The Fourth Sunday after Trinity – July 02, 2023
The Sixth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
The Real Losers and Winners In Life
Whether it’s the World Series or a Little League baseball game….whether it’s bingo, bowling or badminton ….there are always going to be some people who win and some who lose. Most of the time, regardless of whether one’s the victor or the vanquished, the sun comes up the next morning. And life goes on. Life’s wins and losses really don’t matter in the larger view of life, unless…….unless you’re dealing with spiritual issues. Then, winning and losing take on – not a temporary earthy, but – an eternal significance that cannot be easily dismissed. You see, when a person’s soul is at stake we’re talking about something valued not in terms of dollars and cents, but in the priceless, sinless blood of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. That being the case, why would anyone take lightly this most important matter in life for any and everyone? Yet that’s precisely what many people do. They value their jobs, their possessions, loved ones, and/or personal preferences (among other things) more than they value their souls. They might not SAY that in so many words, but the priority in life that they give to earthly issues in comparison to eternal matters speaks louder and clearer than a dictionary-ful of words.
Which brings us to today’s service theme and emphasis….. from a Christian, Biblical perspective the persons in life who are truly successful – who are really the “winners” – are those individuals who have made their faith in Christ and their place in heaven more important to them than anything or anyone else. Often they aren’t the wisest, or wealthiest, or most highly regarded persons, from a worldly point of view, but they are “winners” in God’s sight. Conversely, life’s “losers” might very well have it all, materially speaking, but their love for the things of this world has so overwhelmed their love for Christ that, finally, they have given up their priceless place in heaven in exchange for the fool’s gold of some earthly pleasure or pursuit.
That’s the point Jesus makes in our Sermon Text – the story of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus. The former seemed to be the “winner” in life and the latter the “loser,” but eternally-speaking Lazarus was rich in faith, while the Rich Man was spiritually bankrupt. That’s also Christ’s point in today’s Gospel Lesson, the parable of the rich fool.
We’ll also see that truth reinforced in this morning’s Epistle Lesson where Paul reminds us of the importance of being content in life with whatever God chooses to give us and, conversely, not to fall in love with money or other things of this world.
In today’s Children’s Lesson, from Mark 8, Jesus makes the point that you could – theoretically – acquire the “whole world”…..and yet it is nothing compared to the infinite value of a person’s eternal soul. He’s telling us what is really most important in life. Let’s learn from Him.
Finally, in our First Lesson James reminds us our priorities in life are not to be our personal pleasures and plans, but the will of God – as well as to recognize that we do not control our lives and futures…..only the Lord does.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version
Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
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.
.
Pre-service prayer Pre-worship music
Let Us Praise The Lord
The Congregation will be asked to rise for
The Invocation
We make our beginning
In the name of the Father,
Who created and preserves this world and every one of us,
and Who gave His Son into death for us
and raised Him in glory on the third day;
And of the Son,
Who became fully human in order to be our Savior-Substitute,
Who laid down His life only to take it up again on the third day,
Who rules over all things from heaven for the good of His Church,
and Who will return in glory on the Last Day to deliver that Church;
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 Psalm Psalm 16, selected verses
P: Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge.
C: I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; + apart from You I have no good thing.”
P: As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
C: The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. + I will not pour out their libations of blood + or take up their names on my lips.
P: LORD, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
C: The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; + surely I have a delightful inheritance.
P: I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
C: I have set the LORD always before me. + Because He is at my right hand, + I will not be shaken.
P: Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
C: You have made known to me that path of life; + You will fill me with joy in Your presence, + with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
After which, the Congregation may be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 369 “Beautiful Savior”
1 Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I’d love thee,
Truly I’d serve thee, Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flow’rs of bloom ing spring; Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer; He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky.
4 Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be thine!
(The Congregation will rise for the singing of the final verse.)
We Confess Our Sins To God
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.
(Sung)
Lord have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us Lord have mercy on us.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, 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, addressing you as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and under His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.
(Sung)
Glory be to God on high,
and on earth peace good will toward men.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You.
We glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Lord God, heav’nly King. God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You take away the sin of the world; receive our prayer.
You sit at the right hand of God the Father; have mercy on us.
For you only are holy. You only are the Lord.
You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit.
Are most high, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Feed Us, Lord
The First Lesson James 4:1-17
1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you–who are you to judge your neighbor? 13Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
The Epistle Lesson I Timothy 6:3-21
3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time–God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.
after which the Congregation will rise out of respect for the words of our Savior
The Gospel Lesson Luke 12:13-21
13Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
16And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
Today’s Children’s Lesson Mark 8:3-37
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Is there anything worth more than Your Soul? NO!!!!
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 389 “Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me”
1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood From thy riven side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure: Cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.
2 Not the labors of my hands Can fulfill thy law’s demands.
Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save and thou alone.
3 Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress, Helpless, look to thee for grace.
Foul, I to the fountain fly – Wash me, Savior, or I die!
4 While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, See thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee!
after which the Congregation will rise for
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.
The Sermon Text Luke 16:19-31
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Life’s True Losers and Winners
- On earth Lazarus appeared to be one of life’s “Losers”
- After death it was obvious that the Rich Man wasn’t a Winner after all
III. In the Future it would be the Brothers of the Rich Man
who would wrestle with being Losers or Winners
following the sermon the Congregation will rise for the post-sermon blessing
The 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, 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
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship. However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash, please) to our church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
2) You can donate through our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
After which the Congregation rises for prayer
The Fourth Sunday after Trinity – July 02, 2023
The Sixth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Serving Us Today
Elders: John Johnson, Rick Tragasz Organist: Debbie Huebner Ushers: Chris Roberts, Fred Cusanelli
Altar Guild: Tina Wambold, Harriet Johnson Custodian: Lesa Roe Fellowship: the Huebners
Video: Tim Huebner Secretary: Marilyn Outlaw Pastor: Charles Huebner
The Real Losers and Winners In Life
Whether it’s the World Series or a Little League baseball game….whether it’s bingo, bowling or badminton ….there are always going to be some people who win and some who lose. Most of the time, regardless of whether one’s the victor or the vanquished, the sun comes up the next morning. And life goes on. Life’s wins and losses really don’t matter in the larger view of life, unless…….unless you’re dealing with spiritual issues. Then, winning and losing take on – not a temporary earthy, but – an eternal significance that cannot be easily dismissed. You see, when a person’s soul is at stake we’re talking about something valued not in terms of dollars and cents, but in the priceless, sinless blood of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. That being the case, why would anyone take lightly this most important matter in life for any and everyone? Yet that’s precisely what many people do. They value their jobs, their possessions, loved ones, and/or personal preferences (among other things) more than they value their souls. They might not SAY that in so many words, but the priority in life that they give to earthly issues in comparison to eternal matters speaks louder and clearer than a dictionary-ful of words.
Which brings us to today’s service theme and emphasis….. from a Christian, Biblical perspective the persons in life who are truly successful – who are really the “winners” – are those individuals who have made their faith in Christ and their place in heaven more important to them than anything or anyone else. Often they aren’t the wisest, or wealthiest, or most highly regarded persons, from a worldly point of view, but they are “winners” in God’s sight. Conversely, life’s “losers” might very well have it all, materially speaking, but their love for the things of this world has so overwhelmed their love for Christ that, finally, they have given up their priceless place in heaven in exchange for the fool’s gold of some earthly pleasure or pursuit.
That’s the point Jesus makes in our Sermon Text – the story of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus. The former seemed to be the “winner” in life and the latter the “loser,” but eternally-speaking Lazarus was rich in faith, while the Rich Man was spiritually bankrupt. That’s also Christ’s point in today’s Gospel Lesson, the parable of the rich fool.
We’ll also see that truth reinforced in this morning’s Epistle Lesson where Paul reminds us of the importance of being content in life with whatever God chooses to give us and, conversely, not to fall in love with money or other things of this world.
In today’s Children’s Lesson, from Mark 8, Jesus makes the point that you could – theoretically – acquire the “whole world”…..and yet it is nothing compared to the infinite value of a person’s eternal soul. He’s telling us what is really most important in life. Let’s learn from Him.
Finally, in our First Lesson James reminds us our priorities in life are not to be our personal pleasures and plans, but the will of God – as well as to recognize that we do not control our lives and futures…..only the Lord does.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version
Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
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.
.
Pre-service prayer Pre-worship music
Let Us Praise The Lord
The Congregation will be asked to rise for
The Invocation
We make our beginning
In the name of the Father,
Who created and preserves this world and every one of us,
and Who gave His Son into death for us
and raised Him in glory on the third day;
And of the Son,
Who became fully human in order to be our Savior-Substitute,
Who laid down His life only to take it up again on the third day,
Who rules over all things from heaven for the good of His Church,
and Who will return in glory on the Last Day to deliver that Church;
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 Psalm Psalm 16, selected verses
P: Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge.
C: I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; + apart from You I have no good thing.”
P: As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
C: The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. + I will not pour out their libations of blood + or take up their names on my lips.
P: LORD, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
C: The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; + surely I have a delightful inheritance.
P: I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
C: I have set the LORD always before me. + Because He is at my right hand, + I will not be shaken.
P: Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
C: You have made known to me that path of life; + You will fill me with joy in Your presence, + with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
After which, the Congregation may be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 369 “Beautiful Savior”
1 Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I’d love thee,
Truly I’d serve thee, Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flow’rs of bloom ing spring; Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer; He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky.
4 Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be thine!
(The Congregation will rise for the singing of the final verse.)
We Confess Our Sins To God
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.
(Sung)
Lord have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us Lord have mercy on us.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, 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, addressing you as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and under His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.
(Sung)
Glory be to God on high,
and on earth peace good will toward men.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You.
We glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Lord God, heav’nly King. God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You take away the sin of the world; receive our prayer.
You sit at the right hand of God the Father; have mercy on us.
For you only are holy. You only are the Lord.
You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit.
Are most high, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Feed Us, Lord
The First Lesson James 4:1-17
1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 11Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you–who are you to judge your neighbor? 13Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
The Epistle Lesson I Timothy 6:3-21
3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time–God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.
after which the Congregation will rise out of respect for the words of our Savior
The Gospel Lesson Luke 12:13-21
13Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
16And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
Today’s Children’s Lesson Mark 8:3-37
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Is there anything worth more than Your Soul? NO!!!!
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 389 “Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me”
1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood From thy riven side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure: Cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.
2 Not the labors of my hands Can fulfill thy law’s demands.
Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save and thou alone.
3 Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress, Helpless, look to thee for grace.
Foul, I to the fountain fly – Wash me, Savior, or I die!
4 While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, See thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee!
after which the Congregation will rise for
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.
The Sermon Text Luke 16:19-31
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Life’s True Losers and Winners
- On earth Lazarus appeared to be one of life’s “Losers”
- After death it was obvious that the Rich Man wasn’t a Winner after all
III. In the Future it would be the Brothers of the Rich Man
who would wrestle with being Losers or Winners
following the sermon the Congregation will rise for the post-sermon blessing
The 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, 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
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship. However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash, please) to our church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
2) You can donate through our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
After which the Congregation rises for prayer
The Prayers for this Day –
In our Prayers this morning we include:
Prayers of Intercession for the following brothers in Christ:
Kent Swogger (recovering from a recent surgical procedure)
and for Mike Outlaw (weakness from anemia)
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 for ever and ever. Amen.
We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
Pastor – The Lord be with you.
Congregation (Sung) And also with you
Pastor – Lift up your hearts.
Congregation (Sung) We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
Congregation (Sung) It is good and right so to do.
Pastor – It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who sends His Holy Spirit to us to testify that we are His children, and to strengthen us when we are weak. Therefore with angels and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:
Congregation
(Sung) Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of heav’nly hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is He
Who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Consecration of the Communion Elements (Pastor)
Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation – (Sung) Amen.
O Christ, Lamb of God You take away the sin of the world; Have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; Have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; Grant us Your peace. Amen.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with
our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
To our Guests this morning,
We appreciate your presence among us. It is an honor to have you join with us as we worship our Lord and listen to His Word. We truly consider it a privilege to spend this time with you! It is our hope that you will both return in the future to worship with us again, and – perhaps – that You will even choose to become part of our congregation’s membership and our Synodical (WELS) fellowship, so that you might become even more involved in worship, study of God’s Word, and in Christian ministry and fellowship with us.
In connection with our worship as Christians, we regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion. But, as a key part of our church’s Biblically-based communion practice, before we can ask anyone to commune with us, we are compelled to first sit down with that individual and establish (upon a comprehensive study of the teachings of Scripture) that we are united in full doctrinal/ teaching fellowship…….which Scripture requires of any and all Christians before they can commune together.
Accordingly, we can offer the Lord’s Supper this morning only to those individuals who have completed that course of study, and who have chosen to become confirmed, communicant members of Grace Lutheran congregation or from one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) congregations.
For some guests, this Biblical practice of “Close Communion“ is both unfamiliar and (quite possibly) uncomfortable. We realize that, unfortunately, few churches today continue to follow this approach to communion…..though, in the past (when many churches were more concerned about following all of God’s Word than is the case today) nearly all did. We understand that it is not necessarily easy to watch others receiving the Lord’s Supper, while being asked – respectfully — to refrain from receiving it. Many of us who are communing today once also watched others receive the Lord’s Supper, as you are asked to do this morning, while waiting for the privilege of one day being an active partner in this “Close Communion.” We want to assure you that we are not judging your faith in Christ today. Nor it is our desire to offend you. But it also is not our desire to offend or disobey our Lord’s expectations for the proper use of His Supper. Indeed, we must all obey Him above all others, and we want to obey Him. Consequently, if you have any questions or concerns about our use/practice of the Lord’s Supper (and we invite you to ask or express them — if you do), please feel free to speak with our Pastor after the service, or at your convenience. He considers it a privilege to share with you and others the Biblical reasons for our approach to receiving and offering the Lord’s Supper. In addition, you can also find a brochure in our tract/brochure rack in the entryway; it is entitled “Our Communion Practice.” This brochure also provides our guests and friends with the Scripture-based explanation for our understanding of and use of the Lord’s Supper.
Finally, please know that we truly are grateful for your participation – as a fellow Christian – in this morning’s worship service. We also thank you for your patience and understanding, and for respecting this Biblical approach we must take as we endeavor to faithful make us of our Lord’s Supper. We hope and pray that you will come back to worship with us again — often. And that one day you might become a part of this Christian fellowship, not only as we worship and hear God’s Word from these pews, but as we receive the Lord’s Supper together. May God bless and keep you always!
Distribution Hymn Hymn 312
“Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared”
1 Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared This feast for our salvation;
It is your body and your blood, And at your invitation
As weary souls, with sin oppressed, We come to you for needed rest,
For comfort, and for pardon.
2 Although you did to heav’n ascend, Where angel hosts are dwelling,
And in your presence they behold Your glory, all excelling,
And though your people shall not see Your glory and your majesty
Till dawns the judgment morning,
3 Yet, Savior, you are not confined To any habitation,
But you are present ev’rywhere And with your congregation.
Firm as a rock this truth shall stand, Unmoved by any daring hand
Or subtle craft and cunning.
4 We eat this bread and drink this cup, Your precious Word believing
That your true body and your blood Our lips are here receiving.
This Word remains forever true, And there is naught you cannot do,
For you, Lord, are almighty.
5 Though reason cannot understand, Yet faith this truth embraces:
Your body, Lord, is ev’rywhere At once in many places.
I leave to you how this can be; Your Word alone suffices me;
I trust its truth unfailing.
6 Lord, I believe what you have said; Help me when doubts assail me.
Remember that I am but dust, And let my faith not fail me.
Your supper in this vale of tears Refreshes me and stills my fears
And is my priceless treasure.
7 Grant that we worthily receive Your supper, Lord, our Savior,
And, truly grieving for our sins, May prove by our behavior
That we are thankful for your grace And day by day may run our race,
In holiness increasing.
8 For your consoling supper, Lord, Be praised throughout all ages!
Preserve it, for in ev’ry place The world against it rages.
Grant that this sacrament may be A blessed comfort unto me
When living and when dying.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Prayer
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 with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 619 “God Bless Our Native Land”
1 God bless our native land! Firm may she ever stand
Through storm and night! When the wild tempests rave,
Ruler of wind and wave, Do thou our country save
By thy great might.
2 For her our prayers shall rise To God above the skies;
On him we wait. Thou who art ever nigh,
Guarding with watchful eye, To thee aloud we cry,
God save the state!
+ + + Thank You + + +
For being a part of our worshiping assembly this morning. We invite you to join those around you for some good conversation and fellowship at the conclusion of today’s announcements. We also invite you to join us for coffee, juice, tea, and other refreshments in our gymnasium/fellowship hall. Finally, we encourage you to remain afterward with us for further growth in God’s Word through our Bible Class and Sunday Classes. May the comfort of God’s love and His forgiveness through Christ be with you through this day and this week.