First Service
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
We Rejoice That Our Lord Has Won
July 6, 2025
AS WE GATHER
Today’s Old Testament Reading should be read last, for it is a call to rejoicing, at least for people of faith in Christ. The guaranteed future includes “peace . . . like a river” (Isaiah 66:12), a powerful and restful image. The Epistle, however, is full of marching orders for daily living and the warning, “let us not grow weary of doing good” (Galatians 6:9). When the Seventy-Two (not just the Twelve) went out in the Gospel, we do not know how fearful they may have been, but they returned triumphant and were congratulated by our Lord. Because He has won the final battle for us, our worship today may certainly focus on the peace that awaits us. It is an opportunity to “shout for joy to God, all the earth” (Psalm 66:1).
+ PREPARATION +
HYMN From All That Dwell Below the Skies TLH 15
From all that dwell below the skies Let the Creator's praise arise; Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let the Redeemer's name be sung Through every land, by every tongue.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends Thy Word: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES Isaiah 66:10; Galatians 6:2; Luke 10:20
Pastor: Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her;
People: rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her.
Pastor: Bear one another’s burdens,
People: and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Pastor: Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you,
People: but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Luke 10:3–5; Psalm 66:8
Pastor: When our Lord sent out His followers, He said, “Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
People: We confess that we fear those wolves, for we lambs are vulnerable. Help us, gracious God.
Pastor: “Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.”
People: We confess that we are doubtful about success without those things that we need each day. Help us, Christ, our Lord.
Pastor: “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’”
People: We confess that we are often silent, lest our friends reject our presence. Help us, O Holy Spirit.
Pastor: Your fears, doubts, and silence have all been forgiven by the death and resurrection of Christ on your behalf. God goes with you now into every circumstance. As a called and ordained servant of Christ I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard.
+ WORD +
HYMN OF PRAISE Praise to the Lord TLH 39 vs 1 & 5
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is Thy Health and Salvation!
Join the full throng: Wake, harp and psalter and song; Sound forth in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen Sound from His people again; Gladly for aye we adore Him.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: Let us pray. Almighty God, You have built Your church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 66:10–14 (The prophet calls for rejoicing in the present time, for God has promised comfort and peace.)
10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her; 11 that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance.” 12 For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 14 You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.
EPISTLE Galatians 6:1–10, 14–18 (Paul encourages mutual caring and global outreach.)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load. 6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 10:1–20 (Jesus rejoices with the disciples as they return with good news.)
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. 16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” 17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN It Is Well With My Soul CH 705
When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Refrain: It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. (Refrain)
My sin – O, the bliss of this glorious tho’t – My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! (Refrain)
And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, Even so – it is well with my soul. (Refrain)
SERMON
CATECHISM The First Article
People: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
Pastor: What does this mean?
People: I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.
GREETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us use today’s Scripture passages as the basis for our prayers for ourselves and all people.
Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river.
People: Grant hopeful faith, Lord our God, to all who are not at peace this day. Give them strength to endure both national upheaval and internal stress as they await Your promised peace.
Pastor: As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.
People: Grant comfort and solace to all who mourn. Strengthen them to rely on our Savior’s victory over death and the grave.
Pastor: He turned the sea into dry land.
People: Surround with caring individuals and relief agencies people who have lost home and income from flood and fire, storm and tempest. Open doors of opportunity that they may find the food, clothing, and shelter they need each day.
Pastor: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
People: Move people of faith to seek out the lonely and distressed, the poor and disenfranchised, O Holy Spirit. Awaken in Your servants the words they need to share and the action they need to take so that fellowship and joy may replace isolation and sorrow.
Pastor: Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
People: Lord Jesus, where Your church is divided, unite it in faith; where it is fearful, strengthen resolve; and where it has forgotten the Gospel, raise up leaders to speak Your word of reconciliation.
Pastor: Heal the sick in it and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
People: Work through individuals and agencies to bring about the healing You have in mind for all who are sick, gracious God. Use the talents You have given them so that the people under their care may be restored in body, mind, and spirit, to praise Your gracious, holy name.
Pastor: Finally, O Lord, remember those who have requested our prayers this day, [especially . . .]. As fits Your plans for them, visit and restore them in Your mercy. Grant these requests, we pray, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, in whose name we pray.
People: Amen.