Grace Lutheran Church

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Tenth Sunday After Pentecost, August 13, 2017 ~ 10:00AM

Grace Lutheran Church "Connecting People to Christ"

The Word That Saves As We Gather God has worked faith in our hearts. There is no other way we would ever call out to Him in our distress. When we ask Him for anything, it is always because of His Word, which has convicted us of sin and assured us of grace. Jesus, the Word in the flesh, took the Law’s punishment for us and has bestowed on us His own righteousness. The Word is so powerful that we need not fear anything, not our conscience, not the world, and not Satan. As Luther wrote, “One little word can fell him.” The powerful Word puts us in our place as mere creatures (as Job learns). It invites us to trust our Savior even more (as Jesus beckoned Peter to leave his boat). And it promises, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” That promise is so sure that we dare not keep it to ourselves. Let us give thanks to God in worship today and in our continued sharing of the Good News.

Ringing of the Bell A Time of Preparation for Worship Welcome and Opening Prayer Welcome Guest Welcome Guest to Grace Lutheran Church We pray that you feel at home with us and join us as often as possible. Your presence among us is both a blessing and an encouragement. May God's presence be a blessing to you as well. In God's Grace Pastor Mark E. Heuser

Opening Hymn

Come, Thou Almighty King

Invocation P In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

Introit P I will bless the Lord at | all times;* His praise shall continually be | in my mouth. I sought the Lord, and He | answered me* and delivered me from | all my fears. C Those who look to Him are | radiant,* and their faces shall never | be ashamed.

LSB 905

P This poor man cried, and the Lord | heard him* and saved him out of all his | troubles. C The angel of the Lord encamps around those who | fear Him,* and de- | livers them. P Oh, taste and see that the | Lord is good!* C Blessed is the man who takes ref- | uge in Him! C 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. I will bless the Lord at | all times;* His praise shall continually be | in my mouth.

Confession and Absolution P Our gracious God has promised to hear us for Jesus’ sake when we call out for pardon and peace. Let us go to Him, confessing our sins. Silence for reflection on the Word of God and our fallen condition. P Heavenly Father, C we admit that we have often put our own wills ahead of Yours. In our pride we have demanded reasons from You for what has gone wrong in our lives. We have not called out to You in all humility, but have relied on our own righteousness instead of asking You for mercy and grace. We have let the turmoil of the world around us distract us from keeping our lives focused on Your strong Word and the salvation it proclaims. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, forgive us. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, move us to paths in which we may serve You and proclaim Your saving Word to those who do not know Your loving promises. P Although God’s Law condemns us in our fallen condition, with all our sinful thoughts, words, and deeds, He has promised that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Upon this your confession, I by virtue of my office, as your called Pastor and ordained servant of the

Word announce the grace of God to 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. C Amen.

Salutation P The Lord be with you. C And also with you.

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

Old Testament

Job 38:4–18 God puts Job in his place. R The Old Testament Reading is from Job, the thirty-eighth chapter. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, 9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, 11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? 12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, 4

and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? 14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. 15 From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. 16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. 13

R This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Epistle

Romans 10:5–17 Everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved. R The Epistle Reading is from Romans, the tenth chapter. 5

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord,

who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. R This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Holy Gospel

Matthew 14:22–33 Jesus invites Peter to walk to Him on the

water. P The Gospel saves us as surely as Jesus saved Peter on the water in today’s Gospel. But our response does involve actively trusting our Lord! P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the fourteenth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord. P Immediately [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, C “It is a ghost!” P and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him, R “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” P He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, R “Lord, save me.” P Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, C “Truly You are the Son of God.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day

Message

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Pastor Mark E. Heuser

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,

LSB 717 sts. 1, 2a, 3a, 4

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.

Offering & Offertory Prayer of the Church P Let us pray for all people in their various needs, for the Church around the world, and for those near and dear to us. Our great God “laid the foundation of the world.” C We ask Your guidance and protection for all who tend Your good creation, tilling the soil and protecting the environment; for all who

connect resources with people in need and for all who work for peace and justice in their positions of authority. P “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Let us ask the Holy Spirit’s strength and encouragement for all who proclaim the Gospel, offering the salvation that the Word of Christ announces. C We pray for all who put their faith into action, teaching the young, consoling the ill, comforting the grieving, and listening to the distraught and for those near and dear to us and those known only to our gracious God. P Jesus said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Let us ask our Savior’s gracious presence and protection for people of faith around the world. C We pray not only for those needs we have brought before you but also for those known only to You, make us instruments of Your good. P These and any other things You would have us ask of You, gracious God, grant to us for the sake of the sufferings and death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

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.

Benediction P May the Lord be within you to refresh you Beneath you to uphold you Above you to bless you And around you to protect you The blessing of almighty God The Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you always. C Amen.

Closing Hymn

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

LSB 715 sts. 1, 3

Grace Lutheran Church 9900 SE Mill Plain, Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98664 www.gracevancouver.org Pastor: Mark E. Heuser Administrative Assistant: Debra M. Tiede 360.892.7850 (office) ~ [email protected] Grace Lutheran Childcare Director: Judy Scriven 360.254.0663 (Office) ~ [email protected] www.gracelutheranpreschool.net Graceful Living Activity Center "A place to thrive" Director: Amy Holland 360.253.8697 (Office) ~ [email protected] Grace is…“Connecting People To Christ”

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