Watchword

Then people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and take their places at the banquet table in the kingdom of God.

Luke 13,29

Introit

Listen, O Lord. Answer me. For I am oppressed and needy.
Protect me, for I am loyal.
You are my God; deliver your servant who trusts in you.

O Lord, hear my prayer.
Pay attention to my plea for mercy.
In my time of trouble I cry out to you, for you will answer me.
None can compare to you among the gods, O Lord.
Your exploits are incomparable.
All the nations, whom you created, will come and worship you, O Lord.
They will honor your name.
For you are great and do amazing things.
You alone are God.
O Lord, teach me how you want me to live.
Then I will obey your commands.
Make me wholeheartedly committed to you.
O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks with my whole heart.
I will honor your name continually.

Psalm 86,1-2.6-12

Old Testament lesson (Sermon)

Now Naaman, the commander of the king of Syria’s army, was esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the Lord had given Syria military victories. But this great warrior had a skin disease. Raiding parties went out from Syria and took captive from the land of Israel a young girl, who became a servant to Naaman’s wife. She told her mistress, “If only my master were in the presence of the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his skin disease.”

Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. The king of Syria said, “Go! I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman went, taking with him  talents of silver, 6,000 shekels of gold, and 10 suits of clothes. He brought the letter to the king of Israel. It read: “This is a letter of introduction for my servant Naaman, whom I have sent to be cured of his skin disease.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill or restore life? Why does he ask me to cure a man of his skin disease? Certainly you must see that he is looking for an excuse to fight me!”

When Elisha the prophet heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent this message to the king, “Why did you tear your clothes? Send him to me so he may know there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood in the doorway of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent out a messenger who told him, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan; your skin will be restored and you will be healed.” Naaman went away angry. He said, “Look, I thought for sure he would come out, stand there, invoke the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the area, and cure the skin disease. The rivers of Damascus, the Abana and Pharpar, are better than any of the waters of Israel! Could I not wash in them and be healed?” So he turned around and went away angry. His servants approached and said to him, “O master, if the prophet had told you to do some difficult task, you would have been willing to do it. It seems you should be happy that he simply said, ‘Wash and you will be healed.’ So he went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, as the prophet had instructed. His skin became as smooth as a young child’s and he was healed.

He and his entire entourage returned to the prophet. Naaman came and stood before him. He said, “For sure I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel! Now, please accept a gift from your servant.” But Elisha replied, “As certainly as the Lord lives (whom I serve) I will take nothing from you.” Naaman insisted that he take it, but he refused. Naaman said, “If not, then please give your servant a load of dirt, enough for a pair of mules to carry, for your servant will never again offer a burnt offering or sacrifice to a god other than the Lord. May the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to worship, and he leans on my arm and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this.” Elisha said to him, “Go in peace.”

2. Kings 8,1-19

Collect

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the 3rd Sunday in the Epiphany

Epistle

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often intended to come to you (and was prevented until now), so that I may have some fruit even among you, just as I already have among the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Thus I am eager also to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”

Romans 1,13-17

Gospel

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him asking for help:“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible anguish.” Jesussaid to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof! Instead, just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”When Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel!I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; just as you believed, it will be done for you.” And the servant was healed at that hour.

Matthew 8, 5-13

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

Sing praise to God, our highest good,
profound respect expressing.
God give us health, life, livelihood,
with every needed blessing.
To God, who wondrous works performs,
creating life and calming storms,
to God give praise and glory!

2 Creation thanks you, Holy One:
you made us and renew us.
Delighted at what you have done,
you show your greatness through us.
So may all living things proclaim
the wonders of their Maker’s name:
to God give praise and glory!

3 What God has made, God will preserve,
with righteousness unfailing.
Regardless what we may deserve,
we see this good prevailing.
To God who governs evermore
with justice serving rich and poor,
to God give praise and glory!

4 I cry to God, in pain and grief,
“Please, God of mercy, hear me!”
My certain help provides relief,
faith, hope, and love to cheer me.
So let me sing, joyful and free:
ah, thankful Christians, sing with me:
to God give praise and glory!

5 Forever with us, God is here,
Nor ever will desert us.
So dearly loved, we shall not fear;
there’s nothing that can hurt us.
We place our trust in God’s command,
who leads us with a mother’s hand:
to God give praise and glory!

6 Dear Christian friends, we bear the name
of Christ, our sure salvation.
Let us recall Christ Jesus came,
most holy incarnation,
Came from the one God we adore,
came with new life forevermore:
to God give praise and glory!

Johann J. Schütz translated by Madeleine Forell Marshall

Prayer of the church

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

Heavenly Father, bless Your Holy Church throughout the world, that she would rejoice in You with a thankful heart. Strengthen Your Church so that she would not be ashamed of the Gospel, but confess it, preach it and cling to it as Your power for salvation to everyone who believes. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, bless the congregations of our Synod, that they would be faithful to Your Word and motivated by Your love and compassion in all they do. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank You, dear Father, for the gift of Holy Baptism, by which You heal the corruption of our sinful nature and save us by Christ’s power. With Your great Word and name, plain water becomes a life-giving stream. Do not let us forget our Baptism, nor withhold it from our children, but treasure it as Christ’s trustworthy promise and arise daily to newborn life, cleansed by Your grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, You have raised up civil authorities over Your people, including Olaf, our president; Reiner, our governor; and all who make, administer and judge our laws. Grant that they would serve with integrity and honor, having the welfare of all in mind. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of all comfort, look with compassion on the sick and suffering, especially Christoph, June,  that they would know Your peace and receive healing and relief according to Your gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, as we approach Your holy altar to receive Christ’s very body and blood, give us humility and faith to confess with the centurion that, though we are unworthy to have Your Son come under our roof, nevertheless, at His Word, we shall be healed. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, heavenly Father, You have actually spoken Your great Word by Your prophets and apostles. Do not let us despise this Word but, in spite of all appearances, gladly receive its wisdom and promises, doing as Christ commands; 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.

LCMS Prayers

+ 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

If you are called to preach this weekend, 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) and His Word remains forever – just as His one, holy Christian Church + Amen.