Bulletin

06/22/25

As We Gather

The season of Pentecost has arrived! With the arrival of the Holy Spirit, this season of the Church Year is marked by growth. We see evidence of the growth the Spirit is seeking in this week’s Readings. The Lord and giver of life seeks to see His people grow faithful hearts through faithful worship, resulting in faithful service. When the way ahead isn’t as clear or as comfortable as we would like, we rely on the Lord’s wisdom, leading us back to His faithful servant, Jesus Christ, who clears the obstacles of our sinfulness and comforts us with His Word and sacramental gifts.

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.

Most Men Rush Heedlessly to Their Graves “The life of the world is nothing but a progress toward death; indeed, it is like the progress of people who rush toward the grave backward; for they revel and riot and are unmindful of death until they suddenly drop into it.” What Luther Says #2436  (Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift in His Son Jesus!)

Pentecost 2

                                                          June 22, 2025

Welcome

Opening Hymn                           Rise, Shine, You People             LSB 825

Invocation, Confession and Absolution     (Psalm 91: 1-4)

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:   He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

C:   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

P:   I will say of the Lord, 

C:   “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 

P:   Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 

C:   He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; 

All:   His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 

P:   Seeking our Lord, His wisdom, and His grace, we confess:

C:   Almighty and all-merciful God, in wisdom You have created all things, and in grace, You seek the lost and erring. Yet, through our selfish choices and sinful nature, we ignore Your wisdom and refuse Your grace. We prefer our own way, resisting the Holy Spirit and His work of bringing forth the fruits of faithfulness. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, console and correct us, that we might forsake our wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts and turn to You, the God who has compassion and abundant pardon. Amen.

P:  Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Such is the love of God towards you! (Ps. 91:14-16) In the stead and by the command of Jesus Christ, I 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                              Fruitful Trees, the Spirit’s Sowing           LSB 691

Prayer of the Day

All:  All-present, eternal Holy Spirit, who sustains Your church through trial, safeguards her against temptation, and secures her in the triumph of our Savior, Jesus Christ, produce in Your people the fruits of faithfulness, kept in true worship and service through the One who is the way, the truth, and the life, namely Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Father, one God, now and forever. Amen.

O T Lesson (The Lord seeks the hearts of the nations)                        Isaiah 65:1–9

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ 2All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations— 3a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; 4who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat; 5who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. 6“See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps— 7both your sins and the sins of your fathers,” says the Lord. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.” 8 This is what the Lord says: “As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and men say, ‘Don’t destroy it, there is yet some good in it,’ so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all. 9I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live. 

N T Lesson                  (The baptized have put on Christ)               Galatians 3:23-29; 4:4-7

Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.   4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Gospel Lesson   (Jesus travels beyond Galilee to break the bonds of darkness.)    Luke 8:26–39

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. 

Message Song                                   Who You Say I Am                      

Who am I that the highest King would welcome me

I was lost but He brought me in     Oh, his love for me (Oh, His love for me) 

Who the Son sets free, is free indeed – I’m a child of God, yes, I am!

Free at last, He has ransomed me, His grace runs deep

While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me Yes, He died for me!

   Chorus       Who the Son sets free, is free indeed – I’m a child of God, yes, I am!

In my Father’s house there’s a place for me – I’m a child of God, yes, I am!

  
             Bridge        I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who You say I am.

            You are for me, not against me. I am who You say I am   2 x’s

Now it’s time to serve the King, His power in me

The Spirit moves in ways unseen, re- making me!   Yes, re-making me!         Chorus                      

CCLI #7102401 ©Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI License # 11390779      Words and Music by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan

Message                          Go, Tell… How Much God Has Done For You!   

  1. In Baptism we were washed from the ____________________________      .
  1. Through God’s Word we are_________________________________     the power of sin.
  1. As we move into eternity the ______________________    will be removed completely.

Notes:

Catechism The Third Petition of the Lord’s Prayer

P:   The Third Petition

C:   Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

P:   What does this mean?

C:   The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

P:   How is God’s will done?

C:   God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.

Offering

Offertory                                       I Love Your Kingdom, Lord                 LSB  651  vs 1, 3, 5

 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.

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      All Christians Who Have Been Baptized         LSB 596 vs 1,4-6

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: Spirit of wisdom and truth, we praise You for the gift of faith that receives the blessings that come to us through the Supper of our Savior, Jesus. Keep us steadfast in the way of everlasting life, granting us wisdom to go and grow in the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Father, 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            Sent Forth by God’s Blessing                                LSB 643        

Announcements 

Dismissal

P:   Go in peace as you serve the Lord.      

C:   Thanks be to God!   

Postlude

06/29/25

As We Gather

If you have ever enjoyed a homegrown tomato or plucked a ripe peach straight from the tree, you know there is no substitute for good fruit. Today, the Holy Spirit is continuing the work begun in your Baptism, bringing forth good fruit. Too often, we imagine bearing good fruit is a result of our own careful cultivation, paying special attention to getting things right. The Spirit takes another approach. Just as the flavor of fresh fruit is a delight to our senses, the Spirit delights our soul with the tantalizing tastes of joy, kindness, gentleness, and love! The Spirit teaches us to crave what is good and, in so doing, leads believers to produce the fruit the Lord always intended.

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 (1 Cor: 11:27), and that participation in the Lord’s Supper is an act of confession of faith, we ordinarily commune those who have been instructed in the teachings of our church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings. If you have a question, please speak to Pastor Ralph before the service. 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.

Imputed Holiness Is Perfect Here, But Personal Holiness is Imperfect “If we believe in Christ, we are considered absolutely just for His sake, in faith. Later, after the death of this flesh, in the other life, we shall obtain perfect righteousness and have within us that absolute righteousness which we now have only by imputation through the merit of Christ… In this life we have these things only under the shadow and cover of the wings of the Sun of Righteousness (Mal. 4:2), and we are just only by faith, for His sake, but then we shall be truly just within ourselves.”  What Luther Says # 2036

Pentecost 3

June 29, 2025

Welcome 

Opening Hymn            Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing                LSB 584

Invocation, Confession and Absolution   (Ezekiel 17:22–24)

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

P:   Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful,

C:   and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

P:   Thus says the Lord God: “I Myself will take a sprig and plant it on a high and lofty mountain,

C:   that it may bear branches and produce fruit.

P:   And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord;

C:   I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree,

P:   dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish.

C:   I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

P:   I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,

C:   and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

P:   Almighty Father, we confess that by our inability, insolence, and inaction, we have not made Your ways our ways.

C:   For our failure to walk in the ways of love, joy, and peace, forgive us, Lord.

P:   Lord Jesus, we admit we too often conform our desires to the world around us, adopting its compromised standards for living.

C:   For our failure to value the gifts of patience, kindness, and goodness, forgive us, Lord.

P:   Holy Spirit, our very natures are set against You and the fruit You intend to bring.

C:   For our failure to manifest the fruits of faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, forgive us, Lord. For Jesus’ sake, melt our sinful hearts, and mold us into the reflections of Your righteousness that You call us to be.                                                                                   C:  Amen.

P:   Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son, Jesus, to die for you, and for His sake forgives You all Your sins. As a called and ordained servant of the Word made flesh 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     Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast                        LSB  577

Prayer of the Day

All:   Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we may love and serve our neighbor; 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       (God has more people than Elijah who are faithful)      1 Kings 19:9b–18

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.” 

N T Lesson (The Holy Spirit brings good fruit to the believer) Galatians 5:1, 13–25

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery…. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Gospel Lesson                     (Jesus sets His sight on Jerusalem)                   Luke 9:51–62

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went to another village. 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” 

Message Song                   I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

               I have decided to follow Jesus       3 x ’s
No turning back, no turning back.

                 Though I may wander, I still will follow     3 x ‘s
No turning back, no turning back.

               The world behind me, the cross before me      3 x ‘s
No turning back, no turning back.

               Though none go with me, still I will follow      3 x “s
No turning back, no turning back.

                 Will you continue to follow Jesus?        3 x ‘s
No turning back, no turning back.

Message                               Putting Your Hand to the Plow

  1. In faith for       _________________________      .
  2. In faith for the    _______________________          to ___________________       in my life
  3. In faith for persevering my Christian ____________________________           .

Notes:

Small Catechism The Second Article of the Apostles Creed

C:   I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord…

P:   What does this mean?

C:   I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Offering 

Offertory                                  For the Fruits of His Creation                        LSB 894 vs 1, 3

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 194 in the hymnal

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And with thy spirit.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  We lift them up unto the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  It is meet and right so to do.

P:  It is truly good, right, and salutary …. And with the host of heaven we sing:

Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy                                          page 195 in the hymnal

P:  Ho -ly, ho-ly, ho-ly Lord God of Sa – ba – oth. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.   

          Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is

          He who cometh in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

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

Pax DominiThe Peace of the Lord                    page 197 in the hymnal

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

 C:  ♪ Amen.

Agnus Dei – Lamb of God                                                             page 198 in the hymnal 

C O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.

         O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.

         O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world; 

         grant us Thy peace.  A – men.

Distribution                 Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice                    LSB 556  vs 1-4

Nunc Dimittis                                                                                   page 199 in the hymnal        

C: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.                                                                                                                                          

Post Communion Collect                                                                                 

All: Spirit of faithfulness and truth, we rejoice that by faith we have been made fit to receive the nourishment of Christ’s true body and blood. Safeguard we, Your people from temptation and danger. May we represent our Lord Jesus, that by our actions and interactions with others, more may be brought into the eternal kingdom of Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Father, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Benediction                                                                                                  

P:   The grace of our Lord ✠ Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you always.

C:    Amen.
Sending Hymn                        Christ, the Word of God Incarnate           LSB 540  vs 1-4

Announcements 

Dismissal

P:   Go in peace as you serve the Lord.      

C:   Thanks be to God!   

Postlude