected to worship idols instead. Those same Assyrians were also threatening the southern kingdom of Judah, and the Jewish people were terrified that the same fate would befall them. Through these words from Isaiah, God tells them that they have nothing to fear….provided they remain faithful to Him. He promises to restore their broken nation. He tells them that He will take them from feelings of despair to joy over the blessings He will give them. As proof the LORD reminds them of His history of dealing with them. Just as He took Abraham from being barren and fatherless to becoming “the father of many nations,” even so He will bless them abundantly. Consequently, through Isaiah God calls His people to wake up Spiritually, to recognize and rely on His power, and to find their real comfort in the eternal salvation He promises them and all who believe in Him (….us, included).
In this morning’s Epistle Lesson, Paul addresses the matter of the Corinthian Christian’s rather hurtful – and unfair – criticism of his apostleship. He explains a few of the rights and responsibilities that God has given him as an apostle….such as the right to receive material support, the privilege to travel with a believing wife, and the general support and appreciation that he is due as God’s representative and the pastor who has served them faithfully. He properly argues that these rights are grounded in Scripture, including God’s command not to muzzle an ox while it treads grain (Deuteronomy 25:4)…in other words, to provide His ministers with adequate material support. Nevertheless, Paul says that he chooses not to demand those rights, because he wants to offer them the Gospel free of charge, for their benefit and God’s glory, and not for any personal gain on his part. In fact, he points out that his intent in his ministry is to accommodate and serve as many people as he can in whatever ways are (first) faithful to God, and of direct benefit to others…..even if that comes at a personal cost to him. That’s why he says, “To the weak, I became weak so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people so that I may save at least some. And I do everything for the sake of the Gospel so that I may share in it along with others.” Paul’s goal was to be God’s instrument to serve and save souls with the Gospel, and he was faithful in his calling. As you look back at your past, and review your present…..can the same be said of you? God-enabling it will be in the future.
In the Gospel Lesson before us today, Jesus is encountered by three would-be disciples. Each expresses a desire to follow Him, but each also introduces a condition or a hesitation for following Him immediately. In each case, Jesus responds with statements that reveal the cost, the urgency, and the single-mindedness required of true discipleship. What His other disciples learned that day, and what Luke was inspired to record for the benefit of the Church at large, is applicable to every one of us reading this today. The first man wanted “Discipleship, but with Comfort.” He promised Jesus that he would follow him wherever he went….but apparently in his heart he harbored some reservations – lest he be too inconvenienced. Jesus’ response to him was, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” The second man was willing to eventually follow Jesus….but only after he buried his father. Jesus response at first seems rather cold….but, again, Jesus could read that man’s heart (as He reads our hearts too!). He knew there were going to be more excuses coming. So, Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go (now!) and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Here He is emphasizing that being a part of and proclaiming the message of His Kingdom does not come behind our first fulfilling our personal, earthly obligations and priorities. Finally, He wants us to realize that true discipleship demands our undivided focus. He shows us this through the third man who asked if he could follow Jesus, but right after he went home to say farewell to his family. Again, Jesus gives what initially seems like a cold response, but the Savior sees a “divided heart” in this man. That, ultimately, was a first commandment issue…..either the man would first love Jesus (as our God) with all his heart, soul, and mind…..or his parents (family) came first. So, Jesus challenges him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” In summary, in today’s reading Jesus presents the matter of being one of His disciples as involving a wholehearted commitment that places Him above comfort, social expectations, and personal attachments…among other things. Being a citizen-disciple in the kingdom of God requires decisive, unwavering dedication.
In our Children’s Lesson, the writer to the Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in their faith by avoiding (and, when you can’t avoid them, then laying aside as quickly as possible) all sinful behaviors and any other distractions that can hinder or derail our faith. Today we’ll talk about the mirror that’s in the front of every car….a mirror that is very useful – on occasion – but can become a great distraction and even a danger if the driver pays too much attention to what’s going on behind him/her. Instead, our writer urges his readers to run “the race of faith” with determination and patient endurance…always keeping their eyes focused on Jesus, the Ultimate Example of steadfast faith and faithfulness. We’re reminded here, as Christians, that perseverance in our faith is not optional; it is essential for Spiritual success…..namely enjoying eternal life in heaven one day, for Jesus’ sake.
Finally, today’s Sermon continues our fall worship and service series on Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. The Apostle beings by acknowledging that he has not yet attained perfection on this side of heaven (he won’t as a sinner; neither will we until we all get to heaven) but he continues to press on to take hold of what Christ has called him to…namely the perfection of eternal life in heaven one day. Paul also talks about our lives of faith in terms of a long-distance race, that requires the runner to persevere, be disciplined and stay determined to reach his goal of the finish line. By application, the final goal of every Christian’s faith is everlasting life with Christ in glory….something our Savior has already guaranteed us through Spirit-given faith in Him. Paul also urges his readers to imitate his example and that of others who also live according to Christ’s teachings, and he calls on them to encourage and support one another in their Spiritual journey, while avoiding any and all worldly influences. That brings him to making the contrast between believers and those who are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose minds are set on earthly things, indulgence, and shameful pursuits….and who have prioritized material, selfish desires over Spiritual growth and heavenly citizenship. He reminds us that our their true citizenship is in heaven. And then Paul, in closing, points to the future physical and Spiritual transformation of believers’ bodies on the Last Day, so that they will be like Christ’s glorious, holy body…..which underscores the ultimate goal of the Christian life: eternal life with Christ in heaven and participation in His glory.
Prayer Upon Entering Church – Heavenly Father, You showed Your grace by bringing me to faith in Christ through the work of Your Holy Spirit, and then by giving me the blessing of being called Your child. Though what I offer You today is so small, compared to all You have done for me, please accept my humble offerings of praise and thanksgiving, as well as my gifts. Also, Lord, help me gladly hear and take to heart the Good News of salvation from sin for me and all people through faith in Your Son, my Savior. Renew and invigorate me with Your Holy Spirit today and every day, that I might live a confident life of faith and love to Your glory, and that I might share, by all possible means, at every opportunity, the same Good News of salvation through Christ which has filled my life with peace and purpose. Amen.
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 #A712831
Pre-service prayer Pre-worship music
The Service Introduction and Invitation to Worship
Let Us Praise The Lord
The Opening Hymn: Hymn 226 “To Your Temple I Draw Near”
1 To your temple I draw near;
Lord, I love to worship here.
Here are sacrament and Word;
Here believers meet their Lord.
2 I through Christ am reconciled;
I through Christ become your child.
Abba, Father, give me grace
In your courts to seek your face.
3 While your glorious praise is sung,
Touch my lips, unloose my tongue,
That my joyful soul may bless
Christ the Lord, my righteousness.
4 While the prayers of saints ascend,
God of love, to mine attend.
Hear me, for your Spirit pleads;
Hear, for Jesus intercedes.
5 While I listen to your law,
Fill my soul with holy awe
Till your gospel brings to me
Life and immortality.
6 While your ministers proclaim
Peace and pardon in your name,
Through their voice, by faith, may I
Hear you speaking from the sky.
7 From your house, when I return,
May my heart within me burn,
And at evening let me say,
“I have walked with God today.”
The Congregation will be asked to rise for
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.
(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
The Prayer for This Morning
Almighty God, + bless the preaching of Your Word + throughout Your Church in all the world. + Bless every Christian with the gifts of the Holy Spirit + making us wise in the knowledge of our Savior, + equipping us for productive work in Your Kingdom, + giving us joy in serving You, + and strengthening our faith + so that we might remain loyal to You -– as the only true God –- as long as we live. + We humbly ask this – not because we have earned or deserve Your blessings – but according to Your mercy, + and in the name, and for the sake, + of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, + 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 as
We Give Our Attention to God’s Word
The First Lesson Isaiah 51:1-16
Listen to Me, you people who pursue righteousness,
you people who seek the Lord!
Look confidently to the rock from which you were hewn
and to the quarry from which you were cut.
2 Look confidently to Abraham your father,
and to Sarah, who gave birth to you.
Yes, when I called him, Abraham was only one person,
but I blessed him and multiplied him.
3 The Lord is certain to comfort Zion.
He will comfort all her ruins.
Certainly He will make her wilderness like Eden
and her wasteland like the garden of the Lord.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of music.
4 Pay attention to Me, O My people.
My nation, listen to Me!
For the law will go out from Me,
and I will establish My justice as a light to the peoples.
5 My righteousness is near.
My salvation goes forth,
and My arms will bring justice to the peoples.
The seacoasts will wait for Me.
They will have confidence in My arm.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens.
Look closely at the earth beneath,
because the heavens will vanish like smoke,
and the earth will wear out like a garment,
and its inhabitants will die like gnats.
But My salvation will remain forever,
and My righteousness will never be abolished.
7 Listen to Me, you people who know righteousness,
you people who have My law in your hearts.
Do not fear the insults of men,
and do not be discouraged by their abuse.
8 Because a moth will consume them like a garment,
and its worm will consume them like wool.
But My righteousness will remain forever,
and My salvation will last for all generations.
9 Wake up! Wake up!
Clothe yourself with strength, you arm of the Lord!
Awake as in days of old,
as in generations of long ago.
Was it not You Who cut Rahab to pieces,
and Who pierced the sea monster?
10 Was it not You Who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep,
and Who made a road through the depths of the sea
for the redeemed to cross over?
11 Then those ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Zion with a joyful shout,
and everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Happiness and joy will overtake them.
Sorrow and sighing will flee away.
12 I, even I, am the One Who comforts you.
Who are you, Zion, that you fear humans, who die,
or a child of Adam, who passes away like grass?
13 You have forgotten the Lord, your Creator,
Who stretches out the heavens,
Who makes the earth stand firm.
You tremble continually all day,
because of the rage of the oppressor,
who is preparing to destroy.
But where is the rage of the oppressor now?
14 The prisoner will soon be released.
He will not die and go to the pit,
and he will not lack bread.
15 I am the Lord your God,
Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar.
The Lord of Armies is His name!
16 I have placed My words in your mouth,
and with the shadow of My hand I have covered you—
I, Who planted the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth,
I, Who say to Zion, “You are My people.”
The Epistle Lesson I Corinthians 9:19-27
19 In fact, although I am free from all, I enslaved myself to all so that I might gain many more. 20 To the Jews, I became like a Jew so that I might gain Jews. To those who are under the law, I became like a person under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might gain those who are under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, I became like a person without the law (though I am not without God’s law but am within the law of Christ) so that I might gain those who are without the law. 22 To the weak, I became weak so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people so that I may save at least some. 23 And I do everything for the sake of the Gospel so that I may share in it along with others.
24 Do you not know that when runners compete in the stadium, they all run, but only one receives the prize? Run like that—to win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable victor’s wreath, but we do it for an imperishable one. 26 That is why there is nothing aimless about the way I run. There is no pummeling of the air in the way I box. 27 Instead I hit my body hard and make it my slave so that, after preaching to others, I myself will not be rejected.
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson Luke 9:57-62
57 As they went on the way, a man said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow Me!”
But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61 Another man also said, “I will follow You, Lord, but first let me say good-bye to those at my home.”
62 Jesus told him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
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 may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson Hebrews 12:-13
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us get rid of every burden and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patient endurance the race that is laid out for us. 2 Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, Who is the Author of our faith and the One Who brings it to its goal. In view of the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of God’s throne. 3 Carefully consider Him Who endured such hostility against Himself from sinful people, so that you do not grow weary and lose heart.
Rear-view Mirror People
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 457 “Fight the Good Fight”
1 Fight the good fight
With all your might;
Christ is your strength and Christ your light.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Your joy and crown eternally.
2 Run the straight race
Through God’s good grace;
Lift up your eyes and seek his face.
Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the path and Christ the prize.
3 Cast care aside,
Lean on your guide;
His boundless mercy will provide.
Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life and Christ its love.
4 Faint not nor fear;
His arms are near.
He changes not, and you are dear.
Only believe, and you will see
That Christ is Lord eternally.
The Sermon Text Philippians 3:12-21
12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus also took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature continue to think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this to you too. 16 Only let us think the same thing and walk in line with what we already have attained.
17 Brothers, join together in imitating me and in paying attention to those who are walking according to the pattern we gave you. 18 To be sure, many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. I told you about them often, and now I am saying it while weeping. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their appetite, and their glory is in their shame. They are thinking only about earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. We are eagerly waiting for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 By the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, He will transform our humble bodies to be like His glorious body.
Pressing On To Faith’s Goal
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May the God of peace, Who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, now equip you with everything good for doing His will! Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
We offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) Those in the chapel can place their offerings in the offering plates
2) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
3) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
The Offering Hymn Hymn 485 “We Give The But Thine Own”
1 We give thee but thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from thee.
2 May we thy bounties thus
As stewards true receive
And gladly, as thou blessest us,
To thee our firstfruits give.
3 Oh, hearts are bruised and dead,
And homes are bare and cold,
And lambs for whom the shepherd bled
Are straying from the fold.
4 To comfort and to bless,
To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless,
Is angels’ work below.
5 The captives to release,
To God the lost to bring,
To teach the way of life and peace–
It is a Christ-like thing.
6 And we believe thy Word
Though dim our faith may be:
Whate’er for thine we do, O Lord,
We do it unto thee.
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
after the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation will rise for
Today’s Prayers
Included in our prayers is a Prayer of Thanksgiving for
Christine and Pat Quinlan, whose wedding anniversary is tomorrow.
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
P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord in gladness.
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 grant you His peace.
C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.
Closing Hymn Hymn 125 “When I Survey The Wond’rous Cross”
1 When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Silent Prayer
Announcements
Post-service music