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Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost, October 13th, 2024

Prayer

Oh Lord, Your word says “as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout…so shall Your word be that goes out from Your mouth; it shall not return to You empty, but it shall accomplish the thing which You purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which You send it”  (Isaiah 55:10-11). Grant that the pastor will preach nourishment to Your people.  Bless his preaching with Your Spirit, that he may “sustain with a word him who is weary” (Isaiah 50:4); for You live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen.

Collect

Lord Jesus Christ, whose grace always precedes and follows us, help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain and to find in You our heavenly treasure;  for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading     Psalm 23

Epistle Reading                   Hebrews 13: 20-21  

Holy Gospel                          John 10: 11-16    

Sermon "The Sacrificial Shepherd"

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 6th, 2024

Prayer

Compassionate Father, since the fall of Adam and Eve, sin has brought suffering into the world. We know this all too well. Hell us, as we are like bruised reeds and smoldering wicks. We call upon You on the day of trouble and pray that You will deliver us, that we may glorify You. Help us, dear Jesus! Lord, have mercy! In Your kind name we pray. Amen.

 

Collect

Collect
Merciful Father, Your patience and loving kindness toward us have no end. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may always think and do those things that are pleasing in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Old Testament Reading     Genesis 2: 18-25

Epistle Reading                   Hebrews 2: 1-13  

Holy Gospel                         Mark 10: 2-16    

Sermon “God’s Own Child”

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 22nd, 2024

Prayer

Oh God, Grant us Your Holy Spirit, that we may receive Your Word rightly.  Do not allow the stones of sin to ruin the seed.  Chase away thoughts of temptation and prevent the cares of our world from keeping us from spending time with You.  Allow us all to receive benefit from the Pastor’s words and may we bring praise to Your name in all we do this week; for You live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever.  Amen.

 

Collect

O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Old Testament Reading     Amos 1: 1, 3: 1-8, 12

Epistle Reading                   Hebrews 13: 20-21  

Holy Gospel                         John 10: 11-16    

Sermon “Gathered To Be Scattered”

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 15th, 2024

Prayer

Oh Lord, Your word says “as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout…so shall Your word be that goes out from Your mouth; it shall not return to You empty, but it shall accomplish the thing which You purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which You send it”  (Isaiah 55: 10-11). Grant that the pastor will preach nourishment to Your people.  Bless his preaching with Your Spirit, that he may “sustain with a word him who is weary” (Isaiah 50:4); for You live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen.

 

Collect

Lord Jesus Christ, our support and defense in every need, continue to preserve Your Church in safety, govern her by Your goodness, and bless her with Your peace; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Old Testament Reading     Exodus 3: 1-10

Epistle Reading                   Hebrews 13: 20-21  

Holy Gospel                         John 10: 11-16      

Sermon “One Flock, One Shepherd”

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 8th, 2024

Prayer

O Almighty God, thank You for the gifts and blessings of vocation. Thank You for meaningful work. Give me the strength and diligence in my tasks. Deliver me, Lord God, from laziness, greed, and gluttony. Help me serve my neighbor as if I were working for You. Let me not grow weary of working to spread Your Good News. Help all my work serve to bring You glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Collect

O Lord, let Your merciful ears be open to the prayers of Your humble servants and grant that what they ask may be in accord with Your gracious will; though Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Old Testament Reading     Isaiah 35: 4-7

Epistle Reading                   James 2: 1-10, 14-18

Holy Gospel                         Mark 7:31-37

Sermon “Amazed”

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 1st, 2024

Prayer

O Lord Jesus, the word become flesh, we ask that Your Word be proclaimed faithfully. Keep us mindful that Your Word is true and infallible. Send Your Spirit to grow the seeds of Your Word. Guard against false preaching. Lift up those proclaiming You, Christ. Bless those hearing Your Word to treasure it and to grow closer to You. Amen.

 

Collect

O God, the source of all that is just and good, nourish in us every virtue and bring to completion every good intent that we may grow in grace an bring forth the fruit of good works, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Old Testament Reading     Psalm 9: 1-8

Epistle Reading                   Colossians 3: 1-17

Holy Gospel                         Luke 7: 11-19

 

Sermon "Calm in the Chaos:  An Opportunity to See the Calm that Jesus Brings"
 

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 25th, 2024

Prayer

Ask God to open your heart, mind, will, and spirit to His word. Ask God to help you experience Him and our bonds of unity with Him in this time of worship.

 

Collect

Almighty triune God, we implore You through Your word and Spirit to deepen our faith, increase our zeal, give us understanding and wisdom, and give us joy in Your gracious salvation . . . so that we will always confess You as our God . . and live accordingly.   Amen

Old Testament Reading     Proverbs 1: 29-33, 2: 1-6

New Testament Reading   Hebrews 6: 7-12 

Holy Gospel                         Matthew 18: 7-9, 12-18       

 

Sermon:   "A Labor of Love"

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 18th, 2024

Prayer

   Oh God, You called Your church into being with Your Son’s promise to build her and protect her from the enemy’s attacks.  Grant to Your church the daily ministrations of Your Spirit, that through Your powerful Word, she may continue to be strong and growing.  Come and be powerful also in the congregation we serve, that in this place the Word of the Gospel may never be hindered, In Jesus’ name, Amen

Collect

Gracious Father, Your blessed Son came down from heaven to be the true bread that gives life to the world.  Grant that Christ, the bread of life, may live in us and we in Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Old Testament Reading     Psalm 46

Epistle Reading                   I Timothy 2: 1-6 

Holy Gospel                         Mark 4: 35-41       

 

Sermon:   "Calm in the Chaos - Be Still"

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 11th, 2024

Prayer

We have come to worship the TRUE God, the everlasting sovereign God who has made us His people - the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Old Testament Reading     Exodus 3: 1-5

Holy Gospel                         Luke 9: 18-25

 

The Message:  Blessed is the Nation Whose God is Yahweh (The Lord)

Psalm 33: 6-9, 4-5, 11-16, 18-22

By the word of Yahweh (the Lord) were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear Yahweh (the Lord); let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm..."For the word of Yahweh is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Yahweh loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love...The plans of Yahweh stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and see all mankind. From his dwelling place he watches all who live on the earth - he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength... But the eyes of Yahweh (the Lord) are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.  We wait in hope for Yahweh, he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. 

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 4th, 2024

Prayer

O God, You called Your church into being with Your Son’s promise to build her and protect her from the enemy’s attacks. Grant to Your church, O Lord, the daily ministrations of Your Spirit, that through Your powerful Word, she may continue to be strong and growing. Come and be powerful also in the congregation we serve, that in this place the Word of the Gospel may never be hindered. In Jesus’ name,  Amen.

Collect

Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting; through the same  Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Old Testament Reading     Exodus 16: 2-15

Epistle Reading                   Ephesians 4: 1-16

Holy Gospel                         John 6: 22-35

 

Sermon Scripture Text: Mark 6:  30-44

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, July 28th, 2024

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Son is a light for revelation to the Gentiles. Let the light of Christ shine brightly in our nation and among our fellow citizens, that many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Make Your Christians bold to speak the light of Your Word into our national darkness; for You live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen

Collect

Almighty and most merciful God, the protector of all who trust in You, strengthen our faith and give us courage to believe that in Your love you will rescue us from all adversities; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Old Testament Reading     Genesis 9: 8-17

Epistle Reading                   Ephesians 3: 14-21

Holy Gospel                         Mark 6: 45-56

Sermon    "Unfinished Business"

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 21st, 2024

Prayer

Giver of rest, "as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, so shall Your word that goes out from Your mouth; it shall not return to You empty, but it shall accomplish the thing which You purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which You send it" (Isaiah 55: 10-11). Grant that the pastor will preach nourishment to Your people. Bless his preaching with Your Spirit, that he may "sustain with a word him who is weary" for You live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever.   Amen. 

Collect

Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.   Amen. 

Old Testament Reading     Jeremiah 23: 1-6

Epistle Reading                   Ephesians 2: 11-22

Holy Gospel                         Mark 6: 30-44

Sermon    "We Are The Gathered Remnant"

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 14th, 2024

Prayer

Lord God, Heavenly Father, in You, all things are new. Today, I begin a new week, a new opportunity to see Your work in my life. As I look forward to what lies ahead, let me rejoice in the blessings of the past week. Remind me of the mercies You showed me, the gifts You gave me, and the ways You used me in Your service. With gratitude, I take with me that which was good and leave behind the mistakes, the sins, the flaws, and the failings that Your Son erased on the cross. As I stride into the new week before me, strengthen my heart to share Your love and my hands to do Your work. In Jesus' name.  Amen. 

Collect

Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   Amen.  

Old Testament Reading     Amos 7: 7-15

Epistle Reading                   Ephesians 1: 3-14

Holy Gospel                         Mark 6: 14-29

Sermon    "The Unexpected Prophet, God's Unanticipated Word"

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 7th, 2024

Prayer

Dear Lord, in You, all things are new. Today we begin a new week, a new opportunity to see Your work in our lives. As we look forward to what lies ahead, let us rejoice in the blessings of the past week. Remind us of the mercies You showed us, the gifts You gave us, and the way You used us in Your service. With gratitude, we take with us that which was good and leave behind the mistakes, the sins, the flaws, and the failings that Your Son erased on the cross. Strengthen our hearts to share Your love and our hands to do Your work.  In Jesus' name,  Amen.

Collect

O God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy. Grant us the fullness of Your grace that we may be called to repentance and made partakers of your heavenly treasures; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   Amen. 

Old Testament Reading     Ecclesiastes 4: 1-12

Epistle Reading                   Hebrews 4: 1-10

Holy Gospel                         Luke 10: 38-42

Sermon    "Mary & Martha"

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, June 30th, 2024

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You have established Your church on earth to deliver Your gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation. Be with Your church this Pentecost season, that we may joyfully receive Your gifts and remember who You have made us. Help us support the work of evangelism both in our communities and throughout the world so that more may hear Your Word, be brought to repentance and faith and receive the gift of Your salvation, eternal life.   Amen. 

Collect

Heavenly Father, during His earthly ministry Your Son Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. By the healing medicine of the Word and Sacraments pour into our hearts such love toward You that we may live eternally; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   Amen.  

Old Testament Reading     Lamentations 3: 22-33

Epistle Reading                   2 Corinthians 8: 1-9, 13-15

Holy Gospel                         Mark 5: 21-43

Sermon    "Hope beyond Hope"

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, June 23rd, 2024

Prayer

O Lord, our Light and our Salvation, You are our strength. Work in us a worthy fear and constant trust in Your mercy, that we would fear nothing else in this passing world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.

Collect

Almighty God, in Your mercy guide the course of this world so that Your Church may joyfully serve You in Godly peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading     Job 38: 1-11

Epistle Reading                   2 Corinthians 6: 1-3

Holy Gospel                         Mark 4: 35-41

Sermon    "Mark 4"

The 4th Sunday after Pentecost, June 16th, 2024
Father's Day

Prayer

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY

Ephesians 6:2-3 (NIV)

"Honor your father and mother" – which is the first commandment with a promise –

"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

 

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Psalm 100:3a, 4-5 (NIV)

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Galatians 2:19-21 (NIV)

St. Paul wrote: For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me

and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God,

for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

 

PRE-SERVICE PRAYER IDEAS

Ask God to open your heart, mind, will, and spirit to His word. Ask God to help

 you experience Him and our bonds of unity with Him in this time of worship.

 

Old Testament Reading     Genesis 4: 1-2, 5: 1-5

Epistle Reading                   2 Timothy 1: 3-7

Holy Gospel                         Luke 2: 41-52

Sermon    "Mothers and Fathers After God’s Own Heart"

The 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, June 9th, 2024

Prayer

Father, You have children everywhere- in churches, and in the grocery store, in foreign lands and in our neighborhoods.  You love them all the same. Your love is just as fervent for those who don't know You and for those who have met You but rejected You.  Use me to show Your love wherever I go so that more may know that You choose them just as they are to be Your sons and daughters. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Collect

Almighty and eternal God, Your Son Jesus triumphed over the prince of demons and freed us from bondage to sin. Help us to stand firm against every assault of satan, and enable us always to do Your will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   Amen.

Old Testament Reading     Genesis 33: 1-12

Epistle Reading                   2 Corinthians 4: 13 & 5: 1

Holy Gospel                         Mark 3: 20-35

Sermon    "Jacob and Esau: From Foes to Friends"

The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, June 2nd, 2024

Prayer

May God's word and Spirit touch your heart, mind, will, spirit, and life this morning to give you renewal, peace, and joy. Let us pray that God would fill the spirit of all who worship, renewing us, enlightening us, and giving us zeal. Please pray also that anyone who does not yet trust God's promise of salvation through Jesus and trust Jesus as his or her Savior would do so today. 

Old Testament Reading    Genesis 1: 26-27

Epistle Reading                  Colossians 3: 1-10

Holy Gospel                         John 17: 11-19

Sermon    "O Lord, Restore Us in Your Image"

Holy Trinity Sunday, May 26th, 2024

Prayer

Blessed Trinity, You are the one and only God. In the great mystery of You being three persons in one Godhead, You reveal Your great love for me and all Your chosen people. You have created us and all things.  You have redeemed us through Your sacrifice on Sacrament. Help me rejoice in who You are and what You have done for me. In the name of Jesus,   Amen.

Collect

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.  Amen.

Old Testament Reading     1 Samuel 18: 1-5

Epistle Reading                   Romans 12: 9-21

Holy Gospel                         Luke 6: 27-36

Sermon    "Jonathan and David: Bracketed by Friendship"

Pentecost Sunday, May 19th, 2024

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You have established Your church on earth to deliver Your gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. Be with Your church this Pentecost, that we may joyfully receive Your gifts and remember who You have made us. Help us support the work of evangelism both in our communities and through the world so that more may hear Your Word, be brought to repentance and faith, and receive the gift of Your salvation.  Amen.

Collect

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit.  Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His Holy consolation; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   Amen. 

Old Testament Reading     Ezekiel 37: 1-14

Epistle Reading                   Acts 2: 1-21

Holy Gospel                         John 15: 26-27, 16: 4b-15

Sermon    "Gifts of Spirit and Resurrection"

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