07/06/25

As We Gather

 God has put us in this country that is flowing with milk and honey. We ought to thank and praise Him for His grace to us and our country. Sometimes, however, our Christian allegiance is not obvious to us or the people around us. Daily living and our frustrations get in the way. As citizens of His kingdom, we give all thanks to God for His divine providence and Christ’s sacrifice.

Family Room & Children Activity Bags- Children Activity Bags- We value children in our worship services. If needed, there is a family room available for families with children. The family room has a diaper changing table, toys and books for children. The family room is located across from the kitchen in the long hallway, the first door on the right, just past the bathrooms. There are “King’s Kids” bags with activities for children to help them worship. They are near the usher’s station on a small rack. Please return the bag to the rack after the service.

Holy Communion- The Scripture teaches the Lord’s Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this Sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused the LCMS ordinarily communes only those who have been instructed in the teachings of our church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings. Please speak to Pastor Ralph before the service if you have a question about this. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic alternative, there is grape juice at the center of each tray. Those not receiving the Sacrament, including children, are invited to come to the altar, cross their arms over their chest, and receive a special blessing.

For Not All Are Christian “The greatest necessity in the world is a strict temporal power. The world cannot be ruled according to the Gospel. For the sphere of influence which the Word has is too small and limited. The Word lays hold of a few; not one man in a thousand will accept it. Therefore you cannot establish an external rule with it. The Holy Spirit has a little flock, the rest are all harlots and rogues. They require a temporal sword. If temporal power does not administer justice strictly, everyone grabs what he can. Then follow rebellion, murdering, warring, ravishing of wife and children so that no one can live securely. Mr. Everybody is no Christian. The king, the princes, and the lords must use the sword and remove heads; capital punishment must continue that the others may be kept in fear, and the pious may hear the Gospel and tend to their work, everyone may be orderly and at rest. The apostles had a great concern for the temporal sword.”  What Luther says # 1781

All Scripture from The New International Version ©1984 IBS

Pentecost 4

July 6, 2025

Welcome

Opening Hymn                      God of Grace and God of Glory                                  LSB 850

Invocation, Confession and Absolution     (Romans 13: 1-8)

P:   We gather in the name and at the invitation of our great and gracious triune God:

C:   In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

P:   Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, 

C:   for there is no authority except that which God has established. 

P:   The authorities that exist have been established by God. 

C:  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 

P:   For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. 

C:   Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? 

P:   Then do what is right and he will commend you. 

C:   For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.

P:   He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, 

C:   not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 

P:   This is also why you pay taxes, 

C:   for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 

P:   Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; 

C:   if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 

P:   Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, 

C:   for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

P:   Heavenly Father,

C:   we confess that we are by nature sinful and do not always love You with our whole heart. We do not care for ourselves, our neighbors, our nation, or the earth as we ought. Forgive our failure to hear Your Word, and appreciate the great gifts of forgiveness and freedom we have given. Forgive our failure to care for the earth and our neglect of praying regularly for our world, our nation, and our elected leaders. Make us strong witnesses in word and action of Your redeeming love in and through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

P:   Almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son to die for us and, for His sake, forgives us all our 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 ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:   Amen.

Hymn of Praise                             Lift Every Voice and Sing                                LSB 964

Prayer of the Day

All:  Lord of heaven and earth, You have bestowed on us more than we ask or desire. We thank You for the land in which we live and ask Your continued blessings on it and on us. And we ask You to guide and direct those whom we have elected so that Your will shall be done in our midst and around the world; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

O T Lesson       (Cyrus gives God credit for the Israelites return home.) 2 Chron. 36:22–23 

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: ²³ “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “ ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up.’ ” 

N T Lesson                   (Paul rejoices even through his difficulties.)       Philippians 4:4–13

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. ¹⁰ I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Gospel Lesson     (God sets people in authority for good order in society)     Luke 3:1–3

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— ² during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. ³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Message Song                                     Jesus Saves

Hear the heart of heaven beating, Jesus Saves Jesus saves

And the hush of mercy breathing, Jesus Saves Jesus saves

Hear the host of angels sing, Glory to the Newborn King

And the sounding joy repeating, Jesus saves.

He will live our sorrow sharing, Jesus saves Jesus saves

He will die our burden bearing Jesus saves Jesus saves

“It is done!” will shout the cross, Christ has paid redemption’s cost!

While the empty tomb’s declaring, Jesus saves.

Freedom’s calling, chains are falling, hope is dawning bright and true

Day is breaking, night is quaking, God is making all things new.  (2 x’s)

Oh to grace, how great a debtor! Jesus saves Jesus saves

All the saints who shout together. “I know that Jesus saves.”

Rising up so vast and strong lifting up salvation’s song,

The redeemed will sing forever, Jesus saves.

Rising up so vast and strong lifting up salvation’s song,

The redeemed will sing forever, the redeemed will sing forever,

the redeemed will sing forever, Jesus saves Jesus saves.

^{By: David Moffitt and Travis Cottrell     CCLI # 5059278 / CCLI License # 11390779 All Rights Reserved}

Message                          Rejoice in the Lord Always!

1. Rejoicing in the Lord removes ________________           and brings ________       .
2. The peace of God _____________     our ______________      and ________         in Christ.
3. We rejoice that _________________________________________________________we can do ____________________________      through Christ ____________________________  !

Notes:

The Apostle’s Creed                                      

C:   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 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

Offertory                                       God Bless Our Native Land                                    LSB  965

 Prayers of the Church  

 After each petition:

 P:  Lord, in your mercy,

 C:  hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Supper

Preface                                                                       page 160 in the hymnal

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 …. And ever more praising You and singing:

Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy                                         page 161 in the hymnal

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.

The Words of Institution (Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper)

Pax Domini—The Peace of the Lord                                            page 163 in the hymnal

P:   The peace of the Lord be with you always.C:   ♪ Amen.

Agnus Dei – Lamb of God                                                             page 163 in the hymnal

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 of Communion

Distribution Hymn                    Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace           LSB 844

Post Communion Canticle                                                               page 164 in the hymnal

C:  ♪ Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell ev’ryone what He has done.  Let all who  seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.  He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.

Post Communion Thanksgiving

All: 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. Amen.

Benediction                                                                                                   Numbers 6:24–26

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 ✠ give you peace.

C:   Amen.

Sending Hymn                              O God, Our Help in Ages Past                                 LSB 733

Announcements 

Dismissal

P:   Go in peace as you serve the Lord.      

C:   Thanks be to God!   

Postlude