This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1. John 5,4b
Introit
I will give you thanks with all my heart; before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you. I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your name, because of your loyal love and faithfulness, for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky. When I cried out for help, you answered me. You made me bold and energized me. Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O Lord, when they hear the words you speak. Let them sing about the Lord’s deeds, for the Lord’s splendor is magnificent. Though the Lord is exalted, he looks after the lowly, and from far away humbles the proud. Even when I must walk in the midst of danger, you revive me. You oppose my angry enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord avenges me. O Lord, your loyal love endures. Do not abandon those whom you have made.
Psalm 138
Collect of the Day
Lord, we implore You, grant Your people grace to withstand the temptations of the devil and with pure hearts and minds to follow You, the only God; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lutheran Service Book: Altar Book Pg. 928
Old Testament
Listen to me, you coastlands! Pay attention, you people who live far away!
The Lord summoned me from birth; he commissioned me when my mother brought me into the world.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword, he hid me in the hollow of his hand; He made me like a sharpened arrow, he hid me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, through whom I will reveal my splendor.”
But I thought, “I have worked in vain; I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.” But the Lord will vindicate me; my God will reward me.
So now the Lord says, the one who formed me from birth to be his servant— he did this to restore Jacob to himself, so that Israel might be gathered to him; and I will be honored in the Lord’s sight, for my God is my source of strength— he says, “Is it too insignificant a task for you to be my servant, to reestablish the tribes of Jacob, and restore the remnant of Israel? I will make you a light to the nations, so you can bring my deliverance to the remote regions of the earth.”
Isaiah 49, 1-6
Gradual
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
Psalm 33,12.6
Epistle
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.” But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached wordof Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Yes, they have: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Romans 10,9-17 (18)
Alleluia Verse
Alleluia. I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Alleluia.
Psalm 116,1
Gospel
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Matthew 15,21-28
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
Sermon by Dr. Martin Luther
Today´s sermon:
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female —for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3,26-28
Hymn of the week
Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält, wenn unsere Feinde toben, und er unser Sach nicht zufällt im Himmel hoch dort oben, wo er Israels Schutz nicht ist und selber bricht der Feindes List, so ists mit uns verloren.
Was Menschenkraft und -witz anfäht, soll uns billig nicht schrecken; er sitzet an der höchsten Stätte, der wird ihrn Rat aufdecken. Wenn sie’s aufs klügste greifen an, so geht doch Gott ein ander Bahn; es steht in seinen Händen.
Sie wüten hart und fahren her, als wollten sie uns fressen; zu würgen steht all ihr Begehr, Gotts ist bei ihn´ vergessen. Wie Meereswellen einher schlau, nach Leib und Leben sie uns stahl; des wird sich Gott erbarmen.
Sie stellen uns wie Ketzern nach, zu unserem Blut sie trachten, doch rühmen sie sich Christen hoch, die Gott allein groß achten. Ach Gott, der teure Name Dein muß ihrer Schalkheit Deckel sein. Du wirst einmal aufwachen.
Aufsperren sie den Rachen weit und wollen uns verschlingen. Lob und Dank sei Gott allezeit, es wird ihn´ nicht gelingen. Er wird ihr Strick zerreißen gar und stürzen ihre falschen Lehr. Sie werden Gott nicht wehren.
Ach Herr Gott, wie reich tröstest Du, die gänzlich sind verlassen. Der Gnaden Tür steht nimmer zu. Vernunft kann das nicht fassen, sie spricht: »Es ist nun alls verlorn«, da doch das Kreuz hat neu geborn, die Deiner Hilfe warten.
Die Feind sind all in Deiner Hand, dazu all ihr Gedanken; ihr Anschlag ist Dir wohl bekannt; hilf nur, daß wir nicht wanken. Vernunft wider den Glauben ficht, aufs Künftig will sie trauen nicht, da Du wirst selber trösten.
Den Himmel hast Du und die Erd, Herr, unser Gott, gegründet; gib, daß Dein Licht uns helle werd, lass unser Herz entzündet in rechter Lieb des Glaubens Dein bis an das End beständig sein. Die Welt lass immer murren.
Justus Jonas 1524 (LKG 47)
Prayer of the church
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
King of kings, Your Son came as a servant to save mankind, receiving all authority at Your right hand. Give Your Church, destined to share His throne, faithful hearts, that we may serve the world in Your name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
King of kings, bless this congregation, its mission and all its people. Grant us the ability to accomplish the work You have given us to do. Most especially, grant us the unity of Your Holy Spirit in the bond of peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
King of kings, strengthen fathers to devote their households to Your Word and prayer, to bring their children to Christ’s font, and faithfully to instruct them in regular attendance at the Divine Service. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
King of kings, Your Son teaches authorities to receive their positions with patience and not grasp them for themselves. Raise up humble and wise leaders for the good of all nations. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
King of kings, spare those who are ill, suffering or in sorrow especially Christoph, Karin, Ingrid, Annette, Paulina, Sylvia, Hillary, Manuela, Manfred, Detlev & Biljana, Friederike und Olly, Isabel, Ele, Max und Louis, Matz und Timo, Carola, Matt & Cathy, Michael & Janet, Scott und Mary-Ann, Jonathan & Brenda, Michael & Janet, Marlies. Comfort them with Your promise of constant care and mercy. Show compassion also to the bereaved. Comfort them with Your promise of a joyful reunion with Christ and their loved ones who have died in the faith. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
King of kings, You graciously invite us to join You in the feast of this Sacrament. Grant that we would come, taking the lowest place in repentance and pleading Your mercy, that our hearts may be lifted up to the honor of receiving Christ’s very body and blood. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
+ Dominum vobiscum +
The Lord bless You, and keep You; The Lord make His face shine upon You, and be gracious unto You; The Lord lift up His countenance upon You + give You peace.
Numbers 6,24-26
If you are called to preach this weekend, may the holy, triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the one true and only God give You His rich measure of faith, hope, love, joy and strength, wisdom, knowledge and insight, clarity of speech, that You preach His holy Will faithfully and His gracious Promises invitingly and faithfully according to His biblical Word recorded by apostles and prophets. His most precious Gospel grants saving grace. It is His “power to save.” (Rom 1:16 cf. 2.Corinthians 12,9).
God´s Word and Luther´s teaching remain forever just as His holy Christian Church does. Alleluia +
