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.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Jesus Receives Sinners
July 6, 2025
AS WE GATHER: “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees’ statement of judgment against Jesus is in face a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18-20). “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11-32), who think they are righteous of themselves, will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father’s house. Let us therefore be on guard against self-righteously trusting in our own merits. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Divine Service III
Announcements
Opening Hymn LSB 814
“O Bless the Lord, My Soul”
*Confession/Absolution: LSB 184
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Psalm 103
The LORD is merciful and | gracious,*
slow to anger and abounding in | steadfast love.
He will not | always chide,*
nor will he keep his anger for- | ever.
He does not deal with us according | to our sins,*
nor repay us according to our in- | iquities.
For as high as the heavens are a- | bove the earth,*
so great is his steadfast love toward those who | fear him;
as far as the east is | from the west,*
so far does he remove our transgre- | sions from us.
as a father shows compassion to his | children,*
so the LORD show compassion to those who | fear him.
For he | knows our frame;*
he remembers that | we are dust.
As for man, his days | are like grass;*
he flourishes like a flower | of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and | it is gone,*
and its place knows | it no more.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who | fear him,*
and his righteousness to children’s | children,
to those who keep his | covenant*
and remember to do his com- | mandments.
The LORD has established his throne in the | heavens,*
and his kingdom rules | over all.
Bless the LORD, O you his | angels,*
you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice | of his word!
Bless the LORD, | all his hosts,*
his ministers, who | do his will!
Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his do- | minion.*
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
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.
The LORD is merciful and | gracious,*
slow to anger and abounding in | steadfast love.
*Kyrie: LSB 186
*Salutation: LSB 189
*COLLECT OF THE DAY:
Pastor: O God,
People: the protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, multiply Your mercy on us that, with You as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Old Testament: Micah 7:18-20
Pew Bible Page 1450
Epistle: 1 Peter 5:6-11
Pew Bible Page 1892
*Holy Gospel: Luke 15:1-10
Pew Bible Page 1623
*Apostles’ Creed: LSB 192
Sermon Hymn: LSB 609
“Jesus Sinners Doth Receive”
Sermon
Offertory LSB 192
*Prayer of the Church
*Lord’s Prayer: LSB 196
*Benediction: LSB 202
Closing Hymn: LSB 965
“God Bless Our Native Land”
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 West Eighth Street, Waterloo Iowa
319.235.6705
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PARTICIPATING:
Worship Leader/ Preacher Pastor Justin D. Kane
Organist Mr. Cyril Hasselbrook
Elder Mr. Alan Kleinendorst
Lay Reader Mr. Levi Carolus
Greeters Ed and Judy DePaepe
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