The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
I will cry unto God Most High: unto God that performeth all things for me.
Yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge: until these calamities be overpast.
Psalm. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee.
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that Thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent, create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee.
V. He shall send from heaven: and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up.
Tract. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins: nor reward us according to our iniquities.
V. O Lord, remember not against us former iniquities: let Thy tender mercies speedily come to us, for we are brought very low.
V. Help us, O God of our salvation: for the glory of Thy name.
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #370 My Hope Is Built
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657 Beautiful Savior
- Treatment and recovery - Pastor Jim Shrader (surgery), Randy Anderson, Lori Howell, Kermit Way, Sarah Buck.
- The Zoom computers work now, perhaps due to a mike & even more "upgrades." Zach Engleman and Glen Kotten spent hours going over the sound issue.
12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18 Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
19 Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Treasures in Heaven
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
This is a wonderful statement about pretending to be pious as a display for everyone else, as if such works really meant much. Everything begins with faith in Jesus Christ, not appearances. Jesus' response if funny - they have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Some people like to fast, but to do that as sanctification is bogus. One bishop said fasting was mandatory and I questioned that. People can make up new religions by going against the Savior and savoring the Law.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
People have taught me that we should give to people rather than sell to people. I have written about a friend in grade school whose clothes were secretly gathered among mothers so he could have enough to ware. When I asked why my clothes were being removed from my modest pile, my mother said, "None of your business." When I pressed for a answer in situations like that, she said. "You're not old enough." That meant so much to the family that the grade school boy wrote about it and said people should mention his name to encourage others and themselves. He ended up the head of our high school class, a star athlete, and a full scholarship winner to attend Yale University. My other grade school friend said, "We don't have garage sales but give aways. No questions, no prices." That is a great way to help others and clean up the house.
Treasures in heaven are the key statement in this passage. The true treasures in life are intangible, based on faith, generosity, helping and delighting others. We obtain those treasures through faith bearing - like the Grape Vine, John 15 - the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Or, we could say, bearing treasures through the Means of Grace - The Word of God and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
That is the great storehouse, Scrooge McDuck but with the tangibles. Some people are so caring that they act upon the needs of others and strengthen others by what they say. Luther commented too that the cranky, difficult people who oppose the Gospel - not all of them are clergy - are energizing the faithful to be serious about the treasures in the KJV. That has more gems that all the jewelry stores in LA. Nobody can steal the treasures in heaven. Most importantly, our hearts are with our treasures. If they are are material things, the hearts will go there, often forever. If they hearts are with the blessings of God's Word, they will keep those treasures and God's Word will keep them.
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