“This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Watchword from the prophet Zechariah 4:6 )
Introit from Psalm 118: This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (verses 24-28)
God’s holy Word from the Old Testament in the first book of Moses (Genesis) the eleventh chapter: And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Gen 11:1-9 KJV)
The Epistle from the holy apostle St. Paul in the twelfth chapter: Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (1Co 12:4-11 KJV)
The Holy Gospel according to the apostle and evangelist St. Matthew the sixteenth chapter: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Mat 16:13-19 KJV)
The sermon for this Sunday is based on the Old Testament lesson.
Liturgical colour: Red (The Holy Spirit, the Church, the office of the ministry and mission) Together with the Christian Church we pray this collect for this high Holiday of the Church: Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymn for this Holiday: “Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid” by Rhabanus Maurus, 776-856
Translated by John Dryden, 1631-1700
- Creator Spirit, by whose aid
The world’s foundations first were laid,
Come, visit every humble mind;
Come, pour Thy joys on humankind;
From sin and sorrow set us free
And make Thy temples worthy Thee. - O Source of uncreated light,
The Father’s promised Paraclete,
Thrice holy Fount, thrice holy Fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come and Thy sacred unction bring
To sanctify us while we sing. - Plentous of grace, descend from high
Rich in Thy sevenfold energy;
Make us eternal truths receive
And practice all that we believe;
Give us Thyself that we may see
The Father and the Son by Thee. - Immortal honor, endless fame,
Attend the almighty Father’s name;
The Savior Son be glorified,
Who for lost man’s redemption died;
And equal adoration be,
Eternal Paraclete, to Thee.
The Lutheran Hymnal #236 Text: Rom. 8:9 Author: Rhabanus Maurus, 856, asc.
Translated by: John Dryden, 1693, cento, alt.
Titled: “Veni, Creator Spiritus, Mentes” Tune: “All’ Ehr’ und Lob”
1st Published in: Kirchengesangbuch Town: Strassburg, 1541
If you are called to preach this day, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However, if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)
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