The Lord be with You +
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6,2 (Watchword: “Congregation of sinners”)
Collect for this fourth Sunday after Trinity
O GOD, the protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that, Thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.
Church of England
We sing with the holy Church
1 O God, my faithful God,
True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame,
And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unstained by sin.2 Grant me the strength to do
With ready heart and willing
Whatever You command,
My calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should
While trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good,
For You must give success.3 Keep me from saying words
That later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech
May from my lips be falling;
But when within my place
I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace
Lest I offend the weak.4 Lord, let me win my foes
With kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends
For counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught,
To love both great and small
And by Your Spirit’s might
To live in peace with all.5 Let me depart this life
Confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul
That it may live forever;
And let my body have
A quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave;
And let it sleep in peace.6 And on that final day
Johann Heermann (1585-1647) translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)
When all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand,
My deathly slumber breaking.
Then let me hear Your voice,
Redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice
With those who love Your name.
God´s Holy Word for the 4th Sunday after Trinity
The Introit invites us to wait patiently on our God´s saving intervention
As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God!
Psalm 42
I thirst for God, for the living God.
I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?”
I cannot eat; I weep day and night.
All day long they say to me, “Where is your God?”
I will remember and weep.
For I was once walking along with the great throng to the temple of God,
shouting and giving thanks along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival.
Why are you depressed, O my soul?
Why are you upset?
Wait for God!
For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention.
God´s Holy Word according to the 1st Book of Moses (Genesis)
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repayus in fullfor all the harmwe did to him?” So they sent wordto Joseph, saying, “Your father gave these instructions before he died: ‘Tell Joseph this: Please forgive the sin of your brothers and the wrong they did when they treated you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sin of the servants of the God of your father.” When this message was reported to him, Joseph wept. Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, “Here we are; we are your slaves.”But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. AmI in the place of God?As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day. So now, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children.” Then he consoled them and spoke kindly to them.
Genesis 50:15-21
The holy Apostle St. Paul admonishes the Romans
Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21
The holy Gospel according to St. Luke
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”
He also told them a parable: “Someone who is blind cannot lead another who is blind, can he? Won’t they both fall into a pit? A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while you yourself don’t see the beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Luke 6:36-42
God´s Holy Word for this Sunday´s sermon:
Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing. For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit. And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil.
For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed.
But do not be terrified of them or be shaken. But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.
1. Peter 3,8-17
Let us pray for the church and all people according to their needs
Lord God, keep us from the self-idolatry that seeks to avenge ourselves on our enemies by repaying evil with evil. Help us instead to overcome evil with good and live peaceably with all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
As Your mercy is poured out in rich measure, so open the mouths of all ministers in the Church to preach Your blessed and saving Gospel. Open the mouths of Christians to proclaim the marvels of Him who called us from darkness into His marvelous light. Let our works of mercy attest to the love we have received from You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Teach all Your children true humility, that we would learn to confess our sin rather than excuse or deny it. Keep us safe from all pride, which would lead us to disdain our fellow Christians who have received Your mercy. Lead us, rather, to rejoice at the patience You have shown each of us in forgiving our many trespasses. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of all, You raised up Joseph according to Your plan to exercise authority in Egypt, working good from what was meant only for evil. Work by Your power in the leaders and authorities of our nation, whom You have set in place, that many would be kept alive and protected in this life through their governance. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We ask for all Ukrainians at home and in exile, fighting against their Russian aggressors and suffering tyrannical occupation and terrorist attacks against the people of Ukraine, civilian structures, schools, restaurants, hospitals, care centres, dams, nuclear and chemical plants. Grant means and ways to stop the Russian genocide against Ukraine and grant peace and prosperity once again to the people forced out of their homes, cities and country. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We ask for Sasha and his family as they return home this week. Grant that they will find peace and prosperity back home in their country. Protect their families and friends. Grant means and ways to get around. We ask for Natalia as she visits her parents in the Carpaten. Grant safe travels and happy reunion and then that the farewell is not too difficult. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Sustain June, Michael, Markus, Manfred, Lisa, Annette, Christoph, Ashton, Johann, Friederike and Olly, Detlev and Biljana, Matthias, Timo, Mark, but also all victims of war, violence and bloodshed, all who suffer in body or mind. Let them believe firmly that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed at Christ’s return. Grant them health and healing according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Clear away all grudges, unbelief and impenitence from us, that we may eat and drink Your Son’s body and blood with lively faith in His promises and receive the forgiveness You give in this blessed Sacrament. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, You are merciful and through Christ have promised that You will neither judge nor condemn us, but graciously forgive all our sins and abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. By Your Holy Spirit, establish in our hearts a confident faith in Your mercy. Teach us in turn to be merciful to our neighbor, that we may not judge or condemn others, but willingly forgive all and, judging only ourselves, lead blessed lives in Your fear; 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
Prayers of the LCMS
+ 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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