+ The Lord be with You +
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he performs amazing deeds.
Psalm 98
“König Saul und David” von Werner Rauhaus in der Schwelmer Christuskirche
Dr. Martin Luther invites all Christians to sing and rejoice
Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
with exultation springing,
and with united heart and voice
and holy rapture singing,
proclaim the wonders God has done,
how his right arm the vict’ry won.
How dearly it has cost him!2 Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay;
death brooded darkly o’er me.
Sin was my torment night and day;
in sin my mother bore me.
Yet deep and deeper still I fell;
life had became a living hell,
so firmly sin possessed me.3 My own good works availed me naught,
no merit they attaining;
my will against God’s judgment fought,
no hope for me remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
left only death to be my share
and hell to be my sentence.4 But God beheld my wretched state
before the world’s foundation,
and, mindful of his mercies great,
he planned for my salvation.
A father’s heart he turned to me,
sought my redemption fervently;
he gave his dearest treasure.5 He spoke to his belovèd Son:
“It’s time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of my crown,
and bring to all salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
slay bitter death for them that they
may live with you forever.”6 The Son obeyed his Father’s will,
was born of virgin mother,
and, God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
he came to be my brother.
No garb of pomp or pow’r he wore;
a servant’s form like mine he bore
to lead the devil captive.7 To me he spoke, “Hold fast to me,
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I myself will be;
for you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, your friend divine,
and evermore you shall be mine;
the foe shall not divide us.8 “The foe will shed my precious blood,
me of my life bereaving;
all this I suffer for your good;
be steadfast and believing.
Life will from death the vict’ry win;
my innocence shall bear your sin,
and you are blest forever.9 “Now to my Father I depart,
the Holy Spirit sending
and, heav’nly wisdom to impart,
my help to you extending.
He will a source of comfort be,
teach you to know and follow me,
and in all truth will guide you.10 “What I on earth have lived and taught
Martin Luther 1483-1546
be all your life and teaching;
so shall the kingdom’s work be wrought
and honored in your preaching.
Take care that no one’s man-made laws
should e’er destroy the gospel’s cause;
this final word I leave you.”
The Introit teaches us to sing and pray with God´s holy Word:
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he performs amazing deeds. His right hand and his mighty arm accomplish deliverance. The Lord demonstrates his power to deliver; in the sight of the nations he reveals his justice. He remains loyal and faithful to the family of Israel. All the ends of the earth see our God deliver us. Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth. Break out in a joyful shout and sing! Sing to the Lord accompanied by a harp, accompanied by a harp and the sound of music. With trumpets and the blaring of the ram’s horn, shout out praises before the king, the Lord. Let the sea and everything in it shout, along with the world and those who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands! Let the mountains sing in unison before the Lord. For he comes to judge the earth. He judges the world fairly, and the nations in a just manner.
Psalm 98,1-9
In the first Book of Samuel we hear of God´s amazing deeds
Now the Spirit of the Lord had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Then Saul’s servants said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the lyre and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his servants, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” One of his attendants replied, “I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior and is articulate and handsome, for the Lord is with him.” So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep.” So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal, and he became his armor-bearer. Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, “Let David be my servant, for I am very pleased with him.” So whenever the spirit from God would come upon Saul, David would take his lyre and play it. This would bring relief to Saul and make him feel better. Then the evil spirit would leave him alone.
1. Samuel 16,14-23 (Sermontext)
The holy Apostle St. Paul outlines the Christian way of life
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace) and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3,12-17
The Holy Gospel recorded by the holy evangelist St. Luke
As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen:“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out!”
Luke 19,37-40
Prayer of the Church
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Father, You have provided a well of salvation, springing up from the empty tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lead us to drink deeply from His Word of life and never neglect His gift of salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God our Father, You raised Jesus from the dead and bestow His perfect righteousness on Your Church. Put away all filthiness, wickedness and wrath from our midst, that receiving Your Holy Word, we may grow together unto salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of the risen Christ, St. Paul commanded the Church of old to teach and exhort with their psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Strengthen the songs of Your Church today to glorify the Gospel of Your living Son, who is enthroned upon the praises of His people. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father, You tempt no one. Defend us against all enemies, that we would not seek our own good outside of Your gracious and perfect will. Order our life together by Your implanted Word, which is able to save our souls. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of all, You sit in judgment over all the rulers of this world. Proclaim to them the witness of Your Spirit concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. Grant them ears to hear and the will to establish earthly righteousness according to Your truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, every good and perfect gift comes from You. Deal kindly with Your servants who are sick, injured or in need [including _____________]. Renew those You have created in love, and grant us Your salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Dear Father, sorrow filled the hearts of the 12 at the thought of Christ’s ascension. Help us, rather, to rejoice that He sits on heaven’s throne and reigns among saints and angels. Comfort us in this communion of saints, until at last we join with them in Your glory. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, through Your Son You promised Your Holy Spirit, who would convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. Enlighten our hearts, that we would confess our sins; obtain everlasting righteousness through faith in Christ; and through every trial and temptation, abide in the consolation that Christ is Lord over the devil, death and all things. We ask that You would graciously deliver us from all affliction to make us partakers of eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer of the Church (LCMS): 4th Sunday after Easter (Cantate) 7. May 2023
+ Dominum vobiscum +
Numbers 6,24-26 (4th Book of Moses)The Lord bless Thee, and keep Thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon Thee, and be gracious unto Thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon Thee and give Thee peace.
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