What’s Rocking Your Boat?

We all have bad days. Maybe you can identify with this worker in one of my all-time favorite stories:

“I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number 3 of the accident reporting form, I put, “Poor Planning”, as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the following details will be sufficient:

I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a ten-story building. When I completed my work, I discovered I had about 500 pounds of bricks left over. Rather than carry them down by hand, I decided to lower them to the ground in a barrel by using a pulley which, fortunately, was attached to the side of the building at the tenth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went back to the roof, loaded the 500 pounds of bricks, then went back down to the ground and untied the rope…..holding it tightly to insure the slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks. (You will note in block 11 of the accident reporting form that I weigh 135 pounds). Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forget to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the fifth floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collarbone. I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.

Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately this same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground, and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed approximately 30 pounds. I refer you again to my weight in block number 11 of the accident reporting form. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the fifth floor, I met that barrel coming up again! This accounts for the two fractured ankles and lacerations of my legs and lower body. The second encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks, and fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks — in pain and unable to stand — watching the empty barrel ten stories above me — I again lost my presence of mind — I LET GO OF THE ROPE.”

Why is it that life doesn’t come easy, especially when we are trying to do the right things? Why do tribulations come? Why are there hard circumstances? Why do we have to face difficult problems? Why don’t the storms of life only come to those who are doing evil? Why do they come down on us Christians as well?

The fact is, difficulties come to everyone. Even Jesus had to face life’s storms. Our sermon text today, of course, speaks about a literal storm. But there were many other kinds as well with which Jesus had to deal. Facing life as a man was a storm in itself. But He was also caught in the storm of temptation by the Devil in the wilderness. He endured the storm of being rejected by everyone at one time or another. While dying for the world’s sin on the Cross, even God the Father turned His back on His Son, our Savior. He also faced the storm of betrayal by Judas, of abuse in Gethsemane, and especially the storm of his innocent death and burial in the tomb.

Storms come to all of us as well. Perhaps today, as we study, contemplate and apply some very appropriate portions of God’s Word, we’ll come to a better understanding and even – perhaps – a better appreciation of the storms that God allows to come our way in life….always to bless us (even though it often doesn’t seem that way while those storms are blowing), and to accomplish His will for our good and His glory.

Storms are always brewing here among us at Grace, aren’t they?…and they always will on this side of heaven. These storms can threaten to destroy our congregation, our families, and even our immortal souls. Perhaps some have come here this morning who are at this very minute in the middle of one of those monster storms. Those of us who are not battling the waves and winds right now have probably been in rough waters before – most of us more than once! And it’s quite likely that all of us will face a big storm, if not more than one, somewhere in our future. What a precious thing it is for us this morning, then, to have the opportunity through our Sermon to study the beautiful and encouraging story of Jesus calming both the storm…and His disciples’ fears. You see, my brothers and sisters, that story teaches us that Jesus is also your Storm-Stiller and mine, too. We need – (and we do have!) – His divine protection and His assuring promises that He is every bit as much in control of our live’s circumstances today, as He assured His disciples He was in control of everything in that boat on the stormy Sea of Galilee nearly twenty centuries ago. By His grace you and I have the blessed assurance that, just as our Savior has delivered us from being shipwrecked in our sins through His death and resurrection for us even so, Jesus will protect us from every other peril and problem in life….guarding and guiding us through life until we safely reach heaven’s eternal shore.

In addition to studying the words of our Sermon Text….. as we mine the gems of God’s Word this morning, we’ll join the Psalmist, through the words of Psalm 42, in longing for and receiving God’s relief from life’s storms and disappointments, as well as the problems and perils we endure as His children on earth. This Psalm, along with today’s other Scripture readings, has been selected to remind and encourage us that our LORD is always watching over, guiding, and defending His people. Let’s never forget that!

Near the end of his ordeal with tremendous loss and astonishing suffering, the LORD speaks with Job after Job demands to know from God why he has been suffering. In our Old Testament Lesson the LORD sets Job straight through a series of rhetorical questions that challenge Job’s right (or, really, his lack thereof) to dare to demand an explanation from God for what has happened in his life. God’s points (found in the verses that follow our reading) are that He alone is the Creator and Controller of everything, and that Job needs to trust in all humility that God in heaven knows best how to deal with him….with, or without, any explanation of what’s happening that might satisfy Job.

In our New Testament Lesson we find the Apostle Paul traveling by ship to Rome, where he will eventually go on trial before Caesar regarding his ministry for Christ and the chaos unbelieving Jews caused in connection with it. En route, a sudden storm threatens to sink the ship he’s on. Nearly everyone on board panics, sure they are going to die. But Paul reassures them that his God is in control of the situation, and that God has promised – through an angel – that while the ship will be wrecked, everyone will survive. This morning’s Gospel Lesson is the account of Jesus’ walking on the waters of Galilee. Into every life come the “turbulent storms” of adversity and temptation, but as long as we keep our eyes of faith focused on Jesus as our Protector, we don’t have to be afraid of anything or anyone. At the side of our Savior we can and will “sail” through all the storms life until we land safely on that heavenly shore.

In addition, this morning’s Children’s Lesson presents us with yet another miracle – when, in the days of Joshua and Israel’s conquest of Canaan, the LORD caused the sun to “stand still” so that the army of Israel could enjoy sufficient daylight to achieve a military victory over an enemy. We’ll remind ourselves that that same miracle-working power of God is at work in our lives every day to protect us and provide for us.

Welcome to Grace Lutheran Church

We welcome you this morning, in the name of our living Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. May you find abiding peace and renewed strength for your faith and Christian life in His Word of truth as you give your careful attention to God’s Word and offer Him your best worship and praise with us today.

The chief purpose of our ministry, as our Lord enables us, is to serve all people with the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed to us in the verbally inspired, inerrant Scriptures. To that end, it is our privilege and responsibility:

To proclaim the Law and Gospel keenly and clearly, in order to convict sinners of their sins, to lead them to repentance, to comfort penitent souls, and to build each other up in our faith in the one, true, Triune God through the Means of Grace (the Word and Sacraments of our Lord). ….

To equip believers, through that same Means of Grace, to grow in their Christian lives as faithful servants, stewards, and witnesses to others of the redeeming grace of our God in Christ Jesus.

Grace Lutheran Church is a fellowship of individuals and families who have found Jesus Christ to be the only safe and reliable answer to all of life’s problems and critical questions. We are members of the WELS, that is, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Wisconsin indicates the geographical beginnings of a group of Christians who, over a century and a half ago, because of their comprehensive commitment to all that God’s Word teaches, united themselves in a join public ministry which we in the WELS carry on, by God’s grace, to this day.
Evangelical declares that we believe and proclaim the great, foundational principles of the Christian faith: namely, that we are saved by God’s free grace alone (His undeserved love), through faith alone in Jesus Christ. And that this truth is found in Scripture alone (that is, the 66 “canonical” books of the Bible).
Lutheran affirms that we believe, teach, and confess all the doctrines of the historic Christian faith as taught by Jesus to His Apostles, now contained in the written Word of God. Those truths, once all but lost to the Church because of the influences of false teachers, were – by God’s grace and blessing – restored to the Christian Church through the 16^th century Lutheran Reformation led by Dr. Martin Luther. We humbly remain today, the grateful heirs of that Lutheran Reformation, Apostolic legacy.
And, finally, Synod states that we, as a congregation, have united in a shared ministry together with 1259 other like-minded WELS congregations across this country, as well as like-teaching Lutherans in 23 other nations. We join them in working together for the purposes of growing in our Christian faith, serving our glorious Lord, and proclaiming His gracious salvation in Christ to the world.

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.

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

The Order for Holy Communion

Prayer upon entering the sanctuary Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
Welcome and Introduction to Worship
after which the Congregation will rise for
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 of the Son
C: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.
P: And of the Holy Spirit
C: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
P:
The Psalm for Today Psalm 42
P: As the doe pants for streams of water,
C: So my soul pants for You, O God.
P: My soul thirsts for God, the living God. Where can I go and appear before God?
C: My tears have been food for me day and night, + while people are
saying to me all day, “Where is your God?”
P: I am overcome by emotion when I remember these things:
C: how I used to arrive with the crowd, as I lead the procession to the house of God, + with loud shouts of thanksgiving and the crowd celebrating the festival.
P: Why are you so depressed, O my soul? Why are you so disturbed within me?
C: Hope in God, for I will again praise Him for salvation from His presence.
P: Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your rapids.
C: All Your breakers and Your waves have swept over me.
P: By day the LORD commands His mercy.
C: and at night His song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life.
P: Why are you so depressed, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
C: Hope in God, + for I will again praise Him, for my salvation from the face of my God.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”
Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion,
My constant Friend is He?
His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.
Chorus:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free;For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,”
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears,
Tho’ by the path He leadeth,
But one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.
Chorus:
Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When song gives place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him;
From care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.
Chorus:
After which the Congregation will rise
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do
what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.
(Sung) Lord have mercy on us.
Christ Have Mercy on Us
Lord have mercy on us.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, be
strengthened in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, addressing you as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and under His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
May the peace of God rest upon all of you.
(Sung) Glory be to God on high and on earth peace good will to men.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You.
We glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Lord God heavenly King, God the Father almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
You take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us.
You take away the sin of the world. Receive our prayer.
You sit at the right hand of God the Father. Have mercy on us.
For You only are holy. You only are the Lord.
You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit.
Are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen
Our Prayer for This Morning
O Lord, my Almighty, Ever-Forgiving, Always-Faithful Father in heaven ….. + Every day I’m confronted by so many challenges + and contend with crosses that cause my heart to ache. + Some of these difficulties are simply the result of living in a sinful world. + Others are self-inflicted – the result of following my sinful desires + or of trying to solve my own problems……instead of relying upon You for comfort and deliverance. + Still others are blessings in disguise; + ….I know that by faith, + even if, at times, my human reason struggles + to see Your blessings in what seem to be my burdens. + As I meditate on Your Word this morning, + increase my feeble faith in You + that I might turn to You more confidently + in all my trials and troubles. + Graciously grant me Your continued divine protection + and an ever-increasing faith in You + so that I might be sure of Your perfect support + in every difficulty, and through all my temptations and problems. + This I humbly ask in the name of Jesus Christ, + Your Son, my Lord, + Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, + the one, true God — now and forever. +
After which the Congregation may be seated as
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Job 38:1-11
Then the Lord responded to Job out of a violent storm. He said: 2 “Who is this who spreads darkness over My plans with his ignorant words? 3 Get ready for action like a man! Then I will ask you questions, and you will inform Me. 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you understand anything about it. 5 Who determined its dimensions? I am sure you know. Who stretched out the surveying line over it? 6 What supports its foundation? Who set its cornerstone in place, 7 when the morning stars sang loud songs together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Who locked up the sea behind doors when it burst out of the womb? 9 When I clothed the sea with clouds, when I wrapped it with thick darkness as its swaddling cloths, 10 when I broke its power with My decree, when I locked it up behind barred, double doors, 11 I said, “You may come this far, but no farther. Here is the barrier for your proud waves.”
The New Testament Lesson Acts 27:13-26
13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they could carry out their plan. They raised the anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14 But before long, a hurricane-like wind, called the “northeaster,” rushed down from the island. 15 Since the ship was caught in it and could not head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we sailed on the sheltered side of a small island called Cauda, we were barely able to secure the skiff. 17 After hoisting it on board, the men tied ropes around the ship to reinforce it. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and in this way were driven along. 18 Because we were tossed around so violently by the storm, the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s gear overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the violent storm kept pressing down on us, finally all hope that we would be saved was disappearing.
21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice and not set sail from Crete and avoided this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because there will be no loss of life among you. Only the ship will be lost. 23 In fact, last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And surely God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, because I believe God that it will be exactly the way I have been told. 26 However, we must run aground on some island.”
after which, the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson Matthew 14:13-35
13 When Jesus heard this, He withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed Him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus got out of the boat, He saw a large crowd. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 When evening came, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 They told Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 “Bring them here to me,” He replied. 19 Then He instructed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. After looking up to heaven, He blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples. The disciples gave the food to the people. 20 They all ate and were filled. They picked up twelve basketfuls of what was left over from the broken pieces. 21 Those who ate were about five thousand men, not even counting women and children.
22 Immediately Jesus urged the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. 23 After He had dismissed the crowd, He went up onto the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. 24 By then the boat was quite a distance from shore, being pounded by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 In the fourth watch of the night. Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and cried out in fear, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once, saying, “Take heart! It is I! Do not be afraid.”
28 Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 Jesus said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat, walked on the water, and went toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid. As he began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”
34 When they had crossed over, they came to the shore at Gennesaret. 35 When the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all the surrounding region. They brought to Him all who were sick 36 and begged that they might just touch the fringe of His garment. All who touched it were completely cured.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, + and of all things visible and invisible. + And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, + begotten of His Father before all worlds, + God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. + Begotten, not made. + Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; + Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven + And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary + And was made man; + And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. + He suffered and was buried; + And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, + And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; + And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; + Whose Kingdom shall have no end. + And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, + Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, + Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, + Who spake by the Prophets. + And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. + I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, + And I look for the resurrection of the dead, + And the life of the world to come. +
The Congregation will now be seated for
The Children’s Lesson Joshua 10:8-14
8 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because I have given them into your hand. Not a man among them will be able to stand in your presence.” 9 So Joshua came upon them unexpectedly by marching up from Gilgal all night. 10 The Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, and he struck a powerful blow against them at Gibeon. Then he chased them on the road that goes up to Beth Horon, and he struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 While they were fleeing from Israel on the descent from Beth Horon, the Lord hurled large stones from the heavens on them all the way to Azekah. So they died. Those who died from the hailstones were many more than those whom the Israelites killed by the sword.
12 Then Joshua spoke to the Lord on the day that the Lord gave the Amorites into the power of Israel ?when he struck them down at Gibeon, and they were struck down before the people of Israel?. He said in the sight of Israel: Sun, rest at Gibeon. Moon, rest at the Valley of Aijalon.
13 The sun rested, and the moon stood still until a nation could avenge itself on its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stood still in the middle of the sky and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has never been a day like that day either before it or after it, a day when the Lord listened to the voice of a man, for the Lord was fighting for Israel.
The Message Behind the Miracle of the Stopped Sun
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 433 “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”
1 Jesus, Savior, pilot me Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal.
Chart and compass come from thee: Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
2 As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild.
Boist’rous waves obey thy will When thou say’st to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
3 When at last I near the shore And the fearful breakers roar
‘Twixt me and the peaceful rest, Then, while leaning on thy breast,
May I hear thee say to me, “Fear not! I will pilot thee.”
The Pre-Sermon Salutation
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord! May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.
The Sermon Text Mark 4:35-41
35 On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.” 36 After leaving the crowd behind, the disciples took Him along in the boat, just as He was. Other small boats also followed Him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves were splashing into the boat, so that the boat was quickly filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are about to drown?”
39 Then He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still lack faith?”
41 They were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
What’s Rocking Your Boat?
Following the sermon the Congregation will rise for
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, now encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
The Offertory – based on Psalm 51:10-12
(Sung) Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within Me
Cast me not away from Your presence
And take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation
And uphold me with Your free Spirit.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
The Offering
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. 6^th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
2) You can donate through our website: gracelutherannwa.com
as the offerings are brought forward the Congregation will rise for

Give Online

- Today’s Special Prayers
- Included in our prayers this morning are:
- A Prayer of Intercession for our sister in Christ, Rick Guyton,
- a friend of John Luedtke (who is contending with cancer) plus
- and
- A Prayer of Intercession for Steve Lampe, a friend of Angela Bishop.
- Steve is in a Springfield hospital being treated for 3^rd degree burns.
- And
- A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Chuck and Debbie Huebner,
- who are celebrating their wedding anniversary today
- Today’s General Prayer
- 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. +
- We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
- Pastor – The Lord be with you.
- Congregation (sung) And also with you
- Pastor – Lift up your hearts.
- Congregation (sung) We lift them up to the Lord,
- Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
- Congregation (sung) It is good and right so to do.
- Pastor – It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for in the wonder and mystery of His birth You have opened our eyes to the glory of Your grace and renewed in our hearts the fervor of Your love. Therefore with angels and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:
- Congregation
- (Sung) Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of heav’nly hosts
- Heaven and earth are full of Your glory
- Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest
- Blessed is He. Blessed is He.
- Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
- Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest
- Consecration of the Communion Elements (Pastor)
- Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.
- Congregation – (Sung)
- The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper (Pastor)
- (Please read the following if you have not spoken with
- our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
- To our Guests this morning, we appreciate your presence among us. It is an honor to have you join with us as we worship our Lord and listen to His Word. We truly consider it a privilege to spend this time with you! It is our hope that you will both return in the future to worship with us again, and – perhaps – that You will even choose to become part of our congregation’s membership and our Synodical (WELS) fellowship, so that you might become even more involved in worship, study of God’s Word, and in Christian ministry and fellowship with us.
- In connection with our worship as Christians, we regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion. But, as a key part of our church’s Biblically-based communion practice, before we can ask anyone to commune with us, we are compelled to first sit down with that individual and establish (upon a comprehensive study of the teachings of Scripture) that we are united in full doctrinal/ teaching fellowship…….which Scripture requires of any and all Christians before they can commune together.
- Accordingly, we can offer the Lord’s Supper this morning only to those individuals who have completed that course of study, and who have chosen to become confirmed, communicant members of Grace Lutheran congregation or from one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) congregations.
- For some guests, this Biblical practice of “Close Communion“ is both unfamiliar and (quite possibly) We realize that, unfortunately, few churches today continue to follow this approach to communion…..though, in the past (when many churches were more concerned about following all of God’s Word than is the case today) nearly all did. We understand that it is not necessarily easy to watch others receiving the Lord’s Supper, while being asked – respectfully — to refrain from receiving it. Many of us who are communing today once also watched others receive the Lord’s Supper, as you are asked to do this morning, while waiting for the privilege of one day being an active partner in this “Close Communion.” We want to assure you that we are not judging your faith in Christ today. Nor it is our desire to offend you. But it also is not our desire to offend or disobey our Lord’s expectations for the proper use of His Supper. Indeed, we must all obey Him above all others, and we want to obey Him. Consequently, if you have any questions or concerns about our use/practice of the Lord’s Supper (and we invite you to ask or express them — if you do), please feel free to speak with our Pastor after the service, or at your convenience. He considers it a privilege to share with you and others the Biblical reasons for our approach to receiving and offering the Lord’s Supper. In addition, you can also find a brochure in our tract/brochure rack in the entryway; it is entitled “Our Communion Practice.” This brochure also provides our guests and friends with the Scripture-based explanation for our understanding of and use of the Lord’s Supper.
- Finally, please know that we truly are grateful for your participation – as a fellow Christian – in this morning’s worship service. We also thank you for your patience and understanding, and for respecting this Biblical approach we must take as we endeavor to faithful make us of our Lord’s Supper. We hope and pray that you will come back to worship with us again — often. And that one day you might become a part of this Christian fellowship, not only as we worship and hear God’s Word from these pews, but as we receive the Lord’s Supper together. May God bless and keep you always!
- The Distribution Hymns Hymn 315 “Here, O My Lord, I See You Face To Face”
- 1 Here, O my Lord, I see you face to face; Here would I touch and handle things unseen,
- Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace, And all my weariness upon you lean.
- 2 This is the hour of banquet and of song; Here is the heav’nly table spread anew.
- Here let me feast and, feasting, still prolong The brief bright hour of fellowship with you.
- 3 I have no help but yours nor do I need Another arm but yours to lean upon.
- It is enough, O Lord, enough indeed; My strength is in your might, your might alone.
- 4 Mine is the sin but yours the righteousness; Mine is the guilt but yours the cleansing blood.
- Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace: Your blood, your righteousness, O Lord, my God.
- 5 Too soon we rise; the vessels disappear. The feast, though not the love, is past and gone.
- The bread and wine remove, but you are here, Nearer than ever, still my shield and sun.
- 6 Feast after feast thus comes and passes by, Yet, passing, points to that glad feast above,
- Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy, The Lamb’s great marriage feast of bliss and love.
- Hymn 415 “Be Still My Soul”
- 1 Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
- Leave to your God to order and provide; In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
- Be still, my soul; your best, your heav’nly friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
- 2 Be still, my soul; your God will undertake To guide the future as he has the past.
- Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
- Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while he lived below.
- 3 Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
- Then you will better know his love, his heart, Who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears.
- Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay From his own fullness all he takes away.
- 4 Be still, my soul; the hour is hast’ning on When we shall be forever with the Lord,
- When disappointment, grief, and fear are go ne, Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
- Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
- 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, and give you His peace.
- The Closing Hymn Hymn 369 “Beautiful Savior”
- 1 Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man!
- Truly I’d love thee, Truly I’d serve thee, Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.
- 2 Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands, Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring;
- Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer; He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.
- 3 Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high;
- Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky.
- 4 Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of Man!
- Glory and honor, Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be thine!
- Silent Prayer, Announcements
- Post-service Music

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