The Fourth Sunday of the Easter Season
Also known as Jubilate (Rejoice) Sunday
and also as Mother’s Day May 11, 2025
Our Joy in Jesus!
The story is told of 3 prospectors who found a rich vein of gold in California during the famous 1848 gold rush. They realized that they’d made a great discovery, and so they concluded, “We’’ve got a really good thing going for us here as long as no one else finds out about it.” Each of them then took a vow to keep their find a secret. As a group they headed for town with the intention of filing their claim and getting the equipment necessary to mine their gold. True to their vows, not one of them said a word to anybody. They filed their claim, bought the equipment, and headed back to their mine. But as they worked their way through and out of town, a crowd of people began following them. The reason? Because of the expression on their faces; that’s what gave them away. Their faces were aglow in anticipation of the wealth that soon would be theirs. Anyone looking at them could see in the joy radiating from their faces that they had found something very special.
Across the ages, people have pursued joy down every avenue imaginable. For most, any joy found has been, at best, temporary and incomplete. There are so many dead ends and unsatisfying results! Since the experience of not finding real joy is more common, perhaps it would be best for us to consider first where joy cannot be found:
* Not in Unbelief — the Frenchman, Voltaire, was one of history’s greatest and boldest unbelievers. Throughout his life he ridiculed Christians and Christianity, but near his life’s end, Voltaire sadly wrote: “I wish I had never been born.”
* Not in Pleasure — the Englishman Lord Byron proudly lived a life of decadent and disobedient pleasure if anyone ever did. Surveying the results of his life, just before he passed away, Byron reluctantly wrote: “The worm, the cancer, and grief are all mine alone.”
* Not in Money — Jay Gould was a 19th century American millionaire, who had far more money than he needed, but he always wanted more. While on his death bed, Gould said, “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”
* Not in Fame or Military Glory — Alexander the Great is known as one of the world’s greatest ancient figures. He conquered the known world in his day, over three centuries before Christ’s birth. Having done so, he wept in his tent, overcome by a feeling of emptiness and lack of fulfillment, for – he said – “There are no more worlds for me to conquer.”
Where then is real joy found? — the answer is simple – and we celebrate it today – in Jesus Christ alone, and the
salvation He gives us through faith in Him.
Traditionally, the Christian Church has designated the fourth Sunday of the Easter Season as a special day on which to concentrate on the true “joy” which we, as Christians, have in our hearts and lives by virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection for our salvation. Over the years this particular Sunday has come to be known as “Jubilate Sunday.” “Jubilate” is the Latin word for “rejoice;” it is found (underlined) in the first verse of our Psalm reading for today, Psalm 66, which has customarily been read in Christian churches down through the centuries on this “Rejoicing Sunday.”
The Scripture lessons that will be central to our worship today — and our worship should always be Biblically based — begin with our Old Testament Lesson from Proverbs 31. Here we’ll consider the many praiseworthy qualities of “the woman of noble character.” Notice that the emphasis here is not on a woman’s outward beauty, but on the inner-woman, whose heart is faithful and attentive to the needs of her family and friends, who works industriously, has a positive reputation in the community, is trusted and honored by those she serves, but especially “who fears (believes in) the Lord.” May our gracious God endow all our women, wives, and mothers with the admirable character traits and talents of “the woman of noble character,” but we particularly pray that He will continue to bless and strengthen their faith in Him.
In this morning’s Epistle Lesson, we’ll hear Paul speak about his joy in Christ, plus his encouragement to us to remain joy-filled Christians, even in the face of adversity (Paul was in prison at the time). We’ll especially want to take to heart his encouragement to “Rejoice In The Lord ALWAYS.” After all, we Christians have a special (and superior) kind of joy that the children of this world will never know – apart from Christ: the inexpressible joy of knowing our sins are forgiven and that one day we will have a heavenly home through faith in Jesus.
In our Gospel Lesson for this morning (which also doubles as our Sermon Text) we’ll listen to Jesus talk with His disciples in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday about the extreme sorrow they would soon temporarily experience (at His capture and death; something His enemies would celebrate). Christ tells them that their sorrow, however, will be turned into a most remarkable joy that would never end. They would experience that joy once they realized on Easter that He had indeed risen from the grave – conquering sin, death and Satan for them (and us) and assuring all who believe in Him not only of God’s forgiveness for all sins, but of everlasting life in heaven through faith in Him. He reminds them (and us) too, that as His followers living in this world we’re inevitably going to encounter all sorts of trouble….but that we shouldn’t be discouraged. Instead, we should be encouraged, and even rejoice, because His crucifixion and resurrection victories for us have already guaranteed us an eternal victory over life’s sufferings, and well as our sins, death and Satan’s power.
Finally, this morning’s Children’s Lesson centers on the joy the Apostle Peter had in his heart, and which He knew was also in the hearts of those Christians to which he was writing. His joy was not based on his earthly circumstances, but on the forgiveness and eternal salvation that He had (and we have) through faith in Jesus Christ our Savior.
A Brief History and Commentary on Today’s Sermon Hymn:
“Now Thank We All Our God”
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
For modern American churchgoers, today’s Hymn of the Day (and Sermon Hymn), “Now thank we all our God,” likely conjures up an image of a congregation singing in unison, a pipe organ blasting away at a stately tempo, and a church full of people thinking about the approaching feast of stuffed turkey with cranberry sauce. In order to understand where this hymn came from, let’s briefly look at the life of it’s author, Martin Rinkert.
This German Lutheran pastor and his family probably firstsang this hymn before a meager meal, thanking God for the scraps of food they had on the table in their modest home in a desolate refugee city that was afflicted with famine and disease and war. The earliest estimated date for this hymn is 1636 and the oldest known date is 1663. Consequently, this hymn was certainly (and most likely) written during or shortly after one of history’s most devastating conflicts, the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648).
Martin Rinckart (1586-1649) was an accomplished musician who studied at the University of Leipzig and then spent most of his career as a musician and archdeacon in the city of Eilenburg during the Thirty Years’ War. The walled city of Eilenburg became the refuge for political and military fugitives, but the result was overcrowding, along with famine and eventually a deadly pestilence/plague. Armies overran the city three times. The Rinkart home was a refuge for the victims, even though he was often hard-pressed to provide for his own family. During the height of a severe plague in 1637, Rinkart was the only surviving pastor in Eilenburg (the others had either died, or fled the city and their flocks). As a result, he conducted as many as 50 funerals in a day. Rinkart performed more than 4000 funerals in that year, including that of his wife.
His experiences during the Thirty Years’ War had a profound impact on Rinckart’s poetry, just as it did for his hymnwriter contemporaries. Lutheran scholar Carl Schalk observed that unlike the objective hymn texts of the Reformation period (focused more on Biblical doctrine), the “cross and comfort” hymnody written during the Thirty Years’ war reflected the life situations of the people who first sang those hymns, relating theology to every-day life.
The “Nun danket” tune, composed by Johann Crüger (1598-1662), first appeared in 1647 in Crüger’s Praxis Pietatis Melica: Das ist Ubung der Gottseligkeit in Christlichen und Trostreichen Gesänägen (“Practice of Piety in Song: That is practice of Godliness in Christlike and Comforting Songs”), which was reprinted in its tenth edition the year 1661 with 550 chorales and subsequently became the most reprinted Lutheran (and also Protestant) chorale book in Germany. “Nun Danket alle Gott” was probably also included in the original German edition of Rinckart’s Jesu Hertz-Büchlein (1636). In the hymnal’s seconed edition, of 1663, the hymn was entitled “Tisch- Gebetlein” (“A little table music”), which suggests that it was intended to be sung as grace before a meal.
Only a few of the 66 hymns in Rinckart’s collection were reprinted into German hymnbooks over the centuries. The version of “Now thank we all our God” with which we are familiar was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878). Winkworth published almost 400 translations of German hymns into English for hymnals between 1855 and 1869.
It’s worth noting that the text of the first two stanzas is based on the Old Testament Apocryphal book of Sirach 50:22-24: Now bless the God of all who everywhere does great things, who raises us up from our birth and deals mercifully with us. 23 May he give us gladness in our hearts, and may there be peace in our time, in Israel as in times past.” (CEB)
The first stanza is a depiction of a bounteous and gracious God who has blessed us and provided for us. The text is propelled forward by the phrases beginning with “who/whom” and ending in descriptors of God’s actions:
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms….
For someone in Rinckart’s dire situation, this expression of abundant gratitude might seem like hyperbole. If you don’t live in constant fear of starvation, the plague, and invading armies, you are already quite a bit more fortunate than he; and yet, he expands this description of God into the second stanza by bridging the two with similar ideas (anadiplosis) “countless gifts” at the end of the first stanza with a “bounteous God” at the beginning of stanza two.
The second stanza of the hymn moves to the future, praying for guidance and a continuation of thanks and praise:
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace, and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills, in this world and the next.
The second stanza also employs the poetic device of anaphora by beginning each phrase with “and” in three successive phrases: “and keep us…,” “and guide us…,” “and free us….” The three verbs are arranged in an implied chronological order that leads up to the final phrase “this world and the next.”
The third and final stanza brings the hymn to a close by acting as a German Gloria Patri (Lesser Doxology), which offers praise to all Persons of the Trinity and acknowledges God’s eternal nature in the last line.
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
the Son, and him who reigns with them in highest heaven,
the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
Pre-Service Prayer – O Lord God, Almighty Creator, from Whom every good and perfect gift comes, You have bountifully blessed me across the course of my life. You have converted and preserved me in my faith through Your Word and Sacraments. You have provided for my bodily needs. You have protected me from spiritual harm and have kept me in the true Christian faith. For your abundant goodness to me, I humbly praise and thank You. In the days and years that might lie ahead for me, I implore You to continue to bless me with Your abiding presence, Your Fatherly protection, and Your guidance in all areas of my life. I submit myself to Your gracious will, with the confidence that You will use me, as Your humble servant, in whatever ways will serve to further Your glory and Your kingdom. Bless and enrich my faith as I meditate on Your Word today, and receive my heart-felt praises and generous, first-fruits offerings as my humble expressions of my life for You, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, my Savior and Lord. It is in His name that I pray. Amen.
The portions of God’s Word 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
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation to Worship
The Invocation
C: In the name of the Father,
P: Who gave His Son into death for us
and raised Him in glory on the third day;
C: And of the Son,
P: Who laid down His life
only to take it up again on the third day;
C: And of the Holy Spirit
P: through Whom Christ was made alive,
Who has worked saving faith in our hearts,
Who lives in us now through the Word,
and Who will one day give life to our mortal bodies.
C: Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 66, selected verses
P: Shout for JOY to God, all the earth!
C: Sing the glory of His name; + give to Him glorious praise!
P: Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies come cringing before You.
C: All the earth worships You and sings praises to You. + they sing praises to Your name.
P: Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard.
C: He has kept our soul among the living + and has not let our feet slip. + For You, O God, have tested us; + You have tried us as silver is tried.
P: Come and hear, all you who fear God; I will tell you what He has done for my soul.
C: I cried to Him with my mouth; + And high praise was on my tongue.
P: If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
C: Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer + or removed His steadfast love from me!
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 160 “This Joyful Eastertide”
1 This joyful Eastertide
Away with sin and sorrow!
My love, the Crucified,
Has sprung to life this morrow.
Refrain:
Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain:
But now is Christ arisen, arisen, arisen;
But now is Christ arisen!
2 Death’s flood has lost its chill
Since Jesus crossed the river;
Lover of souls, from ill
My passing soul deliver. [Refrain]
3 My flesh in hope shall rest
And for a season slumber
Till trump from east to west
Shall wake the dead in number. [Refrain]
During the final verse of this hymn, John and his family will come forward
The Baptism of John Ryan Tart
The Blessings and Purpose for Baptism
The Lesson Mark 10:13-16
13 Some people began bringing little children to Jesus so that He would touch them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said, “Let the little children come to me! Do not hinder them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen I tell you: Whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And He took the little children in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
The Exhortation to the Parents
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.
The Sacrament of Baptism
The Exhortation to Grace Lutheran Congregation
Our Prayer for John Ryan Tart
Afterward, John and his family will return to their seats
At the pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor: As we approach the Lord in worship today, let us all confess our sins and seek God’s forgiving mercy:
Congregation: O Lord, hear my prayer, + Listen to my cry for mercy + and in Your faithfulness, come to my relief. + Do not bring Your servant into judgment, + for no one living is righteous before
You. + Answer me quickly, O Lord; + my spirit fails. + Do not hide Your face from me, + For I have put my trust in You. + Show me the way I should go, + for to You I lift up my soul. + Teach me to do Your will, + for You are my God.
Almighty God, merciful Father, + I, a troubled and repentant sinner + confess that I have sinned against You in my actions, thoughts and words. + I have not loved You with all my heart; + I have not loved others the way I should. + I have not been a faithful steward of the time, abilities, opportunities and resources + which You have entrusted to my care. + I have not always been eager and willing to worship You, serve You, or learn from You as I ought. + My transgressions, whether deliberate or done out of ignorance + are too numerous for me to recall. + I know that because of them + I deserve Your punishment both now and eternally. + But I truly am distressed by + and deeply sorry for my sins. + And so I implore You, for Jesus’ sake, + to have mercy upon me + and to forgive me, + a poor, sinful being.
Pastor: Jesus says to His followers: “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven.” Do you believe this word and promise of your Savior?
Congregation: Yes, I believe.
Pastor: Then according to the command and promise of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His place, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Be at peace once more with your God, assured that you are a dear child of God and an heir of eternal life in heaven through faith in Christ Jesus.
Congregation: O Lord, my God + I called to You for help + and You answered me. + I thank You for the love You have shown me in Jesus Christ, my Savior. + Through Him You have rescued me from
the guilt and curse of my sin. + Renew me now, through Your Holy Spirit + that I might faithfully fight against all temptation, + correct whatever wrongs I can, + and live in the peace of Your forgiveness. + Let my life be filled with Your love and praise. + Now and forever. + Amen.
The Congregation Continues by singing: (CW 169)
Joyful, joyful we adore You, God of glory, God of love!
Heav’n and earth bow down before You,
Praising You, our Lord above.
You our Father, Christ our Savior,
With the Spirit faith provides,
Life eternal we’ve been granted, gracious gift that e’er abides.
You are giving and forgiving, Ever glorious, Ever blest.
Source of every kind of blessing, Giver of eternal rest.
You have claimed us as Your children
Heaven’s heirs through faith alone
In the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Your Son.
Lord, receive our prayers and praises,
weak and humble though they be.
Yours the power, Yours the glory, Both today and endlessly.
None beside You, None before You, God of mercy, full and free.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, ever blessed Trinity. Amen.
Our Prayer for This Morning
Lord God, Heavenly Father, + You hold us in the palm of Your gracious hand, + and You promise to always support and bless us – as we continue to love and trust in You. + Father, so much of what we experience in this sinful world + threatens to rob us of the joy that should be in our hearts as Your beloved children. + So, please, through Your Holy Spirit, + keep us strong in our faith, + growing our godliness through faithful use of Your Word, + that we might continue rejoice every day + in the forgiveness and everlasting life that are ours in Christ, our Savior, + Who – along with You and the Holy Spirit – live and rule 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 Old Testament Lesson Proverbs 31:10-30
10 Who can find a wife with strong character? Her value is greater than that of gems. 11 Her husband’s heart trusts her, and he never lacks wealth. 12 She does good for him and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She obtains wool and flax. She eagerly works it with her hands.
14 She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night. She gives food to her household. She gives their share to her female servants. 16 She considers a field and acquires it. From her own income, she plants a vineyard. 17 She wraps strength around her waist like a belt, and she makes her arms strong.
18 She realizes that she makes a good profit. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands for the distaff, and the palms of her hands grasp the spindle. 20 She opens the palm of her hand to the oppressed, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She does not fear for her household on account of snow, because her entire household is clothed in scarlet clothing. 22 She makes bedspreads for herself. Fine linen and purple cloth are her clothing. 23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits with the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and she delivers belts to the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and kind instruction is on her tongue. 27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her household, and she does not eat bread that she did not work for.
28 Her children rise up and bless her. Her husband rises up and praises her: 29 “Many daughters show strong character, but you have surpassed all of them.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vapor that vanishes, but a woman who fears the Lord should be praised. 31 Give her credit for the fruit of her hands, and let her accomplishments praise her in the city gates.
The Epistle Lesson Philippians 4:1-23
So then, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way keep standing firm in the Lord, my dear friends.
2 I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to come to an agreement in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, true coworker, bring these women together, who contended alongside me in the gospel, as did also Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if anything is excellent, and if anything is praiseworthy, think about these things. 9 The things that you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: Keep doing these things. And the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord now that you have revived your concern for me once again. Actually, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I lack anything; in fact, I have learned to be content in any circumstances in which I find myself. 12 I know what it is to live in humble circumstances, and I know what it is to have more than enough. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, while being full or hungry, while having plenty or not enough. 13 I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you did well by becoming partners with me in my affliction.
15 You Philippians know that in the beginning of your experience with the gospel, when I left Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 Even while I was in Thessalonica, you sent help more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am seeking the fruit that adds to your account. 18 I have been paid in full, and I have more than enough. I am fully supplied since I’ve received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully supply your every need, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever! Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are from Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
The Sequence Hymn “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” (CW 618)
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: John Darwall, 1731-1789; Tune: Darwalls 148TH, 66.66.88
Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’archangel’s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice! Amen.
after which the Congregation will rise, for the reading of
The Gospel Lesson John 16:1-33
“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a
time is coming when anyone who murders you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do these things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you may remember that I told them to you. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.
5 “But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth: It is good for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own, but whatever he hears he will speak. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I said that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.
16 “A little while, and you will see Me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” 17 So some of His disciples said to one another, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does He mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him, so He said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see Me, and again a little while and you will see Me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of Me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now You are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson I Peter 1:8-9
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Our Real Joy Comes From Knowing
That We Have Been Saved
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 610 “Now Thank We All Our God
1 Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom his world rejoices,
Who from our mother’s arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.
2 Oh, may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us
And keep us in his grace
And guide us when perplexed
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.
3 All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and him who reigns
With them in highest heaven,
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heav’n adore!
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon Salutation
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 John 16:1-33
Joy in the Face of Sorrow
following the Sermon, the Congregation will rise for the blessing
Pastor May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
We Present our Prayers and Offerings to the Lord
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship. However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash, please) to our church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
2) You can donate through our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord are Gathered
After the offerings are brought to the altar,
the Congregation will be invited to rise for
A Special Prayer for Mother’s Day
The Prayers of the Church
P: Lord God, on account of your rich mercy poured out on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, hear our prayers. Continue to look graciously on us and Your whole Christian Church on earth.
C: We rejoice in the freedom from condemnation and in the redemption that is ours through Christ. On account of Jesus’ saving work we are Your treasured possession. We thank You for all those persons in our past which You used to proclaim to us the Gospel of the crucified and risen Savior, and which caused faith to arise in our hearts.
P: As the Gospel continues to be proclaimed throughout the world, we pray that the leaders of its many nations would make the kind of decisions, O Lord, that reflect Your love for the whole human race. Guide and protect our nation’s citizens from all harm – physical and spiritual. Also cause all the governments of the world to work for the well-being of all people. We especially pray that You would move the world’s leaders to give the Gospel free course in their lands, so that it might find fertile ground in the hearts of all who hear it.
C: We also pray for our own congregation, that in our Christian lives we might consistently walk – not according to the flesh, but – according to the Spirit, caring for one another, and showing generosity toward all those whose needs are evident. But enable us also to look outside these walls where we worship, to the many other treasured souls all around us for which Christ also went to cross, and lead us to do all within the means that You have given us to proclaim Jesus’ love to them.
P: Through Holy Baptism and the ministry of Your Word we became – and have remained – members of Your family of faith. As we reflect upon this great blessing, move us to joyfully raise our hearts and hands in grateful and faithful service to You – the God of our salvation.
C: Bless all who worship and serve You through this House of God. Let Your Word touch the lives of everyone here as we meditate upon the mysteries of Your great love for us in Christ Jesus. Help us also to remember our responsibility to work together with the other congregations of our Synod, in order to see to it that the Gospel is proclaimed throughout our country and around the world. Also, watch over our Synod’s missionaries and lay workers who have gone out into the world on our behalf with the Gospel of Jesus.
P: Lord, we know that the devil will do his upmost to ruin our lives on this earth and our hope for going to heaven. When Your children are damaged by the struggles of this life continue to strengthen and sustain them with the blessed assurance that they are Your treasured possession, and that You are always working for their earthly and eternal good. In particular this morning, we offer prayers of intercession for:
Mary Talbert who was injured in a fall this past week;
and for
Tim Pfortmiller, who is continuing to receive treatments for cancer;
P: We also pray for our those brothers and sisters within our church and extended family who are facing health and personal problems ranging from cancer to diabetes, from vision disorders to fibro- and polymyalgia, from respiratory distress to heart disease, from depression to dementia, to various physical injuries and their complications…… and other ailments and afflictions, as well as loneliness, marital and family problems, employment and financial difficulties, and more.
C: We are so small, so frail, so powerless to manage life’s challenges and even life’s ordinary situations. Lord, please help all those we know and care about who are in need – granting them Your gifts of healing and health, support and success….the continuing assurance that You are fully aware of their personal and spiritual needs, and that You have the ability and commitment to meet them….. indeed, that You have a perfect plan for the lives of every one of us (whether or not we understand and appreciate it), and that You will never take us into any circumstances in which You will not work things out, in the end, for our best personal and spiritual interests, and particularly for Your glory and honor.
P: We also ask Your blessing today for Sheila and Monte Ewald, who are celebrating their wedding anniversary today, and for Lindsay and Ryan Bratton, whose wedding anniversary is tomorrow. We thank you for the love You have given to the Ewalds and Brattons, that has united them as Christian couples, and we pray that You will continue to grow their love for each other in the years to come, founded on their love for You, O Lord. Also, continue to bless them, as You know best in the years ahead. And thank You for the example of marital faithfulness that both Monte and Sheila, as well as Ryan and Lindsay set before us.
P: Hear us also as each of us brings our personal and private praises, requests and petitions before You.
Silent Prayer
P: Now heavenly Father, answer our prayers according to Your will, not because we earned or deserve any of Your blessings, but because of Jesus our Savior who has also taught us to pray:
C: Our Father, Who art in heaven + Hallowed be Thy name. + Thy Kingdom come. + Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. + Give us this day our daily bread. + And forgive us our trespasses + as we forgive those who trespass against us. + And lead us not into temptation. + But deliver us from evil. + For Thine is the kingdom + And the power + And the glory + Forever and ever. Amen.
We Conclude our Worship
The Benediction
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 to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor, and give you peace. Amen.
The Closing Choral Selection May the Lord Bless You
May the Lord bless you. May the Lord keep you.
May the Lord lift up His face to shine on you.
May the Lord bless you. May the Lord keep you.
May the Lord lift up His face to shine on you.
May the Lord hold you in His hands
May His love always protect you from all harm.
May God go with you, where e’er you go.
May His love guide you throughout your life.
May the Lord bless you. May the Lord keep you.
May the Lord lift up His face to shine on you.
Silent Prayer, Announcements
Post-service music
+ + + Thank You and God Bless You + + +
Thank you for being a part of our worshiping assembly this morning.
We invite you to join those around you for some good conversation and fellowship at the conclusion of today’s announcements, in the back of our chapel. (Normally we meet for fellowship in our gymnasium/fellowship hall, but due to our Voters’ meeting today, we’ll meet in the rear of the chapel).
We also invite you to worship with us again in the future either in person, or online through our YouTube.com channel (Grace Lutheran Church, Lowell, AR). We also hope that you will participate in the future in one of our Bible studies (again, either in person, or online).
Finally, if you have any questions about membership at Grace, we would be honored to have you become a member of our church family. Please speak to our Pastor about that whenever it is convenient for you.
May the comfort of God’s love and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ be with you throughout this day and this week.