Introit from Psalm 98

O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. (Verses 1-4)

God’s Holy Word from the prophet Isaiah the twelfth chapter

 In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.  Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”  With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.  Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.  Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (1-6)

The Epistle from the apostle St. Paul to the Colossians the third chapter

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (12-17)

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 11th chapter 

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (11-30)

The sermon for this Sunday is based on Acts the 16th chapter

And when they (soldiers & prison wardens) had laid many stripes upon them (Paul & Silas), they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. (23-34)

The liturgical colour is white.

Together with the Christian Church we pray a collect for this Sunday: O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Hymn for this Sunday:

1. Lob Gott getrost mit Singen, frohlock, du christlich Schar!
   Dir soll es nicht misslingen, Gott hilft dir immerdar.
   Ob du gleich hier musst tragen viel Widerwärtigkeit,
   noch sollst du nicht verzagen; er hilft aus allem Leid.
2. Dich hat er sich erkoren, durch sein Wort auferbaut,
   mit seinem Eid geschworen, weil du ihm bist vertraut,
   dass er sich lässet finden in aller Angst und Not;
   er wird auch überwinden, die dich noch schmähn mit Spott.
3. Kann und mag auch verlassen ein Mutter je ihr Kind
   und also gar verstoßen, dass es kein Gnad mehr findt?
   Und ob sich’s möcht begeben, dass sie so sehr abfiel:
   Gott schwört bei seinem Leben, er dich nicht lassen will.
4. Darum lass dich nicht schrecken, o du christgläubge Schar!
   Gott wird dir Hilf erwecken und dein selbst nehmen wahr.
   Hat er dich doch gezeichnet, gegraben in sein Händ:
   dein Nam stets vor ihm leuchtet, dass er dir Hilfe send.
5. Gott solln wir fröhlich loben, der sich aus großer Gnad
   durch seine guten Gaben uns kundgegeben hat.
   Er wird uns auch erhalten in Lieb und Einigkeit
   und unser freundlich walten hier und in Ewigkeit.

Böhmische Brüder 1544

If you are called to preach this weekend, 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)