The Fifteenth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Also known as the Thirteenth Sunday after
the Festival of the Holy Trinity – August 30, 2026
Today we are beginning a new summer/fall service and sermon series
on Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi. This morning and over the next nine weeks we’ll consider how…..
The Grace of God is
THE Source of our Joy in Christ
Philippians is one of my favorite books in Scripture. Perhaps that’s true for you too. Personally, I’m excited to be preaching this special book, for three reasons:
First, although the letter is short, it covers almost every Christian doctrine. As we work through it over the next few months, we’ll come in contact with many of the great teachings of our Christian faith….doctrines that include the Person and work of Jesus Christ, justification by faith, the Savior’s Second Coming, and a number of different aspects of our Christian lives of “Sanctification” (or godly living).
Second, this book spends a lot of ink addressing the matter of Christian relationships – good and bad – and how important it us for us, as we do Christ’s work, to work together in Christian unity and love.
Third, and this is what Philippians is best known for….under the Spirit’s inspiration, God uses Paul to tell us how we can always find joy, as believers, even in the midst of our personal pain, deprivation, uncertainty, hardships, and even the threat of immanent death.
Some Background Information on Philippians
The City of Philippi Originally known by the name Krenides (the city of springs), Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, changed its name to honor himself in 358 B.C. when he conquered the city. Three centuries later, in 42 B.C. one of the greatest military battles in history was fought nearby at Actium, for control of the Roman world between forces led by Octavius (Caesar Augustus) and Mark Antony and the forces of Julius Caesar’s murderers: Brutus and Cassius. After the battle with its victory for him and Antony, Octavius made the city a Roman colony as an expression of gratitude for the loyalty of its citizens to the house of Caesar. The city also gained other benefits that, by the time of Paul’s visit (Acts 16:12), made it one of the chief cities in all of Macedonia. Twenty centuries later, however, Philippi sits as a city of nothing but ruins, visited only by sight-seeing tourists.
Paul’s Association with the Philippians Immediately after his “Macedonian call” (Acts 16:9), Paul made his first visit to Philippi. It was, in fact, his first stop on European soil, and he preached there with remarkable success. The congregation’s most well-known member (at least as far as any record we have in Scripture) was a woman by the name of Lydia; she was a merchant of purple cloth (a highly valued and rare commodity in the ancient world). It was in her home that the church regularly met for worship, fellowship and study. Paul and Silas also were imprisoned in Philippi for the “crime” of healing a demon-possessed girl. While in jail, through the aid of a God-worked earthquake, they were permitted to bring the Gospel to the Philippian jailer and his family. Though his time among them was brief, Paul carried with him a strong, life-long love for the people of the church in Philippi – which was just as strongly reciprocated throughout Paul’s life by them (Philippians 4:10-18; II Corinthians 11:8-9).
The Place and Date of the Writing of this Book The best indications are that this letter was most likely written during Paul’s 2 year (Acts 28:30) imprisonment (1:7,13,16; 3:1; 4:1) in Rome (4:22; 1:12-14)……although it also could have been written immediately prior to that, during his two-year imprisonment in Caesarea (which occurred just before the end of the book of Acts, during the years 59-60 A.D.). As he writes (and there has never been any credible disputing of Paul’s authorship), the Apostle Paul repeatedly expresses his God-given confidence that he will be released soon (1:25: 2:23,24). Consequently, Philippians was probably written toward the close of his Roman imprisonment, probably in 61-62 A.D.
Martin Luther on Philippians “In this epistle St. Paul praises and admonishes the Philippians that they abide and carry on in the true faith and increase in love…..he rejects that human righteousness not based on faith, which is taught and held by the false apostles. He offers himself as an example: he had lived gloriously in this kind of righteousness, and yet now holds it to be nothing, for the sake of the righteousness of Christ. For human righteousness makes the belly its god, and makes men enemies of the cross of Christ……he exhorts them to peace and good outward conduct toward each other, and thanks them for the gift they sent him” (LW 35:385)
A Synopsis of this Letter After greeting the congregation, expressing his affection for them, and sharing some personal information, Paul begins chapter 2 by emphasizing the importance of preserving the unity of faith which the believers in Philippi shared. He also strongly encourages them to practice a spirit of self-denial, modeled after Christ’s selflessness. Opening chapter 3 Paul talks about his former situation as a legalistic Pharisee in order to sound a note of warning regarding the legalism of the Judaizers. He goes on to talk about his desire to “press on toward the believer’s goal” of eternal life in heaven by living God-pleasing lives, in contrast to the Antinomians/Libertines who are self-serving and totally opposed to being guided by the law. With chapter 4 Paul urges the settling of a small dispute in the congregation, encourages them to find joy in whatever circumstances they might face as believers. As he closes out the letter, Paul thanks them for their concern for him and the gifts they have sent him (even though he says he has learned how to be content, even in deprivation).
Today’s Scripture Lessons
In today’s New Testament Lesson we will explore the story of Paul’s founding the congregation in Philippi. Our reading starts with the Apostle on the Sabbath Day going outside the city to pray along a river. While there, he met a woman named Lydia with whom He shared the Gospel. God brought her to faith, and she became one of the first (if not THE first) member of the congregation. After that, because they drove a demon out of young girl (and, in so doing, deprived her “handlers” of the money they made through her telling fortunes) Paul and Silas ended up being beaten and unfairly imprisoned. However, rather than complain about how “unfair” things were, they rejoiced because they were able suffer for Christ’s sake. They demonstrated their joy through the prayers and hymns they offered while imprisoned. All of that was by God’s design, along with a miraculous earthquake. God had put them in prison to be His instruments through the jailer and his family would be brought to faith in the true God (v. 34), becoming followers of Christ and members of the congregation. As Paul and Silas rejoiced in their sufferings for Christ, so the jailer and his family rejoiced in the new-found salvation which God had granted to them.
This morning’s Epistle Lesson is also our Sermon Text. It’s the introduction to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. After wishing them God’s continued grace and peace, Paul expresses his joy and thanks to God for the faith in Christ that they shared….faith which also made them partners in the ministry of the Gospel. He also expresses his confidence that God, Who had brought them to faith would keep them in that saving faith to the end. He then speaks about his affection for them because of their concern for him, and He prays that their love for Christ and knowledge of Him will continue to increase, providing them with even greater assurance of the heavenly glory that is theirs through faith.
Through this morning’s Gospel Lesson we’ll reflect on a few of the sorrows and the joys that we, as Christians, experience in this life. Jesus told His disciples in the upper room on Maundy Thursday that sorrow was unavoidable for them as long as they lived in this sinful world. In fact, they would sorrow while the world rejoiced (when He was being put to death), but their sorrow would inevitably turn to joy (once He conquered death, Satan and sin on the third day). But then, that’s always the Christian’s “mixed bag” in this world: sorrow and joy often go hand-in-hand in our lives. Still, we can consistently be positive, confident, and joyful – as long as we keep in mind that real happiness is found in living a purposeful life for Christ, serving our Lord here, and waiting – in faith –for the day when, by God’s grace for Jesus’ sake, we will live eternally, perfectly, and joyfully in heaven.
Finally, in our Children’s Lesson we will talk about how we can always be joyful even when things don’t go the way we’d like them to go……as long as we can remember that Jesus loves us and promises in His good time to turn our sadness into joy. And that He will always provide us with the blessings He knows we truly need.
The portions of God’s that are used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Pre-Service Prayer
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I thank You my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, for keeping me through the 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 Devil may have no power over me. Amen.
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary Pre-service Music
Let Us Praise The Lord
The Greeting and Invitation to Worship
following which the congregation will be invited to rise for
The Invocation
We make our beginning
In the name…. of the Father,
Who gave His Son into death for us
and raised Him in glory on the third day;
And of the Son,
Who laid down His life only to take it up again on the third day;
And of the Holy Spirit
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.
Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 66, selected verses
P: Shout praise to God, all the earth!
C: Make music to the glory of His name. Make His praise glorious!
P: Say to God, “ How awesome are Your deeds!” Because of Your great power, Your enemies must cower before You.
C: All the earth bows down to You. They make music to You. They make music to Your name.
P: Bless our God, O peoples. Let the sound of His praise be heard.
C: He is the One Who has preserved our lives. + He did not let our feet slip. + Indeed, You tested us, God. + You refined us as silver is refined.
P: Come, listen, all you who fear God; and let me tell you what He has done to save my life.
C: To Him, I cried out with my mouth; + High praise was on my tongue.
P: If I had contemplated evil in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God has surely listened; He has payed attention to the sound of my prayer.
C: Blessed be God, + Who has not turned aside my prayer, + or turned aside His mercy from me!
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn “Rejoice, the Lord Is King”
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: John Darwall, 1731-1789; Tune: Darwalls 148TH, 66.66.88 (CW 322)
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
Hear Us and Forgive Us, Lord
Pastor – The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
Congregation – And also with you.
Pastor – God invites us to come into His presence and worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness.
Congregation – Holy and most merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; Each day I turn away from Your Will. I have left undone those things which You have asked me to do, and I have done those things which You tell me not to do. I do not love You or my neighbor the way I should. Because of these, and all of my other sins, too numerous for me to recall, I acknowledge that I deserve nothing less than Your punishment both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for the evil that I have thought, spoken, and done, and trusting in the perfect life, and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, forgive me all my sins, restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and strengthen my weak faith through the promises of Your divine Word that I may obtain Your promised grace.
Pastor – Find comfort for your souls, then, in these words of our Lord: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will purify us from all unrighteousness, because we have One Who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” And now, upon this, your voluntary confession, I, because of my office as a called servant of God’s Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. And, in the place of, and according to the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, 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 be with you. Amen.”
Our Response To God’s Forgiveness
The Congregation responds by singing: “All Glory Be To God On High”
sung to the melody of “Almighty Father, Strong To Save” (CW 517)
All glory be to God on high! We praise, we thank, we glorify,
And worship You, Who gives earth peace,
Whose love and favor never cease.
Lord God, our King, on heaven’s throne,
Our Father, the Almighty One.
O Lord, the Sole-begotten One.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son,
O Lamb of God, You take away
The sin of all, now hear us pray.
You rule at God’s right hand this day,
Have mercy on us, Lord, we pray.
You only are the Holy One; O’er all things You are Lord alone.
O Jesus Christ, we glorify You only as the Lord Most High,
Who with the Spirit e’er shall be One in the Father’s majesty. Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated as
We Give Our Attention to God’s Word
The New Testament Lesson Acts 16:11-39
11 After we put out to sea from Troas, we sailed straight to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis. 12 From there we went to Philippi, which is a leading city in that part of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for a number of days.
13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate alongside the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and began to talk to the women who had gathered there. 14 A woman named Lydia, who worshipped God, was listening. She was a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira. The Lord opened her heart to pay close attention to what Paul was saying. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us. She had a spirit that foretold the future, and she made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us, she kept crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way to be saved.” 18 When she kept doing this for many days, Paul became so annoyed that he turned to the spirit and said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.
19 When her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 They had brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are throwing our city into a state of confusion. They are Jews, 21 and they are teaching customs that are not lawful for us to accept or practice, since we are Romans.”
22 When the crowd also joined in the attack against them, the magistrates tore off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. 24 Because he received such a command, the jailer threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Instantly all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw that the prison doors were opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he thought that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted with a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling in front of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his home. 33 At the same hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Without delay, he and all his family were baptized. 34 Then he brought Paul and Silas into his house and set food before them. He rejoiced, because he and his whole household had come to believe in God.
35 At daybreak the magistrates sent officers, saying, “Release those men!” 36 The jailer reported these words to Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders that you should be released. So come out now and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now they are releasing us secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”
38 The officers reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. As they escorted them out, they requested that they leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house. They saw the brothers, encouraged them, and then left.
The Epistle Lesson Philippians 1:1-11
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 Every time I pray for all of you, I always pray with joy, 5 because of your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am convinced of this very thing: that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 I am equally convinced that it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, for both in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all share in this grace with me. 8 Yes, God is my witness of how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And I pray that your love may still increase more and more in knowledge and every insight. 10 This will result in your approval of the things that really matter, so that you will be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
after which the Congregation will rise out of respect for
the words of our Savior as we give our attention to
The Gospel Lesson John 16:16-24
16 “In a little while you are not going to see Me anymore, and again in a little while you will see Me, because I am going away to the Father.”
17 Therefore some of His disciples asked one another, “What does He mean when He tells us, ‘In a little while you are not going to see Me, and again in a little while you will see Me,’ and ‘Because I am going away to the Father’?” 18 So they kept asking, “What does He mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what He’s saying.”
19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him about this, so He said to them, “Are you trying to determine with one another what I meant by saying, ‘In a little while you are not going to see Me, and again in a little while you will see Me’? 20 Amen, Amen, I tell you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth has pain, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, because of her joy that a person has been born into the world.
22 “So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23 In that day you will not ask Me anything. Amen, Amen, I tell you: Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be made complete.
The Apostles’ Creed to the melody of
“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 may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson John 16:22
22 So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
A Special Joy No One Can Ever Take Away
The Hymn of the Day “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You” (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.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord! May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
The Sermon Text Philippians 1:1-8
Joyful Living in a Sinful World…
…because of God’s Grace to us in Christ
after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, now encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
following which the Congregation will be seated as
Lord, Receive our Offerings and Prayers
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
at the Pastor’s invitation the Congregation will rise for
The Offering Prayer
Dear Savior, You have taught us: “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Teach us to realize more and more that happiness in life does not depend on the number of things we can call our own. Rather, Jesus, help us to find joy in the uses that we – as stewards – make of the possessions and all of the other resources that You have placed into our hands. Amen.
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 pray with
A Prayer of Intercession on behalf of Merele Dryden
(Abby Merritt’s grandmother), who has been placed under hospice care. Heavenly Father, we ask you to grant a miracle of healing to Merle, if it be Your will. But, more important than physical healing, we ask You to strengthen her Spiritually as she deals with this great health challenge. Give her – and her loved ones – the peace of knowing that all this is part of Your perfect, gracious plan for her and all of them. And assure Merle that You are working for her earthly and everlasting good.
In addition we implore you, gracious God, to relieve the severe drought conditions we have been facing, by sending us adequate amounts of Your blessing of rain.
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 respiratory distress to heart disease, from depression 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.
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….and 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.
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 Hymn Hymn 323 “Almighty Father, Bless the Word”
1. Almighty Father, bless the Word
Which through Your grace we now have heard,
Oh, may the precious seed take root,
Spring up, and bear abundant fruit!
2. We praise You for the means of grace
As homeward now our steps we trace.
Grant, Lord, that we who worshiped here
May all at last in heaven appear.
Silent Prayer, Announcements, Post-Service Music