Watchword

For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another.

John 1,16

Introit

Give thanks to the Lord.
Call on his name.
Make known his accomplishments among the nations.
² Sing to him.
Make music to him.
Tell about all his miraculous deeds.
³ Boast about his holy name.
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
⁴ Seek the Lord and the strength he gives.
Seek his presence continually.
⁵ Recall the miraculous deeds he performed,
his mighty acts and the judgments he decreed,
⁶ O children of Abraham, God’s servant,
you descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen ones.
⁷ He is the Lord our God;
he carries out judgment throughout the earth.
⁸ He always remembers his covenantal decree,
the promise he made to a thousand generations.

Psalm 105,1-8

Old Testament lesson

“And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”

Exodus 33,18-23

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

LSB Pastoral Care Companion Pg. 543

Epistle

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with superior eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony of God. 2 For I decided to be concerned about nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling. 4 My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not be based on human wisdom but on the power of God. 6 Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are perishing. 7 Instead we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery, that God determined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 10 God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

1. Corinthians 2,1-10

Gospel

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

John 2,1-11

The Confession of the Church

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Nicene Creed

Hymn of the week

In you is gladness amid all sadness, Jesus, sunshine of my heart.
By you are given the gifts of heaven, you the true Redeemer are.
Our souls are waking, our bonds are breaking; who trusts you surely has built securely and stands forever. Alleluia!
Our hearts are pining to see your shining, dying or living to you are clinging now and forever. Alleluia!

If he is ours, we fear no powers, not of earth or sin or death.
He sees and blesses in worst distresses; he can change them with a breath.
Wherefore the story tell of his glory with heart and voices; all heav’n rejoices
in him forever. Alleluia!
We shout for gladness, win over sadness, love him and praise him and still shall raise him glad hymns forever. Alleluia!

Johann Lindemann 1549-1631 tr. Catherine Winkworth 1827-1878 (LSB 818)

Lesson for today´s sermon

Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through it many become defiled. 16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears. 18 For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind 19 and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more. 20 For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” 21 In fact, the scene was so terrifying that Moses said, “I shudder with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly 23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does.25 Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking!

Hebrews 12,12-18 (19-21) 22-25a

Prayer of the church

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

Lord, You manifested Your glory in the sign at Cana. As You restored creation through the shedding of Christ’s blood, pour out Your grace in abundance. Give us joy and gladness in the revelation of Your truth in the person of Your Son. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Raise, O Lord, the fallen churches of our fellowship. Repair the breaches thereof. Rebuild a firm faith and a holy resolve. Cause Your Holy Word to flourish, and bring forth fruit according to Your good and gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, lead all pastors and church leaders to imitate the servants at Cana and do as Christ instructs. Give them boldness to preach the Law and the Gospel rightly, and graciously provide for all their earthly needs. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, You have forged the human family in a wonderful pattern and blessed the sacred vocations of husband and wife. Inspire us to stand out in this world, faithful to this biblical institution, and so show forth the glory of Christ and His Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Almighty, You promise that Your meek ones will inherit the earth and not the wicked who seem to possess it now. Turn the rulers of this world toward the obedience of faith. Draw all nations under the cover of Your Church, that they may receive the abundance of the fruits of salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, remember those in need [especially _____________]. Be the Father of the lonely and forsaken, the Helper of the sick and needy, and the Comforter of the distressed and sorrowful. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Lord, grant Your Holy Spirit to those who approach the altar this day, that they would receive the Holy Sacrament of Christ’s very body and blood in faithful repentance and to their abundant blessing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank You that of Your grace You have instituted holy matrimony, in which You keep us from unchastity and other offenses. We implore You, send Your blessing on every husband and wife. Do not let them provoke one another to anger and strife, but let them live peaceably together in love and godliness. Strengthen them with Your gracious help in all temptations, and help them to rear their children in accordance with Your will. Grant us all to walk before You in purity and holiness, putting our trust in You and leading such lives on earth that, in the world to come, we may have everlasting life; through 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 church (LCMS)

If you are called to preach this week- month- and yearend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, wisdom, knowledge and insight, that You preach His holy will faithfully and His gracious promises invitingly! His most precious Gospel is “the power of God to save all who believe.” (Rom 1:16)

+ 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 6,24-27