NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Persistence Pays
October 19, 2025
AS WE GATHER
From an early age, many of us learned that persistent pestering is rude, as parents make this clear to children who repeatedly ask for the same things over and over. We are thankful that our heavenly Father never grows weary of our asking Him for what we need, no matter how repetitive our requests may be. As we see in Jacob’s persistent proclamation, “I will not let You go unless You bless me” (Genesis 32:26), in Paul’s exhortation to continually persist in what we have learned and believed (2 Timothy 3:14), and in Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8), we know we can bring all things to our heavenly Father persistently in prayer, trusting through it all that His will would be done.
+ PREPARATION +
HYMN With The Lord Begin Thy Task TLH 540
With the Lord begin thy task; Jesus will direct it.
For His aid and counsel ask; Jesus will perfect it.
Ev’ry morn with Jesus rise, And when day is ended,
In His name then close thine eyes;Be to Him commended.
Let each day begin with prayer, Praise, and adoration.
On the Lord cast ev’ry care; He is thy salvation.
Morning, evening, and at night Jesus will be near thee,
Save thee from the Tempter’s might, With His presence cheer thee.
With thy Savior at thy side, Foes need not alarm thee;
In His promises confide, And no ill can harm thee.
All thy trust do thou repose In the mighty Master,
Who in wisdom truly knows How to stem disaster.
If thy task be thus begun With the Savior's blessing,
Safely then thy course will run, Naught thy soul distressing.
Good will follow everywhere While thou here must wander;
Thou at last the joy will share In the mansions yonder.
Thus, Lord Jesus, ev'ry task Be to Thee commended;
May Thy will be done, I ask, Until life is ended.
Jesus, in Thy name begun Be the day's endeavor.
Grant that it may well be done To Thy praise forever.
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES
Pastor: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
People: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Pastor: This is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.
People: Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you.
Pastor: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
People: The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Psalm 34:17; 1 John 1:8–9
Pastor: As the Psalmist writes, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Our Lord hears our cries and invites us to speak to Him in our words and thoughts—to speak to Him in prayer.
People: We confess that we have failed to bring all things to You in persistent and persevering prayer, instead seeking our own devices and other means for the guidance, direction, and answers we seek.
Pastor: Our Lord also invites us to bring to Him our faults and failings, our sins of what has been done and left undone, against Him and against our neighbors. We are reminded, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Pastor: Unlike Jacob, we have been quick to give up and to discount the blessings held in store for us by Your grace.
People: Forgive us, Lord.
Pastor: As Paul writes, we confess we have not always endured sound teaching; rather, our itching ears have been opened to things that suit our own passions and desires.
People: Forgive us, Lord.
Pastor: As in Jesus’ parable, we seek out our own justice and even retribution for times we are wronged, impatient in our waiting and unrighteous in our trust in the perfect justice assured at Your time.
People: Forgive us, Lord.
Pastor: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: Amen.
+ WORD +
HYMN OF PRAISE I Sing Praises CH 5
I sing praises to Your name, O Lord, praises to Your name, O Lord,
For Your name is great and greatly to be praised!
I sing praises to Your name, O Lord, praises to Your name, O Lord,
For Your name is great and greatly to be praised!
I give glory to Your name, O Lord, glory to Your name, O Lord,
For Your name is great, and greatly to be praised!
I give glory to Your name, O Lord, glory to Your name, O Lord,
For Your name is great and greatly to be praised!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: Let us pray. O Lord, almighty and everlasting God, You have commanded us to pray and have promised to hear us. Mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may direct and govern our hearts in all things that we may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of Your name; 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 Genesis 32:22–30 (Jacob wrestles with God.)
22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”
EPISTLE 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5 (Continuing in and preaching the Word)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 18:1–8 (The parable of the persistent widow)
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN Thine The Amen Thine the Praise LSB #680
Thine the amen Thine the praise Alleluias angels raise Thine the everlasting head Thine the breaking of the bread
Thine the glory Thine the story Thine the harvest then the cup Thine the vineyard then the cup is lifted up lifted up.
Thine the life eternally Thine the promise let there be Thine the vision Thine the tree All the earth on bended knee
Gone the nailing gone the railing Gone the pleading gone the cry Gone the sighing gone the dying what was loss lifted high
Thine the truly Thine the yes Thine the table we the guest. Thine the mercy all from Thee Thine the glory yet to be
Then the ringing and the singing Then the end of all the war Thine the living Thine the loving evermore evermore.
Thine the kingdom thine the prize Thine the wonder full surprise Thine the banquet then the praise Then the justice of Thy ways
Thine the glory Thine the story then the welcome to the least Then the wonder all increasing at Thy feast at Thy feast.
Thine the glory in the night No more dying only light Thine the river Thine the tree Then the lamb eternally
Then the holy holy holy Celebration jubilee Thine the splendor Thine the brightness only Thee only Thee.
SERMON
NICENE CREED
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, 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 Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe 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 of the world to come. Amen.
GREETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us pray for the people of God in Christ Jesus, for His church, and for all people according to their needs.
Ever-hearing Lord, You invite us to cast our anxiety on You because You care for us. We pray that in the midst of trials and temptations, we remain firm in faith and continue to place ourselves where Your Spirit strengthens, nourishes, and sustains the faith You give. Hear our prayer and grant us peace.
Ever-providing Lord, we thank You for Your creation and for providing all we need for this body and life. You give to us, Your people, all our abilities and vocations; help us to use our gifts to Your glory. Be with all whose work is dangerous and protect those who serve and protect others in our world, nation, and communities. Help us recognize You as the giver of all good things in our faithful response as Your stewards. Hear our prayer and grant us peace.
Ever-guiding Lord, You place us where we are to be lights in a dark world and proclaim Your Word in truth and love. Empower us in our witnessing among family, friends, and strangers that they too may know the relationship You desire with all people through the Savior You have given. Grant Your Spirit to open ears and soften hearts that Your Gospel may be received and furthered throughout the world until You come again. Hear our prayer and grant us peace.
Pastor: Ever-present Lord, grant Your comfort and peace to those who face afflictions and who seek relief. We lift up to You those who persevere and have asked for persistent prayer, [especially . . .]. For those who mourn, grant Your presence that hope may be had even among tears of grief and sadness. Point all who grieve to the cross and the empty tomb and the assurance of eternal life. For the days You grant us, instill in us the persistence of prayer and perseverance of faith until at last we are called to You in everlasting glory. Hear our prayer and grant us peace.
Pastor: Into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
CATECHISM The Third Petition
Pastor: As we persevere in prayer and pray persistently to the Lord who hears, we also pray the prayer taught to His disciples and to us. In our persistent petitions, we know the Lord answers His people according to His will as we pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” What does this mean?
People: The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
Pastor: How is God’s will done?
People: God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come;
Pastor: and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.
People: This is His good and gracious will.