OPENING HYMN

“Thy Strong Word”…………………………....LSB 578

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Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At Thy speaking it was done.

For created light we thank Thee, While Thine ordered seasons run.

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005548

P: The Lord calls us to confess our sins with the promise that He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The psalmist says, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8). We take this time of silence to confess our sin to the Lord.

(A time of silent confession)

P: The psalmist also says, “O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might. O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.” We confess together:

P: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:8-12). You are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

THE PSALM FOR THE DAY:………………………………………………………..Psalm 33:1-5

P: Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!

P: Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;

P: Sing to him a new song;

P: For the word of the Lord is upright,

P: He loves righteousness and justice;

P: Father in heaven, Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. Bless us with Your Holy Spirit that we may be led to seek Your truth for our daily lives and, when our earthly journey has run its course, we may find joy in Your heavenly kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who has done all things needful for our salvation.

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 the Son together is worshipped 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.

SERMON HYMN

“Thy Strong Word”…………………………..………....LSB 578

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Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; Bright with Thine own holiness,

Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hopes confess.

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

Sermon - A Last Word on the Word

Sermon Reflection:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

CLOSING HYMN

“Thy Strong Word”………………………LSB 578, please stand

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God the Father, light-creator, To Thee laud and honor be.

To Thee, Light of Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally.

Holy Spirit, light-revealer, Glory, glory be to Thee.

Mortals, angels, now and ever Praise the holy Trinity!