Introit

O Lord, your instructions endure; they stand secure in heaven.
 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations.
You established the earth and it stood firm.
Today they stand firm by your decrees, for all things are your servants.
If I had not found encouragement in your law, I would have died in my sorrow.

Your words are sweeter in my mouth than honey! Your precepts give me discernment. Therefore I hate all deceitful actions. Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.

Sustain me as you promised, so that I will live. Do not disappoint me.

Psalm 119,89-92.103-105.116

Old Testament lesson

“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,” says the Lord, “for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.

The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat. In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend.”

Indeed, you will go out with joy; you will be led along in peace; the mountains and hills will give a joyful shout before you, and all the trees in the field will clap their hands. Evergreens will grow in place of thorn bushes, firs will grow in place of nettles; they will be a monument to the Lord, a permanent reminder that will remain.

Isaiah 55, 8-13

Collect for this 2nd Sunday before Lent

O LORD God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do: Mercifully grant that by Thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

Hebrews 4, 12-13

Gospel

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from one town after another, he spoke to them in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it. Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and choked it. But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain.” As he said this, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!”

Luke 8,4-8

Christian Creed

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 His 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 Spirit 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 sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian 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

May God bestow on us his grace, with blessings rich provide us;
and may the brightness of his face to life eternal guide us,
that we his saving health may know, his gracious will and pleasure,
and also to the heathen show Christ’s riches without measure
and unto God convert them.

Yours over all shall be the praise and thanks of ev’ry nation;
and all the world with joy shall raise the voice of exultation.
For you will judge the earth, O Lord, forbidding sin to flourish;
your people’s pasture is your Word, their souls to feed and nourish,
in righteous paths to keep them.

O let the people praise your worth, in all good works increasing;
the land shall plenteous fruit bring forth, your Word is rich in blessing.
May God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit bless us!
Let all the world praise him alone; let solemn awe possess us.
Now let our hearts say, “Amen!”

Martin Luther 1524 translated by Richard Massie

Sermon text

He also said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who spreads seed on the ground.  He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle because the harvest has come.”

Mark 4,26-29

Prayer of the church

Lord of the harvest, You send Your Word down on earth to give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. You are living and active among us, calling to repentance and raising to new life. Lead us not into temptation, and protect us from the crafts and assaults of the devil, the world and our own sinful flesh, which do not want us to hallow Your name or let Your kingdom come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send forth laborers into Your harvest, that we may be preserved in the pure teaching of Your saving Word, whereby faith toward You is strengthened, charity increased in us toward all and Your kingdom extended in all the world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Caring Father, visit the homes of Your people. Keep them from all harm and danger, and grant that we would dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, look favorably on the nations of the world and their leaders, that all who receive the sword as Your servants would bear it according to Your command. We pray that war, hate and bloodshed would be overcome by peace, justice and love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving Father, have compassion on the sick and suffering – especially Friederike, Marie-Luise, Katharina. Make them to know Your peace, which the world cannot give, and bring them out of all their troubles. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the faithful departed. Cultivate the seed of Your Word in our hearts until You bring us to share with them in the joys of Your unending feast. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, Your Son has promised to be with us always, until the end of the age. Strengthen and preserve us today as He comes to us in His Holy Supper. Grant that we would faithfully receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and so obtain everlasting life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, You have planted Your Word in the hearts of Your children. Grant that we would rejoice to receive this gift and use it to bear abundant fruit in our lives. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank You that through Your Son, Jesus Christ, You have sown Your Holy Word among us. Prepare our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that we may diligently and reverently hear Your Word, keep it in good hearts, and bring forth fruit with patience; and that we may not incline to sin, but subdue it by Your power, and in all persecutions comfort ourselves with Your grace and continual help; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the same Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

LCMS One-Year-Series

+ 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 good Word remains forever – just as His one, holy Christian Church + Amen.