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 Jah, 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.)
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 Word of God for the Sermon is Acts 12:1-11
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
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: “The Will of God Is Always Best” by Albrecht von Brandenburg, 1522-1557
- The will of God is always best
And shall be done forever;
And they who trust in Him are blest,
He will forsake them never.
He helps indeed In time of need,
He chastens with forbearing;
They who depend On God, their Friend,
Shall not be left despairing. - God is my Comfort and my Trust,
My Hope and life abiding;
And to His counsel wise and just,
I yield in Him confiding.
The very hairs, His Word declares,
Upon my head He numbers.
By night and day God is my Stay,
He never sleeps nor slumbers. - Lord Jesus, this I ask of Thee,
Deny me not this favor:
When Satan sorely troubles me,
Then do not let me waver.
Keep watch and ward, O gracious Lord,
Fulfil Thy faithful saying:
Who doth believe He shall receive
An answer to His praying. - When life’s brief course on earth is run
And I this world am leaving,
Grant me to say: “Thy will be done.”
By faith to Thee still cleaving.
My heavenly Friend, I now commend
My soul into Thy keeping,
O’er sin and hell, And death as well,
Through Thee the victory reaping.
Hymn #517 The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Matt. 6:10 Author: Albrecht von Brandenburg, c. 1554, asc. Translated by: composite Titled: “Was mein Gott will, das g’scheh’ allzeit” Harmony by: Johann S. Bach, 1750
If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, wisdom, knowledge and insight to preach his holy will faithfully and his gracious promises invitingly! If you are not preaching, then listen for God is talking (Hoc dixit Dominus) + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)
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