The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday – September 29, 2024
also the Twentieth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
and traditionally known as
St. Michael and All Angels Day
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
Michael and All His Angels
Christian author Elisabeth Elliot once wrote about an amazing incident that happened to her father. When he was just a boy, he climbed up to the upper story of a house that was being built. He proceeded to walk out on the end of a board, not realizing it was not nailed at the other end. Suddenly it began to tip, and he knew that he was going to fall and be hurt. But then, just as suddenly – and slowly, it began to go back down, as if someone was standing on the other end. He saw nothing and no one, but he was safe. Her father always maintained that in that moment, God had sent an angel to save his life. Nothing ever shook him from that conviction, because he was certain that some unseen, angelic force had spared him from serious injury – or worse.
According to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, done last year (2023), 69% of American adults believe in the existence of angels. 46% believe they have their own Guardian Angel; and almost one-third (32%) say they have, at one time or another, personally felt an angelic presence in their life. Aside from believing there is a “god,” if there is such a thing as a universal idea, one that cuts across the centuries and across various cultures (and even different religions), it is the belief that the broad spectrum of humanity has in angels. Not only do we Christians believe in angels, so do Jews and Muslims, as well as Buddhists, Hindus and others. Going back far into the past, winged figures have been found on primitive Sumerian carvings, Egyptian tombs and Assyrian reliefs. Images of angels litter life’s landscape from ancient times to the present.
Angels belong to a completely different dimension of creation that we humans can scarcely comprehend. They are created beings, like us, but the angels who serve the LORD are holy (in contrast to us sinners), and possess greater knowledge, power and mobility than we do. The Bible tells us that they are God’s messengers (the name “angel” means “messenger”) and His servants committed to carrying out His will, but that they also function – according to Hebrews 1:14 – as “ministering spirits” which are used by God to care for us.
The faithful Christian Church has always believed that angels exist, and that God uses them to accomplish His purposes, including protecting us and communicating with us. Not only do we teach, from His Word (not from our imagination or speculation), about angels, but we also praise God for the gifts that His holy angels are to us. And that’s what we will be doing this morning as we observe “St. Michael and All Angels Day!”
On the church’s “calendar,” St. Michael and All Angels Day is one of the lesser known observances of the Christian Church, and with some justification. After all, we Christians worship the Lord, not angels; and that must never change! That truth, in fact, is THE dominant point in today’s Epistle Lesson, and so even as we speak about the angels today – recognizing them as special spirit beings that God has created for His glory and for service both to Himself and to us – we’ll want to keep coming back to this essential point: Great as the angels are, Jesus is greater by far! It is through His power and because of His victory over sin, death and Satan that God’s angels can protect us, serve us, and successfully wage Spiritual against Satan for our safe-keeping. The angels, themselves, are simply God’s servants, just as we are. Christ, on the other hand is the world’s Lord and Savior. So, while we praise the Lord today for the presence and protection of His angels in our lives, our primary focus will remain where it must always be: on Christ Jesus our Sovereign God and our Great Redeemer, by Whose blood and righteousness we have been delivered from sin, Satan and eternal death.
However, since Scripture has a considerable amount to say about angels, it’s valuable for us Christians to periodically review what God’s Word teaches about angels (as opposed to that about which our culture today fantasizes…..). We believe that our Lord made these special spirit beings sometime during the six days of creation, in order to participate in carrying out His will on earth and in heaven, as well as to serve us, His human creation. Their role in our lives is very important. In fact, as we reflect upon what God’s Word teaches us about angels, we will want to recognize and praise God for His providential, loving care toward us that has graciously moved Him, among all of their other duties, to command those angels to keep watch over us in all our ways (mentioned in today’s Psalm reading).
In our this morning’s Sermon Text (Revelation 12) we’ll consider the spiritual “counter-parts” to God’s “good” angels….. namely, Satan and his evil demon allies. They were formerly good angels, created by God to serve Him and us, but they joined in rebellion against God, were defeated, and were thrown out of heaven by the faithful army of God’s angels, led by Michael, the archangel. Since then Satan and his demons have continued to fight their losing battle against God and His people – which includes us. Like the “good, godly angels,” these demons are formidable, belonging to a created creature category different from us humans. But – formidable as they are – they cannot and will not overcome us as long as we put our trust in our LORD’s almighty protection and the victory He achieved all His (and our) evil adversaries through His sinless life, death and resurrection for our salvation.
St. Michael and All Angels Place on the Church Calendar
But getting back to today being St. Michael and All Angels Day…..The 29th of September, for centuries, has traditionally been identified as the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels. (Incidentally, its ecclesiastical name is “Michaelmas.”) And while it is certainly one of those “minor festivals” on the church’s calendar, its significance is nevertheless worthy of our attention this morning. We intend to spend our time in worship devoutly weighing what God’s Word says about the angels which our Lord has sent to attend us and to carry out His will. And,– as always — we’ll want to use what we learn as yet another reason to praise God for the grace, goodness and majesty that He manifests toward us through the angels’ ministry to us and before Him.
Festivals in honor of angels have been a part of the Christian Church’s history almost from the days of the apostles. (This is particu-larly true in connection with the history and practice of the Eastern [Greek, Russian, etc.] Orthodox Church — and unfortunately these church bodies have taken this to the unBiblical extreme of worshiping the angels ….something which Scripture forbids in places such as Matthew 4:10 and Revelation 22:8-10, among others). After the time of Constantine the Great (d. 325 AD), who “legitimatized”/made legal Christianity within the Roman Empire, many churches were dedicated in honor of Michael, the Archangel. The significance of September 29 in connection with the Church’s recognition of angels and their service to God and us is that on this particular date in the fifth century, the first church in the West was dedicated just outside Rome in honor of Michael, the Archangel. And so, to this day September 29 has continued to be identified as the day of St. Michael and All Angels.
Who Is Michael?
Next to Gabriel and Satan (Lucifer), Michael is the most famous angelic being in the Bible….even if he isn’t as
well known as the other two. As we noted a few lines earlier, Michael is an archangel. In fact, he is the only archangel (or chief angel) so identified in the Bible. (We’re told that about Michael in Jude 9.) Elsewhere, in Daniel 10 (part of our Old Testament Lesson), he is described as “one of the chief officers.” That would imply that Michael had peers among the angels. However, if there are any other archangels, the Bible doesn’t tell us who they are.
In Daniel’s last (fourth) vision, an angel describes to him how the Last Days will play out for God’s people. The vision covers the period of time from the Persian Empire, through the Greek and Selucid Empires, and beyond the Roman Empire to the ascendance of the AntiChrist, and finally to the very Last Days that will bring about God’s Final Judgment. Daniel 12:1 tells us that during this future period, Michael, “ the great prince who stands over your people will arise.” Here the angel bringing this vision refers to Michael as Daniel’s prince. Now, the Bible doesn’t say what “standing over our people” specifically involves, but it’s clear that Michael has been given special responsibilities to carry out for the benefit of God’s people….namely, the Church.
Interestingly, Michael only says four words in the Bible (actually it’s three Greek words that are typically translated into four English words). Those words are found in Jude 9 where Michael says to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you!” In Revelation 12, one of Michael’s other responsibilities is that of the military commander of God’s angel army. There we learn about a great war that occurred in heaven: Michael and his faithful angels fought against the Dragon (Satan) and his evil angels. The devil and his forces (obviously) were too weak to gain control of heaven, however. So they were defeated and expelled down to the earth (Rev 12:7–9), and eventually will be consigned to hell for all eternity (Revelation 20:7-15).
In Daniel 10, as Daniel fasts, humbling himself before God and praying for understanding regarding the future of God’s people, an angel appears to him after 21 days and explains the delay. He tells Daniel that the “prince of Persia” (apparently a demon) had been opposing him the whole time, and it wasn’t until Michael relieved this angel that he could finally make his trip to Daniel. The angel gives Daniel an outline of future events, but indicates that had to return to the fight against the prince of Persia (and the prince of Greece, another demon, would soon join the fight, too). Only Michael was supporting this angel against these forces of evil (Dan 10:21).
More of God’s Word In Our Worship Today
Moving to today’s Children’s Lesson (which is a portion of today’s Psalm Reading) we’ll talk briefly about the existence of “Guardian Angels,” assigned by God to be present among us to serve and to protect us, His dearly loved children.
Finally, through today’s Gospel Lesson we see that God also uses angels to support His people in distress…..and in this particular case it was Jesus Who needed that support. In Gethsemane, shortly before He allowed Himself to be seized His enemies (with crucifixion to follow hours later), Jesus spends time in earnest prayer to His Father. His human nature is naturally struggling with what He knows will be the physical sufferings of His beatings and crucifixion that are soon to come upon Him, as well as the impending rejection by His Father as our Substitute under God’s wrath. Twice He asks His Father to take that “cup” of suffering away from Him, if it would be possible. But our salvation depended on Christ being our Surrogate for our sins, and so that he suffered God’s wrath against sin in our place. Along with His righteous life, lived on our behalf (so that we are credited with His holiness), Jesus’ death for our sins and His rejection by His Father, were the payments sufficient to secure our forgiveness and salvation. So, knowing there was no other way for us to be saved, Jesus humbly submitted to His Father’s will. In the course of that ordeal in Gethsemane, as God the Father listened to His Son’s prayers, Jesus was given Spiritual support through the presence of an angel that His Father sent to encourage Him.
A Little “Quiz” About Angels
- When did God create the angels?
- True or False: As “spirit” beings, angels are omnipresent capable of being present everywhere).
- How many angels are “named” in the Bible? What are their
names?
- How many times are angels mentioned in the Bible? (choose one) At least…..
30 times 100 times 300 times 500 times
- The name angel means….. good ministering spirit sent/messenger
- True or False The number of angels continues to increase, because when a believer dies, he/she becomes an angel.
- Identify at least three different “classifications” or “ranks” within the angelic hierarchy.
- When are angels first mentioned in the Bible?
- Name at least three instances/situations when angels were directly involved in (or appeared during) the life of Christ on earth.
10 What explanation does the Bible give for why the Devil (once a good angel, who became evil) rebelled against God?
(The answers are in the “Announcements” section)
Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church
We welcome you this morning, in the name of our living Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. May you find abiding peace and renewed strength for your faith and Christian life in His Word of truth as you give your careful attention to God’s Word and offer Him your best worship and praise with us today.
The chief purpose of our ministry, as our Lord enables us, is to serve all people with the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed to us in the verbally inspired, inerrant Scriptures. To that end, it is our privilege and responsibility:
- To proclaim the Law and Gospel keenly and clearly, in order to convict sinners of their sins, to lead them to repentance, to comfort penitent souls, and to build each other up in our faith in the one, true, Triune God through the Means of Grace (the Word and Sacraments of our Lord). and…..
- To equip believers, through that same Means of Grace, to grow in their Christian lives as faithful servants, stewards, and witnesses to others of the redeeming grace of our God in Christ Jesus.
Grace Lutheran Church is a fellowship of individuals and families who have found Jesus Christ to be the only safe and reliable answer to all of life’s problems and critical questions. We are members of the WELS, that is, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Wisconsin indicates the geographical beginnings of a group of Christians who, over a century and a half ago, because of their comprehensive commitment to all that God’s Word teaches, united themselves in a join public ministry which we in the WELS carry on, by God’s grace, to this day.
Evangelical declares that we believe and proclaim the great, foundational principles of the Christian faith: namely, that we are saved by God’s free grace alone (His undeserved love), through faith alone in Jesus Christ. And that this truth is found in Scripture alone (that is, the 66 “canonical” books of the Bible).
Lutheran affirms that we believe, teach, and confess all the doctrines of the historic Christian faith as taught by Jesus to His Apostles, now contained in the written Word of God. Those truths, once all but lost to the Church because of the influences of false teachers, were – by God’s grace and blessing – restored to the Christian Church through the 16th century Lutheran Reformation led by Dr. Martin Luther. We humbly remain today, the grateful heirs of that Lutheran Reformation, Apostolic legacy.
And, finally, Synod states that we, as a congregation, have united in a shared ministry together with 1259 other like-minded WELS congregations across this country, as well as like-teaching Lutherans in 23 other nations. We join them in working together for the purposes of growing in our Christian faith, serving our glorious Lord, and proclaiming His gracious salvation in Christ to the world.
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 dear Son, that You have kept me this 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 wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
We Praise Our God
Greeting and Introduction to Worship
The Opening Choral Selection This is the Day
by Natalie Sleet, Hinshaw Music
Refrain
This is the day that the Lord hath made!
Rejoice! Rejoice, and be exceeding glad!
This is the day that the Lord hath made!
Rejoice! Rejoice, hallelujah!
Christ has conquered death at last,
Left the tomb that held Him fast!
Gone the sorry, gone the night,
Dawns the morning clear and bright! Refrain
Jesus lives Who once was dead!
Crown of glory on His head.
Risen now our Lord and King!
Songs of gladness let us sing! Refrain
After which, the Congregation will be invited to rise
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service
Congregation in the name of the Father”
Pastor Who gave us our lives through His almighty power.
C: And of the Son
P: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.
C: And of the Holy Spirit
P: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. C: Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 91
P: One who lives in the shelter of the Most High will stay in the shadow of the Almighty.
C: I will say of the LORD , “He is my Refuge and my Fortress, + my God, in Whom I trust.”
P: Surely He will rescue you from the fowler’s trap, from the destructive plague.
C: With His feathers He will cover you, + and under His wings you will find refuge. + His truth will be your shield and armor.
P: You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
C: nor the plague that prowls in the darkness, + nor the pestilence ue that destroys at noon.
P: A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
C: You will only observe it with your eyes. + You will see the punishment of the wicked.
P: Yes, LORD, You are my Refuge.
C: If you make the Most High your shelter, + evil will not overtake
you! + Disaster will not come near your tent.
P: Yes, He will give a command to His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
C: They will lift you up in their hands, + so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
P: You will tread upon the lion and the cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent.
C: The LORD says, + “Because he clings to Me, I will rescue him. + I will protect him, because he acknowledges My name.
P: He will call on Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress. I will deliver him and I will honor him.
C: With long life will I satisfy him + and I will let him see My salvation.”
After which the Congregation will be seated for
Opening Hymn Hymn 201 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
1 A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from ev’ry need That has us now o’ertaken.
The old evil foe Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight; On earth is not his equal.
2 With might of ours can naught be done; Soon were our loss effected.
But for us fights the valiant one Whom God himself elected.
You ask, “”Who is this?”” Jesus Christ it is,
The almighty Lord. And there’s no other God; He holds the field forever.
3 Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done! One little word can fell him.
4 The Word they still shall let remain, Nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain With his good gifts and Spirit.
And do what they will – Hate, steal, hurt, or kill —
Though all may be gone, Our victory is won; The kingdom’s ours forever!
after which the Congregation will rise
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor We have come together in the presence of God, our Heavenly Father, Who created us to love and serve Him as His dear children. But We have disobeyed Him through our thoughts, words, and actions, and deserve only His wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins. In the words of Jeremiah, we confess:
Congregation Although our sins testify against us, O LORD, do something for the sake of Your name. For our
backsliding is great; we have sinned against You.
Pastor In the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, we acknowledge how thoroughly sin fills our lives, even our very being:
Congregation From within, out of our hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and make us ‘unclean.’
Pastor Along with the Apostle John, we recognize:
Congregation If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Pastor And in the words of David, before the Lord we plead:
Congregation I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Pastor Jesus says to His people: “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven.” Our Savior’s perfect life and sacrificial death have paid for the guilt and penalty of our sins, and for the sins of the whole world. Do you believe this?
Congregation Yes, I believe this.
Pastor Then be assured that you are a dear child of God and an heir of everlasting life. And now as a called and ordained servant of our LORD, 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. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.
Congregation “We Praise You O God, Our Redeemer, Creator”
(CW 609)
We praise You O God, our Redeemer Creator
In grateful devotion our tribute we bring:
We lay it before You, we kneel and adore You;
We bless Your holy name; glad praises we sing.
We worship You God of our Fathers, we bless You.
Through life’s storm and tempest, our Guide You have been;
When perils o’er take us, escape You will make us,
And with Your help, O Lord, our battles we win.
With voices united, our praises we offer;
To You, Great Jehovah, glad anthems we raise.
Your strong arm will guide us, Our God is beside us.
To You, our Great Redeemer, fore’er be praise! Amen.
The Prayer for Today
O Everlasting God, + Who ordained and constituted + the services of Angels and humans + in a wonderful order; + Mercifully grant that, + as Your holy Angels constantly serve You in heaven, + so by Your direction, + they may support and defend us here on earth. + We also pray, O Lord, + that You would preserve and strengthen every one of us + in the one true, and only faith + that is centered in the redeeming work + of Jesus Christ our God and Savior, + Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, + as the One true God + forever and ever. + Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3
Daniel 10:10 Then a hand touched me and pulled me up, trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a highly valued man. Understand the words that I am speaking to you. Stand up where you are, because now I have been sent to you.” When he spoke this word to me, I stood up, shaking.
12 He said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, because from the first day that you began to commit your heart to gaining understanding and to humbling yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 However, an officer of the kingdom of Persia was standing against me for twenty-one days. Yet Michael, one of the chief officers, came to help me, for I had been left there against the kings of Persia. 14 I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, because the vision concerns days still to come.”
Daniel 12:1 Then at that time, Michael, the great prince who stands over your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress that has not happened from the first time that there was a nation until that time.
At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 Many who are sleeping in the dusty ground will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, to everlasting contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who bring many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.
The Epistle Lesson Hebrews 1:1-14
In the past, God spoke to our forefathers by the prophets at many times and in many ways. 2 In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all things, and through Whom He made the universe. 3 The Son is the Radiance of God’s glory and the exact Imprint of the divine nature. He sustains all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He took His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
4 The Son became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son. Today I have begotten You?” And again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son.” 6 And again, when He brought His Firstborn into the world, He said: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”
7 About the angels He says: “He makes His messengers winds and His ministers flaming fire.” 8 But about the Son He says: “God, Your throne is forever and ever, and the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy beyond Your companions.” 10 And He says: “In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain. They will all become old like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe, and they will be changed like a garment. But You are the same, and Your years will never end.
13 To which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool under your feet?” 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent out to serve for the benefit of those who are going to inherit salvation?
after which the Congregation will rise, for the reading of
The Gospel Lesson Luke 22:39-46
39 Jesus left and went out to the Mount of Olives, as was His custom. His disciples followed Him. 40 When He reached the place, He told them, “Keep praying that you may not enter into temptation.”
41 He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.”
43 An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 44 As He was in agony, He prayed more fervently. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.
45 When He rose from prayer, He went to the disciples and found them sleeping as a result of sorrow. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and keep praying so that you may not enter into temptation.”
The Apostles’ Creed melody: “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
(CW 411)
I believe in God the Father, Maker of the heav’ns and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, our Savior, God’s own Son, of human birth.
Virgin born, the Lord incarnate, Whom the Spirit did conceive,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Our salvation to achieve.
Crucified, was dead and buried, Down to hell in victory;
From the dead He rose the third day;
Up to heav’n triumphantly.
There at God’s right hand He’s ruling,
By His will the world is led.
He will come to judge the nations, Both the living and the dead.
I believe in God the Spirit, In His Church, His chosen band.
They are joined in close communion,
Holy in His sight they stand.
I believe in sins forgiven; That the dead will rise again;
I believe in life eternal. Amen! Amen! A – – men!
after which the Congregation will be seated
The Children’s Lesson Psalm 91:9-12
If you make the Most High your shelter, evil will not overtake you. Disaster will not come near your tent. Yes, He will give a command to His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. 12 They will lift you up in their
hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Someone To Watch Over You!
Hymn of the Day Hymn 196 “Lord God, To You We All Give Praise”
1 Lord God, to you we all give praise; To you our joyful hymns we raise
That angel hosts you did create Around your glorious throne to wait.
2 They shine with light and heav’nly grace And constantly behold your face.
They heed your voice; they know it well; In godly wisdom they excel.
3 They never rest nor sleep as we; Their whole delight is but to be
With you, Lord Jesus, and to keep Your little flock, your lambs and sheep.
4 The ancient dragon is their foe; His envy and his wrath they know.
So now he subtly lies in wait To ruin school and church and state.
5 But watchful is the angel band That follows Christ on ev’ry hand
To guard his people where they go And break the counsel of the foe.
6 O Lord, awaken songs of praise For angel hosts that guard our days;
Teach us to serve you and adore As angels do forevermore.
The Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge
of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sermon Text Revelation 12:7-12
7 There was also a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon. The dragon fought back along with his angels, 8 but he was not strong enough. There was no longer a place for them in heaven. 9 The great dragon was thrown down—the ancient serpent, the one called the Devil and Satan, the one who leads the whole inhabited earth astray—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 They conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives in the face of death. 12 For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and those who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, for the Devil has gone down to you. He is full of rage, because he knows that his time is short.
Michael and All His Angels
after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
The Post-Sermon Blessing
To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority now and forever. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our 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.
At the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise
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We Offer Our Prayers to the Lord
The Prayers for this Day –
Petitions of Intercession on behalf of:
Tim Pfortmiller, who is continuing to receive treatments to eliminate the cancer that is afflicting him;
and
Ruth Strackbein, (Cynthia Tragasz’ mother) who is in hospice care;
plus
a Prayer of Thanksgiving for Joyce and Allen Skogen, whose wedding anniversary is this coming Thursday.
LORD God, as we stand before You today, we pray that You would graciously preserve Your Church by sending
Your holy angels to watch over her, and bless her with peace and unity throughout the world.
Bless all of us who are gathered here before You today. Grant us the supportive and protective presence of Your holy angels. Deliver us from the dangers of our sinful nature and this wicked world, along with the threats of Satan and his demonic allies. Preserve us, through Your Holy Spirit, in the saving faith You have given us, keeping us always as members of Your chosen flock of believers.
Heavenly Father, You have established the various earthly authorities for our peace, preservation and safety. Bless our president; all national and local legislators; judges; as well as everyone else who makes, administers and judges our laws. Give them the wisdom their duties require, and the desire to faithfully seek and do Your will.
Holy Lord, watch over everyone who is suffering for Your name’s sake. Also guard and keep all those who are incarcerated, the hungry and ill-clothed, the poor and the lonely, those who travel, and all who cry out to You in their time of need. Grant that Your holy angels may be with them always, guarding and keeping them.
Gracious God, fill us with an added measure of Your Spirit, so that we might be enabled to put away all our sinful pride and humble ourselves before You, trusting You to provide for all our needs of body and soul.
Since our Savior overcame every Satanic temptation for our sakes, and took up His cross for our salvation……inspire us, LORD, to gladly offer ourselves and all that we have every day to gratefully and faithfully serve You, as our Savior so selflessly has served us.
Hear this prayer and all other prayers we bring before Your throne of grace, heavenly Father, in the name and for the sake of Christ Jesus, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, as the one true God, now and forever. In His name we also join in praying:
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 Conclude With the Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
Brothers and sisters, go in peace.
Live in harmony with one another. And serve the Lord in gladness.
The LORD bless you and keep you
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The LORD look upon you with favor, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn God the Father, Son and Spirit:
(Regent Square; CW 578) cwh 2009
God the Father, Son and Spirit: As our service ends today —
Thank You, LORD, for granting us this time to study, sing and pray —
May our faith, which You have strengthened,
be for Your praise, now, alway.
From eternity You chose us, All by grace and grace alone.
Through Your saving Word You called us,
In our hearts, You made Your throne —
Gave us faith in Christ, our Savior, Who for our sins did atone.
Help us all, Lord to be faithful Throughout life, unto the end.
May each one of us be useful — that your Kingdom might extend
Through this town, across this nation, and to earth’s remotest end.
Grace for all, from every station, blood-bought souls from near and far
Christ has earned for us salvation: “Reconciled to God, we are —
Life through His death. It is all done.” Glorify our Morning Star!
LORD, for Your great love, we praise You,
Guiding us our whole lives through
Day by day our faith, You renew — May we e’er to You be true
Serving You in all that we do ‘Til in heav’n, we live with You. Amen.
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