3rd Sunday of Epiphany

 

Today's Service Leader and Speaker - Rev. Jesse Kueker, Admissions Officer, STL Seminary

 

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

 

594 God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It

Text: Erdmann Neumeister, 1671–1756; tr. Robert E. Voelker, 1957
Tune: Johann Caspar Bachofen, 1695–1755, alt.
Text: © 1991 Robert E. Voelker. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
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 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.

 

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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 97:1, 10–12; antiphon: vv. 6, 9

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

 

Gloria Patri LSB 186

 

 

Kyrie LSB 186

 

Gloria in Excelsis LSB 187

 

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P The Lord be with you.

P Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Sit

 

Catechesis - Third Petition

P Today's catechetical reading is the Third Petition of the Lord's Prayer. What is the Third Petition?

C Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (K)

P What does this mean?

C The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. (1)

P How is God’s will done?

C God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come;  and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.  This is His good and gracious will. (3)

P What passages of Holy Scripture inform us and convince us of this truth?

C Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. –Psalm 119:35 (2)

For this is the will of God, your sanctification... –1 Thessalonians 4:3a (4)

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! –Psalm 43:3 (4)

[You] by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. –1 Peter 1:5 (5)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. –Philippians 1:21 (5)

 

 

Choir - Glory Be to God on High

 

 

Old Testament Reading 2 Kings 5:1–15a

¹Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. ²Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. ³She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” ⁴So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” ⁵And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”

So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothes. ⁶And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” ⁷And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.”

⁸But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” ⁹So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. ¹⁰And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” ¹¹But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. ¹²Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. ¹³But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” ¹⁴So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

¹⁵Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

 

Gradual Psalm 102:15–16

Nations will fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
For the Lord builds up Zion;
he appears in his glory.

 

Epistle Romans 12:16–21

¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. ¹⁷Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Stand

 

 

Alleluia and Verse

 

LSB 190

 

Psalm 97:1

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

 

LSB 190

 

Holy Gospel Matthew 8:1–13

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

¹When [Jesus] came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. ²And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” ³And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ⁴And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

⁵When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ⁶“Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” ⁷And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” ⁸But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ¹⁰When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. ¹¹I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, ¹²while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

 

Nicene Creed

C 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 T of the world to come. Amen.

 

Sit

 

 

401 From God the Father, Virgin-Born

 

5 Lord, once You came to earth’s domain
And, we believe, shall come again;
Be with us on the battlefield,
From ev’ry harm Your people shield.

 

D 6 To You, O Lord, all glory be
For this Your blest epiphany;
To God, whom all His hosts adore,
And Holy Spirit evermore.

Text: Latin, c. 5th–10th cent.; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.
Tune: Antiphoner, 1753, Grenoble
Text and tune: Public domain

 

 

Sermon - Rev. Jesse Kueker, Admissions Officer, STL Seminary

 

 

Stand

 

Offertory LSB 192

 

Prayer of the Church

P 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,

C hear our prayer.

P 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,

C hear our prayer.

P 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,

C hear our prayer.

P Heavenly Father, You have raised up civil authorities over Your people, including Joseph, our president; _____________, 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,

C hear our prayer.

P God of all comfort, look with compassion on the sick and suffering, [especially _____________,] that they would know Your peace and receive healing and relief according to Your gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P 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,

C hear our prayer.

P 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.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

The offering is gathered.

 

Stand

 

Preface LSB 194

P The Lord be with you.

P Lift up your hearts.

P Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.

 

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; for what had been hidden from before the foundation of the world You have made known to the nations in Your Son. In Him, being found in the substance of our mortal nature, You have manifested the fullness of Your glory. 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

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

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.”

 

Pax Domini LSB 197

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

 

Agnus Dei LSB 198

 

Sit

 

 

Distribution

 

596 All Christians Who Have Been Baptized

 

5 O Christian, firmly hold this gift
    And give God thanks forever!
It gives the power to uplift
    In all that you endeavor.
When nothing else revives your soul,
Your Baptism stands and makes you whole
    And then in death completes you.

 

6 So use it well! You are made new—
    In Christ a new creation!
As faithful Christians, live and do
    Within your own vocation,
Until that day when you possess
His glorious robe of righteousness
    Bestowed on you forever!

Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–76; tr. Jon D. Vieker, 1961
Tune: Etlich Cristlich lider, 1524, Wittenberg
Text: © 2004 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

732 All Depends on Our Possessing

 

5 Well He knows what best to grant me;
All the longing hopes that haunt me,
    Joy and sorrow, have their day.
I shall doubt His wisdom never;
As God wills, so be it ever;
    I commit to Him my way.

 

6 If my days on earth He lengthen,
God my weary soul will strengthen;
    All my trust in Him I place.
Earthly wealth is not abiding,
Like a stream away is gliding;
    Safe I anchor in His grace.

Text: Andächtige Haus-Kirche, 1676, Nürnberg; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
Tune: Johann Löhner, 1645–1705; adapt. Johann Balthasar König, 1691–1758
Text and tune: Public domain

 

571 God Loved the World So That He Gave

 

5 If you are sick, if death is near,
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith.

 

D 6 Glory to God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To You, O blessèd Trinity,
Be praise now and eternally!

Text: Heiliges Lippen- und Hertzens-Opffer, c. 1778, Stettin; tr. August Crull, 1845–1923, alt.
Tune: George J. Elvey, 1816–93
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Distribution Hymn

 

Stand

 

Nunc Dimittis LSB 199

 

Thanksgiving LSB 200

A O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good,

 

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 201

P The Lord be with you.

 

Benedicamus LSB 202

A Bless we the Lord.

 

Benediction LSB 202

P 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 and T give you peace.

 

664 Fight the Good Fight

Text: John S. B. Monsell, 1811–75, alt.
Tune: The Methodist Harmonist, 1821, New York
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 © 2023 Concordia Publishing House.