The Nineteenth Sunday After Trinity
The Twenty-first Sunday of the Pentecost Season
October 23, 2022
Conversations About Christ
You lived next door to me for years
We shared our dreams, our joys, and tears.
A friend to me you were indeed…
A friend who helped me when in need.
My faith in you was strong and sure
We had such trust as should endure.
No spats between us ever rose;
Our friends the same…and so our foes.
What sadness then, my friend, to find
After all that, you weren’t so kind.
The day my life on earth did end
I found you weren’t a faithful friend.
For all those years we spent on earth
You never talked of second birth.
You never spoke of my lost soul
Or about Christ, Who’d make me whole.
I plead today from Hell’s cruel fire
And tell you now my last desire.
You cannot do a thing for me…..
No words today my bonds will free.
But do not err, my friend, again;
Do all you can for souls of men.
Plead with them now quite earnestly,
Lest they end up in Hell with me. (Author Unknown)
Are you afraid to have conversations with your family and friends about Christ? Do you care enough about someone’s lost or struggling soul to have a conversation about Jesus with someone who doesn’t believe, or who’s drifting away from faith and who needs to repent while there’s still time? Do you feel that you’re “too busy” with the projects and priorities of your life to have the time to share your faith in Christ with others? What is it in your life, or your heart, that you allow to hinder you from sharing your faith in Christ as openly and as often as you could?
Some among us do have either the “gift” of evangelism, or at least a disposition to be a witness for Christ to others. But even those so gifted and inclined often struggle when it comes to actually doing the work of evangelism for our Lord. Perhaps that’s because, for many of us, going to the dentist to have a root canal might just about be preferable to having a conversation with someone about Christ, our Savior. Why that should be the case for Christians is simple…..we’re sinners, who – somehow – are typically hesitant to reveal our faith in Christ to others, let alone to share with others why it should be important for them (as it is for us) to repent, believe in the true God and be saved for heaven.
And yet – as it’s well-expressed in the preceding poem – not only should we have conversations with others about Christ, but also unbelieving and Spiritually-struggling souls all around us desperately need us to have those conversations about Christ with them now…..before it’s too late and they end up having to stand in their unbelief before Christ for judgment…..only to be told “depart from Me you who are cursed, into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Simply put, true friends don’t let family, friends, and even strangers go to hell when we have the opportunity (and calling) to point them to Christ and to heaven instead. Let’s be those kind of friends….
And so, in the words of one of our hymns for today, “Let us Talk About the Savior” whenever, wherever and with whomever God gives us the opportunity. Let’s all have more Conversations about Christ, starting today..
Today’s Scripture Lessons
This morning’s Old Testament Lesson is both an appeal and a promise. The appeal: to turn to the Lord and live, to seek Him while He may be found. The promise: that His Word will accomplish the purpose for which He sends us out into the world with it. In our Christian witnessing, we need both to see the situation of those without the LORD (that they do not possess His gift of eternal life), and to recognize that the Gospel we share with them has God’s power and promise for spiritual success behind it.
In our Epistle Lesson the Apostle Paul informs us of his attitude toward soul-winning. He let nothing, not even his personal “rights” and preferences, get in the way of his being a tool through which God the Holy Spirit would bring people to faith in Christ. He gladly became “all things to all men, so that by all means possible”, the Lord might save some through his ministry.
This morning’s Gospel Lesson/Sermon Text is the story of how Jesus effectively witnessed to a Samaritan women, bringing her to faith in Him….and how she, in turn, became a witness to others about Him as she eagerly, joyfully and successfully shared her new-found faith with her friends. Lord, give each of us such an eager and committed faith, willing to actively share the Good News about You with family and friends and strangers alike.
In our Children’s Lesson for today we’ll use the example of the links of a chain to talk about our personal responsibility to “pass on” to others the Good News of salvation in Christ that others have shared with us.
As we consider these portions of God’s Word this morning, which speak about every Christian’s mission (or calling) in life, I hope it’s apparent to us all that we need to get back more (in some cases, much more ) “on task” as individuals and as a Christian congregation. Having been given our “parachute” (the gift of saving faith in Christ) by God the Holy Spirit, let’s recommit ourselves to the mission God has given us to share that Good News of faith in Christ with others. And let’s do this – not merely to grow our congregation numerically and so, to make our “church organization” more secure…..and not just to have others join us in enjoying the earthly blessings and benefits of being part of a church family; but – so that many others can share with us in God’s gift of eternal salvation through faith in Jesus. In so doing, the LORD will be glorified as His Kingdom will grow through the grateful service that we render to Him through our Gospel ministry to others.
Finally, the importance and value of every one of us being involved in doing this work of seeing to it that the Gospel of salvation is proclaimed in our world…..as God has given each of us the ability and opportunity – is (I believe) quite well expressed in yet another poem, which follows. As you read it, please consider both what you haven’t done, and what (God-enabling) you can do to have more conversations about Christ with others.
- Ten little Christians, standing in a line, one disliked the preacher,
then there were nine.
• Nine little Christians stayed up very late, one slept in on Sunday,
then there were eight.
• Eight little Christians on their way to heaven, one took his own road,
then there were seven.
• Seven little Christians chirping like some chicks, one disliked the music, then there were six.
• Six little Christians seemed very much alive, but one lost his interest, then there were five.
• Five little Christians pulling for heaven’s shore, but one stopped to rest, then there were four.
• Four little Christians, busy as a bee, one got her feelings hurt,
then there were three.
• Three little Christians knew not what to do, one couldn’t forgive another, then there were two.
• Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done, quarreled over petty stuff, then there was only one.
• One little Christian, can’t do much ‘tis true; brought his friend to Bible study – then there were two.
• Two earnest Christians, each brought one more, that doubled the number; then there were four.
• Four sincere Christians worked early and worked late, each found another, then there were eight.
• Eight splendid Christians, if they doubled as before, in just a few short weeks, there’d be 1,024.
Pre-Service Prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, the Apostle Paul once referred to himself as the Chief of Sinners. But in my heart I know that – not Paul, but – I am that Chief of Sinners…..wholly undeserving of Your love, of Your many mercies, and particularly of the forgiveness and salvation You won for me through Your innocent suffering and death along with Your resurrection. As I confess my sins to You this morning, please remove the burdens of guilt and unworthiness that afflict my heart and conscience. As I hear the assurance that You have wiped my sin-slate clean because of Your great love for my sou, fill me once more with the joy and confidence for eternity that every Christian ought to possess. As I meditate on Your Word today, strengthen my faith and remind me once again of why I am here: To live a life of love and faithful obedience….all to Your glory alone. Finally, Lord Jesus, send me back out into the world after this service, sure of my salvation, motivated and better equipped by the Holy Spirit to serve You with all that I am and have, eager to share with everyone I can the blessed hope of everlasting life that is ours through faith in You. Now bless the Pastor as he brings Your Word to me. Bless my fellow Christians as they worship You with me. And bless my soul as I mediate on Your Word and worship You today. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Grace Lutheran Church of Northwest Arkansas
is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a church body which spans the United States and Canada, and which also operates a number of foreign missions.
Our Vision: Extend God’s Kingdom through His Word,
serving each Soul.
Our Mission: Share the Gospel, Encourage Faith, and Prepare Souls
through Worship, Education and Fellowship.
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.
pre-service prayer
pre-service music
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation To Worship
following which, the Congregation will rise for the invocation
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father
Congregation Who gave us our lives through His almighty power.
P: And of the Son
C: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.
P: And of the Holy Spirit
C: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
P: Amen.
The Opening Prayer
O Lord God, Heavenly Father, + You have prepared for those who love You + blessings that greatly exceed our understanding: + Pour into our hearts such devotion to You, + that we may love You above all things, + and lead us, by faith, + to Your eternal promises, + which exceed all that we can imagine or desire. + We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, + Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the one true God, + now and forever. + Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn “Let Us Talk About The Savior”
(Sung to the tune “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”)
Let us talk about the Savior Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.
With our tongues and whole behavior Let us each His praises sing.
With our unchurched friends and neighbors With the strangers that we meet
Let us share our priceless Treasure, Jesus, Savior, oh, so sweet!
Let us tell man how He suffered Died, and rose to set us free
From the power of sin and Satan, Life to give to you and me.
When we see man lost and stumbling In the wilderness of sin
Let us tell how God gave Jesus Everlasting life to win.
Let us talk about the Savior, Let us speak of sin and grace,
For there’s nothing but the Gospel Which can save our fallen race.
“Go and tell to all who’ll listen, Jesus is the only way.”
He alone has died to save us, This is what the Scriptures say.
Let us talk about the Savior, Christian members go and tell
For this place where God has placed us Needs that message just as well.
Every single congregation, Faithful witnesses must be,
When it comes to Gospel preaching, Now and ’till eternity. Amen.
After which the Congregation will rise
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor Brothers and sisters in Christ: the Word of God urges us to confess to our Lord all our sins of thought, word, and action. This is something that ought to be daily part of our spiritual lives, and should come forth from every heart
that is humble and penitent. But we should especially do this when we meet together in His house to thank God for all that He has done for us, to praise Him, and to hear His life-giving Word. Therefore, come with me now, to our Heavenly Father’s throne of grace, and let us confess our sins together.
Congregation Miserable person that I am, + I confess and lament to You, O most holy God, + that I am a weak and sinful creature, + guilty of every sin, of unbelief, and of blasphemy. + I also confess that Your
Word has not brought forth good fruit in me. + I hear it, but do not receive it earnestly. + I do not show works of love toward my neighbor. + I am full of anger, hate, and envy. + I am impatient, greedy, and bent on every evil. + Therefore my heart and conscience are heavy. + Lord, I ask You, free me from my sins, + strengthen my faith, + and comfort my weak conscience by Your divine Word, + that I may obtain Your promised grace.
Pastor Having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, now 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, rest assured that your sins have been fully covered by the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ your Savior. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Now, in the peace of God’s forgiveness, let us together praise our gracious and glorious Lord!
The Congregation responds by singing “The Lord, my God be Praised”
(CW 610)
The Lord, my God be praised, My God Who ever-living
To Whom the Heav’nly host All praise and honor giving
The Lord, my God, be praised In Whose great name I boast
God Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost
To Him with joyful song Our praises we are bringing
And with the angel throng Thrice “Holy” we are singing,
With one united voice The Church does Him adore.
The Lord, my God, be praised Now and forevermore. Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 145
P: I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name for ever and ever.
C: Every day I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever.
P: Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.
C: One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts.
P: They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.
C: They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds.
P: They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
C: The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
P: The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.
C: All you have made will praise You, O LORD; Your saints will extol You.
P: They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
C: Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations.
P: The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.
C: The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
P: The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time.
C: You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
P: The LORD is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made.
C: The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
P: He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
C: The LORD watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
P: My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
C: Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever.
after which, the Congregation will be seated
We Give Our Attention To God’s Word
This Morning’s Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 55:1-11
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My faithful love promised to David. 4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. 5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has endowed you with splendor.”
6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
The Epistle Lesson I Corinthians 9:19-23
19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
after which the Congregation rises out of respect for the words of our Savior
The Gospel Lesson John 4:25-42
4 He had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there. Then Jesus, being tired from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone into town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” she said, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his animals.” 1
3 Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty ever again. Rather, the water I will give him will become in him a spring of water, bubbling up to eternal life.” 15 “Sir, give me this water,” the woman said to him, “so I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband, and come back here.” 17 “I have no husband,” the woman answered. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say, ‘I have no husband.’ 18 In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews insist that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But a time is coming and now is here when the real worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for those are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (the one called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I, the one speaking to you, am He.”
27Just then His disciples returned and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do You want?” or “Why are You talking with her?”
28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29″Come, see a Man Who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ ?” 30They came out of the town and made their way toward Him. 31Meanwhile His disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33Then His disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought Him food?” 34″My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him Who sent Me and to finish His work. 35Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days. 41And because of His words many more became believers. 42They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this Man really is the Savior of the world.”
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.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
Our Children’s Lesson Acts 22:14-15
14″Then he said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth. 15You will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Be A “Link” in the Good News Chain
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 573 “Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying”
1 Hark! the voice of Jesus crying, “Who will go and work today?
Fields are ripe and harvests waiting; Who will bear the sheaves away?”
Loud and long the Master calleth; Rich reward he offers thee.
Who will answer, gladly saying, “Here am I– send me, send me?”
2 If you cannot speak like angels, If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus; You can say he died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked With the Judgment’s dread alarms,
You can lead the little children To the Savior’s waiting arms.
3 If you cannot be a watchman, Standing high on Zion’s wall,
Pointing out the path to heaven, Off’ring life and peace to all,
With your prayers and with your off’rings You can do what God demands;
You can be like faithful Aaron, Holding up the prophet’s hands.
4 Let none hear you idly saying, “There is nothing I can do,”
While the multitudes are dying, And the Master calls for you.
Take the task he gives you gladly; Let his work your pleasure be.
Answer quickly when he calleth, “Here am I– send me, send me!”
after which, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED
The Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord. May the God of peace fill you with all joy in believing! Amen.
Today’s Sermon Text John 4:4-42
Some Conversations About Christ
following the Sermon, the Congregation will rise
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, now encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Post-Sermon Hymn Hymn 566 “We all are one in mission”
1 We all are one in mission; We all are one in call,
Our varied gifts united By Christ, the Lord of all.
A single great commission Compels us from above
To plan and work together That all may know Christ’s love.
2 We all are called to service, To witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are diff’rent; Our purpose is the same:
To touch the lives of others With God’s surprising grace,
So ev’ry folk and nation May feel God’s warm embrace.
3 Now let us be united, And let our song be heard;
Now let us be a vessel For God’s redeeming Word.
We all are one in mission; We all are one in call,
Our varied gifts united By Christ, the Lord of all.
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship.
However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash) to the church address: (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745) Or
2) You can donate on our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
the Congregation will please rise as the offerings are brought to the altar
We Offer Our Prayers to the Lord
Today’s Special Prayers
Included in our prayers this morning are:
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
for Brenda Bontke who continues to recover from injuries sustained in a severe auto accident, followed by surgery a few weeks ago;
plus
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Brenda and Robert Bontke who will celebrate their wedding anniversary this Thursday.
The Lord’s Prayer and Response
Congregation: Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name;
Pastor Grant Father, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be proclaimed freely among us and throughout the world, and that we may live holy, Godly lives to the glory of Your name.
C: Thy Kingdom come;
P: Grant, Father, that the proclamation of the Gospel may bear much fruit, so that large numbers of men, women, and children from every nation and tribe may come to know and believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ.
C: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
P: Grant, Father, that we may never forget that it is Your will that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Grant that we may remember that we are to carry out Your will by being witnesses of Christ to the world. Father, may Your will be done through us!
C: Give us this day our daily bread;
P: Grant, Father, that we may always remember that every good gift is from above and that the earth and all that is in it are Yours. May we also trust in Your for our daily bread. Then we will confidently share our blessings with others and return to You a large, generous portion of the gifts You have entrusted to us.
C: And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
P: Forgive us, Father, for all the times we have given offense and kept others from coming to You. Forgive us for being so indifferent and cold to Christ’s command to preach the Gospel to every nation. Forgive us for so frequently forgetting that Christ died for us and that we should no longer live for ourselves, as a result, but for Him who died and rose again for us. Grant that we may also forgive those who sin against us, love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and do good to those who hate us, that we might, by all means possible, lead some to Christ.
C: And lead us not into temptation;
P: Grant, Father, that Satan, the world, and our own sinful flesh may not tempt us to neglect the supreme task of the Church. Grant that we never squander away our time while the world rushes toward Judgement Day; that we never waster our financial resources on the pleasures and luxuries of this life, and in so doing deny others the Bread of Life. Heavenly Father, keep us from these and all other temptations.
C: But deliver us from evil;
P: Protect us, Father, from all harm and danger, but grant that we will always boldly confess our faith in Jesus no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the result may be.
C: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Blessing
Pastor May the Lord be with you.
Congregation – And also with you.
The Doxology
Pastor Now, to Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy —
Congregation to the only God, our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
The Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon You and be gracious unto you,
The Lord look upon you with favor, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 562 “I Love to Tell The Story”
1 I love to tell the story Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story Because I know it’s true;
It satisfies my longings As nothing else can do.
Refrain: I love to tell the story; ‘Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.
2 I love to tell the story, For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting To hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
‘Twill be the old, old story That I have loved so long. [Refrain]
Announcements
Last week at Grace
Worship Attendance: 50 (47 communed) Bible Class: 23 Sunday School: 3
Budgetary Fund: $1666 Online Offerings: $413.33 Audio/Video (Online) $101.31
This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship, 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School/Bible Class – 11:05 a.m.
Youth Confirmation Class, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday NO Bible Class (Pastor out of town)
Wednesday Bible Classes (for Women) 6 p.m.
Saturday Outreach Calls, 10 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m.
Fellowship Period, 10:50 p.m.
Bible Class & Sunday School, 11:05 a.m.
This Week’s Birthdays & Anniversary October 23 – Linda Winnat
October 23 – Carol Ann Heinemann October 27 – Michael King;
October 27 – Brenda & Robert Bontke;
Serving Us Next Sunday (10-30)
Ushers: John Luedtke, Pat Quinlan, Ben Quinlan
Elders: Tim Pfortmiller & Steve Stone Fellowship: Jim & Linda Winnat
Altar Guild: Linda Winnat, Marilyn Outlaw
Pastor Huebner Will Be Out Of Town From Tuesday through Thursday. Last Friday, his very close friend and schoolmate of nearly 50 years, Pastor Jim Krause, suddenly was called home to heaven. Pastor Krause served at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, TX. His funeral is Wednesday morning, and Jim’s family has asked Pastor Huebner to conduct his funeral service. He will be returning home to Arkansas late Thursday afternoon.
Grace Lutheran Church
Morning Bible Study
October 23, 2022
- Luke 14:15-25
- Jesus compares heaven to a banquet. Many are invited. All are expected to come. Many refuse. Why?
- Who are the “servants’ in Jesus’ story, and exactly what are they supposed to do?
- What do verses 23-24 suggest about those who eventually are brought to the banquet, and about the consequences of not getting into the banquet?
- Why would Jesus follow this parable with the comments He makes in verses 25-27?
- Our Witness
- What are some of the reasons that Christians give for not sharing their faith with others?
- What are “unchurched people” like……… (Agree/Disagree)
- Unchurched people don’t pray
- Unchurched people are afraid of death.
- Unchurched people don’t believe in Jesus
- Unchurched people have lower moral standards and values than church goers.
- Unchurched people are often anti-church, but not necessarily anti-God.
- The reasons most people don’t go to church are more sociological than theological.
- Most unchurched people know little or nothing about the Bible.
- Young people are the most difficult to interest in coming to church.
- The primary cause behind the majority of formerly unchurched people who become churched is that a church member personally invited them, and they enjoyed the experience.
III. II Kings 5:1-15
- Put yourself in this young girl’s sandals for a moment. You’ve been taken captive and made a slave. How would you feel had you been her?
When we’re dissatisfied with the “cards” that God has “dealt” us in life, how does that affect our Christian witness to the world? (Incidentally, for some “therapy” if your attitude is less than it should be due to your life’s unpleasantries, please consider James 1:2-4 and Philippians 4:4-9)
- How did the fact that Naaman had leprosy help the young girl witness to him? What are some life-circumstances that might provide us with opportunity to witness to others about our Lord.
- What was the result of the young girl’s witness? (Verse 15)
- How can the words of Isaiah 55:10-11, as well as what Jesus says in Matthew 10:18-20, help us as we share our faith in Him with people?
III. The Ministry of the Apostle Paul (I Corinthians 3:6 and 9:19-23)
- Let’s also consider what Paul says in I Corinthians 3:6 in connection with witnessing. Who really does the work of “catching” a soul for the Lord?
- According to I Corinthians 9:19-23, what was Paul’s personal approach to witnessing to others about Christ?
- Finally, Let’s look at a few words from Jesus………
- John 9:4
- What was “the work of Him Who sent Me” for Jesus? What is it for us?
- What is the “night” to which Jesus refers?
- Mark 16:15-16
- Grammatically, what is the first word of this passage? And what does it say, then, to you and me?
- Practically-speaking, how can we possibly carry out Christ’s instructions?
- Ultimately, what’s at stake for those to which we’re supposed to witness?
FIVE PASSAGES TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU SHARE YOUR FAITH:
Matthew 5:48…”Be perfect therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”….God’s expectation for everyone.
Romans 3:23……”All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” …..No one’s good enough; everybody sins.
Romans 6:23-24……”The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” …..What we deserve, contrasted with what we actually receive.
John 3:16…..”God so loved the world…that whoever believes….HAS eternal life” …. God loved; God gave; We believe it
Ephesians 2:8-10……”For it is by grace you have been saved through faith…..it is the gift of God, not by works……..for we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” Our salvation is a GIFT of our gracious God through FAITH in Christ…We DON’T have to EARN it…Our purpose is to SERVE God. (Also I Cor 10:31)
My Unchurched Friends Who Need Jesus
WHO ARE YOUR UNCHURCHED FRANS?/ Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors, and Strangers.
Family member/Relative Close Friend
Co-worker Neighbor
Widow/Widower Newcomer to the area
Family with a new baby Someone recently touched by death
Someone dealing with a personal crisis Recently divorced / someone lonely
Someone seriously/significantly ill (physical or emotional) Friend in a community activity
Others….