The Third Sunday after Trinity
“This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:1–10). This statement of judgment against Jesus by the Pharisees is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18–20). “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:12–17). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11–32) who think they are righteous of themselves will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father’s house. Let us therefore be on guard against self–righteously trusting in our own merits. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6–11). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life.
Introit: (Psalm 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: Psalm 25:16,18)
Pastor: Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Congregation: Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
P: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame;
C: You are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
P: My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
C: Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
Gloria Patri – pg. 186
Collect of the Day
O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, multiply Your mercy on us that, with You as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
- Micah 7:18-20 +
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. (19) He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (20) You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
Gradual: (Psalm 55:22a, 16, 18a)
Cast your burden | on the Lord, *
and he will sus- | tain you.
I call to God, and the Lord will | save me. *
He redeems my soul in | safety.
- 1 Peter 5:6-11 +
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (7) casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (8) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (9) Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (10) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (11) To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. The Lutheran Confessions Responsive Reading: Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
P: As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household. What is The Fourth Commandment?
C:Honor your father and your mother.
P: What does this mean?
C: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.
P:What Is The Third Petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
C: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
P: What does this mean?
C: 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.
P: How is God’s will done?
C: 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; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.
P: What is the summary of commandments 4-10 (Second Table)?
C: “”And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”Mat 22:39
Verse: (Psalm 18:1-2a)
P: Alleluia. I love you, O Lord, my strength.
C: The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. Alleluia.
- Luke 15:11-32 +
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. (12) And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. (13) Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. (14) And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. (15) So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. (16) And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. (17) “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. (19) I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ (20) And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (21) And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ (22) But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. (23) And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. (24) For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. (25) “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. (26) And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. (27) And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ (28) But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, (29) but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. (30) But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ (31) And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. (32) It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
