Second Sunday of End Times
Sunday Theme: Last Judgment
Prayer Before Worship – O Lord, most people around me are either afraid of Your judgment or they don’t believe it will ever happen. Thank You for making me aware ahead of time that the verdict will be “Not guilty” because of Jesus. That changes my whole attitude toward Your judgment.
Hymn 209
Common Service, front of hymnal, page 15
Prayer: Lord God Almighty,/ so rule & govern our hearts & minds by Your Holy Spirit/ that we may always look forward to the end of this present evil age/ & to the day of Your righteous judgment. Keep us steadfast in true & living faith/ & present us at last holy & blameless before You; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,/ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit,/ one God, how & forever. (Sing) Amen.
Epistle: Hebrews 9:24-28
Jesus now intercedes for us in the presence of God. He can do that because He sacrificed Himself once for all to take away our sins. He will appear again to take us to Himself.
24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Verse: Alleluia! Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Alleluia. (Sing) Alleluia!.... pg 18
Gospel: John 5:19-24
There is harmony between Jesus & the Father. The Father has handed over everything to Jesus. So we worship the Son as we do the Father. What joy it gives us to know we have eternal life in Jesus.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Nicene Creed, front of hymnal, page 18
Hymn 382
Sermon Text: Old Testament Lesson Malachi 4:1,2
Punishment will fall on those who arrogantly insist on their own way of living. Because of God’s gift of righteousness we will be filled with joy.
1 Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them.” 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.
Theme: The Day is Coming
Why talk about the day?
What is the message about the day?
Matt 3:12 “Jesus’ winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering the wheat into his barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Prayer after sermon: LORD JESUS, please use that threat to curb our sinfulness and that comfort for our souls.
(Sing): Create in me....pg 20
Thankoffering
Prayer, pg 129, Special prayers, Lord’s Prayer, continue page 21
Distribution of Lord’s Supper to the members of St Paul's & other WELS or ELS congregations who by their membership have indicated they are qualified to examine themselves (1 Cor 11:27-29) & to express oneness in faith (1 Cor 10:17). If you are a guest today & haven’t yet had the chance to express your agreement with us & would like to receive the Lord’s Supper together with us in the future, please speak with Pastor after worship or during the week. We would be delighted to help you come to appreciate a “close” relationship with your Lord, with us and with our congregation.
Hymn 208 during distribution
Continue page 24 & 25, front of hymnal
Hymn 608