SEPTUAGESIMA (70 DAYS TO EASTER)
Grace Alone
February 1, 2026
AS WE GATHER: The people of Israel contended with the Lord in the wilderness (Ex. 17:1-7). They were dissatisfied with His provision. In the same way, the first laborers in the vineyard complained against the landowner for the wage he provided them (Matt. 20:1-16). They charged him with being unfair, but in reality he was being generous. For the Lord does not wish to deal with us on the basis of what we deserve but on the basis of His abounding grace in Christ. The first—those who rely on their own merits—will be last. “For they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Cor. 10:5). But the last, those who rely on Christ, will be first. For Christ is the Rock (1 Cor. 9:24-10:5). He is the One who was struck and from whose side blood and water flowed that we may be cleansed of our sin.
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.
PARTICIPATING:
Worship Leader/ Preacher Pastor Justin D. Kane
Organist Mr. Ignatius Hasselbrook
Elder Mr. Alan Kleinendorst
Lay Reader Mr. Mike Carper
Door Opener Mr. Brian Williams
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Divine Service III
Announcements
Opening Hymn LSB 869 “With the Lord Begin Your Task”
*Confession/Absolution: LSB 184
SERVICE OF THE WORD
PSALM 95 (Chanted responsively) antiphon: v. 6
Oh come, let us worship and | bow down;*
let us kneel before the LORD, our | Maker!
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.
The sea is his, for he | made it,*
and his hands formed the | dry land.
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.
Today, if you | hear his voice,*
do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the | wilderness,
when you fathers put me | to the test*
and put me to the proof, though they had | seen my work.
For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray | in their heart,*
and they have not | known my ways.”
Therefore I swore | in my wrath,*
“They shall not enter | my rest.”
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!
*Kyrie: LSB 186
*Gloria in Excelsis LSB 187
*Salutation: LSB 189
*COLLECT OF THE DAY:
Pastor: O Lord,
People: graciously hear the prayers of Your people that we who justly suffer the consequence of our sin may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7 Pew Bible Page 114
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 Pew Bible Page 1782
*Holy Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 Pew Bible Page 1529
*Apostles’ Creed: LSB 192
Sermon Hymn: LSB 555 “Salvation unto Us Has Come” v. 1-5
Sermon
Offertory LSB 555
“Salvation unto Us Has Come” v. 6-9
*Prayer of the Church
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Gracious Master, You have gathered Your servants out of every nation and in all hours of life to labor in the vineyard of Your Church. Give us thankful hearts and make us glad for those who enter at Your invitation, that with them we may praise Your holy generosity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of all, You have built Your one, holy Church upon the rock of Christ and ordered her according to Your gracious will. Instill in her pastors a godly wisdom to know Your Word thoroughly, and in her people a patient spirit that waits on Your heavenly provision. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, give to all Christian homes the endurance that comes from Your Holy Spirit, that husbands and wives, parents and children may be disciplined and self-controlled in their duties, run their course in this life, and continue to the end in the holy Christian faith, ready to receive the imperishable wreath of eternal life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, shed Your grace on the nations of the world. Suppress evil and injustice in every place and establish Your peace, that the poor would be comforted and suffer no lack. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Great Physician, be near to the sick and suffering. Bring them healing, hope and peace at the last. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Master of the vineyard, we are entitled to nothing and deserve only wrath, but we are bold to ask for everything by grace in Christ. Grant us repentant hearts, trusting faith in Your promises and unity of confession, Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Master, in times past You brought many into the early labor of Your vineyard, the Church. Instruct us by the example of these saints, that we, who have come to faith in the later hours of this world, may follow them in faith, hope and love, and at last receive Your generous wage. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray. Grant that we would look to You for every blessing and to Your Son for our salvation. Deliver us from all adversity, and preserve us in faith until the last. To You alone be all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*Lord’s Prayer: LSB 196
*Benediction: LSB 202
Closing Hymn: LSB 555 “Salvation unto Us Has Come” v.10
SEPTUAGESIMA (70 DAYS TO EASTER)
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 West Eighth Street, Waterloo Iowa
319.235.6705