January 26, 2025 – The Third Sunday after Epiphany
“Touching The Untouchables”
Today – in India especially – they’re supposed to be called “Harigans” (meaning, “children of god”), but
most people within their religious system (the non-Christian cult of Hinduism) and around the world know them as “The Untouchables.” And while the Indian national constitution says it’s illegal to discriminate against these “untouchables,” that’s easier ordered than done. Even though Hinduism is a false faith (to those of us who, by grace, know the truth a about salvation through faith in Christ), “the faithful” in India generally still maintain their millennia-old Hindu “caste” divisions and distinctions. Which means “the untouchables” are always untouchable.
Maybe I’d better explain….. One of Hinduism’s chief characteristics is its “caste system.” Very simply, over thousands of years people have been placed, and are kept in four social categories – tied to heredity and occupation – called “castes.” If you’re a Hindu, you and your family are, quite literally, “stuck” inside your caste group for life, regardless of how you try to advance yourself. Along with the four social categories (and their many subdivisions) is a fifth group known as “The Untouchables.” These Untouchables are people who are considered by the “casted” Hindus to be so unacceptable and so unworthy that they are almost regarded as sub-human. If a “good” Hindu were even to even look at one of them, let alone to “touch” an Untouchable, it would be regarded as both a social AND a religious disaster of the greatest proportions.
About now you’re probably asking yourself: “Hey, this is a Christian Church…..Why in all the world would the pastor be writing in this worship focus about Hindus? They don’t believe the truth about the Triune God. They aren’t going to heaven unless they repent and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and God. Besides, who cares about their “caste” system” anyway? Well, what if I told you that I wrote this introduction to talk about a “caste system – of sorts” which afflicts our own spiritual lives? It’s true. There are “untouchables” in our lives…..and I’m not talking about a low social class of people. I’m talking about the ”untouchables” that are located in our own hearts, let alone those within our church family.
What I’m referring to are both the sinful attitudes and the sin-skeletons that are a part of your spiritual present and past, and mine. Sometimes we leave these sins “untouched” because we….well, we like them. But there are also those “sins” from the present and past that we loathe, and which haunt us with grief and guilt. We want to bury those sins in the recesses of our minds, rather than “touch” (deal with them faithfully) because thinking about them hurts us too much.
So, what’s our solution? The guidance found in God’s Word…. of course, coupled with the promised power of Christ for us. In Scripture we’ll find that Christ has come to graciously “touch the untouchables” of our lives with His forgiving, healing, reconciling love.
This morning we have the opportunity to give our ears and hearts to an Old Testament Lesson that shows God’s power to heal a skin disease that ancient people dreaded: leprosy. We’ll see that power at work in the life of… and in concert with the faith of … a Syrian general named Naaman. A non-believer from a pagan country, Naaman was becoming physically untouchable due to his disease of leprosy. Soon he would have to leave his family and friends and live in isolation (like the man Jesus heals in our Gospel Lesson and also Sermon Text). But after his brief encounter with Elisha the prophet, the LORD not only healed Naaman’s physical affliction, he provided him with spiritual “healing” through his new-found faith in the one, true God. Moving over to our Gospel Lesson…..three things merit our attention. First, we see Jesus calling some of His early disciples to follow Him (as we want to do today). Second, we have a “parallel” account to our Sermon Text, where Jesus heals the same “untouchable” leper. In so doing Christ shows His compassion both for those who are sick and for society’s outcasts. But more than to conduct a “social” ministry, Christ came to spiritually heal us all from the eternally terminal condition we had due to our sins. He did through His work of redemption. Third, we also get to witness another healing miracle, which – again – demonstrated Jesus’ deity, as He heals a paralyzed man. Finally, our Children’s Lesson is based on the words of Peter. In it we’ll use a First Aid Kit to remind us that Christ came to give each of us the spiritual “first aid” that we desperately needed for our souls. He came to heal us from our sin-produced everlasting death sentence through the wounds (the suffering and death) He endured in our place as our Savior. Christ made us “untouchable” spiritual lepers “touchable forever” through faith in Him as the Great Physician of our souls.
Pre-Service Prayer
Lord Jesus, though but two or three
In Your dear name assembled be,
You will among them show Your face
And bless them with Your saving grace.
In Your dear name again we meet
And worship humbly at Your feet;
You will Your gracious Word fulfill
And cheer us with Your presence still.
Jesus, from Whom all blessings flow,
Your peace and comfort now bestow;
Abide with us till life is o’er
And keep us Yours forevermore. Amen.
The portions of God’s 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
Pre-Service Hymn Singing, beginning at 9:25 a.m.
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation To Worship
following which, the Congregation will rise for the invocation
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father
Congregation Who gave us our lives through His almighty power.
P: And in the name of the Son
C: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.
P: And in the name of the Holy Spirit
C: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
P: Amen.
The Opening Prayer
O Lord God, Heavenly Father, + You have prepared for those who love You + blessings that greatly exceed our understanding: + Fill our hearts with God-pleasing love for you + so that we might love You above everything else + and lead us, by faith, + to Your eternal promises, + which exceed all that we can desire. + We ask for all of this + in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, + Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the one true God, + now and forever. + Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn The Morning Sun is Dawning
To the tune of “The Morning Light Is Breaking” (CW 474)
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.
After which the Congregation will rise
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor Brothers and sisters in Christ: the Word of God urges us to confess to our Lord all our sins of thought, word, and action. This is something that ought to be daily part of our spiritual lives, and should come forth from every heart that is humble and penitent. But we should especially do this when we meet together in His house to thank God for all that He has done for us, to praise Him, and to hear His life-giving Word. Therefore, come with me now, to our Heavenly Father’s throne of grace, and let us confess our sins together.
Congregation Miserable person that I am, + I confess and lament to You, O most holy God, + that I am a weak and sinful creature, + guilty of every sin, of unbelief, and of blasphemy. + I also confess that Your Word has not brought forth good fruit in me. + I hear it, but do not receive it earnestly. + I do not show works of love toward my neighbor. + I am full of anger, hate, and envy. + I am impatient, greedy, and bent on every evil. + Therefore my heart and conscience are heavy. + Lord, I ask You, free me from my sins, + strengthen my faith, + and comfort my weak conscience by Your divine Word, + that I may obtain Your promised grace.
Pastor Having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, now be strengthened in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, rest assured that your sins have been fully covered by the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ your Savior. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Now, in the peace of God’s forgiveness, let us together praise our gracious and glorious Lord!
The Congregation responds in song: (CW 610)
The Lord, my God be praised, To Him with joyful song
My God, Who ever living, Our praises we are bringing
To Whom the heavenly host And with the angel throng
All praise and honor giving. Thrice “Holy” we are singing,
The Lord, my God, be praised, With one united voice
In Whose great name I boast, The Church does Him adore.
God Father, God the Son, The Lord, my God, be praised
And God the Holy Ghost. Now and forevermore. Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 103
P: Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits –
C: Who forgives all your sins + and heals all your diseases, + Who redeems your life from the pit + and crowns you with love and compassion, + Who satisfies your desires with good things + so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
P: The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever;
C: He does not treat us as our sins deserve + or repay us according to our iniquities. + For as high as the heavens are above the earth, + so great is His love for those who fear Him; + as far as the east is from the west, + so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
P: As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness is with their children’s children.
C: Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts, + you His servants who do His will. + Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. + Praise the Lord, O my soul.
after which, the Congregation will be seated for
We Give Our Attention To God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson II Kings 5:1-19
Na’aman, he commander of the king of Aram’s army, was a great man in the opinion of his master. He was highly honored because the Lord had provided victory for Aram through him. Although he was a powerful warrior, he had leprosy.
2 Raiding parties had once gone out from Aram and brought back a young girl. She served Na’aman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “I wish my master stood before the prophet who is in Samaria, because he would cure him of his leprosy.”
4 So Na’aman went and told his master what the servant girl from the land of Israel had said.
5 Then the king of Aram said, “Go there. I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Na’aman went, and he took ten talents of silver and six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 Then he took the letter to the king of Israel. The letter said, “Now, when you receive this letter, you will know that I am sending my officer Na’aman to you so that you can cure him of his leprosy.”
7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothing and said, “Am I God that I can kill and make alive? Why is he sending a man to me for me to heal him from his leprosy? See how he is looking for a pretext to fight against me.”
8 But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
9 So Na’aman went with his horses and chariots and stopped in front of the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him to say, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan. Then your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.”
11 But Na’aman was angry and he left, saying, “Look, I said to myself, ‘He will certainly come out and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God and wave his hand over the place, and I will be cured of the leprosy!’ 12 Aren’t the Abana and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a burning rage.
13 But his servants approached and spoke to him. They said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not do it? How much more when he says to you, ‘Wash and be clean’?”
14 So he went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had said. Then his flesh was restored like the flesh of a small child, and he was clean. 15 Then he and his whole escort went back to the man of God. He stood in front of Elisha and said, “To be sure, now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Now accept a gift from your servant.”
16 But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives, in whose presence I stand, I will not take anything.” Even though Na’aman urged him to accept something, he refused.
17 Then Na’aman said, “If you do not want anything, please give me, your servant, as much dirt as two donkeys can carry, for your servant will never again burn incense or sacrifice to other gods, but only to the Lord. 18 But may the Lord forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the house of Rimmon to bow down there and he supports himself on my arm, then I too have to bow down in the house of Rimmon. When I bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant this one thing.”
19 Then Elisha said to him, “Go in peace.”
after which the Congregation rises out of respect for the words of our Savior
The Gospel Lesson Luke 5:1-26
One time, while the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats there along the lakeshore. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Jesus got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. He sat down and began teaching the crowds from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered Him, “Master, we worked hard all through the night and caught nothing. But at Your word I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were about to tear apart. 7 They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord.” 9 For Peter and all those with him were amazed at the number of fish they had caught, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Have no fear. From now on you will be catching people.”
11 After they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Him.
12 On another occasion, Jesus was in one of the towns, and there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
13 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be made clean.”
Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Jesus ordered him to tell no one, “But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony for them.” 15 The news about Him spread even more, and large crowds gathered to listen and be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.
17 On one of the days while Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with Him to heal. 18 Just then, men who were carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher tried to bring him in and lay him in front of Jesus. 19 Since they did not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him down through the tiles on his stretcher into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When He saw their faith, He said, “Man, your sins have been forgiven.”
21 The experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins except God alone?”
22 But Jesus knew their thoughts and answered them, “Why are you thinking this in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . .” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
25 Immediately, he stood up in front of them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 They were all astonished and glorified God. They were also filled with reverence and said, “We have seen wonderful things today.”
The Apostles’ Creed “I Believe in God the Father….”
Sung to the Melody “Ode to Joy” (CW 169)
I believe in God the Father, Maker of the heav’ns and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, our Savior, God’s own Son, of human birth.
Virgin born, the Lord incarnate, Whom the Spirit did conceive,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Our salvation to achieve.
Crucified, was dead and buried, Down to hell in victory;
From the dead He rose the third day; Up to heav’n triumphantly.
There at God’s right hand He’s ruling, By His will the world is led.
He will come to judge the nations, Both the living and the dead.
I believe in God the Spirit, In His Church, His chosen band.
They are joined in close communion, Holy in His sight they stand.
I believe in sins forgiven; That the dead will rise again;
I believe in life eternal. Amen! Amen! A – – men!
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Children’s Lesson I Peter 2:24
He Himself carried our sins in His body on the tree
so that we would be dead to sins and alive to righteousness.
By His wounds you were healed.
The FIRST AID We Needed From Our “Great Physician”
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 411 “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
1 What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Ev’rything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged – Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness – Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3 Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge – Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In his arms he’ll take and shield you; You will find a solace there.
after which, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
The Pre-Sermon Greeting
Grace and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord. May the God of peace fill you with all joy in believing! Amen.
Sermon Text Mark 1:40-45
40 A leper came to Jesus. He knelt down and begged Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was healed. 43 Then Jesus gave him a stern warning and immediately sent him away. 44 He told him, “See that you do not say anything to anyone. Instead go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the sacrifices for your cleansing that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But after the man left, he began to proclaim it widely. He spread the word so much that Jesus was no longer able to enter a town openly but stayed outside in deserted places. Yet people kept coming to Him from all directions.
Jesus Touches an Untouchable
following the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED
Pastor May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, now encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
The Offering Hymn Hymn 485 “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
1 We give Thee but Thine own, Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
2 May we Thy bounties thus As stewards true receive
And gladly, as Thou blessest us, To Thee our firstfruits give.
3 Oh, hearts are bruised and dead, And homes are bare and cold,
And lambs for whom the shepherd bled Are straying from the fold.
4 To comfort and to bless, To find a balm for woe,
To tend the lone and fatherless, Is angels’ work below.
5 The captives to release, To God the lost to bring,
To teach the way of life and peace– It is a Christ-like thing.
6 And we believe Thy Word Though dim our faith may be:
Whate’er for Thine we do, O Lord, We do it unto Thee.
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 the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation will rise as
We Offer Our Prayers to the Lord
Today’s Prayers
Included in our prayers this morning is:
Prayers of Intercession for:
Tim Pfortmiller who is receiving treatments for cancer;
for Diane Pfortmiller, who is contending with a number of health issues;
for Carol Ruiz, who successfully had surgery this past Thursday and is recovering at Washington Regional Hospital;
for Murray Mansch, who is recovering at home following
open heart surgery last Sunday;
and for Ruth Strackbein (Cynthia Tragasz’ mother). Ruth had a significant stroke this past week.
The Prayers of the Church
P: Almighty God! All praise and thanks to You for the countless blessings we receive from You every day, though we do not deserve them. We thank You for health of body and soul, for the joys of life, the beauties in the world, and the bounties of the earth. We thank you for the gifts of learning and memory, for the enjoyment of honest work and restful play, for the pleasure of friendship, and for the ability to share laughter and sorrow with others.
C: We thank you especially + for giving us Your precious Word and Sacraments + through which You generate and strengthen saving faith, + comfort our sin-troubled hearts + and build us up to live godly lives + for our good and to Your glory. + We praise you also, gracious Lord, + for making us able and willing to spread the Good News of salvation + throughout our community and into all the earth.
P: Great God and Lord! Stand by us in these last days full of trial and tribulation, of nations in turmoil and peoples in distress, of faith dying out and true love growing cold. Give us the strength of faith to face the evils of life with courage, and deliver us according to Your will and in Your own appointed time, from this wicked world, our sinful flesh, and the power of the Evil One.
C: We pray that You will continue to protect and preserve + the good institutions of our society: our families and schools, + our government and laws, + our trades and professions + our means of transportation and communication, + all useful arts, + and especially Your Holy Christian Church on earth.
P: Gracious Father! Be merciful to people in every affliction. Send Your peace to the sick, the aged, the infirm, the broken-hearted, the confused, the troubled, and the lonely. Bring Your healing to our broken homes and sin-ravaged lives.
C: We ask that You fill our hearts with Christian love + not only to forgive those who sin against us, + but also to pray for others in need + and to help them with our own words of encouragement + and our works of kindness.
P: Eternal God! Keep us all in Your saving faith, by which You enable us to overcome all things through the power of and by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is in His name that we offer this prayer, and now continue by 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.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Salutation
Pastor May the Lord be with you.
Congregation – And also with you.
The Doxology
Pastor Now, to Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy —
Congregation to the only God, our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon You and be gracious unto you,
The LORD look upon you with favor, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 321 “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise”
1 Savior, again to thy dear name we raise
With one accord our parting hymn of praise.
Once more we bless thee ere our worship cease,
Then, lowly bending, wait thy word of peace.
2 Grant us thy peace upon our homeward way;
With thee began, with thee shall end the day.
Guard thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
That in this house have called upon thy name.
3 Grant us thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;
Turn thou for us its darkness into light.
From harm and danger keep thy people free,
For dark and light are both alike to thee.
4 Grant us thy peace throughout our earthly life,
Our balm in sorrow and our stay in strife.
Then, when thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,
Call us, O Lord, to thine eternal peace.
silent prayer
announcements
post-service music
How to Become a Member of Our Congregation:
Should your contact with the life-enriching Word of God today and your desire for a church-home prompt you to desire membership in our Christian congregation, we want to help you take the first step. We would consider it an honor for you to join us in this family of faith! Communicant membership in our church is established by an informed declaration of fellowship upon transfer from a Lutheran congregation, or upon completion of our Pastor’s New Membership / Bible Information Course, whichever is appropriate for you. To make a personal appointment to discuss this further, please speak with
Pastor Huebner today or at your convenience.