The Eighth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Also known as the Sixth Sunday after
the Festival of the Holy Trinity – July 12, 2026
Major Messages from the Minor Prophets…Today: Micah
The Prophet Micah
The Lord’s Case Against Israel…and Against Us
Historical Background
As we continue our summer service and sermon series on Major Messages from the Minor Prophets, we come today to the ministry of the prophet Micah. He lived at a very crucial time in the history of God’s people. For centuries the LORD had patiently dealt with His people, calling them to repent of their many sins. God’s patient grace, however, was fast drawing to a close. It was the task of the prophets of this era to announce the Lord’s impending judgment at the same time as they announced the Lord’s grace to those who did repent.
God’s purifying judgment was about to descend upon Israel. The problem was that the people could not see nor did they wish to see what lay in their future. Instead, they deluded themselves with the idea that God could never send His judgment on them since they were His special, chosen people. Besides, they were materially prosperous – a sure sign of the Lord’s favor….or so they assumed. However, Israel had been violating God’s covenant willfully, repeatedly, and faithlessly. Rampant immorality and injustice, plus compromised worship of the Lord, coupled with their devotion to the false gods of the Canaanites whose lands they had occupied had carried the divided nations of Israel and Judah into the brink of experiencing God’s wrath. The time of divine reckoning was very, very near.
Micah was one of those prophets who ministered to God’s people in this eleventh-hour situation. Working out of Jerusalem, serving the “common people” (while Isaiah proclaimed God’s word to Judah’s royal court), Micah fearlessly delivered the Lord’s message of sin and grace to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah. As we will see from our study today of this minor prophet, the situation in Micah’s day was eerily parallel to the moral and spiritual conditions in contemporary America. Consequently, Micah’s message is every bit as relevant now as it was over 2700 years ago!
The Author
Like the rest of his fellow “minor” prophets – who all lived and served at least 2400 years ago up to 2800 years ago – we know very little about Micah. His name means “who is like Jehovah.” The small community in which Micah grew up (Micah 1:1) was Moresheth-Gath, which was situated about 25 mi SW of Jerusalem, near the Philistine border. One can describe him as “a small town prophet who labored for the Lord in big city of Jerusalem.”
Historical Setting
Micah served during the reigns of the following kings of Judah: Jotham (752-736 BC); Ahaz (735-715 BC) and Hezekiah (729-686 BC). He was preceded in his prophetic ministry by Amos and Hosea, who did most of their work in the Northern Kingdom. During Micah’s lifetime the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed and carried off into captivity by Assyria (722 B.C.). Micah, however, preached primarily to the common folk of Judah. Isaiah, who mainly preached to Judah’s royal court, was one of Micah’s contemporaries.
Jewish Society in Micah’s Day
While some people benefitted from the increased prosperity of the times, becoming very wealthy, there was a distinct gap between the rich and the poor. Oppression of the poor by the rich was commonplace, with the rich frequently seizing the property of the poor by unjust and illegal means. For example, judges and rulers were corrupt and often were influenced by bribes. Dishonesty in business was also routine. On the whole, the people of Micah’s day were violent, and even enjoyed blood-shed. Drunkenness was also a regular part of daily life for many. Instead of relying on the LORD to protect and guide them, the northern and southern kingdoms both sought alliances with heathen foreign powers like Egypt, Syria, Assyria and Babylon. Those alliances, ultimately, would have devastating consequences for both nations. To top it all off, sexually immoral behavior was rampant – including ritualistic, religious prostitution particularly in connection with Baal worship. The aforementioned were all sins that Micah strongly and specifically denounced.
The Religious Situation in Micah’s Day
Let’s focus our attention, for a few moments, a bit more on the religious climate of that period. Many priests and so-called prophets were the products of their times. Greed rather than godliness motivated many priests and prophets, since they tended to covet money and would tell people whatever they wanted to hear. In addition, religious formalism was a serious problem. People often went “through the motions” of worship but their hearts were far from loving God. Religious “syncretism” was another problem that was prevalent. People combined elements of venerating the true God with heathen worship practices – and not only thought that God was satisfied, but also that their mixing pagan components with the directives God had given them to honor Him actually improved their worship of the LORD. On the surface, the way they revered the LORD – especially in Jerusalem’s temple – might have seemed pious and sincere, but at its core it was compromised, corrupt and an abomination to Him. Plus, rank heathenism ran rampant throughout the land. The vast majority of both the northern kingdom and southern kingdoms enthusiastically adopted the worship of Canaanite cult-idols like Baal and Ashteroth, with all their attendant immorality, including the practice of human sacrifices. Occult practices also flourished at that time. It was awful!
The Essence of Micah’s Message:
The sins of God’s people were so great that a devastating judgment surely was coming from God on both kingdoms. Both nations would be defeated, their cities and homes destroyed, and their people taken into foreign captivity. Micah knew that their collective sins would lead to national downfall, just as Proverbs 14:34 says: “Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” Nevertheless, to those people of Judah who would finally repent, the LORD promised an eventual restoration and return to their home. The book of Micah can be divided into three parts or sections. Each section begins with a call to listen to the Lord (Micah 1:2; 3:1; and 6:1). Each part also closes with a promise from the LORD. First, God’s threatened judgment and promise of deliverance are presented (1-2). Then Israel’s fallen condition and future restoration are described (3-5). Finally, the Lord’s case against Israel is made and Israel’s eventual repentance is discussed (6-7).
Today’s Scripture Lessons
If you were summoned into God’s heavenly court for a trial today – for YOUR trial – how would you expect God to deal with you? What charge(s) might He bring against you? What evidence could be brought forward, both in your defense and to condemn you? How should you plead (and how would you plead)? Finally, what would your verdict be from the Sovereign Judge of heaven and earth? Those are just a few of the questions we’ll be asking ourselves in this service as we consider how the Almighty God righteously, yet graciously, chooses to deal with sinners like us…..in ways that satisfy both His divine justice and His desire to convey to us His boundless mercy.
This morning’s Old Testament Lesson comes from the book of Deuteronomy. (We often read this Scripture on Thanksgiving Day). With the people of Israel on the threshold of entering the Promised Land, the LORD reminds them that He expects them to be fully faithful to Him, grateful for the land He is giving them, and obedient to all His commands. And He warns them that if they reject Him, turning away from His commands and following other gods, then He will discipline them vigorously, which He did throughout Israel’s national history.
Today’s Epistle Reading comes from the inspired pen of John the Apostle. It’s taken from his first letter. In our reading John presents Jesus as the One and only, atoning Sacrifice for the world’s sin. He also reminds his readers that the one of the proofs that a person is “walking in the light” (that he/she is a believer) is that this person will love others – and also will not be in love with the things of this world.
Our Gospel Lesson is John’s account of Jesus’ encounter at a well with the sinful woman of Sychar. Married multiple times, she was living in an adulterous relationship with a man who was not her husband. (Jesus displays His omniscience – that He knows all things – by talking with her about her “sinful situation” even before she revealed it to Him.) As Jesus asks her for a drink of water, He speaks to her about the “living water” of His Gospel which provides everlasting life to those who believe. He also discusses God’s patience with people, along with His expectations that His children worship Him faithfully. Finally, Jesus reveals Himself to her as the Promised Messiah.
Our Children’s Lesson comes from John 14 – part of Jesus’ “upper room sermon” on Maundy Thursday. He reminds us that real love for Him will actively show itself in the way we live…..not just through our words…..but through our obedience to His commands.
And, finally, the Text for our Sermon is a portion of the message that the LORD gave the prophet Micah to deliver to the insincere, disobedient, and loveless people of Judah. In our text, Micah reminds his hearers that the LORD expects more from them than “ritualistic” worship or gratuitous offerings that were lacking in sincerity and truth. Instead, God’s desire is that His children of every age (ours included) put their faith into action before Him by gratefully following His commands and by living righteous lives to His glory.
Pre-Service Prayer
Lord Jesus, though but two or three
In Your dear name assembled be,
You will among them show Your face
And bless them with Your saving grace.
In Your dear name again we meet
And worship humbly at Your feet;
You will Your gracious Word fulfill
And cheer us with Your presence still.
Jesus, from Whom all blessings flow,
Your peace and comfort now bestow;
Abide with us till life is o’er
And keep us Yours forevermore. Amen.
The portions of God’s that are used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary Pre-service Music
Pre-Service Hymn Singing, beginning at 9:25 a.m.
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation To Worship
following which, the Congregation will rise for the invocation
The Invocation
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 and sustains 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 Opening Prayer
Almighty and Everlasting God, + Whose Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our way: + Grant us receptive minds, + and good and honest hearts, + free from selfishness and sin; + so that by the power of Your Holy Spirit, + we may become not hearers only, + but doers of the Word; + and, being enlightened and renewed, + enable us – through our lives of faith – to bring forth spiritual fruits in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, + doing what is acceptable to You, + and of service to our fellow men; + all this we ask in the name + and for the sake of Jesus Christ, + Your Only Son, our Lord. Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
Today’s Opening Hymn “Dearest Lord, While You Are Watching”
sung to the melody of “Neander” (CW 255) cwh 2011
Dearest Lord, while You are watching O’er Your universe today.
Pause a moment as we’re praying, Hear the words we have to say.
Bless us, please, oh Friend so dear, As to You we now draw near.
We have thrived on Your attention. We have prospered at Your hand.
Gifts to numerous to mention, You have showered on our land.
Earth and heaven sing Your praise, Mighty Ancient of all days!
Though at times we groan and grumble,
Though our sinful deeds You see,
Though our prayers we often mumble, You forgive us constantly.
Could we find a friend so true, As the Friend we’ve found in You?
If You see some tear-drops falling, Lord, You know the reason why.
We are saddened at recalling, How You sent Your Son to die.
Such a wond’rous gift of love, We are so unworthy of!
Gracious God, oh please direct us, Every day and every night.
Send Your angels to protect us, From the Tempter’s evil might,
‘Til the day when we can see You in heav’nly majesty! 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 to the tune
“I Know That My Redeemer Lives” (CW 152)
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee For Thy forgiveness, full and free,
He, who by grace, this truth believes The blessings of Christ’s love receives
Praise God the Father, God the Son And God the Spirit, Three in One,
As ’twas, is now, and so shall be World without end, eternally! Amen.
Our Psalm for Today Psalm 86:1-13
Pastor Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Congregation Preserve my life, for I am godly; + save Your servant who trusts in You – + You are my God.
P Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do I cry all the day.
C Gladden the soul of Your servant, + for to You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
P For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You.
C Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; + listen to my plea for grace. + In the day of trouble I call upon You, + for You answer me.
P There is none like You among the gods, O Lord; nor are there any works like Yours.
C All the nations You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord; + and shall glorify Your name.
P For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
C Teach me Your way, O LORD, + that I may walk in Your truth.
P Unite my heart to fear Your name.
C I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart; + and I will glorify Your name forever.
after which, the Congregation will be seated for
The Baptism of Blake Chantili Sophronia Tabor
The Baptism Hymn Hymn 295 “Dearest Jesus, We Are Here”
1 Dearest Jesus, we are here,
Gladly your command obeying;
With this child we now draw near
In response to your own saying
That to you it shall be given
As a child and heir of heaven.
2 Lord, your Word is clear and plain,
And we will obey it duly:
“He who is not born again,
Heart and life renewing truly,
Born of water and the Spirit,
Can my kingdom not inherit.”
3 Therefore we have come to you,
In our arms this infant bearing.
Here we shall forgiveness view.
May this child, your mercy sharing,
In your arms be shielded ever,
Yours on earth and yours forever.
4 Gracious Head, your member own;
Shepherd, take your lamb and feed it;
Prince of Peace, make here your throne;
Way of life, to heaven lead it.
Precious Vine, let nothing sever
From your side this branch forever.
5 Now into your heart we pour
Prayers that from our hearts proceeded.
Our petitions heav’nward soar;
May our warm desires be heeded!
Write the name we now have given;
Write it in the book of heaven!
during the final verse, Blake’s family
will come before the baptismal font
The Blessings and Purpose for Baptism
The Lesson Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, put 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 Celidh and Jeremiah
The Exhortation to Grace Lutheran Congregation
Our Prayer for Blake Tabor
After which the Congregation will be seated as
We Give Our Attention To God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Deuteronomy 8
Be conscientious about carrying out the entire body of commands that I am giving you today so that you may thrive and increase and you may go in and possess the land that the Lord promised by oath to give to your fathers. 2 Remember the whole journey on which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you and to test you, in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. 3 So He humbled you and allowed you to be hungry. Then He fed you manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known before, in order to teach you that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 The clothes you wore did not wear out, and your feet did not swell these forty years. 5 So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 Therefore you are to keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in His ways and by revering Him.
7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of gullies filled with water, a land with springs and groundwater that flows out into the valleys and down the mountains, 8 a land with wheat and barley and vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees for oil, and honey, 9 a land where you can eat bread and not be poor, where you will not lack anything, a land whose rocks are iron and from whose mountains you can mine copper.
10 Then you will eat, and you will be filled, and you will praise the Lord your God for the good land that He has given you. 11 Be very careful so that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and ordinances and His statutes that I am commanding you today. 12 When you eat and are satisfied, and you build nice houses and move into them, 13 and your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold increase, and everything that you have prospers, 14 watch out so that your heart does not become arrogant and forget the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, where you were slaves. 15 Do not forget the Lord, Who led you in the great and terrifying wilderness, where there were venomous snakes and scorpions, where the thirsty ground had no water, but the Lord made water come out of a flint rock for you. 16 Do not forget the Lord, Who in the wilderness fed you manna, which your fathers had not known before, to humble you and to test you so that it would be good for you later on.
17 You might say in your heart, “My ability and the power of my hand have earned this wealth for me.” 18 But then you are to remember that the Lord your God is the One Who gives you the ability to produce wealth, to confirm His covenant that He promised to your fathers with an oath, as He does to this day.
19 But if you ever do forget the Lord your God and you follow other gods, and if you serve them and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will certainly perish. 20 Just like the nations that the Lord is about to destroy in front of you, you also will perish, because you would not listen to the voice of the Lord your God.
The Epistle Lesson I John 2:1-17
My children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the Atoning Sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.
3 This is how we know that we have known Him: if we keep His commands. 4 The one who says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 If anyone keeps God’s word, the love of God is truly made complete in him. This is how we know that we are in Him: 6 The one who says he remains in Him should walk as Jesus walked.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one that you have had since the beginning. The old command is the message you heard. 8 At the same time, the command I am writing is new—it is true in Jesus and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10 The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and nothing causes him to stumble. 11 The one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven because of His name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you have known Him Who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the Evil One.
14 I have written to you, little children,
because you have known the Father.
I have written to you, fathers,
because you have known Him Who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God remains in you,
and you have overcome the Evil One.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, boasting about material possessions—is not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.
After which the Congregation will rise out of respect for the words of Christ
The Gospel Lesson John 4:4-26
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.
7 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.”
13 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.”
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Children’s Lesson John 14:23-24
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he will hold on to My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 The one who does not love Me does not hold on to My words. The word that you are hearing is not Mine, but it is from the Father Who sent Me.
“To Love Me” means “To Obey Me” – God
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 462
“Oh, That The Lord Would Guide My Ways”
1 Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep his statutes still!
Oh, that my God would grant me grace
To know and do his will!
2 Order my footsteps by your Word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.
3 Assist my soul, too apt to stray,
A stricter watch to keep;
And should I e’er forget your way,
Restore your wand’ring sheep.
4 Make me to walk in your commands –
‘Tis a delightful road –
Nor let my head or heart or hands
Offend against my God.
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.
Sermon Text Micah 6:1-8
Listen now to what the Lord is saying!
Get up. Plead your case to the mountains.
Let the hills hear your voice.
2 Listen, you mountains, to the accusation from the Lord.
Pay attention, you enduring foundations of the earth,
because the Lord is presenting a case against His people,
and He is indicting Israel.
3 My people, what have I done to you,
and how have I made you weary? Answer Me!
4 I was the One Who brought you up from the land of Egypt.
I redeemed you from the place where you were slaves.
I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam ahead of you.
5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab planned,
and how Balaam son of Beor responded to him
when you were about to travel from Shittim to Gilgal,
so that you may acknowledge the Lord’s righteous acts.
6 With what am I to appear before the Lord?
How should I bow down to God on high?
Should I appear before Him with burnt offerings,
with one-year-old calves?
7 Will the Lord be delighted with thousands of rams,
with tens of thousands of streams of oil?
Should I give my firstborn for my rebellion,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has told you, mankind, what is good.
What does the Lord require from you,
except to carry out justice and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God?
What If God Took You To Court?
following 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.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
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.
as the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation will rise for
The Prayers of the Church
In our Prayers this morning we include:
A Prayer of Intercession for our sister in Christ, Mary Talbert, as she continues to recover at home from a recent bout of pneumonia;
and for Vic Walker as he continues to
recover at Jamestown Health and Rehab from his recent illness;
plus
A Special Prayer thanking God for the gift of a healthy daughter, Blake Tabor, born this past Monday to Ceilidh and Jeremiah Tabor, and the blessing of becoming part of God’s and our family earlier today through infant baptism.
The Prayers of the Church
Almighty Father in Heaven, You are the Creator and Preserver of all things and every blessing that we have in
life comes from You, the Provider of all that is good. Lead us to realize this and — as good stewards of what is rightfully Yours — to thankfully and faithfully use all Your gifts in ways that bring You glory, as well as that benefit us and others. Keep us from becoming obsessed with and possessed by the worries and cares of this life. Instead, keep our hearts and minds fixed firmly on the saving work of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Enable Your Word to become so firmly rooted in us that we will always depend on You alone for all of our needs of body and soul, and that we might remain faithful to You throughout all our days, until death or Your Son’s return takes us from this world of sin to be with You eternally in heaven.
Lord of heaven and earth, grant Your divine guidance to our president, our nation’s Congress, our governor and
state legislature, and all others who have been placed in authority over us, that they might lead us wisely and successfully during these challenging times. Bless also all those who are serving in our country’s armed forces, safeguarding them from harm and danger, and using them to protect our nation as well as to maintain peace throughout the world.
Almighty God, You have promised that Your Word will not return to You empty. Raise up men within Your Church to become faithful pastors. Strengthen them to faithfully spread the Gospel throughout the world so that, by Your Holy Spirit’s work, many will believe and receive eternal life.
Merciful Father, Your Son suffered unto death for all our transgressions. Defend us and all our fellow Christians as we face persecution for His name’s sake. May we rejoice as we share in His suffering, holding firmly to our faith and bearing our crosses, until the day we behold Him in His kingdom.
Gracious God, we pray for all those souls who are blinded and bound in the devil’s kingdom, that they would be brought to know Jesus Christ by faith and receive, through His redemptive work, the eternal salvation of their souls.
Merciful One, You gave Your Son to bear our grief and carry our sorrows. Give Your comfort to all who are sick, receiving treatments for various illnesses and health conditions, as well as those who are dying. Ease their pain and remove their anxiety. May they know the comfort and peace of Your forgiving, redeeming love.
Please listen to us also, Lord, as each of us now takes this time to offer You our silent, personal petitions and praises:
A Moment for Silent Prayer
Finally, eternal God, keep us all in Your saving faith, by which You enable us to overcome all things through the power of and by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Into Your hands, O heavenly Father, we commend all for whom we pray, asking You to grant us these things and whatever else You know to be needful for us.
We ask it in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our LORD, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, as the One, true God, now and forever, and in Whose name we also pray:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Salutation
Pastor 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 grant you His peace. Amen
The Closing Hymn “As This Worship Service Closes”
To the melody “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” (CW 411)
cwh, 2022 8787d dedicated to Bill Krizsan
As this worship service closes And we sing this final song,
Thank you, Savior, for You’ve promised That with us You’ll go along
– Guarding us in all temptation In this “wilderness of sin”
Working in all things Your blessing ‘Til we reach life’s journey’s end.
Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, That, in all we say and do
We might every day be faithful, Living godly lives for You.
Help us grow in faith and knowledge
Through Your blessed Means of Grace.
Help us to reflect Your image While we run our earthly race.
Heav’nly Father now we praise You For, in love, You sent Your Son.
In our place Christ lived and suffered – Our salvation He has won.
Bless our church, our friends, and fam’ly.
Keep us in Your Word, so true,
That one day we might inherit Everlasting life with You.
Silent prayer
announcements, post-service music