“Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” (1.Peter 5,7)

Collect for this Sunday

Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly, and while we now dwell among things that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Doberstein Pg. 113

The Introit teaches us to trust God alone:

If the LORD does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain.
If the LORD does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain.
It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food.
Yes, he provides for those whom he loves even when they sleep.

Yes, sons are a gift from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Sons born during one’s youth are like arrows in a warrior’s hand.
How blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.
They will not be put to shame when they confront enemies at the city gate.

Psalm 127

God told Moses about creation

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created—when the LORD God made the earth and heavens. Now no shrub of the field had yet grown on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. Springs would well up from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. The LORD God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. The LORD God planted an orchard in the east, in Eden; and there he placed the man he had formed. The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. The LORD God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.

Genesis 2,4b-9 (10-14) 15 (18-25)

The apostle St. Peter encourages the church in all suffering

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you. Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him belongs the power forever. Amen.

1. Peter 5,5b-11

Our good Lord´s sermon on the mount:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6,25-34

God´s promise kindles Abram´s faith (Sermon)

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15,1-6

The Lutheran church sings

If thou but trust in God to guide thee And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love Builds on the rock that naught can move.

2 What can these anxious cares avail thee, These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee O’er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness.

3 Be patient and await His leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate’er thy Father’s pleasure And His discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own.

4 God knows full well when times of gladness Shall be the needful thing for thee.
When He has tried thy soul with sadness And from all guile has found thee free,
He comes to thee all unaware And makes thee own His loving care.

5 Nor think amid the fiery trial That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial Must surely be of God preferred.
Time passes and much change doth bring And sets a bound to ev’rything.

6 All are alike before the Highest; ´Tis easy to our God, we know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest, To make the rich man poor and low.
True wonders still by Him are wrought Who setteth up and brings to naught.

7 Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving, Perform thy duties faithfully,
And trust His Word; though undeserving, Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook in need The soul that trusted Him indeed.

Georg Neumark (1621-81) translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

Prayer of the church

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Heavenly Father, You see how this world, its money, its clothing and its possessions tempt us to worry and doubt, yet You know all our needs of body and soul and promise to care for us. Call us by Your Gospel to entrust everything into Your sure hands. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

All-supplying Lord, You promise to provide for the proclamation of Your Gospel. Make Your Church and her pastors bold to build upon Your Word, that in times of woe and uncertainty she may never cease to share Your peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Divine Master, Your Son warns that we cannot truly serve You and pursue security in worldly wealth. Grant us firm faith in Your provision and the peace which this world cannot give. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord God, You have set Olaf, our chancellor, and Rainer, our minister president, as authorities over us for our good. Bless and sustain them with all they need to govern us, that we might be ruled wisely and in accord with Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bow down Your ear, O Lord, and hear our cry on behalf of Ingrid and Karin, Michael and Charly, Christoph and June, all who suffer in body or soul. Save Your servants, heal them and bear witness thereby to Your mercy in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Increase our faith, O Lord, and grant that all who come to Your Supper may come in repentance, seeking Your forgiveness, and in the unity of a true confession. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Giving God, Your all-sufficient generosity will provide every need in time and eternity. Increase our faith. Still our anxious hearts. Call us to share the blessings of this world in view of Your promises in the world to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father in heaven, You sustained Elijah and Your saints of old through weal and woe, plenty and scarcity. Inspire us in the light of their faith to walk through all circumstances until we join them at Your unending banquet. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

One-Year-Series Prayer of the LCMS

+ Dominum vobiscum +

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 + give Thee peace.

Numbers 6,24-26