21 September 2025
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Ringing of the Bell
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude
Lutheran Service Book Divine Service Setting Three
Stand
912 Christ Is Our Cornerstone LSB 912
1
Christ
is our cornerstone,
On
Him alone we build;
With
His true saints alone
The
courts of heav’n
are filled.
On
His great love
Our
hopes we place
Of
present grace
And
joys above.
2
Here
may we gain from heav’n
The grace
which we
implore,
And
may that grace, once giv’n,
Be with us
evermore
Until
that day
When
all the blest
To
endless rest
Are
called away.
D
3
Oh,
then, with hymns of praise
These
hallowed courts
shall ring;
Our
voices we will raise
The
Three in One to sing
And
thus proclaim
In
joyful song,
Both
loud and long,
That
glorious name.
Text:
Latin, c. 8th cent.; tr. John Chandler, 1806–76,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
Invocation
P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
Exhortation LSB 184
P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
P Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C who made heaven and earth.
P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Confession of Sins LSB 184
P O almighty God, merciful Father,
C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
Absolution LSB 185
P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Kyrie LSB 186
C Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 187
P Glory be to God on high:
C and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee,
we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory.
O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord.
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
P Let us pray.
O Lord, keep Your Church in Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fall, preserve us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Sit
Old Testament Reading Amos 8:4–7
Hear
this, you who trample on the needy
and
bring the poor of the land to an end,
saying,
“When
will the new moon be over,
that
we may sell grain?
And
the Sabbath,
that
we may offer wheat for sale,
that
we may make the ephah small and the shekel great
and
deal deceitfully with false balances,
that
we may buy the poor for silver
and
the needy for a pair of sandals
and
sell the chaff of the wheat?”
The
Lord
has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
“Surely
I
will never forget any of their deeds.”
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Psalm Psalm 113
Praise
the Lord!Praise,
O servants of the Lord,
praise
the name of the Lord!
Blessèd
be the name of the Lord
from
this time forth and forevermore!
From
the rising of the sun to its setting,
the
name of the Lord
is to be praised!
The
Lord
is high above all nations,
and
his glory above the heavens!
Who
is like the Lord
our God,
who is seated on
high,
who
looks
far down
on the heavens and
the earth?
He
raises the poor from the dust
and
lifts the needy from the ash heap,
Epistle 1 Timothy 2:1–15
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Stand
Alleluia LSB 190
C Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Holy Gospel Luke 16:1–15
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the sixteenth chapter.
C Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
[Jesus] also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
Apostles’ Creed
C I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence 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 T everlasting. Amen.
Sit
732 All Depends on Our Possessing LSB 732
1
All
depends on our possessing
God’s
abundant grace and blessing,
Though all
earthly
wealth depart.
They
who trust with faith unshaken
By
their God are not forsaken
And will
keep a
dauntless heart.
2
He
who to this day has fed me
And
to many joys has led me
Is
and ever shall be mine.
He
who ever gently schools me,
He
who daily guides and rules me
Will remain
my help
divine.
3
Many
spend their lives in fretting
Over
trifles and in getting
Things that
have no
solid ground.
I
shall strive to win a treasure
That
will bring me lasting pleasure
And that
now is
seldom found.
4
When
with sorrow I am stricken,
Hope
anew my heart will quicken;
All my
longing shall be
stilled.
To
His loving-kindness tender
Soul
and body I surrender,
For
on God alone I build.
5
Well
He knows what best to grant me;
All
the longing hopes that haunt me,
Joy and
sorrow, have
their day.
I
shall doubt His wisdom never;
As
God wills, so be it ever;
I
commit to Him my way.
6
If
my days on earth He lengthen,
God
my weary soul will strengthen;
All my
trust in Him I
place.
Earthly
wealth is not abiding,
Like
a stream away is gliding;
Safe I
anchor in His
grace.
Text:
Andächtige
Haus-Kirche, 1676, Nürnberg;
tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Sermon - Pastor Bill Willson
Stand
Offertory LSB 192
C Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.
Sit
Offering
The Organist plays as the offerings are being collected.
Stand as the ushers bring forth the offering.
Prayers
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the baptized children of God, that we would be freed from obsession with the goods of this world and set our hearts on the joys of the kingdom and the inheritance that never fades, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For God’s Holy Church here and everywhere, for those who have been called to serve as her pastors and church workers, for those preparing for church-work vocations, and for those considering full-time church work, that they may be guarded against the assaults of the evil one, encouraged in their callings, and prepared to serve faithfully for the sake of the kingdom, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For men and women, that they would rejoice in the callings and responsibilities that God has given to them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Donald, our president; _____________, our governor; and all whom God has placed in high positions, that they may act with wisdom and mercy, and we may lead peaceable and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and those who suffer, for those troubled in mind, for the grieving in their sorrows, and for the dying in their last hours, [especially _____________,] that the Lord would grant them the comfort of His presence, relief according to His will and peace in their hearts, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our communion this day upon the body and blood of our Lord, for hearts moved to repentance and faith, and for the fruits of this Sacrament to be borne in lives of holiness and righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For grateful hearts, that the Lord would free us from greed and covetousness so that we might be content and glad to share with those in need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, our God, whose mercies are new every morning, we give You thanks and praise for all Your kindness toward us, and we pray You to grant us the will and desire to worship You joyfully, to serve You faithfully and to proclaim boldly Your mighty acts of deliverance through our Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom we offer to You these prayers, and in whom we trust for all things; to You alone be glory, honor, worship and praise, O Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
Preface LSB 194
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
P Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them up unto the Lord.
P Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
C It is meet and right so to do.
Proper Preface
P It is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who, having created all things, took on human flesh and was born of the virgin Mary. For our sake He died on the cross and rose from the dead to put an end to death, thus fulfilling Your will and gaining for You a holy people. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
Sanctus LSB 195
C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
heav’n and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Lord’s Prayer
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.
The Words of Our Lord
P On the night, in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Pax Domini LSB 197
P The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C Amen.
Agnus Dei 198
C O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace. Amen.
Sit
Distribution
The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive, saying:
Take, eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins.
Amen.
Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.
Amen.
The Dismissal
In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:
P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace.
C Amen.
Stand
Nunc Dimittis LSB 199
C Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word,
for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Thanksgiving 200
P O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good,
C and His mercy endureth forever.
Post-Communion Collect
P We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Salutation LSB 201
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
Benedicamus 202
P Bless we the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Benediction LSB 202
P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and T give you peace.
C Amen, amen, amen.
883 All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night LSB 883
1
All
praise to Thee, my God, this night
For
all the blessings of the light.
Keep
me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath
Thine own almighty wings.
2
Forgive
me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The
ill that I this day have done,
That
with the world, myself, and Thee,
I,
ere I sleep, at peace may be.
3
Teach
me to live that I may dread
The
grave as little as my bed.
Teach
me to die that so I may
Rise
glorious at the awe-full day.
4
Oh,
may my soul in Thee repose,
And
may sweet sleep mine eyelids close,
Sleep
that shall me more vig’rous
make
To
serve my God when I awake!
5
When
in the night I sleepless lie,
My
soul with heav’nly
thoughts supply;
Let
no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No
pow’rs of
darkness me
molest.
D
6
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise
Him, all creatures here below;
Praise
Him above, ye heav’nly
host:
Praise
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Text:
Thomas Ken, 1637–1711,
alt.
Text:
Public domain
CLOSING RESPONSE
P Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!
C Praise be to God!
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.