The Eleventh Sunday of after Trinity
The Thirteenth Sunday of the Pentecost Season August 15, 2021
Bible Characters & their Stories for Today
The Transforming Power of the Gospel
in the lives of Onesimus Philemon, and Us
Looking back over nearly 38 years as a pastor (and some 2700 sermons I’ve preached), so far as I can recall, I
have only preached a handful of times on the New Testament book of Philemon. At 25 verses in length, Philemon is one of those “one chapter” books in the Bible (along with Obadiah, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude) that is rather easy to overlook. Sometimes because a book of the Bible is smaller, folks imagine it’s less important than larger books. But God’s Word is God’s Word….no matter how big, or small the book….and it’s all, always important.
The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write this brief letter for us. When he penned it, Paul was a prisoner – most likely in Rome, during his first imprisonment there. It was written when the Apostle was around 60 years of age – an old man for that time. He addressed it to a man by the name of Philemon – hence the name of the book. Philemon was a prominent, faithful member of the congregation in Colosse. Paul had not founded the church there, but both the pastor was a close friend of his and Philemon and he were well-acquainted. Along with Philemon and Paul, a third individual who was a significant part of this letter was a runaway slave by the name of Onesimus, who happened to belong to Philemon. He had run away from Colosse and, by God’s providence and design, encountered Paul during his imprisonment in Rome. Some scholars suppose that when Onesimus fled Colosse he was not a Christian, but he sought out the Apostle for assistance and guidance when he reached Rome as a runaway because he knew Paul, since his master was a friend of the Apostle.
By God’s grace, through Paul’s ministry, Onesimus was brought to faith in Christ. Sometime after Onesimus’ conversion, Paul wrote this letter to Philemon asking him to take his runaway servant back. However, Paul hoped that Philemon would receive Onesimus – not merely as a slave, but – as a fellow believer and brother in Christ. In fact, one of the chief points of this little letter to Philemon is the Apostle’s plea for clemency for Onesimus. In it, Paul asked Philemon to set aside a long-standing tradition in the ancient world – the tradition that demanded severe punishment (even death) for any slave that ran away and was caught.
To make matters worse, it seems that Onesimus must have taken something from Philemon’s home when he ran away. We’re not sure what that was. However Paul made it clear that he was personally willing to make restitution for whatever this runaway slave/brother in Christ had taken, so that Onesimus could return home to Philemon unpunished.
Nearly all of us know well the story of Paul. Formerly known as Saul, in his early years he had been a dedicated Pharisee…so dedicated to the precepts of Judaism that he hated and persecuted Christianity. Dramatically and miraculously (but any conversion is always a miraculous work of God the Holy Spirit!), Paul became a Christian when Christ spoke to him outside the city of Damascus, Syria. After a period of divine training and development, Paul became the early Church’s most prominent and accomplished missionary, traveling throughout the Mediterranean world establishing Christian congregations. Through the ministry of the Word that Paul brought to him (Paul was his Spiritual “father”), Philemon had been converted. This good friend of Paul’s had become a dedicated and dependable member of the church. In fact, a group of Colossian Christians met in his home.
How, why and when Onesimus became one of Philemon’s slaves, Scripture doesn’t tell us. We don’t know, either, why he ran away from Philemon and Colosse. But we do know that his eventual encounter with Paul in Rome, by God’s grace and design, resulted in Onesimus not only becoming a believer in Christ, but a friend and ministry associate of the Apostle. In fact, Onesimus became a vital partner in Paul’s work of proclaiming the Gospel. Nevertheless, the time had come for Paul to do the responsible thing: to send Philemon’s runaway slave back to him.
Paul’s request – and the chief reason for his letter – was a very simple one. He very much wanted Philemon graciously to accept Onesimus back into his home and employment, treating him with the same forgiving love that both Paul and Onesimus already had received from Christ.
Paul began this letter by reminding Philemon that he prayed for
him often. Philemon’s faith had brought Paul considerable joy and encouragement. Paul regarded Philemon as a “fellow soldier” – a brother Christian – in the service of the Lord. He was the kind of selfless, supportive church member every congregation needs. Now the Apostle was giving Philemon a unique opportunity to prove the latter’s Gospel-motivated brotherliness through his forgiving treatment of Onesimus.
Onesimus already had shown the genuineness of his faith by assisting Paul in his service to the Lord and others. However – as we’ve noted already – Paul wasn’t sure how Philemon would react to the return of his runaway slave. Onesimus undoubtedly had become a changed man since he had left Philemon’s home. Christ had transformed him. He now had a new heart – a loving heart for the Lord and His work. Paul was sure Onesimus (the name in Greek means “Useful One”) either could be a useful asset to the Church that met in Philemon’s home, or he could continue to be a valuable partner in the Apostle’s ministry of the Gospel.
By the way, please notice that Paul didn’t flaunt his apostolic authority by ordering Philemon to forgive Onesimus. He just appealed to Philemon’s love for the Lord and the Gospel ministry.
There are a number of spiritual parallels between the situation that Onesimus faced and the situation that we face before God. For example, Onesimus was a slave – in a literal sense. We, too, are slaves – spiritually speaking – slaves to sin. Onesimus had run away from his responsibilities to Philemon. And as sinners, we have the tendency to run away from our responsibilities to God. Paul met Onesimus in Rome and graciously shared with him the Gospel – the forgiveness of all his sins and the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ. God has found us and has given us His forgiveness, new life in Christ, and everlasting life in heaven through faith. Onesimus could never have paid for such blessings, and neither can we. Paul offered to pay whatever earthly debt Onesimus owed to Philemon. Christ has paid the entire sin-debt we owe to God through his sinless life, sacrificial death and bodily resurrection….all accomplished for our benefit. Because of what Christ has done for us, we are now set free from sin, death and Satan’s power. Now we can give God our love and our service – not out of a sense of obligation, but – out of a sense of thanksgiving and praise.
Formerly, when he was a slave, Onesimus obeyed and served Philemon not necessarily because he wanted to, but because he had no choice. However – as a Christian – Onesimus was compelled to serve Philemon and others gladly, because he wanted to…..not because he had to…..because the love of Christ ruled his heart.
It’s appropriate at this point for us to ask ourselves how useful we are when it comes to our service to our Lord. “Why do I serve the Lord and those around me? Why do I participate in Church life? Is it because I have to (am I motivated especially by the Law)…..or because I want to (am I motivated especially by the Gospel)? Do I serve out of a genuine love for my Lord, for my fellow Christians, and also for the Spiritually lost who need to know Christ as their Savior too?”
In this letter, Paul gave Philemon a chance to put into practice what he had received and what he said believed…… the opportunity to show his fellow Christians in Colosse and the Church across the ages (us, included), the spirit of Christian forgiveness and love in his heart for a once-wayward, but now repentant brother.
As was the case with Philemon, we have been relieved by Christ’s mercy of the eternal burden of all our sins and their damnable consequences. Consequently, we get to see others who’ve sinned against us in a different and better light too. We can offer mercy to others just as Christ has had mercy on us. We can fully forgive others, just as Christ has fully and freely forgiven us.
May the story of Paul, Onesimus and Philemon encourage you to set all your personal prejudices aside, so that you will forgive and love everyone who’s ever sinned against you. That’s what Christ has done for you. It’s what you can do for Christ.
In closing, a fairly reliable Christian tradition says that Onesimus – the former runaway slave – eventually became the Bishop of the church at Ephesus. If that tradition is correct, then Onesimus did go on to came to fill a very useful role in the Church….using his life to become a great blessing in Christ to many others. May this story of Onesimus, Philemon, and Paul also encourage us in our own Christian life and faith.
Pre-Service Prayer – O Lord God, Almighty Creator, my merciful Father in heaven, from Whom every good and perfect gift comes……You have bountifully blessed me throughout my life. You have preserved me in Your Word. You have provided for my bodily needs. You have protected me from spiritual harm and have kept me in the true faith. For your abundant goodness to me, I humbly praise and thank You. As I prepare for worship this morning – and every day You allow me to live on this earth – please bless me with Your continued presence, Your Fatherly protection, and Your divine guidance in all areas of my life. I submit myself to Your gracious will with the confidence that You will use me, as Your humble servant, in whatever ways will serve to further Your glory and Your kingdom. Bless and enrich my faith as I hear Your Word today, and receive my heart-felt praises in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, my Savior. It is in His name that I offer this prayer. Amen.
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
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation to Worship
at the Pastor’s invitation the Congregation shall rise
The Invocation
Pastor – We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 103
P: Bless the Lord , O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord , O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits –
C: Who pardons all your guilt, + Who heals all your diseases,
P: Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with mercy and
compassion
- Who satisfies your life with goodness + so that your youth is
renewed like the eagle.
P: The Lord performs righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He has made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel:
C: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, + slow to anger, abounding in mercy.
P: He will not always accuse, nor will He keep His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He does not repay us according to our guilty deeds.
- Yes, as high as the heavens are above the earth, + so powerful is His mercy toward those who fear Him; + As distant as the east is from the west, + so far has He removed our rebellious acts from us.
- As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.
C: As for man, his days are like grass. + Like a wildflower He blossoms. + Then the wind blows over it and it is gone, + and its place recognizes it no more.
P: But Lord’s mercy is from eternity to eternity over those who fear Him, and His righteousness is with their children’s children, with those who keep His covenant, with those who remember His precepts in order to obey them.
C: The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, + and His royal power rules over all.
P: Bless the Lord , you His angels, you strong warriors who obey His word by listening to what He says.
C: Bless the Lord , all His armies, + you who minister to Him, + you who do whatever pleases Him. + Bless the Lord , everything He has made + in all places where He rules. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The Opening Hymn “The Morning Sun Is Dawning”
To the tune “Webb” ……..(CW 474).
vv 1 & 3 adapted from Johannes Nuhlmann’s
“Dank Sei Gott in der Hohe”; vv 2 & 4 by cwh
The morning sun is dawning, And I thank God once more
Beneath Whose care awaking I find the night is o’er:
I thank Him that He’s called me To be His child and heir;
I know, whatever happens I’m safely in His care.
O Lord of all creation, Watch over me this day;
In all I do be near me, For others too I pray –
To You I do commend them:
Our church, our youth, our land;
Direct them and defend them, When dangers are at hand.
You are the Vine, O Savior, May we, Your branches be,
Connected to You firmly, And for eternity.
Your Spirit place within us, And let His gifts of grace
Empower us to serve You – throughout our earthly race.
So grant us, Lord, Your blessing
That we may do Your will,
No more Your ways transgressing, Our calling to fulfill;
To go and tell the Good News: Christ died for all, that we –
through faith in Him, forgiven — Have heaven eternally. Amen.
after which the Congregation will rise
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor “O LORD, open my lips.”
Congregation – (sung) And my mouth shall show forth Thy praise.
Pastor “Hasten, O God, to deliver me.”
Congregation – (Sung) Make haste to help me, O Lord.
Pastor “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.”
Congregation – (Sung) A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen.
We confess our Sins to the Lord
Pastor – “I now ask you before God, who searches your heart, do you confess that you have sinned against God and deserve His wrath and punishment? Then declare so by saying, “I do confess.”
Congregation – “I do confess.”
Pastor – “Truly you should confess, for the Holy Scriptures say, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Second, do you, with all your heart, repent of all your sins, committed in thought, word, and deed? Then declare so by saying, “I do repent.”
Congregation – “I do repent.”
Pastor – “Truly, you should repent, as other penitent sinners have done: King David, who prayed for a contrite heart; Peter, who wept bitterly; the sinful woman, the prodigal son, and others.
Third, do you sincerely believe that God, by grace, for Jesus’ sake, will forgive you all your sins? Then declare so by saying, “I do believe.”
Congregation – “I do believe.”
Pastor – “Truly you should so believe, for the Holy Scriptures say, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Fourth, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Ghost, you will, from this time forward, reform your sinful life? Then declare it by saying, “I do promise.”
Congregation – “I do promise.”
Pastor – “Truly, you should so promise, for Christ, the Lord says: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Finally, do you believe that through me, a called servant of God, you will receive from God the forgiveness of all your sins? Then declare it by saying, “I do believe.
Congregation – “I do believe.”
Pastor – “Upon this, your confession, I, because of my office as a called and ordained servant of God’s Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. And, in the place, and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Peace be with you. Amen.”
We Hear God’s Word
The Epistle Lesson Ephesians 4 & 5,selected verses
4:1 As a prisoner in the Lord, therefore, I urge you to walk in a manner
worthy of the calling with which you have been called. 2 Live with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in the one hope of your calling. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all……..
22 As far as your former way of life is concerned, you were taught to take off the old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed continually in the spirit of your mind, 24 and to put on the new self, which has been created to be like God in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Therefore, after you put away lying, let each of you speak truthfully with your neighbor, because we are all members of one body. 26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. 27 Do not give the Devil an opportunity. 28 Let the one who has been stealing steal no longer. Instead, let him work hard doing what is good with his own hands, so that he has something to share with a person who is in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouths. Say only what is beneficial when there is a need to build up others, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of every kind of bitterness, rage, anger, quarreling, and slander, along with every kind of malice. 32 Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven us.
5:1 Therefore, be imitators of God as His dearly loved children. 2 And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God……
15 Consider carefully, then, how you walk, not as unwise people, but as wise people. 16 Make the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 For this reason, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk on wine, which causes you to lose control. Instead, be filled with the Spirit 19 by speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord), 20 by always giving thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 and by submitting to one another in reverence for Christ.
After which, out of respect for Jesus’ words, the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson Mark 10:35-45
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Him and said, “Teacher, we wish that You would do for us whatever we ask.” 36 He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Promise that we may sit, one at Your right and one at Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am going to be baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they replied.
Jesus told them, “You will drink the cup that I am going to drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am going to be baptized with. 40 But to sit at My right or at My left is not for Me to give; rather, these places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard this, they were angry with James and John.
42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But that is not the way it is to be among you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
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 at 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.
Following which the Congregation may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson Romans 12:17-18
17 Do not pay anyone back evil for evil. Focus on those things that everyone considers noble. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone.
Don’t Get Even….Get Along With Others
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 493 “Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive”
- ‘Forgive our sins as we forgive,’ you taught us, Lord, to pray,
but you alone can grant us grace to live the words we say.
- How can your pardon reach and bless the unforgiving heart,
that broods on wrongs and will not let old bitterness depart?
- In blazing light your cross reveals the truth we dimly knew:
what trivial debts are owed to us, how great our debt to you!
- Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls, and bid resentment cease;
then, bound to all in bonds of love, our lives will spread your peace.
The Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge
of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Sermon Philemon 1
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and coworker, 2 to
Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. 6 I pray that this fellowship of your faith may become active in understanding every good thing that belongs to us in Christ. 7 For I have received great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
8 For that reason, even though I have plenty of boldness in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 I am appealing to you, instead, on the basis of love, just as I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I am appealing to you on behalf of my child Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains. 11 There was a time when he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. Welcome him. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your kindness would not be the result of compulsion, but of willingness. 15 Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while: so that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. He certainly is dear to me, but he is even more of a dear brother to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 Yes, brother, I am asking for a favor from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22 Just one more thing: Prepare a guest room for me, because I am hoping to be given back to you in answer to your prayers.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends his greetings to you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
The Transforming Power of the Gospel in our Lives
afterward, the Congregation will remain seated for the post-sermon blessing
Pastor To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority now and forever. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
We offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) Those in the chapel can place their offerings in the offering plates
2) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
3) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
After which the Congregation will rise for
We Bring our Prayers Before Our Lord
In our prayers this morning we include:
A Prayer of Intercession for two members of Ralph and Debbie
Terrian’s extended family: Alan Nebe and Jackie Hufnagle.
Both are receiving treatments for cancer; In addition
A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Continued Intercession on behalf of Frank Duffy, whose wife- Cecelia – was called home
to heaven this past Thursday;
In addition, we offer
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Dick and Janet Milas, whose anniversary is tomorrow;
And, next we raise
A Special Prayer for our students and staff at Grace Lutheran Academy as they begin a new school year tomorrow….and for all our congregation’s students at the elementary, middle, high school
and college levels as they return to school. And, finally we offer
The Lord’s Prayer
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 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.
Consecration of the Elements
Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation – (Sung) 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 AND FRIENDS
We ask that only “Confirmed, Communicant” members of this congregation, or of one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations come forward to receive the Lord’s Supper at this time.
We believe, according to Scripture, that only those who are “one,” that is, in complete doctrinal agreement, united in a common public confession of faith, are to commune together at the same altar (see I Corinthians 10:17 and I Corinthians 1:10).
To be “in communion” means to share and to hold in common. By eating and drinking at our Lord’s Table, we are not only sharing in, with, and under the bread and wine, Jesus’ very body and blood…we are also publicly declaring that we hold in common a specific confession of faith. In other words, as a result of having comprehensively studied the Scriptures together all of our communicants have agreed to accept and proclaim the same Biblical doctrines and practices.
Through membership in a particular church body (for us, that church body is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod), each person makes a public statement that he/she is in full agreement with the teachings and practices of that body. Because not every church body or Lutheran Synod teaches and practices the same things, we in the WELS want to be honest in our recognition of the doctrinal differences that, here on earth, separate us from other church bodies. Please bear in mind that we are not, in any way, judging the legitimacy of your Christian faith. Still, we ask that if you have not (upon study of the Word with us) declared yourself to be in full doctrinal agreement with us, you would respectfully not join us in the Lord’s Supper this morning.
It is our prayer that our Scripture-based practice of “Close Communion” will encourage anyone among us today who is not presently in full fellowship with us to seriously examine the teachings and practices of his/her church in order to determine if those teachings and practices are really in full agreement with God’s Word.
And if you are guest among us today, we want you to know that it is our earnest desire that you might become familiar with the Biblical doctrines our congregation confesses, in order that you might one day join with us at the Lord’s altar in this public expression of full unity of doctrine and practice. Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your participation as a fellow Christian in this worship service, and that we appreciate your understanding and respect of our Communion practice.
The Distribution Hymn Hymn 312 verses 1-4; verses 5-8
“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.
Following the distribution, the Pastor will invite the Congregation ro rise as
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 upon you with favor upon, and grant you His peace. men.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 318 “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”
1 Sent forth by God’s blessing, Our true faith confessing,
The people of God from His dwelling take leave. The Supper is ended.
O now be extended The fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of His teaching, Receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all. His grace did invite us,
His love shall unite us To work for God’s kingdom and answer His call.
2 With praise and thanksgiving To God ever-living,
The tasks of our ev’ryday life we will face. Our faith ever sharing,
In love ever caring, Embracing His children of each tribe and race.
With Your feast You feed us, With Your light now lead us;
Unite us as one in this life that we share. Then may all the living
With praise and thanksgiving Give honor to Christ and His name that we bear
Silent Prayer
Announcements
Post-Service Music
Announcements
Last Week At Grace: Sunday in church: 63 Online views : 22
Bible Class: 22 Online views: 14 Tuesday Bible Class: 19 Budget: $4150 Online: $402.26 Benevolence: $25
This Week’s Birthdays and Anniversary 8/16 – Dick & Janet Milas;
8/17 – Larry Center; 8/17 – Mary Karloski; 8/17 – Larry Ryan;
8/18 – Harriet Johnson; 8/21 – Kay Giardino;
Serving Us Next Sunday (8/22) Elders: Tim Pfortmiller, Vic Walker
Fellowship: Jeremiah Tabor & Ceilidh Nogy Altar Guild: Mary Karloski
Ushers: John Johnson, Taylor Ashley, John Wambold
This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship with the Lord’s Supper, 9:30 a.m.
Fellowship, 10:45 a.m. Bible Class/Sunday School, 11:05 a.m.
Monday The Beginning of Grace Lutheran Academy’s new school year.
Tuesday Morning Bible Class, 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Ten Minutes with Jesus devotion and prayer time. 6 p.m.
Saturday Outreach Calling/Visitation, meet at church at 10 a.m.
Sunday Pre-service Hymn singing, 9:25 a.m. Worship, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship, 10:40 a.m. Bible Class/Sunday School: 11:05 a.m.
Fellowship Volunteers Needed Could you please volunteer to prepare after-worship coffee, drinks, and light snacks? A 2021 sign-up poster is on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. We need more volunteers for the Sundays in September and October. A $25 per Sunday reimbursement for expenses is available to help defray your costs. (It comes through our “donation jar.”)
TEN MINUTES WITH JESUS – Ladies…..This Wednesday from 6-6:10 p.m. please join in our phone-in short devotion and prayer group.
This Week’s Bible Classes ……..In our Sunday Bible Class we’re studying First Corinthians. Today we’ll be examining chapters 3 and 4.
Tuesday morning, from 10:30-11:30, we’re studying 2 Kings 3-4. We’ll complete our study the story of a war against the Moabites that had a very disturbing conclusion. We’ll also look at three of Elisha’s miracles which are recorded in chapter 4.