Second Sunday after Pentecost June 19, 2022

Theme for Worship: Through the Word, the Lord crushes evil. It is not surprising that God’s words crush evil. It is a surprise, however, to see that Jesus’ words have Jesus’ power even when they are not coming from Jesus’ mouth. Jesus puts his words on our lips.

Hymn: 871 Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You

1 Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you,
O Christians, lest the foe destroy you,
for Satan has designed your fall.
Wield God’s Word, a weapon glorious;
against each foe you’ll be victorious,
for God will set you o’er them all.
Fear not the prince of hell,
here is Immanuel!
Sing hosanna!
The strong ones yield
to Christ, our shield,
and we as conqu’rors hold the field.

2 Cast afar this world’s vain pleasure
and boldly strive for heav’nly treasure.
Be steadfast in the Savior’s might.
Trust the Lord, who stands beside you,
for Jesus from all harm will hide you.
By faith you’ll conquer in the fight.
Take courage, weary soul!
Look forward to the goal!
Joy awaits you.
The race, then, run;
your battle done,
the crown of glory will be won.

3 Jesus, all your children cherish,
and keep them that they never perish
whom you have purchased with your blood.
Let new life to us be given
that we may look to you in heaven
whenever fearful is our mood.
Your Spirit on us pour
that we may love you more,
hearts o’erflowing;
and then shall we,
from sin set free,
sing praise through all eternity.

Text: tr. John M. Sloan, 1835–after 1890, alt.; Wilhelm E. Arends, 1677–1721, abr.
Text: Public domain

Invocation

In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Confession

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

Holy God, gracious Father,
I am sinful by nature
and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions.
I have not loved you with my whole heart;
I have not loved others as I should.
I deserve your punishment both now and forever.
But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins
with his innocent suffering and death.
Trusting in him, I pray: God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Absolution

Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Lord, Have Mercy

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

Glory to God in the Highest

Refrain: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Refrain

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. Refrain

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Amen. Refrain

Salutation

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Prayer of the Day:

Let us pray.

Lord God, heavenly Father, you sent your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, into this world to destroy the works of the devil and protect us poor people against such an evil foe. Uphold us in all affliction by your Holy Spirit so that we may have peace from such enemies and remain forever blessed; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

First Reading: Isaiah 43:8–13

⁸Bring out the people who are blind, though they have eyes,

and the people who are deaf, though they have ears.

⁹Let all the nations be gathered together,

and let peoples be assembled.

Who among them has declared this?

Who has made known to us the former things?

Let them produce their witnesses to show that they were right,

so that people can hear and say, “This is truth.”

¹⁰You are my witnesses, declares the Lord.

You are my servant, whom I have chosen,

so that you may know me and believe in me,

so that you will understand that I am he.

Before me no god was formed,

and after me there will not be another.

¹¹I, yes I, am the Lord,

and apart from me there is no savior.

¹²I myself declared it.

I brought salvation, and I announced it.

It was not some strange god among you.

You are my witnesses, declares the Lord,

and I am God.

¹³Indeed, from the first day, I am he.

There is no one who can deliver anyone from my hand.
I act, and who can reverse it?

Psalm of the Day: 66A Let All the Earth Cry Out to the Lord

Ref Let all the earth cry out to the Lord, cry out to the Lord with joy!

1 Sing to the Lord, all you on earth,
sing praise to the grandeur of God;
proclaim his glorious name! (Refrain)

2 Let the whole world worship and sing,
acclaiming his wonderful deeds;
the might of God is at hand! (Refrain)

3 Listen now, all you who trust in the Lord,
our God has done great things for us,
answered our prayers with his kindness. (Refrain)

Text: Steven C. Warner
Text: © 1984 Steven C. Warner Published by OCP. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 703297

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3–10

³I thank God, whom I serve with a clean conscience as my ancestors did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. ⁴When I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵I remember your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that it also lives in you.

⁶For this reason I am reminding you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷For God did not give us a timid spirit, but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment. ⁸So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Instead, join with me in suffering for the gospel while relying on the power of God. ⁹He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, ¹⁰and it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Gospel Acclamation

L: Alleluia. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 8:26–39

²⁶They sailed down to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across from Galilee. ²⁷When Jesus stepped ashore, a man from the town met him. He was possessed by demons and for a long time had not worn any clothes. He did not live in a house but in the tombs. ²⁸When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!” ²⁹For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. In fact, the unclean spirit had seized him many times. He was kept under guard, and although he was bound with chains and shackles, he would break the restraints and was driven by the demon into deserted places.

³⁰Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

He said, “Legion,” because many demons had gone into him. ³¹They were begging Jesus that he would not order them to go into the abyss. ³²A herd of many pigs was feeding there on the mountain. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. ³³The demons went out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

³⁴When those who were feeding the pigs saw what happened, they ran away and reported it in the town and in the countryside. ³⁵People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet. He was clothed and in his right mind, and the people were afraid. ³⁶Those who saw it told them how the demon-possessed man was saved. ³⁷The whole crowd of people from the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were gripped with great fear.

As Jesus got into the boat and started back, ³⁸the man from whom the demons had gone out begged to be with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹“Return to your home and tell how much God has done for you.” Then he went through the whole town proclaiming what Jesus had done for him.

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise be to you, O Christ!

Hymn of the Day: 744 Rise, Shine, You People

1 Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered
our human story; God in him is centered.
He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded,
with grace unbounded.

2 See how he sends the pow’rs of evil reeling;
he brings us freedom, light and life and healing.
All men and women, who by guilt are driven,
now are forgiven.

3 Come, celebrate, your banners high unfurling,
your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling.
To all the world go out and tell the story
of Jesus’ glory.

4 Tell how the Father sent his Son to save us.
Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.
Tell how the Spirit calls from ev’ry nation
his new creation.

Text: Ronald A. Klug, b. 1939, alt.
Text: © 1974 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 703297

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.

Prayer of the Church

Offering

Hymn: 575 By Grace I’m Saved

1 By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless;
my soul, believe and doubt it not.
Why waver at this word of promise?
Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?
So then this word must true remain:
by grace you, too, shall heav’n obtain.

2 By grace God’s Son, our only Savior,
came down to earth to bear our sin.
Was it because of your own merit
that Jesus died, your soul to win?
No, it was grace, and grace alone,
that brought him from his heav’nly throne.

3 By grace! O mark this word of promise
when you are by your sins oppressed,
when Satan plagues your troubled conscience,
and when your heart is seeking rest.
What reason cannot comprehend
God by his grace to you did send.

4 By grace to timid hearts that tremble,
in tribulation’s furnace tried,
by grace, despite all fear and trouble,
the Father’s heart is open wide.
Where could I help and strength secure
if grace were not my anchor sure?

5 By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying;
in Jesus’ promise I rejoice,
for though I know my heart’s condition,
I also know my Savior’s voice.
My heart is glad, all grief has flown
since I am saved by grace alone.

Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Christian L. Scheidt, 1709–1761, abr.
Text: Public domain

Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,

 hallowed be your name,

 your kingdom come,

 your will be done

  on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

 as we forgive those

 who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

 and the glory are yours

 now and forever. Amen.

Blessing

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 T give you peace.

Amen.

Hymn: 640 God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage

God’s Word is our great heritage
and shall be ours forever;
to spread its light from age to age
shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way,
in death it is our stay.
Lord, grant, while worlds endure,
we keep its teachings pure
throughout all generations.

Text: tr. Ole G. Belsheim, alt.; Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783–1872
Text: Public domain

Acknowledgments

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version^®, NIV^®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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