Pray for Megan (nee Krohe) Torreson family

 Our former member, Megan Torreson, daughter of Pastor Wayne Krohe, and family are going through some very difficult times. Please read about the family's medical challenges at:

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Service for Trinity Sunday

 940 HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME

Text and tune: Public domain

 

 

P    In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C    Amen.

 P    If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C    But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

P    Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C    Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

 

P    Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C    Amen.

 

 

+ SERVICE OF THE WORD +

 

INTROIT   Psalm 8:1–2a, 3–5; antiphon: Liturgical Text

Blessèd be the Holy Trinity and the undivided | Unity.*
   Let us give glory to him because he has shown his mer- | cy to us.
O | Lord, our Lord,*
   how majestic is your name in | all the earth!
You have set your glory above the | heavens.*
   Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have es- | tablished strength.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your | fingers,*
   the moon and the stars, which you have | set in place,
what is man that you are mind- | ful of him,*
   and the son of man that you | care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly | beings*
   and crowned him with glory and | honor.
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
   and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
   is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
Blessèd be the Holy Trinity and the undivided | Unity.*
   Let us give glory to him because he has shown his mer- | cy to us.

 

KYRIE     LSB 152

A    In peace let us pray to the Lord.

A            For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.

A    For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.

A    For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.

A    Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

507 HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

Text and tune: Public domain

 

SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY

P    The Lord be with you.

C    And also with you.

 P    Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.

 C    Amen.

 OLD TESTAMENT READING   Isaiah 6:1–7

   1In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory!”

4And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

   6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

 

A    This is the Word of the Lord.

C    Thanks be to God.

 

PSALM 29

1Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,

   ascribe to the Lord glo- | ry and strength.

2Ascribe to the Lord the glory | due his name;*

   worship the Lord in the splendor of | holiness.

3The voice of the Lord is over the | waters;*

   the God of glory thunders,

   the Lord, over many | waters.

4The voice of the Lord is | powerful;*

   the voice of the Lord is full of | majesty.

5The voice of the Lord breaks the | cedars;*

   the Lord breaks the cedars of | Lebanon.

6He makes Lebanon to skip | like a calf,*

   and Sirion like a young | wild ox.

7The voice | of the Lord*

   flashes forth | flames of fire.

8The voice of the Lord shakes the | wilderness;*

   the Lord shakes the wilderness | of Kadesh.

9The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth

   and strips the | forests bare,*

   and in his temple all cry, | “Glory!”

10The Lord sits enthroned o- | ver the flood;*

   the Lord sits enthroned as king for- | ever.

11May the Lord give strength to his | people!*

   May the Lord bless his people | with peace!

 

EPISTLE  Romans 11:33–36

   33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34“For who has known the mind of the Lord,

   or who has been his counselor?”

35“Or who has given a gift to him

   that he might be repaid?”

36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

 

A    This is the Word of the Lord.

C    Thanks be to God.

 HOLY GOSPEL

P    The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the third chapter.

   1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

   9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

   16“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

 

P    This is the Gospel of the Lord.

571 GOD LOVED THE WORLD SO THAT HE GAVE

5     If you are sick, if death is near,
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith.

  6     Glory to God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To You, O blessèd Trinity,
Be praise now and eternally!

Text and tune: Public domain

SERMON

 

Whoever believes in Him. . .

 

John 3:8

 

The Gospel of the day is about believing in God. It’s about believing in what we don’t see or don’t quite understand, like the wind the blows and you don’t see where it is going or where it comes from, you just hear it’s sound. So we hear God and we believe. 

Nicodemus asks should I believe? Should I believe in Jesus the Son of God. He says to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him” (John 3:2).  

Jesus picks up right away on what Nicodemus is getting at.  And He begins to explain something about God and about his (Nicodemus’s) relationship with God.  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).  

Believing and not believing are as different as life is different from death. According to Jesus here, believing isn’t just accepting some premise or idea about heaven and earth. It isn’t just saying, “yeah, ok,” going along with the words of the Bible and Christian doctrine. Believing is saying good riddance to the old way of life with its sin and separation from God and taking on a new life with Christ, that is, being born again. 

Nicodemus was learning how he and all human beings before God are by nature dead in trespasses and sins.  He must realize the truth of the matter, that there is this great, overarching need to be born again.  

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”  (John 3:5)  Water and the Spirit. . .  Baptism. . .that's how Jesus says one is born again--in baptism. That's what he pointed Nicodemus to, those physical means, sacraments and the word. . .the things we have been given which enable us to enter into a relationship with God.  In the rest of the reading Jesus explains more about how the Holy Spirit works to cause people to be born again and to come to God.  

But Nicodemus still has problems with this. He asks, "How can these things happen?"  It all just doesn't fit for him.  These things that Jesus is telling him don't fit the preconceived ideas that Nicodemus has about God and about his relationship with God.  

Nicodemus had two things going on in his mind and they didn't fit.  First of all, he had a well educated, rational, systematic mind.  But then he has these words of Jesus to try and comprehend.  It’s a struggle and his rational mind seems to be winning.  And so he questions these words of Jesus.  ``How can a man be born when he is old?  Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!'' (John 3:4)  "How can these things happen?"

Today, Trinity Sunday is a celebration of a doctrine, a teaching of the Christian faith. All the other holidays of the church are observances of certain events in the life of Jesus and his people, like Christmas, his birth and Easter, his resurrection. But today is about what we Christians believe, teach and confess who God is.

Where do we get this notion of who God is?  Our head? Our own reason or intellect?  That's what Nicodemus was trying so hard to do.  That's why he couldn't follow the message of Jesus, his reason and intellect got in the way.  He had in mind his image of who God is supposed to be. But Jesus was talking about some other stuff which just didn't fit with that.

The lesson to be learned from Nicodemus is this:  Don't try to make God fit into your box.  Don't try to make God be the god you want him to be.  Don't expect Him to act the way you think He should. When we do that there is a certain role reversal that happens. Instead of us being made in God's image, we attempt to make God in our image. And that's dangerous. It's dangerous to think that you've got it all figured out on your own. You see, our minds are too small.  Our reason and intellect are too weak to try to figure out who God is on our own. Our feelings are too warped by sin and too far from God. We need to look to Him. He will reveal to us what we need to know about Who He is.

God is One. We are not, each, individually, to come up with our own idea of who God is. Then we would have many opinions, as if there were many truths and many gods. In a little bit we are going to confess the one Christian faith in the Athanasian Creed. There it’s called the catholic faith. Small c, catholic. Not to be confused with the Roman Catholic denomination, capital C for a specific name. Catholic means universal, good for each and all.

God does reveal to all who will hear His word, just like he did to Nicodemus through the words of His Son Jesus.  Jesus told Nicodemus who God is and what God does. "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." (John 3:16)

It's words like these from the Bible that enable you to learn who your God is. And yet not the words alone. These words have to overcome the human obstacles of reason and intellect and preconceived ideas. These words work because they are empowered by God.  The only way a person can know God and have a relationship with God is if God draws you or drags you. We can't do it ourselves. We need to be drawn by God.  

Fortunately this is not the end of the story for Nicodemus.  This encounter with Jesus apparently has an impact on him.  His name appears again later in John's Gospel when He speaks up for Jesus in the Jewish ruling Sanhedrin.  And then in chapter 19 at the death of Jesus, Nicodemus is said to have aided Joseph of Arimathea in providing a proper burial for the body.  It seems that God drew Nicodemus into a relationship with Him.  He broke down his will, his intellect and his reason.  And Nicodemus knew who His God is.

So we also know God, not because we've got it all figured out.  But because God has revealed Himself to us, using His word and His sacraments as His tool to lead us into faith and knowledge of Him. This good teaching of the Trinity is worthy of a holiday.

God the Father: who from all eternity wanted to save us. He loved us. He sent His Son to die for us.

God the Son.  Sent from the Father yet one with the Father. Sent to become one of us.  Sent to die to save all of us.

We know God as the Spirit. The Spirit sent to us from the Father and the Son to convert us, to give us a new birth, that we not perish in the old life, but have eternal life. Amen.

 

 

ATHANASIAN CREED

L    Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith.

       Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally.

       And the catholic faith is this,

C    that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance.

L    For the Father is one person, the Son is another, and the Holy Spirit is another.

C    But the Godhead of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one: the glory equal, the majesty coeternal.

L    Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit:

C    the Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Spirit uncreated;

L    the Father infinite, the Son infinite, the Holy Spirit infinite;

C    the Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Spirit eternal.

L    And yet there are not three Eternals, but one Eternal,

C    just as there are not three Uncreated or three Infinites, but one Uncreated and one Infinite.

L    In the same way, the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, the Holy Spirit almighty;

C    and yet there are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.

L    So the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God;

C    and yet there are not three Gods, but one God.

L    So the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord;

C    and yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord.

L    Just as we are compelled by the Christian truth to acknowledge each distinct person as God and Lord, so also are we prohibited by the catholic religion to say that there are three Gods or Lords.

C    The Father is not made nor created nor begotten by anyone.

L    The Son is neither made nor created, but begotten of the Father alone.

C    The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son, neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeding.

L    Thus, there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.

C    And in this Trinity none is before or after another; none is greater or less than another;

L    but the whole three persons are coeternal with each other and coequal, so that in all things, as has been stated above, the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity is to be worshiped.

C    Therefore, whoever desires to be saved must think thus about the Trinity.

L    But it is also necessary for everlasting salvation that one faithfully believe the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C    Therefore, it is the right faith that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is at the same time both God and man.

L    He is God, begotten from the substance of the Father before all ages; and He is man, born from the substance of His mother in this age:

C    perfect God and perfect man, composed of a rational soul and human flesh;

L    equal to the Father with respect to His divinity, less than the Father with respect to His humanity.

C    Although He is God and man, He is not two, but one Christ:

L    one, however, not by the conversion of the divinity into flesh, but by the assumption of the humanity into God;

C    one altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.

L    For as the rational soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ,

C    who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead,

L    ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

C    At His coming all people will rise again with their bodies and give an account concerning their own deeds.

L    And those who have done good will enter into eternal life, and those who have done evil into eternal fire.

C    This is the catholic faith; whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved.

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

 

P    Let us pray.

       O God, you are the fountain of all blessings, you are from everlasting to everlasting, dwelling in majesty, honor and glory, as the most blessed Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We thank you for the rays of divine light by which we have come to know you, and for the wonderful mercy by which we have come to love you. We thank you that you are the one, True, Triune Godhead, eternal, immortal, invisible, in whom we live and move and have our being.

       We bless you, almighty Father. Your glory fills the heavens. You made all things. You work shows forth your power and glory. Accept our prayers and praise.

       We worship you, O Christ, only-begotten Son of the Father. You were lifted up to draw all to yourself, that whoever believes should not perish but have everlasting life. Now you have been exalted to the right hand of the Father in glory everlasting. Grant us all the joy of abiding in that glory forever.

       We praise you, O Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who has called us by the Gospel and led us into all truth. You have gathered us into your Church and sanctified us to be your Saints. Grant us faith that endures to the end.

       Thanks be to you, O Lord, for those who served our nation through military service. In grateful remembrance of those who gave their lives for us and for the cause of freedom we pray your help that we may honor their sacrifice by using our liberty responsibly. On this holiday we ask for your blessings on all who travel, that they would be kept safe. Look kindly on our nation. Continue to provide aid in protecting and increasing the benefits we have for those who follow us, looking always to You, from whom these benefits come.

         For _____________ and all who suffer in our midst: Lord of hosts would uphold them in the truth that, since He is at their right hand, they cannot be shaken; and that He would gladden their hearts, cause their tongues to rejoice and make their flesh dwell in hope.

       Strengthen your truth in our weak hearts and minds. Give us a lively hope in your bountiful promises. Grant us the remission of all our sins, and preserve us until the coming of your heavenly kingdom, when we shall be perfected in heavenly knowledge and bliss, through the merits of Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord who with you and the Holy Spirit is on God now and forever.

       Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER                                        

P    Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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.

 BENEDICTION                                                                                                                                         

P    The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.

506 GLORY BE TO GOD THE FATHER

Tune and text: Public domain

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2021 Concordia Publishing House.

Service for the 5th Sunday of Easter

 + 5^th Sunday of Easter +

May 2, 2021

696 O GOD, MY FAITHFUL GOD

1 O God, my faithful God,
    True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
    All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame,
    And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
    A soul unstained by sin.

2 Grant me the strength to do
    With ready heart and willing
Whatever You command,
    My calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should
    While trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good,
    For You must give success.

3 Keep me from saying words
    That later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech
    May from my lips be falling;
But when within my place
    I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace
    Lest I offend the weak.

4 Lord, let me win my foes
    With kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends
    For counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught,
    To love both great and small
And by Your Spirit’s might
    To live in peace with all.

5 Let me depart this life
    Confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul
    That it may live forever;
And let my body have
    A quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave;
    And let it sleep in peace.

6 And on that final day
    When all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand,
    My deathly slumber breaking.
Then let me hear Your voice,
    Redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice
    With those who love Your name.

Text: Public domain

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

+ SERVICE OF THE WORD +

 

INTROIT Psalm 98:1b, 3–4; antiphon: vv. 1a, 2b

Sing to the Lord a new song, Alleluia,
for he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. Alleluia.
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Sing to the Lord a new song, Alleluia,
for he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. Alleluia.

 

KYRIE LSB 152

A In peace let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy.

A For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy.

A For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy.

A For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy.

A Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

C Amen.

 

THIS IS THE FEAST LSB 155

C This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

 

SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 12:1–6

¹You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.
²“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”

³With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. ⁴And you will say in that day:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
⁵“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
⁶Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

PSALM Psalm 66:1–8; antiphon: v. 5

¹Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
²sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
³Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
⁴All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.”

⁵Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
⁶He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
⁷who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations—
let not the rebellious exalt themselves.

⁸Bless our God, O peoples;
let the sound of his praise be heard,

 

EPISTLE James 1:16–21

¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ¹⁸Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

¹⁹Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. ²¹Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

ALLELUIA AND VERSE LSB 156

C Alleluia.

Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia, alleluia.

 

HOLY GOSPEL John 16:5–15

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the sixteenth chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

⁵[Jesus said:] “But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; ¹¹concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹²“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

556 DEAR CHRISTIANS, ONE AND ALL, REJOICE sts. 1–5

1 Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
    With exultation springing,
And with united heart and voice
    And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God has done,
How His right arm the vict’ry won.
    What price our ransom cost Him!

2 Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay;
    Death brooded darkly o’er me.
Sin was my torment night and day;
    In sin my mother bore me.
But daily deeper still I fell;
My life became a living hell,
    So firmly sin possessed me.

3 My own good works all came to naught,
    No grace or merit gaining;
Free will against God’s judgment fought,
    Dead to all good remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
Left only death to be my share;
    The pangs of hell I suffered.

4 But God had seen my wretched state
    Before the world’s foundation,
And mindful of His mercies great,
    He planned for my salvation.
He turned to me a father’s heart;
He did not choose the easy part
    But gave His dearest treasure.

5 God said to His belovèd Son:
    “It’s time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of My crown,
    And bring to all salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
Slay bitter death for them that they
    May live with You forever.”

Text: Public domain

 

SERMON

 

NICENE CREED

C 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 Spirit 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 sits at the right hand of the Father.  And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

 And I believe in the Holy Spirit,  the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,     who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.  And I believe in 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 T of the world to come. Amen.

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

 

Gracious Lord, You have revealed Your righteousness in the sight of the nations. By the death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ, You have worked salvation. Strengthen the song of Your Church. Give skill to musicians and poets, and give boldness to Your congregation in this and every place to sing the eternally new song of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 

P O Holy One of Israel, cause Your Spirit of truth to reign in the Church, that what Christ has won for us would be declared joyfully and faithfully to sinners. Preserve our pastors, missionaries and all who serve with Your Word. Increase among us thankfulness for Your compassion, for You are great in our midst. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 

P Father of lights, every good and perfect gift comes down from You. By Your Spirit, put away from our families and communities every hasty or harsh word, together with all filthiness and rampant wickedness, and instead give us patience and humility toward our neighbors. Since You have brought us forth by the Word of Your truth, so let us speak truthfully with one another in meekness as beloved brothers. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 

P Almighty God, Your Son acknowledged Satan as ruler of this world and its ways, yet one whose reign is judged and whose time is short. Beat back his lies and deadly work, that the order of Your creation may be seen. Give us good government and leaders who are both honest and faithful. Even so, let us look eagerly for Your Son’s return, and let that be quickly. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 

P Hear the prayers of intercession we offer in the unity of Your Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Comforter [especially for _____________]. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

 

P Lord God, heavenly Father, through Your Son You promised Your Holy Spirit, who would convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. Enlighten our hearts so that we confess our sins, obtain everlasting righteousness through faith in Christ and, through every trial and temptation, abide in the consolation that Christ is Lord over the devil, death and all things, and that He will graciously deliver us from all affliction to make us partakers of eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

+ SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT +

 

PREFACE LSB 160

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Lift up your hearts.

C We lift them to the Lord.

P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God. And most especially are we bound to praise You on this day for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the very Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us and bore the sins of the world. By His dying He has destroyed death, and by His rising again He has restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, and with all the witnesses of the resurrection, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

 

SANCTUS LSB 161

C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:

Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.

Hosanna. Hosanna.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING LSB 161

P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.

Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

LORD’S PRAYER LSB 162

P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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.

 

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

PAX DOMINI LSB 163

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C Amen.

 

AGNUS DEI LSB 163

C Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

 

DISTRIBUTION

556 DEAR CHRISTIANS, ONE AND ALL, REJOICE sts. 6–10

6 The Son obeyed His Father’s will,
    Was born of virgin mother;
And God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
    He came to be my brother.
His royal pow’r disguised He bore;
A servant’s form, like mine, He wore
    To lead the devil captive.

7 To me He said: “Stay close to Me,
    I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I Myself will be;
    For you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, and you are Mine,
And where I am you may remain;
    The foe shall not divide us.

8 “Though he will shed My precious blood,
    Me of My life bereaving,
All this I suffer for your good;
    Be steadfast and believing.
Life will from death the vict’ry win;
My innocence shall bear your sin,
    And you are blest forever.

9 “Now to My Father I depart,
    From earth to heav’n ascending,
And, heav’nly wisdom to impart,
    The Holy Spirit sending;
In trouble He will comfort you
And teach you always to be true
    And into truth shall guide you.

10 “What I on earth have done and taught
    Guide all your life and teaching;
So shall the kingdom’s work be wrought
    And honored in your preaching.
But watch lest foes with base alloy
The heav’nly treasure should destroy;
    This final word I leave you.”

Text: Public domain

 

475 GOOD CHRISTIAN FRIENDS, REJOICE AND SING

477 ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA! HEARTS TO HEAVEN sts. 1, 3

1 Alleluia, alleluia!
    Hearts to heav’n and voices raise:
Sing to God a hymn of gladness,
    Sing to God a hymn of praise;
He who on the cross a victim
    For the world’s salvation bled—
Jesus Christ, the King of Glory,
    Now is risen from the dead.

3 Alleluia, alleluia!
    Glory be to God on high:
Alleluia to the Savior
    Who has gained the victory;
Alleluia to the Spirit,
    Fount of love and sanctity!
Alleluia, alleluia
    To the triune Majesty!

Text: Public domain

 

809 GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

1 Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
    There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not;
    As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. Refrain

ref Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
    Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
    Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
    Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
    To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. Refrain

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
    Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
    Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain

Text: Public domain

THANK THE LORD LSB 164

POST-COMMUNION COLLECT

A Let us pray.

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

BENEDICTION LSB 166

P The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.

C Amen.

 

922 GO, MY CHILDREN, WITH MY BLESSING sts. 1–4

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2021 Concordia Publishing House.