Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Order of Worship

Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more. 

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Eternal and Almighty God, though your thoughts are not our thoughts and your ways are higher than our ways, grant us grace to seek you while you may be found, and to call upon you while you are near. Forsaking our wicked thoughts and unrighteous paths, may we return to you in true repentance, trusting entirely in your abundant mercy and generous pardon. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, our light, our salvation, and the stronghold of our lives against every rising fear, give us the courage of a steadfast heart, that though enemies besiege us, we may remain confident in your protection. Grant that we may always seek to dwell in the household of faith, beholding your fair and fearsome beauty, and finding that refuge which can only be obtained beneath the shelter of your wings. We ask for this gracious sanctuary, especially for those who are mourning and suffering among us in home or hospital. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of grace and power, who strengthened your servant Paul to advance the gospel even in chains and imprisonment, infuse your whole church on earth with holy courage. We ask more specifically that we who are counted among the members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church may speak your word without fear. Grant that for us, to live may truly be Christ and to die may be gain—that whether in life or in death, Christ Jesus may be magnified in our bodies, and that we may stand firm in one spirit, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of the Vineyard, whose sovereign grace surpasses all human standards of merit and reward, deliver us from an envious eye and a begrudging spirit when you pour out your blessings upon others. Make us glad to labor in your kingdom at any hour, rejoicing that your generosity is boundless and your mercy is free. We would be so bold as to ask for Carson and Stanton, who come to your table at this late hour in the sojourn of your church on earth, that they may always come to your table, trusting in your grace and forgiveness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Teaching

Open or download this week's preview of the lessons. We send this to our homebound with a bulletin each week and thought you might like to have a copy as well. You may read it online or print it out. It includes prayers, brief teaching on each of the four lessons for Sunday, an overview, and an additional Word Search based on the Gospel Lesson. 

Vespers

The readings for the Seventeen Sunday after Pentecost:Job 25:1–6;27:1–6;  Revelation 14:1–7, 13; and Matthew 5:13–20.  These readings are also found on page 854 in For All the Saints, volume IV. Note this new page that offers a fuller text of readings that correspond to the Daily Lectionary.