Watchword for the 16th Sunday after Trinity: Our Savior, Christ Jesus, has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2Ti 1:10 NIV)
The Introit is from Psalm 68: Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jehovah, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto Godthe Lord belong the issues from death. (Verses 5f.20f)
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.
Lesson from the Old Testament is from Lamentations the 3rd chapter: “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD… For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. (22-32 KJV. This is also the text assigned for this Sunday’s sermon)
The epistle lesson from the second letter of the apostle St. Paul to St. Timothy in the 1st chapter: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (7-10 KJV)
The holy gospel according to the evangelist St. John in the 11th chapter: “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha… Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick… Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world…. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. (1.3.17-27.41-45 KJV)
The liturgical colour is green.
Together with the Christian Church we pray a collect for the 16th Sunday after Trinity: O Lord, we pray that Your grace may always go before and follow after us, that we may continually be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (LSB Altar Book Pg. 926)
Hymn for the week: “He’s Risen, He’s Risen” by: C. Ferdinand Walther
- He’s risen, he’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;
Death’s prison he opened, incarnate, true Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song
While earth, sea, and mountain the praises prolong. - The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain his hosts shouted and jeered,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones feared. - But short was their triumph, the Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan he vanquished, his foes;
The conquering Lord lifts his banner on high.
He lives, yes, he lives, and will nevermore die. - Oh, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions his blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are his own. - Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;
Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.
Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain;
In glory he reigns, yes, and ever shall reign.
Hymn # 138 from Lutheran Worship author of text and tune: C. F. W. Walther
If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, 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)
Wilhelm's space 