Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 1/28/2024
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
JANUARY 28, 2024
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S!
8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
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THE ENTRANCE RITE
PRELUDE Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier BWV 731 Johann Sebastian Bach
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN Word of God, Come Down on Earth LSB 545
1 Word of God, come down on earth,
Living rain from heav’n descending;
Touch our hearts and bring to birth
Faith and hope and love unending.
Word almighty, we revere You;
Word made flesh, we long to hear You.
2 Word eternal, throned on high,
Word that brought to life creation,
Word that came from heav’n to die,
Crucified for our salvation,
Saving Word, the world restoring,
Speak to us, Your love outpouring.
3 Word that caused blind eyes to see,
Speak and heal our mortal blindness;
Deaf we are: our healer be;
Loose our tongues to tell Your kindness.
Be our Word in pity spoken,
Heal the world, by sin now broken.
4 Word that speaks God’s tender love,
One with God beyond all telling,
Word that sends us from above,
God the Spirit, with us dwelling,
Word of truth, to all truth lead us;
Word of life, with one bread feed us.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LSB 203
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.
Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
Almighty God, merciful Father, in Holy Baptism You declared us to be Your children and gathered us into Your one, holy Church, in which You daily and richly forgive us our sins and grant us new life through Your Spirit. Be in our midst, enliven our faith, and graciously receive our prayer and praise; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
KYRIE LSB 204
Lord, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy.
HYMN OF PRAISE – “Gloria in Excelsis” LSB 204
1 To God on high be glory
And peace to all the earth;
Goodwill from God in heaven
Proclaimed at Jesus’ birth!
We praise and bless You, Father;
Your holy name, we sing—
Our thanks for Your great glory,
Lord God, our heav’nly King.
2 To You, O sole-begotten,
The Father’s Son, we pray;
O Lamb of God, our Savior,
You take our sins away.
Have mercy on us, Jesus;
Receive our heartfelt cry,
Where You in pow’r are seated
At God’s right hand on high—
3 For You alone are holy;
You only are the Lord.
Forever and forever,
Be worshiped and adored;
You with the Holy Spirit
Alone are Lord Most High,
In God the Father’s glory.
“Amen!” our glad reply.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Almighty God,
You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Deuteronomy 18:15-20
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(10:30) PSALM 111 (Sung responsively)
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
SECOND LESSON I Corinthians 8:1-13
Concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(10:30) CHILDREN’S SERMON
GOSPEL VERSE (Stand) LSB 205
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL Mark 1:21-28
The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 1st chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath [Jesus] entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ
SERMON (Be seated)
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ…
During the Epiphany season, we read about the early days of Jesus’ ministry. The lesson we just read tells of one of his first public appearances – a time of teaching in a local synagogue. As we heard, the people who listened to his teaching that day were astounded by it. They were astounded because he taught them with authority and not like their usual teachers, the scribes.
While the people were considering what this might mean, something else then happened that caused them to be astounded once again. An unclean spirit, who resided in a man of the congregation – seemingly unbeknownst to the people – began to openly challenge Jesus, asking him what he was doing there and telling him he knew his true identity. In response, Jesus silenced the unclean spirit and cast it out, freeing the man and amazing the people.
At this point, if there was any remaining question about Jesus’ authority, it was certainly now erased. For people could clearly see that Jesus possessed great power.
And notice, too, that the people also declared that they were seeing something new. To their question of “what is this?” they answered: “a new teaching with authority.”
This newness and authority exhibited by Jesus would naturally make people think of Israel’s prophets. God had often sent prophets to his people when something needed to be said or done.
As Jesus’ ministry went forward, people would regularly refer to him as a prophet. One of those times was when he raised a widow’s son from the dead (Luke 7) and the people cried out: “A great prophet has arisen among us!”
Today the church has us emphasize this connection, between Jesus and the prophets of old, by having us read Deuteronomy 18:15-20 as our first reading. In this text we find one of the most powerful and profound of all Old Testament prophecies. We know that it’s important because it’s quoted or alluded to many times by New Testament speakers.
This prophecy from Deuteronomy 18 came as God was preparing his people to enter the promised land. God had delivered the people from their slavery in Egypt and had given them the Commandments and Covenant at Sinai. They had then wandered for forty years in the wilderness, because they were not yet ready to receive his great gift. But now, as this prophecy is given, the time for their entry had come.
The primary thrust of Deuteronomy is the re-telling of the Law. In it Moses reviewed the highlights of the Law with the people and also added new content and application as God directed Him. His words were not only good preparation for the people before they headed off to their new home, but also served another important function as well. They would help the people overcome their fear of having to go forward without Moses, since God had told them Moses would not make it to the promised land.
Here we see why the promise in today’s text was so meaningful. God said that he would raise up for them a new prophet, like Moses, from among their brothers.
In considering this promise today, the next step should be to give some thought as to who that prophet might have been.
The first person to come to mind is Joshua, Moses’ successor. Joshua led the people into the promised land and continued to give and receive messages from God.
And yet, was Joshua really like Moses? Moses had received the Law and God’s covenant promise. By contrast, the messages Joshua received were far less significant.
Over the course of its history, Israel had many prophets. And each of them had an important message to give. Because of these many voices, scholars are generally agreed that the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18 is fulfilled by a succession of prophets, not just one person. These prophets were the living voice of God and the instruments He used to lead and instruct His people over many, many years.
Still, were any of these prophets really like Moses? And what about the wording of the Deuteronomy prophecy which clearly speaks about one prophet. Could it be that there would be an ultimate and climactic fulfillment of the prophecy at some point?
The New Testament tells us clearly that “yes” there was indeed an ultimate and climactic fulfillment of this prophecy. It was fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.
In Acts chapter three, Peter states this message clearly to those gathered in the Temple courts. He quotes the passage from Deuteronomy verbatim and points out to his hearers how blessed they are that the promised prophet came to them first.
Likewise, Stephen, in a speech just prior to his martyrdom, quotes this passage and links it to Jesus.
Jesus himself referred to this passage in John chapter five when he said to the Jews: “For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.”
And in our Gospel reading two weeks ago we heard Philip say to Nathaniel: “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
In Jesus, God did indeed raise up a prophet like Moses from among his brothers. God put his words into Jesus’ mouth, who then spoke all that he commanded.
Jesus was a prophet like Moses in that he also gave new words from God. John the Evangelist, in the great opening chapter to his Gospel, referred to this newness of Christ’s message by saying: “the Law came through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
And having identified Jesus as the ultimate and climactic prophet, like Moses, raised from among the people, we must then ask ourselves what this means for us today. Here are three points for us to consider.
First, like Moses, Jesus was sent to help us know God. In the Deuteronomy promise, God makes it clear that he is responding to the people’s desire to know him. He told them that he was giving them his words: “just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’”
Here God was quoting a request of the people from forty years earlier when they were gathered at Mt. Sinai (also called Horeb). God had appeared to them on the mountain with great fire and sound, but the people were afraid and thought they would die in his holy presence. So they said to Moses: “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses then went up into the mountain to speak to God. And Moses became their intermediary. He made God and God’s word known to them.
This is what Jesus does for us. He makes God known. Like the people at Horeb, we are afraid of God’s holiness and know that we are unworthy to be in his presence. But God has come to us in Jesus – taking on human flesh. And this shows us that God is accessible and wanting to connect with us. Just like Moses came down from the mountain to the people, God came down to us in Jesus.
And more than just giving us words, Jesus also gives messages through his actions. In his healing and helping and caring, Jesus tells us about the love of God. And in his mourning of loss and his acceptance of the sinner, Jesus tells us about the heart of God.
Second, like Moses, Jesus’ ministry continued in the prophets who followed him.
The prophets who followed Moses continued to be the voice of God speaking to His people. They were all a part of that succession of prophets which fulfilled the Deuteronomy prophecy. These prophets helped God’s people in many ways – working to turn them from their sin and reminding them of God’s power to deliver them from trouble. They preached, they ministered, they suffered… always pointing to the covenant God had given them through Moses.
The prophets who continue the ministry of Jesus do these same things. They are the preachers who tell forth Jesus’ words of grace and truth and the ministers who show the love of Jesus through voice and action. They are the servants who suffer for the sake of others in the name of Jesus.
We should note that the New Testament only occasionally makes mention of prophets as a role among God’s people in the church, and that the role is not well-defined. That being said, the New Testament does speak frequently about the act of prophesying. “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy,” says Paul to the Corinthian church (14:1).
Most scholars agree that this New Testament form of prophesying is best understood today as preaching. The prophets in the church are the ones who preach. This includes those who are called to the preaching office, and also others who may have a message of witness. People prophesy as the church has need.
The church does not normally designate people as prophets. We have pastors, priests, elders, preachers, deacons, missionaries and teachers instead. Prophecy is better thought of as a gift, not a title.
Yet everyone called to preach should understand that they have a prophetic task. And the church, united together, should understand that it has a prophetic role as God’s voice to the world.
One of our favorite hymns for a service of ordination into the office of the ministry is titled God of the Prophets, bless the Prophets Sons. Among the powerful verses in that hymn is one in which we ask God to “anoint them prophets, men who are intent to be your witnesses in word and deed.”
Jesus’ ministry continues in the prophets who follow him. But having said this, we must also remember a third point about Moses’ prophecy and what that means for us today. Like it was with Moses, Jesus’ voice must be heard above all others.
In the days of Moses, the people often rebelled against God’s messages. They murmured and grumbled against his prophet – asking for a return to Egypt, fashioning a golden calf as an idol, and refusing to believe that they could enter the promised land. These voices of opposition were often heard above the voice of Moses – that is, until God called the people to repentance, which he did gently at times, and other times with great judgment.
In the same way, many voices are heard above the voice of Jesus today. Many of these voices, obviously, are outside the church. Some of them may even have good things to say. But none of them has as much good to say as Jesus.
Unfortunately, the problem of other voices being placed above the voice of Jesus can also be found inside the church too. It happens when Christians prefer the voices of their fellow Christians instead– perhaps those who are always nice and caring, or their favorite, preacher, teacher, author or commentator.
And then there are those in the church who love the voice of Jesus, but because of spending much more time listening to the voices of the world find that Jesus’ voice has less and less impact on them. They may not even realize this is happening. But their conversations and life choices give it away. Unfortunately, this happens with a high degree of frequency. And let me just say: it can happen to any of us.
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers,” said the Lord. “And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.” In other words, God will be heard. And we either hear him now, or we will hear him later.
When we hear God now, speaking through the prophetic voice of His Son Jesus, we hear of his call to repent and his offer of mercy. God wishes to turn us from all evil; and God wishes to forgive our sins.
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways,” says the introduction to the Book of Hebrews, “God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things.”
The people of the world may help and inspire us through their words, but God speaks most powerfully of all in his Son. Yes, the Lord has raised up for us a prophet – he is Jesus! Let us listen to him, above all others.
In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) Son of God, Eternal Savior LSB 842
1 Son of God, eternal Savior,
Source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us
Hallows all our human race,
You our Head, who, throned in glory,
For Your own will ever plead:
Fill us with Your love and pity,
Heal our wrongs, and help our need.
2 As You, Lord, have lived for others,
So may we for others live.
Freely have Your gifts been granted;
Freely may Your servants give.
Yours the gold and Yours the silver,
Yours the wealth of land and sea;
We but stewards of Your bounty
Held in solemn trust will be.
3 Come, O Christ, and reign among us,
King of love and Prince of Peace;
Hush the storm of strife and passion,
Bid its cruel discords cease.
By Your patient years of toiling,
By Your silent hours of pain,
Quench our fevered thirst of pleasure,
Stem our selfish greed of gain.
4 Son of God, eternal Savior,
Source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us
Hallows all our human race:
By Your praying, by Your willing
That Your people should be one,
Grant, O grant our hope’s fruition:
Here on earth Your will be done.
APOSTLES’ CREED Hymnal, back cover
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life ✠ everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
O Holy Trinity, You are God of gods and Lord of lords. Truly, there is no God but You alone. From You and from Your Son, Jesus Christ, are all things given. We therefore ask that you reveal the saving knowledge of Christ’s truth to us and to all the world, that we would learn to love You, love each other, and live joyfully in our salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord our God, whose voice was heard at Sinai and whose authority was made manifest in Christ, the Prophet greater than Moses, send faithful preachers into Your harvest who will be diligent to listen to Your Word and speak it faithfully in Your name. Preserve us from false prophets who would lead us away from Your truth and give us ears to hear gladly the saving words of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, guard our families and homes, and build them up in love. Support parents in their task of instructing their children, strengthen those whose faith is weak, and make us bold to forego convenience and security to attest the truths of our most holy faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, give health and success to our president and governor, our legislators and judges, and all who serve for our governance and protection. Make them high in purpose, wise in counsel and unwavering in duty. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son cast out unclean spirits and taught with authority. He is the Great Physician of body and soul. Have mercy on those who are sick, distressed, in danger or facing any need, especially all on our prayer list and those we name in our hearts at this time… Sustain them with patience, strengthen their faith, and graciously relieve them. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Dear Lord, look with favor on all who partake this day of Christ’s holy body and blood, that in their eating and drinking they may receive the benefits of forgiveness of sins and renewal of life, and so receive a foretaste of the feast to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of hope, guard and keep all who face the temptations of evil and preserve the faith of those troubled by doubts. Through the daily remembrance of our Baptism, enable us to win the victory over all that threatens our health and salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together 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, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY VERSE O Living Bread from Heaven LSB 642
O living Bread from heaven,
How well You feed your guest!
The gifts that You have given
Have filled my heart with rest.
Oh, wondrous food of blessing,
Oh, cup that heals our woes!
My heart, this gift possessing,
With praises overflows.
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SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
PREFACE (Stand) LSB 208-210
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary … Therefore 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 208
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth adored;
Heav’n and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name.
Sing hosanna in the highest, sing hosanna to the Lord;
Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI LSB 210
1 O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God,
You take the sin of the world away;
O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God,
Have mercy on us, Lord, we pray.
2 O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God,
You take the sin of the world away;
Have mercy on us, Jesus Christ,
And grant us peace, O Lord, we pray.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
COMMUNION HYMN Jesus Comes Today with Healing LSB 620
1 Jesus comes today with healing,
Knocking at my door, appealing,
Off’ring pardon, grace, and peace.
He Himself makes preparation,
And I hear His invitation:
“Come and taste the blessèd feast.”
2 Christ Himself, the priest presiding,
Yet in bread and wine abiding
In this holy sacrament,
Gives the bread of life, once broken,
And the cup, the precious token
Of His sacred covenant.
3 Under bread and wine, though lowly,
I receive the Savior holy,
Blood and body, giv’n for me,
Very Lamb of God from heaven,
Who to bitter death was given,
Hung upon the cursèd tree.
4 God descends with heav’nly power,
Gives Himself to me this hour
In this ordinary sign.
On my tongue His pledge receiving,
I accept His grace, believing
That I taste His love divine.
5 Let me praise God’s boundless favor,
Whose own feast of love I savor,
Bidden by His gracious call.
Wedding garments He provides me,
With a robe of white He hides me,
Fits me for the royal hall.
6 Now have I found consolation,
Comfort in my tribulation,
Balm to heal the troubled soul.
God, my shield from ev’ry terror,
Cleanses me from sin and error,
Makes my wounded spirit whole.
BLESSING
NUNC DIMITTIS (Stand) LSB 211
1 O Lord, now let Your servant
Depart in heav’nly peace,
For I have seen the glory
Of Your redeeming grace:
A light to lead the Gentiles
Unto Your holy hill,
The glory of Your people,
Your chosen Israel.
2 All glory to the Father,
All glory to the Son,
All glory to the Spirit,
Forever Three in One;
For as in the beginning,
Is now, shall ever be,
God’s triune name resounding.
PRAYER
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN O Zion, Haste (See last page) LBW 397
1 O Zion, haste, your mission high fulfilling,
To tell to all the world that God is light;
That he who made all nations is not willing
One soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Refrain:
Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace,
Tidings of Jesus, redemption, and release.
2 Publish to ev’ry people, tongue, and nation
That God, in whom they live and move, is love;
Tell how he stooped to save his lost creation
And died on earth that we might live above. [Refrain]
3 Give of your own to bear the message glorious,
Give of your wealth to speed them on their way,
Pour out your soul for them in prayer victorious,
And haste the coming of the glorious day. [Refrain]
4 He comes again! O Zion, ere you meet him,
Make known to ev’ry heart his saving grace;
Let none whom he has ransomed fail to greet him,
Through your neglect, unfit to see his face. [Refrain]
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE O Zion, Haste Setting: Mark Sedio
FELLOWSHIP: Council Officers
Those serving:
8:00 a.m.
Greeter: Bob Juenger
Comm. assist: Dede Dixon
Reader: Norm Williams
10:30 a.m.
Greeter: Lynn Jacquez
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Michael Chamberlain
Acolyte: Andreas Buuck
AV Assistants: Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck
Acknowledgments
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 © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.
642 O Living Bread from Heaven Text: Johann Rist, 1607–67; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Tune: Musae Sioniae, 1609, vol. 7, Wolfenbüttel, ed. Michael Praetorius Text and tune: Public domain
545 Word of God, Come Down on Earth Text: James Quinn, 1919–2010
Tune: Johann Rudolph Ahle, 1625–73, alt. Text: © 1969 OCP Publications. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
842 Son of God, Eternal Savior Text: Somerset T. C. Lowry, 1855–1932, alt. Tune: Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse . . . Contradanseu, c. 1710, Amsterdam Text and tune: Public domain
620 Jesus Comes Today with Healing Text: Heinrich Puchta, 1808–58; tr. David W. Rogner, 1960 Tune: Johann Löhner, 1645–1705; adapt. Johann Balthasar König, 1691–1758 Text: © David W. Rogner. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
397 LBW O Zion, Haste Text: Mary A Thomson 1834-1923 Tune: James Walch 1837-1907 Text and tune: Public domain
