Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 12, 2021

Today’s Theme for Worship: Isaiah’s prophecy of “the eyes of the blind being opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped” really happened when Jesus healed people, and it still happens today, when God gives us his gifts and opens the eyes and ears of faith.

Opening Hymn 236 All Praise to God Who Reigns Above

1 All praise to God who reigns above, The God of all creation,

The God of wonders, pow’r, and love, The God of our salvation!

With healing balm my soul he fills, The God who ev’ry sorrow stills-

To God all praise and glory!

2 I cried to him in time of need: Lord God, oh, hear my calling!

For death he gave me life indeed And kept my feet from falling.

For this my thanks shall endless be; Oh, thank him, thank our God with me-

To God all praise and glory!

3 The Lord will not forsake his flock, His chosen generation;

He is their refuge and their rock, Their peace and their salvation.

As with a mother’s tender hand He leads his own, his chosen band-

To God all praise and glory!

4 All who confess Christ’s holy name, To God give praise and glory!

All who the Father’s pow’r proclaim, To God give praise and glory!

All idols under foot be trod; The Lord is God! The Lord is God!

To God all praise and glory!

5 Then come before his presence now And banish fear and sadness;

To your Redeemer pay your vow And sing with joy and gladness.

Though great distress my soul befell, The Lord my God did all things well-

To God all praise and glory!

Text: Johann J. Schütz, 1640-90, abr.; tr. composite.

P: The grace of our Lord + Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

Confession of Sins

P: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

P: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.

C: Amen.

P: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

♬ Oh Taste And See

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.

Bless-ed are they who take re-fuge in him.

Your Word, O Lord, is e-ter-nal;

it stands firm in the heav-ens.

Your faith-ful-ness con-tin-ues for-ev-er.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.

Bless-ed are they who take re-fuge in him.

Prayer of the Day

P: Let us Pray.

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: ♬ Amen.

First Lesson: Isaiah 35:4-7a
The LORD will not forsake or forget his people.

⁴Tell those who have a fearful heart:

Be strong.

Do not be afraid.

Look! Your God will come with vengeance.

With God’s own retribution, he will come and save you.

⁵Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,

and the ears of the deaf will be unplugged.

⁶The crippled will leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy.

Waters will flow in the wilderness,

and streams in the wasteland.

⁷The burning sand will become a pool,

and in the thirsty ground there will be springs of water.

Psalm of the Day - Special Music Psalm 16 – Keep Me Safe

Refrain

Keep me safe, my God; for in you I take refuge.

Refrain

Keep me safe, my God; for in you I take refuge.

You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.

I fix my eyes on you; with you I will not be shaken.

You alone my cup; you make my portion and lot secure.

I will praise you, LORD; you counsel and delight me.

Refrain

Keep me safe, my God; for in you I take refuge.

Those who pursue other gods will suffer more and more;

I will not take up their names upon my lips.

Refrain

Keep me safe, my God; for in you I take refuge.

Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices.

My body rests secure, for you will not leave me to the grave.

I will not see decay; you make known the path of life.

You fill me with joy always; at your right hand for all my days.

Refrain

Keep me safe, my God; for in you I take refuge.

Refrain

Keep me safe, my God; for in you I take refuge.

Keep Me Safe (Psalm 16) by Andy Braun © 2015

Second Lesson: James 1:17-27
Be “quick to listen, slow to speak.”

¹⁷Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, who does not change or shift like a shadow. ¹⁸Just as he planned, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creations.

¹⁹Remember this, my dear brothers: Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. ²⁰Certainly, a man’s anger does not bring about what is right before God. ²¹So after getting rid of all moral filthiness and overflowing wickedness, receive with humility the word planted in you. It is able to save your souls.

²²Be people who do what the word says, not people who only hear it. Such people are deceiving themselves. ²³In fact, if anyone hears the word and does not do what it says, he is like a man who carefully looks at his own natural face in a mirror. ²⁴Indeed, he carefully looks at himself; then, he goes away and immediately forgets what he looked like. ²⁵But the one who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continues to do so—since he does not hear and forget but actually does what it says—that person will be blessed in what he does.

²⁶If anyone considers himself to be religious but deceives his own heart because he does not bridle his tongue, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that is pure and undefiled in the sight of God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Verse:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37
Jesus heals a deaf man. Christ’s power is clearly seen.
³¹Jesus left the region of Tyre again and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of the Decapolis.

³²They brought a man to him who was deaf and had a speech impediment. They pleaded with Jesus to place his hand on him. ³³Jesus took him aside in private, away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. ³⁴After he looked up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”) ³⁵Immediately the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was set free, and he began to speak plainly. ³⁶Jesus gave the people strict orders to tell no one, but the more he did so, the more they kept proclaiming it. ³⁷They were amazed beyond measure and said, “He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”

P: This the gospel of our Lord.

C: ♬ Praise be to you, O Christ!

Hymn of the Day: 235 Praise the Almighty; My Soul, Adore Him

1 Praise the Almighty; my soul, adore him!

Yes, I will laud him until death.

With songs and anthems I’ll come before him

As long as he allows me breath.

From him my life and all things came;

Bless, O my soul, his holy name. Alleluia! Alleluia!

2 Penitent sinners, for mercy crying,

Pardon and peace from him obtain;

Ever the wants of the poor supplying,

Their faithful God he will remain.

He helps his children in distress,

The widows and the fatherless. Alleluia! Alleluia!

3 Trust not in princes, they are but mortal;

Earthborn they are and soon decay.

Vain are their counsels at life’s last portal

When the dark grave will claim its prey.

Since, then, no one can help afford,

Trust only Christ, our God and Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!

4 Praise, all you people, the name so holy

Of him who does such wondrous things!

All that has being, to praise him solely,

With happy heart its Amen sings!

Children of God, with angel host

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Text: Johann D. Herrnschmidt, 1675-1723, abr.; tr. Alfred E. R. Brauer, 1866-1949, alt.

Sermon

Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Offering

Electronic Giving! You can give your offerings from your smartphone with the GivePlusChurch app, which can be downloaded for free at Google Play or the App Store. You can also give at holytrinitylutheranwyoming.com by clicking the Offerings link at the top of the page or scan the QR code below. If you have any questions about any of these options, please contact David Vogel at davidvogel@gmail.com or 616-808-6320

Installation of Sunday School Teachers

M: Dear friends in Christ:

You have been called as teachers in the Sunday School of this congregation.

You are doing the work the Lord has committed to his Church: to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make disciples of all nations, and to feed the lambs of the Lord Jesus.

You do this work on behalf of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and in association with the parents who entrust their children to your instruction and care. Your work is both a great privilege and a serious responsibility. To equip yourselves for this blessed work it is necessary that you faithfully study God’s Word, devote yourselves to prayer for those entrusted to your care, and carefully prepare for the lessons you will teach. It is also of great importance in the teaching of the Savior’s little ones that you set an example by leading a Christian life.

M: I now ask you before God and this congregation:

Are you ready and willing to accept this responsibility and to do your work faithfully according to the ability God has given to you? If so, answer: Yes, and I ask God to help me.

R: Yes, and I ask God to help me.

M: I now install you as teachers in the Sunday School of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, in the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of the Holy Spirit.

The minister greets each by name and shakes the hand.

Grades 1-2 - Audra Becker, Nicole Bumhoffer

Grades 3-5 - Lori Arndt, Carrie Bradstreet

Grades 6 thru Highschool - Gary Becker, Scott Glascott

Bible Class - Nick Eubank

Superintendent - Matt Scott

Music - Jodi Grant

M: May God grant you his Holy Spirit and give you wisdom and strength to carry out your duties, to his glory and for the spiritual and eternal welfare of his people.

M: Members of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, I urge you to regard these teachers as servants of Jesus Christ, teachers of the Gospel, and God’s gifts to his Church. Support them in their work, pray for them, and bring your children to Sunday School so that you and your family may receive the eternal blessings the Lord promises to those who hear and learn his word.

M: Gracious Savior, you bless every effort to bring children up in the Christian faith. We ask you to give wisdom, kindness, and perseverance to teachers who feed your lambs. Teach them your truth so that they may teach others. Cause the children entrusted to their care to be eager to learn about their Savior. May your goodness go out into all the earth, so that people in this community and everywhere may hear it and believe it, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

M: Go in the peace of the Lord.

May the almighty God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless and keep you.

Prayer of the Church

Hymn: 757 Where Your Treasure Is

Refrain

Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be.

All that you possess will never set you free.

Seek the things that last; come and learn from me.

Where your treasure is, your heart shall be.

1 What do you gain from all your worry,

What you should eat or what to wear?

There is no peace in stress or hurry.

Do you not know that you are held within God’s care?

Refrain

Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be.

All that you possess will never set you free.

Seek the things that last; come and learn from me.

Where your treasure is, your heart shall be.

2 Look at the ravens high above you.

They do not work their whole life through,

And yet God feeds them and protects them.

So how much more will God protect and care for you?

Refrain

Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be.

All that you possess will never set you free.

Seek the things that last; come and learn from me.

Where your treasure is, your heart shall be.

3 Behold the lilies in their splendor.

In grace and beauty they are dressed,

And yet so soon their bloom is faded.

So how much more will those who look to God be blessed?

Refrain

Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be.

All that you possess will never set you free.

Seek the things that last; come and learn from me.

Where your treasure is, your heart shall be.

4 O little flock, do not be frightened;

Yours is the kingdom of the Lord.

Give your possessions to the needy;

Obtain a treasure in God’s heaven safely stored.

Refrain

Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be.

All that you possess will never set you free.

Seek the things that last; come and learn from me.

Where your treasure is, your heart shall be.

Text (st. 1-3): Luke 12:22-34, alt. Marty Haugen, b. 1950 © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Text (st. 4): Michael Schultz, b. 1963 © 2006 Michael Schultz. All rights reserved.

Used by permission.

Prayer and Blessing

P: Almighty God, we thank you for teaching us the things you want us to believe and do. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep your Word in pure hearts that we may be strengthened in faith, guided in holiness, and comforted in life and in death, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: ♬ A-men.

P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace.

C: ♬ A-men, A-men, A-men

Closing Hymn: 238 Oh, Bless the Lord, My Soul

1 Oh, bless the Lord, my soul!

Let all within me join

And aid my tongue to bless his name

Whose favors are divine.

2 Oh, bless the Lord, my soul,

Nor let his mercies lie

Forgotten in unthankfulness

And without praises die.

3 ’Tis he forgives my sins;

’Tis he relieves my pain;

’Tis he that heals my sicknesses

And makes me young again.

4 He fills the poor with good;

He gives the suff’rers rest;

The Lord has judgments for the proud

And justice for th’ oppressed.

5 His wondrous works and ways

He made by Moses known,

But sent the world his truth and grace

By his beloved Son.

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, abr., alt.