24th Sunday After Trinity ~ 2024

 

Today's Service Leader Rev. Brett Cornelius, Pastor Holy Cross Lutheran Church

 

Today's liturgy is the Divine Service, Setting Three, LSB pages 184ff.

 

Baptismal Hymn

 

The candidate(s), sponsors, and family gather with the pastor at the entrance of the nave or at the font.

 

Opening Hymn~

 

593 See This Wonder in the Making

Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008
Tune: Lofsånger och andeliga wisor, 1873, Sweden
Text: © 1984 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

 

When candidates are unable to speak for themselves, the sponsors answer the questions on their behalf.

 

Baptismal Address

P Dearly beloved, Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In the last chapter of Mark our Lord promises, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” And the apostle Peter has written, “Baptism now saves you.”

The Word of God also teaches that we are all conceived and born sinful and are under the power of the devil until Christ claims us as His own. We would be lost forever unless delivered from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation. But the Father of all mercy and grace has sent His Son Jesus Christ, who atoned for the sin of the whole world, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

The pastor addresses each candidate:

 

Naming of the Candidate

P How are you named?

R [Name]

 

The pastor makes the sign of the holy cross upon the forehead and heart of each candidate while saying:

 

Sign of the Cross

P [Name], receive the sign of the holy cross both upon your T forehead and upon your T heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.

 

The Flood Prayer

P Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry ground, foreshadowing this washing of Your Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood and a lavish washing away of sin.

We pray that You would behold [name(s)] according to Your boundless mercy and bless [him/her/them] with true faith by the Holy Spirit, that through this saving flood all sin in [him/her/them], which has been inherited from Adam and which [he himself / she herself / they themselves] [has/have] committed since, would be drowned and die. Grant that [he/she/they] be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, [he/she/they] would be declared worthy of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

 

Address to Sponsors LSB 269

P From ancient times the Church has observed the custom of appointing sponsors for baptismal candidates and catechumens. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church sponsors are to confess the faith expressed in the Apostles’ Creed and taught in the Small Catechism. They are, whenever possible, to witness the Baptism of those they sponsor. They are to pray for them, support them in their ongoing instruction and nurture in the Christian faith, and encourage them toward the faithful reception of the Lord’s Supper. They are at all times to be examples to them of the holy life of faith in Christ and love for the neighbor.

P Is it your intention to serve [name of candidate(s)] as sponsors in the Christian faith?

R Yes, with the help of God.

P God enable you both to will and to do this faithful and loving work and with His grace fulfill what we are unable to do.

C Amen.

 

Holy Gospel for Baptism

P Hear the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

They brought young children to [Jesus] that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

P This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

The pastor places his hands on the head(s) of the candidate(s), and the congregation joins in praying:

 

Lord’s Prayer

C Our Father who art in heaven,

     hallowed be Thy name,

     Thy kingdom come,

     Thy will be done on earth

          as it is in heaven;

     give us this day our daily bread;

     and forgive us our trespasses

          as we forgive those

          who trespass against us;

     and lead us not into temptation,

     but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom

     and the power and the glory

     forever and ever. Amen.

 

If the baptismal party has stood at the entrance of the nave to this point, they now move to the font.

 

Blessing

P The Lord preserve your coming in and your going out from this time forth and even T forevermore.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

The pastor addresses the candidate(s) and asks the following questions:

 

Renunciation

P [Name(s)], do you renounce the devil?

R Yes, I renounce him.

P Do you renounce all his works?

R Yes, I renounce them.

P Do you renounce all his ways?

R Yes, I renounce them.

 

Profession of Faith

P Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth?

R Yes, I believe.

P Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead?

R Yes, I believe.

P Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting?

R Yes, I believe.

P [Name], do you desire to be baptized?

R Yes, I do.

 

The pastor pours water three times on the head of each candidate while saying:

 

The Baptism

P [Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

The pastor places his hands on the head of the newly baptized while saying:

 

Blessing of the Newly Baptized

P The almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with His grace to life T everlasting.

C Amen.

 

The pastor may place a white garment on the newly baptized while saying:

 

Presentation of the White Garment

P Receive this white garment to show that you have been clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covers all your sin. So shall you stand without fear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive the inheritance prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 

The pastor may light a baptismal candle from the paschal candle and give it to the newly baptized while saying:

 

Presentation of the Baptismal Candle

P Receive this burning light to show that you have received Christ who is the Light of the world. Live always in the light of Christ, and be ever watchful for His coming, that you may meet Him with joy and enter with Him into the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which shall have no end.

 

The newly baptized may be welcomed with the following:

 

The Welcome

A In Holy Baptism God the Father has made you [a member / members] of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and [an heir / heirs] with us of all the treasures of heaven in the one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We receive you in Jesus’ name as our [brother(s)/sister(s)] in Christ, that together we might hear His Word, receive His gifts, and proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

C Amen. We welcome you in the name of the Lord.

 

Stand

 

Collect for the newly baptized

P Let us pray.

Almighty and most merciful God and Father, we thank and praise You that You graciously preserve and enlarge Your family and have granted [name(s)] the new birth in Holy Baptism and made [him/her/them] [a member / members] of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and [an heir / heirs] of Your heavenly kingdom. We humbly implore You that, as [he/she/they] [has/have] now become Your [child/children], You would keep [him/her/them] in [his/her/their] baptismal grace, that according to Your good pleasure [he/she/they] may faithfully grow to lead a godly life to the praise and honor of Your holy name and finally, with all Your saints, obtain the promised inheritance in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

 

One or more of the following collects may also be prayed.

 

Thanksgiving for the gift of a child

P Heavenly Father, You sent Your own Son into this world as the child of the virgin Mary. We thank You for the life of this child entrusted to our care. Help us remember that we are all Your children and so love and nurture [him/her] that [he/she] may attain to the full stature intended for [him/her] in Your eternal kingdom, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

 

For an adopted child

P Merciful Father, in Holy Baptism You grant us the adoption as sons through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and claim us as Your own from the kingdom of Satan, rescuing us from sin and everlasting condemnation. We give thanks to You that [name(s)] [has/have] been made Your own dear [child/children] in Holy Baptism and that [name of parents] have also adopted [him/her/them]. Grant Your blessing to these parents that, being strengthened in the grace of their own Baptism, they may faithfully nurture their [child/children] in the knowledge and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

For parents

P Lord and Giver of life, look with kindness upon the father(s) and mother(s) of [this child / these children] and upon all our parents. Let them ever rejoice in the gift You have given them. Enable them to be teachers and examples of righteousness for their children. Strengthen them in their own Baptism that they may share eternally with their children the salvation You have given them; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

 

For the Church and her members

P Almighty and everlasting God, since You govern and sanctify the whole Christian Church by Your Holy Spirit, hear our prayers for all her members, and mercifully grant that by Your grace we may serve You in true faith; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

 

The Peace

P Peace T be with you.

C Amen.

 

All return to their places.

 

Please Stand

 

Invocation

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

Exhortation LSB 184

P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

P Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C who made heaven and earth.

P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,

C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

 

Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.

 

Confession of Sins LSB 184

P O almighty God, merciful Father,

C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.

 

Absolution LSB 185

P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

Introit Psalm 95:1–4; antiphon: vv. 6–7a

Oh come, let us worship and  | bow down;*
let us kneel before the Lord, our  | Maker!
For he  | is our God,*
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep  | of his hand.
Oh come, let us sing  | to the Lord;*
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our sal- | vation!
Let us come into his presence with thanks- | giving;*
let us make a joyful noise to him with  | songs of praise!
For the Lord is a  | great God,*
and a great King a- | bove all gods.
In his hand are the depths  | of the earth;*
the heights of the mountains are his  | also.
Glory be to the Father and  | to the Son*
and to the Holy  | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
is now, and will be forever.  | Amen.
Oh come, let us worship and  | bow down;*
let us kneel before the Lord, our  | Maker!
For he  | is our God,*
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep  | of his hand.

 

Kyrie LSB 186

 

Gloria in Excelsis LSB 187

 

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P Stir up, O Lord, the wills of Your faithful people that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by You be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Please be Seated

 

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 51:9–16

⁹Awake, awake, put on strength,
O arm of the Lord;
awake, as in days of old,
the generations of long ago.
Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces,
that pierced the dragon?
¹⁰Was it not you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep,
who made the depths of the sea a way
for the redeemed to pass over?
¹¹And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
¹²“I, I am he who comforts you;
who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
of the son of man who is made like grass,
¹³and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth,
and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
when he sets himself to destroy?
And where is the wrath of the oppressor?
¹⁴He who is bowed down shall speedily be released;
he shall not die and go down to the pit,
neither shall his bread be lacking.
¹⁵I am the Lord your God,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the Lord of hosts is his name.
¹⁶And I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you in the shadow of my hand,
establishing the heavens
and laying the foundations of the earth,
and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual Psalm 116:8, 1

You have delivered my | soul from death,*
my eyes from tears, my feet from | stumbling.
I love the Lord, because | he has heard*
my voice and my pleas for | mercy.

 

Epistle Colossians 1:9–14

⁹And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ¹¹May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Please Stand

 

Alleluia LSB 190

 

Holy Gospel Matthew 9:18–26

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the ninth chapter.

C Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

¹⁸While [Jesus] was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. ²⁰And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, ²¹for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” ²²Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. ²³And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, ²⁴he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. ²⁵But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. ²⁶And the report of this went through all that district.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

 

Apostles’ Creed

C I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

     maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,

     who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

     born of the virgin Mary,

     suffered under Pontius Pilate,

     was crucified, died and was buried.

     He descended into hell.

     The third day He rose again from the dead.

     He ascended into heaven

     and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

     From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

     the holy Christian Church,

          the communion of saints,

     the forgiveness of sins,

     the resurrection of the body,

     and the life T everlasting. Amen.

 

Please be Seated

 

Sermon Hymn~

 

555 Salvation unto Us Has Come

Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Paul Speratus, 1484–1551
Tune: Etlich Cristlich lider, 1524, Wittenberg
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Sermon ~ “Filled, Strengthened, Delivered” ~ Rev. Brett E. Cornelius, Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church

 

Please Stand

 

Offertory LSB 192

 

Please be Seated

 

Offering is presented during last verse.

 

Offering Hymn~

 

555 Salvation unto Us Has Come

 

9 Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone
    And rests in Him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known,
    With love and hope increasing.
For faith alone can justify;
Works serve our neighbor and supply
    The proof that faith is living.

 

D 10 All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise
    To Father, Son, and Spirit,
The God who saved us by His grace;
    All glory to His merit.
O triune God in heav’n above,
You have revealed Your saving love;
    Your blessèd name we hallow.

Text: Paul Speratus, 1484–1551; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Etlich Cristlich lider, 1524, Wittenberg
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Please Stand

 

Prayer of the Church

P In peace, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For the wounded people of God, redeemed by Christ’s blood, that they would be healed and strengthened to lead worthy and fruitful lives in His kingdom, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For faithful pastors who preach the whole counsel of God’s Word; for Matthew, our Synod president; _____________, our district president; _____________, our circuit visitor; and all who serve in the Office of the Holy Ministry, that they may proclaim the saving Gospel with boldness and joy, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For strength in the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and walk in the good works He has prepared for us beforehand, that believing His Holy Word, we may lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For all who have been placed in authority over us, including those who were recently elected, that they would serve with the general welfare of all in view, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For those who cry out to God in affliction, [especially _____________,] that they would rejoice in the faithfulness of our heavenly Father and await deliverance from their suffering with patience, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For certainty in the promises of Christ’s body and blood, that we may be drawn to our Lord’s presence in the blessed Sacrament to eat and drink in faith and there adore Him who is our rock and salvation, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P 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.

C Amen.

 

Preface LSB 194

 

Proper Preface

P It is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

 

Sanctus LSB 195

 

Lord’s Prayer LSB 179

P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

C Our Father who art in heaven,

     hallowed be Thy name,

     Thy kingdom come,

     Thy will be done on earth

          as it is in heaven;

     give us this day our daily bread;

     and forgive us our trespasses

          as we forgive those

          who trespass against us;

     and lead us not into temptation,

     but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom

     and the power and the glory

     forever and ever. Amen.

 

The Words of Our Lord LSB 197

 

Pax Domini LSB 197

 

Agnus Dei LSB 198

 

Please be Seated

 

Distribution Hymns~

 

625 Lord Jesus Christ, Life-Giving Bread

Text: Johann Rist, 1607–67; tr. Arthur T. Russell, 1806–74, alt.
Tune: Theütsch kirchen ampt, 1525, Strassburg
Text and tune: Public domain

 

508 The Day Is Surely Drawing Near

 

5 My Savior paid the debt I owe
    And for my sin was smitten;
Within the Book of Life I know
    My name has now been written.
I will not doubt, for I am free,
And Satan cannot threaten me;
    There is no condemnation!

 

6 May Christ our intercessor be
    And through His blood and merit
Read from His book that we are free
    With all who life inherit.
Then we shall see Him face to face,
With all His saints in that blest place
    Which He has purchased for us.

 

7 O Jesus Christ, do not delay,
    But hasten our salvation;
We often tremble on our way
    In fear and tribulation.
O hear and grant our fervent plea:
Come, mighty judge, and set us free
    From death and ev’ry evil.

Text: Bartholomäus Ringwaldt, 1532–99; tr. Philip A. Peter, 1832–1919, alt.
Tune: Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert, 1535, Wittenberg, ed. Joseph Klug
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Distribution Hymn

 

Please Stand

 

Nunc Dimittis LSB 199

 

Thanksgiving LSB 200

 

Post-Communion Collect

A Let us pray.

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Salutation LSB 201

 

Benedicamus LSB 202

 

Benediction LSB 202

 

Please be Seated

 

Closing Hymn~

 

965 God Bless Our Native Land

Text (st. 1): Charles T. Brooks, 1813–83, alt.; (st. 2): John S. Dwight, 1813–93, alt.
Tune: Thesaurus Musicus, c. 1740, London
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Acknowledgments

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.