Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 W. 8th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50702
Information for October 18, 2026
Take a moment to notice the * at the beginning of various portions of the order of service. The * indicates the place where it is inappropriate to enter or leave the sanctuary because it marks a time of prayer or respect for the Word of the Lord. Please be considerate of others around you by honoring these notations.
We receive in faith His counsel that Christ’s very body and blood are present under the bread and wine for our forgiveness. As we receive Holy Communion today, the whole counsel of God moves us to determine confessional oneness for those who receive the sacrament together. Out of care for souls and a common confession, we ask that if you do not belong to a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod congregation or any congregation in altar pulpit fellowship with her, and you choose to approach the table, cross your arms to receive a blessing.
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Jesus Invites Us to His Wedding Feast to Receive Abundant Righteousness
October 18, 2026
AS WE GATHER: The Holy Spirit sounds forth the Gospel call: “See, I have prepared my dinner . . . Come to the wedding feast” (Matt. 22:1-14). But many reject this invitation in favor of worldly pursuits. And so the call goes out to others, both the good and the bad. For the wedding invitation is not based on the qualifications of those invited but on the basis of the merits and work of Christ. The feast is free: “He who has no money, come, buy and eat . . . delight yourselves in rich food.” (Is. 55:1-9). Those rejecting the Spirit’s work shall experience God’s wrath and judgment. Those who are not clothed in Christ’s righteousness shall be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us therefore seek the Lord while He may be found, for he will have mercy upon us. Let us redeem the time, being filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 5:15-21).
*CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION:
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: 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.
Pastor: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
People: who made heaven and earth.
Pastor: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the
Lord.
People: and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Pastor: O almighty God, merciful Father,
People: 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.
Pastor: 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 Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
*COLLECT OF THE DAY:
Pastor: O Lord,
People: grant to Your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE GIFT OF FLOWERS TO THE GLORY OF GOD:
In Thanksgiving of Joseph’s Birthday
- Janet and Marie Taytuh
PARTICIPATING:
Worship Leader/Preacher Pastor Justin D. Kane
Organist Mrs. Kolleen Hosford
Worship Elder Mr. Al Hosford
Lay Reader Mrs. Barb Gregersen
Greeters Ed and Judy DePaepe
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Matins
Organ Prelude
Opening Hymn LSB 912
“Christ Is Our Cornerstone”
*Ten Commandments (sheet insert)
*Confession and Absolution: (Printed)
“O Lord, open my lips…” LSB 219
PSALMODY
Venite: LSB 220ff
READINGS
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-9
Pew Bible Page 1148
Epistle: Ephesians 5:15-21
Pew Bible Page 1823
*Holy Gospel: Matthew 22;1-14
Pew Bible Page 1534
*Responsory LSB 221
Office Hymn: LSB 828
“We Are Called to Stand Together”
Sermon
Offertory LSB 956
“Create in Me”
*Canticle LSB 941
“We Praise You and Acknowledge You . . .”
PRAYER
*Kyrie: LSB 227
*Lord’s Prayer: LSB 227
*Prayer of the Church
*Collect of the Day: (Printed)
*Collect for Grace: LSB 228
*Benedicamus/Benediction: LSB 228
Announcements
Closing Hymn: LSB 510
“A Multitude Comes from . . . ”
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 West Eighth Street, Waterloo Iowa
319.235.6705
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