Service Live Stream

Prayer Upon Entering Church Heavenly Father, having brought me safely to the close of yet another day under Your grace, receive and bless my worship of You and Your Son, my Savior this evening. As I hear and meditate on Your holy Word, graciously send Your Holy Spirit into my heart to continue His work of filling me with a greater measure of joy and contentment, increasing my faith, and further developing my expressions of love and devotion to You alone. Bless my fellow worshipers gathered around me here tonight, that they might also grow in their Christian faith and service to You. And finally, Lord, use us all in whatever capacities You see fit, to willingly and actively testify to others, through our words and by the way we live, about the love, forgiveness, and salvation which You graciously offer to all people, through Your Son, my Lord, Jesus Christ. It is in His name that I pray. Amen.

Advent 2025 “We Three Kings of Israel Are”

Tonight: The Sad Story of King Saul ….the Man Who Just Wouldn’t Listen to God

There are many mis-perceptions in our world. One is that George Washington was the first President of the United States. That’s not exactly true. In fact George Washington was the 11th president of the United States. Now, he was the first president of the United States under our present Constitution. But under the Articles of Confederation, the founding document of the entity known as the United States of America, which preceded the Constitution, and which took effect in November 1777, the first President was Samuel Huntington. Nine other men served as President after Huntington, which – technically – made Washington the 11th President of the United States.

Similarly, it’s generally recognized that Israel’s first King was Saul (whose name means “desired”) a Benjamite, and the son of Kish. Saul was followed on Israel’s throne by King David and then Solomon. This is also something of a mis-perception. In fact there were two other kings who led Israel before Saul. One was a usurper named Abimelech, who attempted to make himself Israel’s king. He was the illegitimate son of one of Israel’s judges, Gideon. His story is told in Judges 9. But Israel’s first and foremost King was the LORD God. The Scriptures affirm that God is the true King of His people in many places, such as: I Timothy 1:17; I Samuel 8:7; I Samuel 12:12; Psalm 5:2; Psalm 44:4; Psalm 47:6-8; Psalm 68:24; Psalm 74:12; Psalm 84:3; Psalm 95:3; Psalm 145:1; and Jeremiah 10:10….among others.

It was a great blessing for Israel that the LORD God was the nation’s true King. His rule over them was faultless and gracious. But the people weren’t satisfied. They wanted a human king, like their surrounding neighbors had (the Canaanites, the Egyptians and the Mesopotamians – just to name a few). And so the Israelites rejected God’s righteous rule over them in favor of human monarchs who would prove to be abundantly flawed, foolish, and – often – quite unfaithful both to the Lord and the people they were supposed to be leading and serving.

The first three “official” human monarchs of Israel will be the focus of our attention this evening and over the next two Wednesday evenings (Dec 10 and 17) as we gather for worship and study in these midweek Advent services. Those “Three Kings of Israel Are”…..Saul, David, and Solomon.

Tonight, we’ll consider the sad story of Saul, the son of Kish. His reign began so well, and so successfully. Saul’s physical gifts (he was handsome and strong, as well as a formidable soldier-warrior), along with his initial humility and his obedience to the Lord made him an easy “choice” as Israel’s first king. But somewhere, somehow, being Israel’s king went to Saul’s head. Pride and its companion, stubbornness, dragged Saul into disobedience and defiance of the LORD’s commands. Jealousy of and hatred toward his son-in-law (and eventual successor), David, only exacerbated Saul’s spiritual decline. Worst of all, Saul’s heart became hard with impenitence. He would exhibit an outward evidence of being “religious,” but it was more for “show” than it was “substantial.” And while he might have fooled many of his subjects, both the LORD (Who knows hearts, as the all-knowing God) and Samuel the Prophet knew Saul for what he became: a spiritual fraud and unbeliever. Eventually, Saul’s suicide in battle would put a faithless exclamation point on the tragic reign of Israel’s first human king. And so this evening’s lesson for me and you is: Don’t be like Saul. Don’t take God’s grace for granted. Don’t let pride, stubbornness, jealously, hatred, or any other sin become a permanent wedge in that most important relationship of all….the faith-relationship between you and your Lord and Savior.

A Brief History of the Season of Advent

The four week season of “Advent” that started this past Sunday developed out of an early Christian practice having to do with a period of fasting/penitence (which new confirmands were expected to undergo prior to their reception into the Christian fellowship on Epiphany [January 6th]). With the introduction of Christmas as a church festival, this period of penitence was placed before the celebration of Christ’s birth. Eventually it developed into a period of fasting and repentance for the entire church (although it was not intended to be as rigorous or as deeply penitential as the repentant behavior associated with the 40 days of Lent). At first the length of the season of Advent varied considerably, ranging from three to seven weeks. Over the years the season of Advent eventually became a firmly established period of four Sundays, concluding with Christmas Eve. By the 5th century, the first Sunday of Advent was officially recognized as the first day of the Church Year, a designation it holds to this day.

As with the season of Lent, the colors of Advent are violet/blue, symbolizing its penitential character. The term “Advent” is taken from a Latin word (“Advenio”) which means “I am coming.” Typically this season is used to focus the Church’s attention on three Biblical truths: (1) the coming [past] of Christ into the flesh, commemorated at Christmas; (2) the coming [present] of Christ to us on a continuing basis through God’s Word and the Lord’s Supper; and (3) the visible [future] coming of Christ in glory for judgement and deliverance at the end of time. Another of the “customary” emphases during Advent touches the three “Offices,” or roles, which the coming Christ will fulfill for His people: namely, the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. Old Testament prophecies (especially through Isaiah) pertaining to the coming and work of the Messiah are also routinely incorporated into the worship and study life of the Church during this period of the year. Additionally, congregations often use the time of Advent to study more carefully those portions of the New Testament Gospels which give us a record of the events immediately leading up to and heralding the Savior’s first coming to earth (notably, Luke 1 and Matthew 1).

Situated in the front of the church, to the right of the lectern, you’ll find an “Advent Wreath.” It’s been our practice at Grace Lutheran to use an Advent Wreath during the Advent and Christmas seasons as a symbolic means for both preparing ourselves for the arrival of the Christ child and then joyously reflecting upon the arrival of that Savior. The following brief history and explanation of the Advent Wreath’s symbolism is intended to help you enjoy and benefit from this traditional Christian expression.

The Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath is a combination of two very common symbols: light and the fir tree. From the early centuries of Christianity it has been the practice to represent Christ by a burning candle. The fir tree also has a long history of religious use. One of the most popular themes for the medieval “mystery plays” revolved around the telling of the story of Paradise. In those plays, the Garden of Eden was typically portrayed by a fir tree hung with apples. In the Eastern churches (Eastern/Greek Orthodox) December 24th was celebrated as the Feast Day of Adam and Eve. The custom of putting up a Paradise tree in the home on December 24th, decorated with apples, came into Europe (and the Americas) by way of the East. In Germany there was also a custom of placing a lit Christmas candle on top of a wooden pyramid decorated with evergreen twigs. In time the wooden pyramid was replaced by the Paradise tree, decorated with apples and lighted candles.

No doubt the Advent wreath was suggested, at least in part, by the Christmas tree. It seems that the Advent wreath originated a few hundred years ago among the Lutheran Christians of eastern Germany. A wreath of ever-greens, made of various sizes, was either suspended from the ceiling or placed on a table. Four candles representing the four Sundays of Advent were fastened to the wreath. Eventually the use of the Advent wreath became wide-spread and moved also from the home into the church. The general symbolism of the Advent wreath lies in the growing light of the wreath, increasing each week as we approach the birthday of Jesus the Light of the world.

The color of the candles in the Advent wreath is dictated by whatever emphasis a particular home or congregation gives to the season. While the emphasis may change somewhat according to the sermons, the traditional emphases in Advent are those of repentance and anticipation (the Sunday sermons are generally more “up-beat” and “joyous,” while mid-week sermons tend to be slightly more “sober” and “penitent” in character). That’s why the altar cloths and furnishings are in the color of purple (the traditional color of repentance) throughout the Advent season. It’s no wonder, then, that the prevalent color (three out of five) of the Advent wreath candles is purple.

The purple candle lit on the first Sunday in Advent is called “the Candle of Prophecy,” and symbolizes the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Savior. The second Advent candle (also purple) is referred to as the “Bethlehem Candle,” symbolizing the coming to earth of Jesus, the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. The Third Advent candle (pink or rose-colored) is the “Shepherd Candle” and represents the coming of the Savior into the hearts and lives of His believers through His Holy Word. The pink/rose color serves to remind us that a note of joy should also heard in this penitential season. The final purple candle is the “Angel Candle,” symbolizing the final coming of the Savior in glory with all His holy angels. The white candle at the wreath’s center is the “Christ Candle,” symbolizing the perfection of Christ, the fulfillment of prophesy, and the centrality of Jesus in our Advent preparations. This “Christ Candle” remains unlighted during Advent in anticipation of the birth of the Savior, the Light of the world. Advent’s penitent emphasis focuses our attention on our sins and the need for a Savior, but on Christmas Day we joyfully celebrate the birth of that Savior….and so we then light the white Christ Candle.

White candles also replace the purple and pink ones, and the purple altar cloths are replaced by white altar cloths with the arrival of Christmas Day. The wreath, now with all white candles, continues to be used until the Christmas Season officially ends with the arrival of Epiphany on January 6th. The white altar cloths continue to be used through the first Sunday of Epiphany. The colors then change to green.

The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version

Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831

Time for Silent Prayer and Preparation

Pre-Service Music

The Invocation

We make our beginning, this evening, in the name of the one, true and only God. He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

P: Jesus Christ is the Light of the world,

C: the Light no darkness can overcome.

P: Please stay with us, Lord, for it is evening,

C: and the day is almost over.

P: Be our Light and our Salvation.

C: Strengthen our faith as we meditate upon Your Word.

P: Graciously hear and answer our prayers

C: and receive, to Your glory, our evening hymn of praise:

O gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ, In You the Father’s glory shone,

Immortal, holy, blest is He, And blest are You, His only Son.

Now sunset comes, but light shines forth,

The lamps are lit to pierce the night.

Praise Father, Son and Spirit: God Who dwells in the eternal light.

Worthy are You of endless praise, O Son of God, life-giving Lord;

Wherefore You are, through all the earth

And in the highest heaven, adored! Amen.

P: Lord God, we thank You for this day of grace, now drawing to a close. Stay with us and warm our hearts with Your forgiving love in Christ. May Your Word keep our faith burning brightly, that we may walk in the light of Your presence through the darkness of this sinful word, and in the end – by faith – enjoy the privilege of living eternally in the light of Your heavenly glory. Now bless us, as we turn our hearts to Your Word, in Jesus’ name.

C: Amen.

We Join in Confessing our Sins excerpted from Daniel 9

O Lord, my great and awesome God, + my merciful Father in heaven, + Who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands, + I confess that I have sinned and done wrong. + I have been wicked and have rebelled against You. + I have turned away from Your commands and laws. + I have not listened to Your Holy Word faithfully.

Lord, You alone are righteous, + while I am covered with shame because of my unfaithfulness to You. + Indeed, at times I have refused to obey You, + and have repeatedly done wrong in my thoughts, words, and actions.

O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, + I plead with You to turn away from me Your anger and Your wrath. + O gracious God, hear this humble petition of Your servant. + Look with favor upon me and be gracious to me, an undeserving sinner. + O Lord, listen! + O Lord, forgive me all my sins! + O Lord, hear and act! + I do not make this request of You because I am righteous, + but because of Your great mercy, + and for the sake of the perfect life, + and the innocent sufferings and death of Your Son, + my Savior, Jesus Christ, + in Whose name I pray. + Amen.

The Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Pastor Upon this, your voluntary confession, and in accordance with the responsibilities entrusted to me as a called and ordained servant of the Living Word, I assure you that God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven you all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, He has removed your guilt and condemnation forever. You are His own dear child – an heir of everlasting life through faith in Christ. May God now give you the strength of faith to live according to His will. Go in His grace and peace. Amen.

We Share God’s Word

The Evening Psalm Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage? + Why do the peoples grumble in vain? + The kings of the earth take a stand, + and the rulers join together against the Lord and against His Anointed One. + “Let us tear off their chains and throw off their ropes from us.”

The One Who is seated in heaven laughs. + The Lord scoffs at them. + Then He speaks to them in His anger, + and in His wrath He terrifies them. + “I have installed My King on Zion, My holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord. + He said to me: “You are My Son. Today I have begotten You. + Ask Me, and I will give you the nations as Your inheritance + and the ends of the earth as Your possession. + You will smash them with an iron rod. + You will break them to pieces like pottery.”

So now, you kings, do what is wise. + Accept discipline, you judges of the earth. + Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. + Kiss the Son, or He will be angry, + and you will be destroyed in your way, + for His wrath can flare up in a moment. + How blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

after which the Congregation may be seated for

The Evening Lesson Luke 1:1-25

1 Many have undertaken to compile an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 an account like those handed down to us by those who were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word from the beginning. 3 For this reason, it seemed good to me also, since I followed everything closely from the beginning, to write an orderly account to you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you were taught.

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and righteous decrees of the Lord. 7 They did not have a child because Elizabeth was unable to bear children, and they were both well along in years. 8 On one occasion, while Zechariah was serving as priest before God and his division was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 The whole crowd of people were praying outside the temple during the hour of the incense offering.

11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome by fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son for you, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 because he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, to turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to prepare a people who are ready for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this, because I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years?”

19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God and was sent to speak to you in order to tell you this good news. 20 Now listen, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at the proper time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering what was taking him so long in the temple. 22 When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them and remained unable to speak.

23 When the days of his priestly service were completed, he went back to his home. 24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived. She kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “The Lord has done this for me in the days when He looked with favor on me and took away my disgrace among the people.”

The Sermon Hymn “We Three Kings of Israel Are”

to the Carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are” cwh, 2025

We three Kings of Israel are

Just like you, We’re sinners, by far….

Vain and selfish, stubborn, foolish

Needing God’s grace each hour.

Saul and David, Solomon too

Started well, but each was untrue

To the LORD Who loved, forgave them

As He does me and you.

Ev’ryone thought King Saul was grand –

At the start, obeyed God’s command.

Tall and handsome, strong, courageous,

Hero throughout the land.

But his heart was captured by pride

In God’s Word, Saul wouldn’t abide –

Not repentant, off’ring excuses….

To Satan he’d allied.

Lost to God, consumed by his sin

Saul rebelled again and again.

Faithless, took his life with his own hand –

Death in hell he’d obtain.

LORD, like Saul, I’ve disobeyed You.

Yet Your mercy to me is true.

Through Your Spirit, keep me faithful

Now and my whole life through.

The Text for this Evening’s Meditation I Samuel 15:1-26

Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you to be king over his people Israel. Therefore, listen to the voice of the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord of Armies says. I will repay Amalek for what they did to Israel when they blocked Israel’s way as it was coming up out of Egypt. 3 Go and strike Amalek. Devote everything they have to destruction. Do not spare them. Kill both men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.”

4 So Saul summoned the troops and organized them for battle at Telaim. There were two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. 5 Then Saul came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the ravine. 6 Saul said to the Kenites, “Go! Leave! Get away from the Amalekites, so that I do not destroy you along with them, because you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

7 Saul struck the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which borders Egypt. 8 He took Agag, the king of the Amalekites, alive, and he devoted all the people to destruction with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the cattle, the fattened calves, and the lambs, along with everything else that was good, because they were not willing to devote them to destruction. But everything that was undesirable and worthless, that they devoted to destruction.

10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have set up Saul to be king, for he has turned back from following Me, and he has not carried out My words.” Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night.

12 Samuel got up to meet Saul early in the morning, but Samuel was told, “Saul went to Carmel, and he set up a monument for himself there. Then he turned and continued down to Gilgal.”

?So Samuel went to Saul, and there he saw Saul, offering a burnt offering to the Lord from the best of the spoils that he had brought from the Amalekites.?

13 When Samuel came to Saul, Saul said to him, “You are blessed by the Lord! I have carried out the word of the Lord.”

14 Samuel said, “Then what does this mean—this bleating of sheep in my ears and the lowing of cattle that I hear?”

15 Saul said, “They have been brought here from the Amalekites, because the people spared the best of the sheep and the cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God. But we have completely destroyed the rest.”

16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop right there! Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”

He said to him, “Tell me.”

17 Samuel said, “Though you were insignificant in your own sight, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel. The Lord anointed you king over Israel. 18 Then the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go and devote the Amalekites, that sinful people, to destruction. Fight against them until they are exterminated.’ 19 Why didn’t you listen to the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?”

20 Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord and have completed the mission that the Lord gave me. I have captured Agag king of Amalek, and I have completely destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took some of the plunder: sheep, cattle, and the best of what was devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”

22 Samuel said, “Does the Lord take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Know this! To obey is better than sacrifice, and to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is the same as the sin of witchcraft, and arrogance is like having useless idols or consulting household gods. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you as king.”

24 Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed against the command of the Lord, as well as against your words, because I was afraid of the people, so I listened to their voice. 25 But now, please pardon my sin and come back with me again, so that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, because you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

The Sad Story of King Saul:

The Man Who Wouldn’t Listen to the LORD

The Blessing

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it. 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. 6^th 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 rises for prayer

Give Online

Our Evening Responsive Litany-Prayer

P: For the well-being of people everywhere; for the growth of Your church in all the world; and for the strengthening of all who serve and worship here, we pray:

C: Christ have mercy upon us.

P: For one another, young and old; for Your blessings that come with every stage of life, and for joy in doing Your will, we pray:

C: O Lord, have mercy upon us.

P: For our public servants who work day and night to bring protection, justice, learning, and health to this and every place; we pray to You,

C: O Lord, hear our prayer.

P: For favorable weather and bountiful harvests; for clothing and food; for health of body, mind, and spirit; for deliverance from all sin and every form of evil; we pray to You,

C: O Lord, hear our prayer.

P: For the faithful who have gone before us, who have shared with us Your good news, whose souls are now at rest in Your heavenly kingdom, we give You thanks, O Lord:

C: Thanks be to God.

P: In thanksgiving for Your many and varied gifts to us we now commend ourselves to Your care. Be our shield and strength, O Lord.

Special Prayer Requests

For our sister, Carol Ruiz, who is recovering from

a heart procedure this past Monday;

and

For our brother, Bobby Eichler, who will

undergo surgery tomorrow on his arm;

and

For our brother, George Layton, who continues to

undergo rehabilitation therapy at the Blossoms in Rogers

Hear us also, dear Lord, as we take a few moments to offer You our silent, personal petitions.

Silent Prayer

And now, as we close, in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Christ Jesus, we also join in praying:

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.

Examination Before Receiving the Lord’s Supper

Pastor – Let us now examine ourselves in preparation for receiving this Sacrament, as the inspired Apostle Paul so instructs us in I Corinthians 11, where he writes: “…whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement upon himself.”

Pastor – Accordingly, are you sincerely sorry for your sins and determined, with God’s help, to change your sinful ways?

Congregation Yes, I am sorry for my sins and desire to serve Jesus and not a sinful lifestyle.

Pastor – Do you believe that here in the Lord’s Supper you will receive, along with the bread and wine, the true body and blood of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Congregation Yes, I believe that I will be receiving the true body and blood of my Lord and Savior, which was given into death for my sins.

Pastor – Are you coming to the Lord’s table as one in the faith with this Christian congregation, as the Scriptures teach?

Congregation Yes I have studied the teachings of this congregation concerning God’s Word; I agree with them; And am one in faith with them, as the Scriptures command me to be before I come to the Lord’s table with anyone.

Pastor – Finally, do you recognize your need for forgiveness and do you believe that you will receive through the Lord’s Supper the full and free forgiveness of all your sins?

Congregation Yes, I have examined my life, see the need for God’s forgiveness and believe that I will receive complete forgiveness for all my sins, as my Savior has promised.

Pastor – Having examined yourselves and confessed your sins, come now with confidence and joy to your Lord’s table and receive here, through His body and blood, the guarantee that your sins are all forgiven, and that eternal life and salvation are surely yours.

The Words of Institution – Spoken by the Pastor

Pastor: “The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.”

The Distribution of the Sacramental Elements

To Our Guests We offer the Lord’s Supper this evening only to those individuals who are confirmed, communicant members of Grace Lutheran congregation, or of a member congregation of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod…..Please know that we are grateful for your presence among us and we celebrate the faith in Christ which we share with you. However, we ask that you will please respect our communion practice (see above). A brochure further explaining the Biblical basis for our Communion practice is available on the entryway tract/brochure rack. We encourage you both to examine it – especially the Biblical references within it, and also to speak with our Pastor after the service (at your convenience) so that you might better understand and appreciate our Biblically-based “Close Communion” practice. Thank you for your understanding, your patience, and for your presence here among us this evening.

following the distribution of the Lord’s Supper the Congregation will rise for

The Closing Prayer

Almighty God, to Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we may love You more completely, praise You more joyously, and serve You more faithfully. These requests we make in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, both now and forever. Amen.

The Benediction

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God, the Father,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

The Closing Hymn Hymn 593 “Now The Light Has Gone Away”

1 Now the light has gone away; Father, listen while I pray,

Asking you to watch and keep And to send me quiet sleep.

2 Jesus, Savior, wash away All that I’ve done wrong today.

Make me ever more like you, Good and gentle, kind and true.

3 Let my near and dear ones be Safe with you eternally.

Oh, bring me and all I love To your happy home above.

4 Now my evening praise I give; You once died that I might live.

All your precious gifts are free – Oh, how good you are to me!

5 Ah, my best and kindest Friend, You will love me to the end.

Let me love you more and more, Always better than before.

Silent prayer

Announcements,

Post-service Music