Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, September 10, 2023

Entrance Hymn:  LBW #389 “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” 

Prayer of the day: 

O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, Your humble servants, Your holy inspiration, that we may set our minds on the things that are right and, by Your merciful guiding, accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:

Ezekiel 33:7-9                                                                                     

7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.

 

Psalm 92:1-4; antiphon: Psalm 92:5

L:  How great are your works, O Lord!

C:  Your thoughts are very deep!

L:  It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

C:  to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

L:  to declare your steadfast love in the morning,

C:  and your faithfulness by night,

L:  to the music of the lute and the harp,

C:  to the melody of the lyre.

L:  For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;

C:  at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

L:  How great are your works, O Lord!

C:  Your thoughts are very deep!

 

Epistle:

Romans 13:1-10                       

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

 

Gospel:

Matthew 18:1-20                         

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Causing to Stumble

6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

The Parable of the Wandering Sheep

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11]

12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Dealing With Sin in the Church

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

 

Message Hymn:  LBW #59 “Onward, Christian Soldiers”

Closing Hymn:  LBW #377 “Lift High the Cross”

 

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, September 3, 2023

Entrance Hymn:  WOV #780 “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine” 

Prayer of the day: 

Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption.  Grant us courage to take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:

Jeremiah 15:15-21                                                                           

15 Lord, you understand;
    remember me and care for me.
    Avenge me on my persecutors.
You are long-suffering—do not take me away;
    think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.
16 When your words came, I ate them;
    they were my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name,
    Lord God Almighty.
17 I never sat in the company of revelers,
    never made merry with them;
I sat alone because your hand was on me
    and you had filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain unending
    and my wound grievous and incurable?
You are to me like a deceptive brook,
    like a spring that fails.

19 Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
    but you must not turn to them.
20 I will make you a wall to this people,
    a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
    but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
    to rescue and save you,”
declares the Lord.
21 “I will save you from the hands of the wicked
    and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”

 

Psalm 37:5-7; antiphon: Psalm 37:4

L:  Delight yourself in the Lord,

C:  and He will give you the desires of your heart.

L:  Commit your way to the Lord;

C:  trust in him, and he will act.

L:  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

C:  and your justice as the noonday.

L:  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

C:  fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

C:  and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

L:  Delight yourself in the Lord,

C:  and He will give you the desires of your heart.

 

Epistle:

Romans 12:9-21                       

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Gospel:

Matthew 16:21-28                                  

Jesus Predicts His Death

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

 

Message Hymn:  WOV #760 “For the Fruits of All Creation”

Closing Hymn:  WOV #712 “Listen, God Is Calling”

Pastor Katiso

Good morning church family,

 

As promised, I want to update everyone on the progress of the call to Pastor Katiso.  I know there has been some confusion regarding the call process.  I hope this answers everyone’s questions.

 

As you all are aware, Pastor Katiso has accepted our call.  This is very exciting news for Bethany!  However, there is much more to do before he is officially our pastor.  At this point he has accepted our call, but he has not yet accepted the position. The next step is for Pastor Katiso to come to Bethany to meet with members of the church council. This will happen on Friday, September 15.  At that time, we will show him the property, discuss Bethany’s financial situation, and discuss other topics as they arise.  This is a time for him to get to know Bethany better so he is more equipped to make his final decision.

 

The church council and call committee would like to invite all members of our congregation to attend a Meet and Greet with the Katiso’s on Friday, September 15 from 5:30 – 7:30pm.  This will be your chance to personally meet them and ask any questions you might have.  Light refreshments will be served.  You will remember that we did this same thing with Pastor Scheyder after he accepted our call. Unfortunately Pastor Scheyder did not accept the position.  We pray that Pastor Katiso does!

 

Pastor Katiso is asking for the congregation’s help.  He and his wife have four children, aged 6, 4, and 2 year old twins.  It is very important to them that their children attend good Christian schools.  If anyone has any recommendations for grade schools, pre-K, and day care providers, they would appreciate hearing from you.  Please forward your responses to me at [email protected] or call or text me at 443-880-8592 and I will get them to him.  Thank you in advance.

 

Also, the potluck previously scheduled for September 10 has been postponed until October.  Hopefully it will be a welcoming celebration for Pastor Katiso and his family! We will let you all know when a new date is set.

 

Finally, if anyone has any questions or concerns, please let me know.  I want everyone to be comfortable and familiar with the entire call process.  There is nothing secretive about the process.  Nothing has been kept from the congregation.  Again, please feel free to email, call, or text me anytime.  I would love to hear from you!

 

Blessings for your day,

 

Joyce Hardesty

Council President

[email protected]

443-880-8592

Reverend Alemu (Alex) Katiso

To the Congregation of Bethany Lutheran Church,

Friends,

Since January of 2022, Bethany Lutheran church has been without a pastor. We have worked through the process to get a new Pastor, and issued several calls. There have admittedly been some disappointments. However, it is time to rejoice.

Last Sunday we voted to issue a call to Reverend Alemu (Alex) Katiso, and yesterday I received a call from Reverend Katiso that he is accepting our call.  READ MORE

There will still be a number of steps and procedures to go through before he officially becomes our pastor and these will not be accomplished overnight. Much of the responsibility for making these happen has shifted to the Church Council and the Church Council will work diligently to keep you all informed as the process moves forward,

That said, we can be thankful to God that our long period of uncertainty is over and we can begin the work of revitalizing Bethany Lutheran.

Peace be with you all.

Ken Medearis

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, August 27, 2023  

 

Entrance Hymn:  WOV #783 “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” 

Prayer of the day: 

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us to know Your Son, Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life that we may boldly confess Him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:

Isaiah 51:1-6                                                                           

Everlasting Salvation for Zion

51 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness
    and who seek the Lord:
Look to the rock from which you were cut
    and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
2 look to Abraham, your father,
    and to Sarah, who gave you birth.
When I called him he was only one man,
    and I blessed him and made him many.
3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion
    and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
    her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
    thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

4 “Listen to me, my people;
    hear me, my nation:
Instruction will go out from me;
    my justice will become a light to the nations.
5 My righteousness draws near speedily,
    my salvation is on the way,
    and my arm will bring justice to the nations.
The islands will look to me
    and wait in hope for my arm.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
    look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
    the earth will wear out like a garment
    and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
    my righteousness will never fail.

 

Psalm 2:6-7, Psalm 117; antiphon: Psalm 115:18

L:  But we will bless the Lord

C:  from this time forth and forevermore.  Praise the Lord!

L:  As for me, I have set my King

C:  on Zion, my holy hill.

L:  I will tell of the decree:

C:  The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”

L:  Praise the Lord, all nations!

C:  Extol him, all peoples!

L:  For great is his steadfast love toward us,

C:  and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

L:  But we will bless the Lord

C:  from this time forth and forevermore.  Praise the Lord!

 

Epistle:

Romans 11:33-12:8                            

Doxology

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

 

Gospel:

Matthew 16:13-20                                  

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

 

Message Hymn:  WOV #767 “All Things Bright and Beautiful”

Closing Hymn:  WOV #737 “There Is a Balm in Gilead”

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, August 20, 2023

Entrance Hymn:  WOV #779 “You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord”

 

Prayer of the day: 

Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children many blessings even though we are undeserving.  In every trial and temptation grant us steadfast confidence in Your loving-kindness and mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8                                                                                  

Salvation for Others

56 This is what the Lord says:

“Maintain justice
    and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
    and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
    to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
    and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
    and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
    and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
    will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
    a house of prayer for all nations.”
8 The Sovereign Lord declares—
    he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
    besides those already gathered.”

 

Psalm 28:1-2, 6-7; antiphon: Psalm 28:8

L:  The Lord is the strength of his people;

C:  he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

L:  To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me,

C:  lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

L:  Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help,

C:  when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

L:  Blessed be the Lord!

C:  For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

L:  The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

C:  my heart exalts, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

L:  The Lord is the strength of his people;

C:  he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

 

Epistle:

Romans 11:1-2, 13-15, 28-32                                

The Remnant of Israel

11 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel:

13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

 

Gospel:

Matthew 15:21-28                                  

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

 

Message Hymn:  WOV #748 “Bind Us Together”

Closing Hymn:  WOV #699 “Blessed Assurance”

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, August 13, 2023

 

 

Entrance Hymn:  WOV #771 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

 

Prayer of the day: 

Almighty and most merciful God, preserve us from all harm and danger that we, being ready in both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish what You want done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:

Job 38:4-18                                                                              

4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
    Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
    or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
    and all the angels shouted for joy?

8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors
    when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
    and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it
    and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
    here is where your proud waves halt’?

12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
    or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
    and shake the wicked out of it?
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
    its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,
    and their upraised arm is broken.

16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
    or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you?
    Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
    Tell me, if you know all this.

 

Psalm 34:4-8; antiphon: Psalm 34:1

L:  I will bless the Lord at all times;

C:  his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

L:  I sought the Lord, and he answered me

C:  and delivered me from all my fears.

L:  Those who look to him are radiant,

C:  and their faces shall never be ashamed.

L:  This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

C:  and saved him out of all his troubles.

L:  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

C:  and delivers them.

L:  Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

C:  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

L:  I will bless the Lord at all times;

C:  his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 

Epistle:

Romans 10:5-17                        

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

 

Gospel:

Matthew 15:21-28                                  

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

 

Message Hymn:  WOV #746 “Day by Day”

Closing Hymn:  WOV #690 “Shall We Gather at the River”

 

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, August 6, 2023

Entrance Hymn:  WOV #767 “All Things Bright and Beautiful”

 

Prayer of the day: 

Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul.  Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:

Isaiah 55:1-5                                                                           

Invitation to the Thirsty

55 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David.
4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
    a ruler and commander of the peoples.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
    and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor.”

 

Psalm 105:39-43; antiphon: Psalm 105:1

L:  Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

C:  make known his deeds among the peoples!

L:  Sing to him, sing praises to him;

C:  tell of all his wondrous works!

L:  Glory in his holy name;

C:  let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

L:  Seek the Lord and his strength;

C:  seek his presence continually!

L:  Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

C:  his miracles, and the judgements he uttered,

L:  O offspring of Abraham, his servant,

C:  children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

L:  Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

C:  make known his deeds among the peoples!

 

Epistle:

Romans 9:1-5                            

Paul’s Anguish Over Israel

9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

 

Gospel:

Matthew 14:13-21                                             

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

 

Message Hymn:  WOV #737 “There Is a Balm in Gilead”

Closing Hymn:  WOV #783 “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”

 

 

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, July 30, 2023

Entrance Hymn:  WOV #760 “For the Fruit of All Creation”

 

Prayer of the day: 

Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love, that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:

Deuteronomy 7:6-9                                                                                    

6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

7 The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

 

Psalm 105:2-6; antiphon: Psalm 105:1

L:  Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

C:  make known his deeds among the peoples!

L:  Sing to him, sing praises to him;

C:  tell of all his wondrous works!

L:  Glory in his holy name;

C:  let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

L:  Seek the Lord and his strength;

C:  seek his presence continually!

L:  Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

C:  his miracles, and the judgements he uttered,

L:  O offspring of Abraham, his servant,

C:  children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

L:  Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

C:  make known his deeds among the peoples!

 

Epistle:

Romans 8:28-39                       

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Gospel:

Matthew 13:44-52                                             

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

 

Message Hymn:  WOV #712 “Listen, God Is Calling”

Closing Hymn:  WOV #780 “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine”

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, July 16, 2023

 

 

Prayer of the day: 

Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading:

Isaiah 55:10-13                                                                                  

10 As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”

 

Psalm 116:1-4, 8; antiphon: Psalm 103:8

L:  The Lord is merciful and gracious,

C:  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

L:  As for man, his days are like grass;

C:  he flourishes like a flower of the field;

L:  for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

C:  and its place knows it no more.

L:  But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everything to everlasting on those who fear him,

C:  and his righteousness to children’s children,

L:  to those who keep his covenant

C:  and remember to do his commandments.

L:  The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,

C:  and his kingdom rules over all.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen

L:  The Lord is merciful and gracious,

C:  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

 

Epistle:

Romans 8:12-17                       

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

 

Gospel:

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23                                               

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

 

Message Hymn:  WOV #690 “Shall We Gather at the River”

Closing Hymn:  WOV #771 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”