3rd Sunday In Lent (Oculi) ~ 2025

 

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

 

 

Today's liturgy is the Divine Service, Setting Five, LSB pages 213ff.

 

421 Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing

Text: Johann Heermann, 1585–1647; tr. composite, alt.
Tune: Johann Balthasar König, 1691–1758
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

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

 

Invocation

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

C Amen.

 

Exhortation LSB 213

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.

 

Kneel/Stand

 

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

 

Confession of Sins LSB 213

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 213

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.

 

Stand

 

Introit Psalm 25:1–2, 17–18, 20; antiphon: vv. 15–16

My eyes are ever | toward the Lord,*
for he will pluck my feet out | of the net.
Turn to me and be gra- | cious to me,*
for I am lonely and af- | flicted.
To you, | O Lord,*
I lift | up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust; let me not be | put to shame;*
let not my enemies exult | over me.
The troubles of my heart | are enlarged;*
bring me out of my dis- | tresses.
Consider my affliction and my | trouble,*
and forgive | all my sins.
Oh, guard my soul, and de- | liver me!*
Let me not be put to shame, for I take ref- | uge in you.
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.
My eyes are ever | toward the Lord,*
for he will pluck my feet out | of the net.
Turn to me and be gra- | cious to me,*
for I am lonely and af- | flicted.

 

942 Kyrie! God, Father

Text: German version, Ordenung der ceremonien, 1537/38, Naumburg; tr. W. Gustave Polack, 1890–1950, alt.
Text and tune: Latin, 9th cent.
Tune: adapt. Kirchen ampt Deutsch, 1525, Erfurt
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 26:1–15

¹In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord: ²“Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. ³It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. ⁴You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, ⁵and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, ⁶then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.’”

⁷The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. ⁸And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! ⁹Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

¹⁰When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the Lord and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the Lord. ¹¹Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”

¹²Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. ¹³Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. ¹⁴But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. ¹⁵Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Choir-"There is a Green Hill Far Away on Sunday

 

Epistle Ephesians 5:1–9

¹Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ²And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. ⁴Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. ⁵For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷Therefore do not associate with them; ⁸for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Hymn of the Day

 

659 Lord of Our Life

Text: Matthäus Apelles von Löwenstern, 1594–1648; tr. Philip Pusey, 1799–1855, alt.
Tune: Antiphoner, 1746, Poitiers
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

Holy Gospel Luke 11:14–28

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the eleventh chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

¹⁴Now [Jesus] was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. ¹⁵But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” ¹⁶while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. ¹⁷But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. ¹⁸And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²¹When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; ²²but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. ²³Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

²⁴“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. ²⁶Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

²⁷As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” ²⁸But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

 

Creed

 

954 We All Believe in One True God

Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Latin, 14th cent., adapt.
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Sit

 

Sermon: "The Kingdom Has Come" - Luke 11:14-28 ~ Rev. Brett E. Cornelius, Pastor

 

Stand

 

Prayer

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

Almighty God, guard the souls of Your people against the devil and his angels who afflict the world. Arm Your Christians with spiritual weapons, sharpen their tongues with the words of Christ, and overthrow all the power of the devil. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Heavenly Father, we thank You that Christ has disarmed the devil and liberated us by His blood, bringing us into His ranks together with all the saints. Preserve all Christians in the faith until life’s end. Do not permit anyone to abandon or blaspheme Your Spirit’s work and the forgiveness of sins. Turn us in brotherly love toward one another to live always according to God’s holy will. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lord God, You call us to live in purity and holiness. Protect and guide Christian families to love and seek chastity and decency, learning to grow in virtue and all godly living. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P O Lord, our defender, direct the hearts of our leaders and teach them to respond faithfully to the dangers and disasters that arise. Lead them to humble themselves under Your hand and serve their people sacrificially. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lord, You remember those who suffer. Grant comfort, aid, healing and peace to the sick in their afflictions. Grant courage and steadfastness to the dying as they near the end of their earthly lives, and be near to those who struggle with adversity and sorrow. [We especially remember before You today _____________.] Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Holy Father, grant unity to Your Church in her doctrine and life. Bless our communion this day, that from Christ’s true body and blood our faith may be strengthened and our love for one another increased. Accept our sacrifice of thanksgiving and the tithes and offerings we bring in response to Your goodness. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P O God, our sword and shield, whose mighty finger drives out all the powers of darkness, fight for us, Your people. Cast out the devil, sweep clean our souls and fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit, that we may also fight the good fight of faith and dwell secure in Your kingdom of light. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lord God, heavenly Father, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to take up our flesh, that He might overcome the devil and defend us poor sinners against the adversary. We thank You for Your merciful aid and implore You to attend us with Your grace in every temptation. Preserve us from carnal security and, by Your Spirit, keep us in Your Word and fear, that we may be delivered from the enemy and obtain eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Offering

 

563 Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

 

5 When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
This then shall be my only plea:
Jesus hath lived and died for me.

 

6 Jesus, be endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me,
For me, and all Thy hands have made,
An everlasting ransom paid.

Text: Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, 1700–60; tr. John B. Wesley, 1703–91, alt.
Tune: George J. Elvey, 1816–93
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

Preface LSB 216

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Lift up your hearts.

C We lift them to the Lord.

P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord our God, king of all creation, for You have had mercy on us and given Your only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Grant us Your Spirit, gracious Father, that we may give heed to the testament of Your Son in true faith and, above all, firmly take to heart the words with which Christ gives to us His body and blood for our forgiveness. By Your grace, lead us to remember and give thanks for the boundless love which He manifested to us when, by pouring out His precious blood, He saved us from Your righteous wrath and from sin, death, and hell. Grant that we may receive the bread and wine, that is, His body and blood, as a gift, guarantee, and pledge of His salvation. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

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.

 

Introduction to The Words of Our Lord

P In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at His command, and with His own words, we receive His testament:

 

The Words of Our Lord

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

 

Sanctus

 

960 Isaiah, Mighty Seer in Days of Old

Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Text and tune: Martin Luther, 1483–1546
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

Pax Domini

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C Amen.

 

Agnus Dei (DVS 3-page 198) 198

 

Sit

 

Distribution

 

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

 

438 A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–76; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Wolfgang Dachstein, c. 1487–1553
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

The Dismissal LSB 217

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace.

C Amen.

 

Stand

 

Post-Communion Hymn

 

617 O Lord, We Praise Thee

Text: German, 14th cent.; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, 1524, Wittenberg, ed. Johann Walter
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

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.

C Amen.

 

Benedicamus LSB 218

A Let us bless the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Benediction

P The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.

C Amen.

 

Closing Hymn

 

666 O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe

Text: Jacob Fabricius, 1593–1654; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
Tune: German, 1534, Nürnberg
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 © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.