Ninth Sunday after Pentecost 8/6-7
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AUGUST 6/7, 2022
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
Saturday 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m.
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THE ENTRANCE RITE
PRELUDE Processional in E Flat Major David Johnson
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN #737 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing
1 Rejoice, my heart, be glad and sing,
A cheerful trust maintain;
For God, the source of ev’rything,
Your portion shall remain.
2 He is your treasure, He your joy,
Your life and light and Lord,
Your counselor when doubts annoy,
Your shield and great reward.
3 Why spend the day in blank despair,
In restless thought the night?
On your Creator cast your care;
He makes your burdens light.
4 Did not His love and truth and pow’r
Guard ev’ry childhood day?
And did He not in threat’ning hour
Turn dreaded ills away?
5 He only will with patience chide,
His rod falls gently down;
And all your sins He casts aside
In ocean depths to drown.
6 His wisdom never plans in vain
Nor falters nor mistakes.
All that His counsels may ordain
A blessèd ending makes.
7 Upon your lips, then, lay your hand,
And trust His guiding love;
Then like a rock your peace shall stand
Here and in heav’n above.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION p. 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 p. 204
Lord, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy.
HYMN OF PRAISE – “Gloria in Excelsis” p. 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 and merciful God,
it is by Your grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service. Grant that we may walk by faith and not by sight, in the way that leads to eternal life; 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) Genesis 15:1-6
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 33:12-22 (Read responsively)
Blessèd is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
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.
SECOND LESSON Hebrews 11:1-16
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S SERMON (SUNDAY)
ALLELUIA VERSE (Stand)
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 12:22-34
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 12th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
[Jesus] said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
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:
We live in anxious times. Think climate change. Political polarization. Horrible shootings. Natural disasters. The stresses of the pandemic. Inflation. These all fill us with fear, dread and unease.
Some of our choices contribute to anxiety as well. Things such as news alerts on our phones. Not getting enough sleep. Overcommitment. An unbalanced diet. Too much caffeine. All of these work together to raise our level of concern.
We live in anxious times. Or do we? Are these times of ours really more anxiety-inducing than the past? Or have people always been anxious?
Certainly there was anxiety in Jesus’ day too. We know this because Jesus addresses the subject very directly in today’s Gospel reading.
The verses of today’s text follow a conversation between Jesus and a man who wanted help getting his inheritance. We read about that conversation last Sunday. The man was perhaps anxious about not getting his inheritance. He may have been counting on it to make ends meet.
Then again, the man may also have just been greedy. Jesus used the occasion to teach against covetousness and greed – so perhaps that’s what was really going on.
Either way, Jesus then addresses the subject of anxiety. Jesus knows that anxiety is a problem with most people. Us too.
In his teaching, Jesus begins with what we might call his thesis statement, saying: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.”
And here we note that Jesus concludes his thesis much as he did in last week’s reading. There he said: “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Here he says that “life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” Both sentences say that there is more to life than what we see, taste or touch. Jesus is pointing us to spiritual things – those that go beyond our basic senses.
Having given his thesis statement, Jesus then goes on to illustrate it. His first illustration comes from the animal world. He says: “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”
In his teaching against greed, Jesus had told a parable about a man who wanted bigger barns to hold his possessions. Now he gives an example of creatures who don’t need storage places at all.
I’m no expert on birds, but I’m guessing that even though they don’t store up food in barns they do store it up in their bodies. Most animals put on a little weight in order to make it through the winter or fly long distances to a different location. And this can remind us that Christians, too, can store up some needed items to make it through tough times. It’s good to be prepared. We may even need to build a barn. We just need to avoid building barns out of greed. Or fear.
Last week we pointed out how advertisers can appeal to our eyes and our stomachs to pitch their products. Today we should note that they can also appeal to our fears. They can make us fear being unprepared. And they can make us fear being left out.
Instead of being afraid, Jesus tells us to remember the birds. They do just fine – with no barns at all. And judging by the number of blackbirds I see around here – which I know is a little different than a raven, but not much – these birds are doing more than fine. They’re thriving.
Jesus’ next illustration has us consider our length of days. He says: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?”
Here we might argue with Jesus by reasoning that a concern for safety and good health can most definitely lead to longer life. A little anxiety about such matters can help us avoid accident and illness.
I suppose that’s true. At the same time, anxiety can also shorten one’s life. Many studies have proven it.
In the end, our days are numbered. And this number is mostly out of our control. Anxiety is not the answer to longer life. And it’s certainly not the answer to a better life.
Jesus has one more illustration. “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you.”
Lilies are glorious flowers. Theresa and I often enjoy the wonderful collection of them at Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna. I also loved seeing the beautiful daylilies that a member of ours, Ruth Maier, had at her home in Arlington. Ruth passed away last year. But we have a book of photos from her garden that we keep here at the church. It’s on the wall near our church office where we place memorabilia and items of interest. You can look at it if you’d like.
Again, some may argue with Jesus about his teaching. They may find the beauty of Solomon’s arrayment to be greater than that of lilies. According to 1 Kings 10, Solomon’s clothing, along
with all his finery, took the Queen of Sheba’s breath away. People may also point out that lilies don’t bloom very long, while certain clothes can last for generations.
But these arguments miss the point. Jesus is saying that we shouldn’t be anxious about our appearance, and that we shouldn’t put too much emphasis on the clothing we wear. We may think these things are essential for finding love and acceptance, but they’re not. And that’s because God has made us even more attractive than flowers and adorned us with something more beautiful than clothing. As a child of God we bear his image, and we have been given the Holy Spirit. These will cause us to appeal to the right kinds of people in the right kinds of ways. They give us true beauty, which will always bring blessing.
But we have a hard time believing it. You may have heard the story of the woman who, as she started to age, began to worry about her appearance. To do something about this she made an appointment at a high-end spa, where she saw a beauty specialist who sold her the very best products and gave her a complete makeover.
When she returned home and approached her husband, she said to him: “How do I look?”
“Great!” he replied. “You look wonderful.”
But that wasn’t enough for her. Because she then added: “It really makes me look younger, doesn’t it? In fact, how young would you say I look?”
The husband took the question very seriously. He said: “Well, I’d say your hair looks about 25. And your skin looks about 22. And your eyes, well, they look about 21.”
The woman blushed and said, “Oh, honey, you are so sweet!” To which the man quickly replied: “Now hold on there, Sweetie, I haven’t added those numbers up yet.”
We all like to look a little younger, or a little healthier, or a little more attractive. But why? Is it because we are anxious? God will provide for us. In fact, he’s provided so much already. And someday soon we will go to a place where age, health and appearance mean nothing – for in the new creation we will live with glorified bodies and, even more, glorified minds which will be finished with all comparisons, judgments and hard feelings.
In this life, a little anxiety is natural. Anxiety serves a purpose for moving us to action. We usually work a little harder when we’re anxious about doing a good job. I’ll admit I do.
What’s more, anxiety is a good thing when it reflects our care. In fact, the Greek word for anxiety has this double usage – being a word that denotes both anxiety and care. In the 12th chapter of First Corinthians, Paul’s great chapter comparing the church to a body, he said: “But God has so composed the body… that there be no division in [it], but that the members may have the same care for one another.” That word “care” is the same word we translate as “anxiety.”
That being said, too much anxiety is a bad thing. And Jesus often warned against it. In Luke chapter 8, Jesus tells a parable about the word of God, comparing it to seed being sown in different places. Some seed gets sown among thorns. The plants that grow from those seeds get “choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” Interestingly, our English word “anxiety” comes from a Latin word that literally means restrict or choke. This kind of anxiety is a problem.
A few Sundays ago we heard the story of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha. Mary chose to listen to Jesus, but Martha didn’t because she was “anxious and troubled about many things.” Jesus explained that Mary had made the better choice. And this corresponds with the idea of choosing that is found in our text for today. For Jesus says: “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”
In writing to the Philippian Christians, St. Paul urged the people: “do not be anxious about anything, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6,7). When we are anxious, we should pray. For prayer focuses us on God’s goodness and leads us in the way of faith.
In our Gospel reading, Jesus concludes by telling us very directly: “fear not.” “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” This gentle admonishment is found three other times in the Gospels as well. The repetition shows that Jesus is well aware of our fears and that he wants us to move beyond them.
The opposite of anxiety and fear is faith. Our Old Testament reading today speaks of Abraham’s faith. At that particular point in his life, Abraham had been acting very faithfully. The chapter before it tells how Abraham had won a battle and rescued his nephew Lot, doing so with honor in tough circumstances.
And then God comes to him and says: “Fear not, Abraham, for I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” God reminds Abraham that he is the one who had given him his victory and that he would continue to protect him. Furthermore, God knows about Abraham’s big worry – that of having a child to be his heir. To address his concern, God reiterates his promise – this time telling him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.
The text tells us that Abraham believed the LORD. And the Lord counted it to him as righteousness. And this shows the power of faith – not as a work of ours, but as something that has the power to save.
Today’s second reading also speaks to the power of faith. And it begins with one of the great definitions of faith given in all of scripture. It says: “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Here we see that faith is a conviction which we ourselves have. Yet because it was given to us by God, it is also more than a conviction. It is also an assurance.
From there, the chapter goes on to tell how faith’s power was evident in many of the great Biblical characters, including Abraham. The reading even makes mention of his righteousness, saying: “By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Having faith is a great blessing. But having righteousness is an even greater one. For righteousness is what we need in order to be saved from our sin.
Let’s face it, part of our anxiety comes because of our sin. We know how often we’ve contributed to our problems through our own sinful acts. And we see how quickly we fall into sin again as we seek to comfort ourselves and prop ourselves up.
Thankfully, we have been given a righteousness which saves. This is a righteousness which comes by faith but whose ultimate source is something completely outside us. This righteousness is a gift from God, earned by the death of his Son, Jesus Christ. It is the righteousness which comes from the cross, and which is revealed in the empty tomb.
It is because of this righteousness that our anxiety can be overcome.
Sometimes that overcoming will result in a sense of peace that we feel. It will lead to a calm on our part and an ability to relax, smile and be at ease. We are grateful for such times.
But even when we don’t feel that sense of peace… even when our anxieties still trouble us… we know that they have been overcome by God’s grace through the righteousness which is ours in Christ. And this is a peace that is present regardless of how we feel. It is a peace that is there by virtue of our being reconciled to God. It is the peace that surpasses all understanding.
We will always need to pray for peace. And we should be grateful for the peace that we feel. But even more than this, we are grateful for God’s overcoming of our anxious hearts through Christ’s righteousness, and that this is shared with us in faith.
Knowing this, we can hear the teaching of Jesus today for what it is – a gentle but firm message to us about how to best live in Christ’s kingdom.
“Therefore I tell you,” said Jesus, “do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
May it be so! In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY #744 (Stand) Amazing Grace
1 Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see!
2 The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
His grace has brought me safe thus far,
His grace will lead me home.
4 Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease,
Amazing grace shall then prevail
In heaven’s joy and peace.
5 When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
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
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Almighty God, increase our faith – in both Your wise ways and Your gracious will. Preserve us from reliance on our own plans and natural powers, that we would ever trust in You and be counted righteous in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You have raised up children for Abraham from all the nations – doing so through faith in Your Word and promise. So bless Your Church on earth by Abraham’s seed, our Lord Jesus, that Your people would always be defended against the assaults and temptations of the adversary. By Your Holy Spirit, grant them to live unto righteousness in Christ and to shine like the stars in the heavens forever and ever. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Father, You promised great and abundant blessings to our father Abraham, which he believed by faith. Bless the hearts of Christian fathers today, that they prize the gift of their children and work in their lives for the good of generations yet unseen. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God Almighty, teach the rulers of the nations that their reigns are small and fleeting. And shepherd them by the preaching of Your Church into the ways of peace. Fix their eyes on the better country that is to come, so that they would rule in loving service to those in their charge. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, You call us to cast our anxieties upon You, because You care for us. In the midst of our tribulations, bless us with Your peace. We pray especially for those who are on our prayer list, and for those whom we name before you in our hearts at this time… Give to them the healing and help they need. And as they consider Your care of flower and field, remind them of Your eternal care for them in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, grant Your Holy Spirit to those who recline at Your table this day. Enlighten them by Your Word, as a lamp unto their feet, that they would be dressed in readiness for the coming of the Son of Man, both now and at the end of days. Make them mindful of your presence, and especially as you come to your people in Holy Communion. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You have accomplished Your divine will through the lives of your saints throughout the ages. Comfort those who mourn the death of their loved ones and inspire faith in all of us through the godly example of those who have gone before us in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, knowing that You will hear the prayers of Your people and answer us with Your mercy, providing all things needful and beneficial to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
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 that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, for the countless blessings You so freely bestow on us and all creation. Above all, we give thanks for Your boundless love shown to us when You sent Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into our flesh and laid on Him our sin, giving Him into death that we might not die eternally. Because He is now risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity, all who believe in Him will overcome sin and death and will rise again to new life. 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.
THE COMMUNION (Be seated)
DISTRIBUTION MUSIC Amazing Grace Setting: David Chewien;
Sections of Partita “Ascended Triumph” Setting: Robert A. Hobby
NUNC DIMITTIS 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 (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN #828 We Are Called to Stand Together
1 We are called to stand together
With the saints of ages past,
With the patriarchs and prophets
In the faith they once held fast;
Promises and hopes they treasured
Now we find fulfilled at last!
2 Those whom Jesus called apostles
Journeyed with Him side by side,
Heard His teaching, felt His power,
Saw the way He lived and died;
Then the news of resurrection
They delivered far and wide.
3 Through the intervening ages
Round the world the Gospel spread:
Faithful heralds took the message,
Guided where the Spirit led;
So the body grew in stature,
Serving Christ, the living head.
4 Now in many tongues and cultures
Songs of celebration ring;
Millions who confess our Savior
Honor Him as Lord and King
And, for courage, grace and guidance
Ev’ry day their prayers they bring.
5 To each coming generation
Tell the truth, persuade, explain,
Till the time when time is ended,
Till the Savior comes again—
Till the saints are all united
Under Christ’s eternal reign!
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Toccata on “Ascended Triumph” Setting: Robert Hobby
FLOWERS: In thankfulness and praise of God’s many blessings.
Those serving:
Saturday, August 6, 5:00 p.m.:
Greeter: Steve Janssen
Comm. assist: Dede Dixon
Reader: Norm Williams
Organist: Lois Lehrer
Sunday, August 7, 10:00 a.m.:
Greeter: Marian Robinson
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Janice Sebring
Organist: Lois Lehrer
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 © 2022 Concordia Publishing House.
Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–76; tr. John Kelly, 1833–90, alt.Tune: Harmonischer Lieder-Schatz, 1738, Frankfurt; Text & Tune: Public domain
Amazing Grace Text (sts. 1–4): John Newton, 1725–1807, alt.; (st. 5): A Collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790, Richmond Tune: Columbian Harmony, 1829, Cincinnati; Text & Tune: Public domain
We Are Called to Stand Together Text: Martin E. Leckebusch, 1962 Tune: Henry V. Gerike, 1948 Text: © 2000 Kevin Mayhew Ltd. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 1973 Henry V. Gerike. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326